L.A. City Councilman Pleads 'Not Guilty' to Perjury and Voter Fraud
Los Angeles City Councilman Richard Alarcon pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges of perjury and voter fraud after allegation that they lied about living in their Panorama City home.
Alarcon, 58, is charged with 16 felony counts and his wife, Flora Montes de Oca Alarcon, 47, is charged with six felony counts. Here's a breakdown of their charges:
- 7 counts of fraudulent voting against Alarcon
- 6 counts of perjury by declaration against Alarcon
- 3 counts of perjury in an application for a drivers license against Alarcon, counts of perjury by declaration for his wife, counts of fraudulent voting in the 2007, 2008 and 2009 elections
Prosecutors allege that Alarcon and his wife lied about their residence in Panorama City, so that he could represent the 7th District. According to the prosecution, the couple lived in their Sun Valley home.
Alarcon and his wife were ordered on Oct. 2 to stand trial by a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge, and a pretrial hearing has been set for No. 15. Alarcon's attorneys have said they plan to file a motion asking that the charges be dismissed based on the evidence that was presents at the preliminary hearing.
Alarcon was initially indicted by a L.A. County grand jury on the same charges, but a Superior Court Judge dismissed the case on May 3.