Politics
The Predator, The Lobbyist and the Councilmember: When Campaigns Come Before Child Safety
43-year-old man with a domestic violence conviction, an unregistered gun and over $100,000 in warrants was running youth volunteers out of their offices. A 16-year-old girl says he sexually abused her. In February 2021, Huntington Park police arrested Billy Valdivia, then 43, after a 16-year-old girl and her mother walked into the station. Police reports […]
Who Does She Really Serve? Bell Gardens Council Member's Six-Figure Role at Scandal-Plagued Immigration Firm Raises Serious Questions About Her Values
Isabel Guillen was elected to represent Bell Gardens — one of Southern California’s most heavily immigrant communities. But her 2025 financial disclosure reveals she has been collecting a six-figure salary as a senior paralegal at an immigration law firm now under federal investigation for allegedly draining the life savings of the very people she was […]
Bell Gardens Mayor Alejandra Cortez Steps Down
Mayor Alejandra Cortez of Bell Gardens announced her resignation on Monday, July 3rd, citing work and personal obligations. In a statement on social media, Cortez stated, “It is with a heavy heart that I announce my resignation from the Bell Gardens City Council; the time has come for me to transition and focus on my […]
LA Court Ruling: Bell Gardens Council Member Is Out!
>>BREAKING<< BELL GARDENS, CA – In a shocking turn of events, a Los Angeles Superior Court ruled earlier this week that Jennifer Rodriguez, a Bell Gardens Councilmember, will be removed from office on charges that she willingly vacated her seat (click here to view full court document). First reported here on SELA News back in […]
Editorial
Local News
The Predator, The Lobbyist and the Councilmember: When Campaigns Come Before Child Safety
43-year-old man with a domestic violence conviction, an unregistered gun and over $100,000 in warrants was running youth volunteers out of their offices. A 16-year-old girl says he sexually abused her. In February 2021, Huntington Park police arrested Billy Valdivia, then 43, after a 16-year-old girl and her mother walked into the station. Police reports […]
BREAKING: DA’s Public Integrity Division requests campaign finance records for Huntington Park council campaigns, Women Leading Change Democratic Club
The DA Is Now Pulling the Campaign Books on Huntington Park Candidates. Two of Them Had Their Homes Raided in “Operation Dirty Pond.”Prosecutors want certified copies of the finance filings of three council hopefuls, and residents who were promised a pool are still looking at a dirt lot. HUNTINGTON PARK — The Los Angeles […]
Who Does She Really Serve? Bell Gardens Council Member's Six-Figure Role at Scandal-Plagued Immigration Firm Raises Serious Questions About Her Values
Isabel Guillen was elected to represent Bell Gardens — one of Southern California’s most heavily immigrant communities. But her 2025 financial disclosure reveals she has been collecting a six-figure salary as a senior paralegal at an immigration law firm now under federal investigation for allegedly draining the life savings of the very people she was […]
BREAKING NEWS!!! – Efren Martinez at the Center of Huntington Park Corruption Probe
The City of Huntington Park just released the warrant that investigators used to enter City Hall and 11 other locations including; current and former councilmembers, and lobbyist and ex-city official, Efren Martinez, on February 26th of this year. The probe dubbed “Operation Dirty Pond,” centers on the alleged misuse of millions of dollars in public funds […]