As previously reported by SELA News, Jennifer Rodriguez, the former long time councilmember with a history of deceit, lack of transparency, and ties to criminal activity, who was removed from office by a superior court judge, has once again launched a campaign to get re-elected to the Bell Gardens City Council. This time around, Rodriguez is not only attempting to regain her seat but is trying to flex her political muscle by running a slate of candidates who, if elected, would make up the new majority on the council. So who are these candidates assisting Rodriguez with her blatant power grab? Steve Martin Figueroa, a Registered Nurse, and Jose Angel Cruz, a Real Estate Agent and youth sports coach, have lent their names and reputations to Jennifer’s scheme. Since the onset of the campaign, reports of erratic and inappropriate behavior have surfaced about one of these handpicked aspiring politicians.
Campaign materials showcasing Rodriguez, Cruz, and Figueroa, are making the rounds in Bell Gardens. In them, Jose Angel Cruz lists his 14 years of youth coaching experience and his “helping families” at TouchPoint Church as part of his community service. It is unclear to SELA News if his claims of volunteer work at TouchPoint Church are valid. Richard Jarman, the Pastor at TouchPoint Church, took to Bell Gardens Uncensored, a community forum on Facebook, to inform the community that neither he nor the church endorsed the candidate nor permitted him to use the church’s name for political purposes.
“It’s come to my attention that one person running for BG city council mentions that they are a member of TouchPoint Church in their campaign literature. I want to be clear: I don’t endorse or promote anyone running for any political office. TouchPoint Church doesn’t either. The candidate didn’t get our permission to use our church’s name.” – Richard Jarman.
The use of TouchPoint Church’s name on his campaign literature and in his candidate’s statement, which will appear on the official ballot, is not the only instance of inappropriate behavior that Mr. Cruz has displayed as it relates to this campaign. A Facebook user and presumed church affiliate stated, “Thank you for stating that. I told my daughter they have no business stating that at any meetings, especially the twelve steps or any other meeting at the church or schools.” “He was campaigning at a 12-step program meeting??? No way!” commented a second user. “Yes,” replied the first user. Openly campaigning during a Twelve-step Program and in a religious setting demonstrates poor decision-making and indicates the inability to identify actions that are clearly inappropriate.
Jose Angel Cruz’s shenanigans at TouchPoint Church are not the only occasions Cruz has demonstrated inappropriate and erratic behavior. SELA News has received images and videos of Cruz setting up a table with trophies and plaques from his coaching activities near the baseball fields at Ford Park. Cruz is clearly in “campaign mode” and is running around giving young children “high-fives” and telling parents he is running for city council. SELA News sources have also informed us that Mr. Cruz attempted to enter the Bell Gardens Senior Center to speak with seniors. When city staff stopped him, he asked how he could “volunteer” there. When staff asked him to leave and directed him to the exit, Cruz began jumping, flailing, and yelling that he was running for city council. In addition to demonstrating erratic behavior and poor decision-making, Jose Angel Cruz’s behavior is unethical and unlawful. Political campaigning activity in government-owned facilities such as libraries, city halls, parks, and community centers is prohibited when it impedes the general public’s ability to use the facility.
Most of Jose Angel Cruz’s behavior to date, although perhaps comical to some and uncomfortable to others, has shown a pattern of questionable decision-making that is not desirable for a person seeking elected office. However, what SELA News has learned about Cruz’s behavior at a Bell Gardens High School football game is enough to question whether Cruz should even be allowed to be around children during his coaching activities, let alone be eligible to hold any elected office.
On Friday, August 19 of this year, Jose Angel Cruz attended the Bell Gardens Lancer’s season opener against Troy High School (Fullerton). At approximately 9:00 p.m., the school principal, Miguel Miranda, informed a Bell Gardens Police Officer that an adult male subject, identified as Jose Cruz, was making inappropriate comments to students located in the bleachers. Principal Miranda asked the Officer to escort Mr. Cruz out of the Stadium. A short time later, Mr. Cruz re-entered the school campus and sat in the visitor’s bleachers.
At approximately 10:00 p.m., Mr. Miranda again approached the Officer, who informed him that Jose Cruz had “sexually assaulted” a female student. The student, a minor, stated that she was seated in the video booth of the bleachers, photographing football players, when an individual identified by others as Jose Cruz entered the video booth and used both hands to “touch and rub” the student. The female student felt “uncomfortable and frightened.” A police report obtained by a public records request describes the incident as “weird, uncalled for and creepy” by the investigating Officer. SELA News has now received word that the Montebello Unified School District has filed a Restraining Order and banned Jose Angel Cruz from all MUSD school facilities. A request for public information with MUSD has been submitted at the time of this writing.
Jose Angel Cruz’s bizarre, inappropriate and disturbing behavior will undoubtedly play a factor in the upcoming election. He has demonstrated a pattern of odd behavior and poor decision-making that will likely give pause to many residents voting on November 8. Someone may get into Mr. Cruz’s ear and advise him to tone down his behavior. However, it is SELA News’s opinion that Jose Angel Cruz can’t help himself. This is who he is. This is the type of person that Jennifer Rodriguez attracts and associates with. The saying goes, “birds of a feather flock together.” It will be interesting to see what, if anything, is revealed about Steve Figueroa.
Download the police report here
