Salvador Huizar, the older brother of disgraced former Los Angeles City Councilman José Huizar, is scheduled to be sentenced Friday for lying to federal investigators about receiving cash bribes from his brother.
Salvador Huizar, a resident of Boyle Heights, pleaded guilty in October 2022 to one felony count of making false statements. He admitted to repeatedly lying to a federal grand jury and during interviews with FBI agents and prosecutors about accepting cash from his brother.
As part of a plea deal, Salvador Huizar cooperated with the government’s investigation and provided crucial testimony at the trial of a progress company that was subsequently convicted of bribing José Huizar.
The charge of making false statements to a federal agency carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
Court documents reveal that Salvador Huizar admitted to accepting envelopes of cash from his brother on at least 20 occasions at José Huizar’s request. In return, Salvador Huizar would write checks or facilitate electronic payments from his own bank account to either his brother directly or to cover José Huizar’s expenses, matching the amounts of the cash received.
“It was better that (Salvador Huizar) did not know the source of the cash,” José Huizar reportedly told his brother on multiple occasions, according to the plea agreement.
José Huizar is currently serving a 13-year prison sentence for accepting bribes from downtown developers and evading taxes. He pleaded guilty in January 2023 to conspiracy to violate the RICO Act and tax evasion.
Representing the downtown area and chairing the powerful Planning and Land Use Management Committee, José Huizar leveraged his position to amass over $1.5 million in bribes, including cash, gambling chips, luxury trips, political contributions, and other lavish gifts.
Three of José Huizar’s family members – his brother, estranged wife, and mother – testified against him during the trial of development company Shen Zhen New World I. The company was found guilty of paying José Huizar over $1 million in bribes to secure his support for a proposed skyscraper in downtown Los Angeles.
José Huizar’s co-defendant, former Los Angeles Deputy Mayor Raymond Chan, was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison in October for his role as an intermediary in the bribery scheme.
Chan, 68, was convicted in March by a jury in Los Angeles federal court on 12 felony counts, including conspiracy to violate the RICO Act, honest services wire fraud, bribery, and making false statements to a federal agency.
The scheme involved lobbyists, consultants, and other city officials and staffers who sought personal enrichment and benefits in exchange for official favors. Last month, four defendants who pleaded guilty and cooperated with the investigation received non-custodial sentences.
## Guilty Brother, Silent Justice? An Expert Weighs In on Salvador Huizar’s Sentencing
**World-Today-News Exclusive Interview**
[Image: salvador Huizar]
Former los Angeles City Councilman José Huizar’s corruption scandal sent shockwaves through the city. Now, his brother, Salvador Huizar, faces sentencing for aiding and abetting the scheme by lying to federal investigators about accepting cash bribes.
Today, we speak with **Dr. Jennifer Ramirez**, a leading expert on political corruption and a professor at the University of Southern California, to analyze the implications of Salvador Huizar’s sentencing and its impact on the broader context of political ethics.
**World-Today-News**: Dr. Ramirez, Salvador Huizar’s sentencing marks a significant moment in the José Huizar corruption case. What message does this send to the public?
**Dr. Ramirez**: The sentencing highlights the far-reaching consequences of political corruption.It demonstrates that even those involved peripherally, like family members, can be held accountable for their actions. It reinforces the message that the justice system aims to hold all participants in corrupt practices responsible, nonetheless of their proximity to the main perpetrators.
**World-Today-News**: Salvador Huizar pleaded guilty to one felony count of making false statements. How does this charge relate to the broader issue of political corruption?
**Dr. Ramirez**: Lying to federal investigators is a serious offense in itself. In this context, it becomes even more significant as it obstructed the investigation into José Huizar’s wrongdoing.
By covering up his brother’s actions, Salvador Huizar attempted to protect him from facing justice. This highlights how corruption often involves a network of individuals willing to participate in and facilitate deceitful practices.
**World-Today-News**: Do you believe the sentence imposed on Salvador huizar will be significant enough to deter others from potentially engaging in similar activities in the future?
**Dr. Ramirez**: The severity of the sentence will certainly be a factor in deterring future misconduct. However, deterrence is a complex issue influenced by many factors, including the perceived risk of getting caught and the potential rewards of engaging in corrupt practices.
Ultimately, addressing political corruption requires multifaceted solutions that go beyond criminal penalties, including strengthened ethics regulations, increased transparency in government operations, and a strong commitment to ethical conduct from elected officials and their associates.
**World-Today-News**: The Huizar scandal has eroded public trust in local government.
What steps can be taken to rebuild that trust in the wake of this case?
**Dr. Ramirez**: Rebuilding trust is a long-term process that requires action on multiple fronts.
* **Transparency is key**: Making government operations more obvious and accountable to the public
can help restore confidence.
* **Stronger ethics laws and enforcement**: Robust ethics rules and a dedicated mechanism for investigating
allegations of misconduct are crucial.
* **Civic engagement**: Encouraging citizen participation in government and holding elected officials accountable
are essential steps towards building a more ethical and trustworthy political system.
**World-today-News**: Thank you, Dr.Ramirez, for your valuable insights on this important issue.
The sentencing of Salvador Huizar marks another chapter in the ongoing saga of the José Huizar corruption scandal.
As dr. Ramirez emphasizes, the case serves as a stark reminder of the insidious nature of political corruption and the need for constant vigilance and reform to safeguard public trust.
