On July 14 of this year, a Facebook user posted about an “Operation” (raid) at the home of Former Bell Gardens Mayor Jennifer Rodriguez in a community forum. The post was accompanied by a picture of what appeared to be federal agents gathering outside Jennifer Rodriguez’s home. SELA News has learned, from a source who spoke on condition of anonymity, that Jennifer Rodriguez’s husband, Gerardo Rodriguez, was taken into custody for possession of large quantities of methamphetamines and cash.
SELA News has also now obtained a redacted arrest report from the California Highway Patrol stating that Gerardo was taken into custody on July 14 for violating California Health and Safety codes 11378 (possession of methamphetamine with the intent to sell) and 11379 (sale and transportation for sale of methamphetamine). Read the full arrest report here F13965022 PRA 65022120_ for anon
Jennifer Rodriguez was removed from office by a superior court judge in December of 2019 for failing to fulfill her duties as a council member, all while still collecting $50,000 of taxpayer dollars per year in salary and benefits. Jennifer Rodriguez claimed she was too ill to serve but failed to produce evidence to city administration and the Superior Court of Los Angeles. Growing desperate to remain in power, Jennifer Rodriguez began accusing her council colleagues of conspiring against her because she was an “obstacle.”
“I was an obstacle for their dirty businesses that they want to do in the city because I vehemently oppose permits to establish marihuana businesses…. I am completely opposed. The community is who will suffer,” stated Jennifer in a 2019 article by La Opinion News.
Jennifer has voiced her opposition to the cannabis industry on several occasions. However, campaign finance reports for the 2020 municipal election show that she and her then-running mate, Christian Mendez, received thousands of dollars from Edvin Tsaturyan. Mr. Tsaturyan is the license holder for J&L Property Holdings, LLC, a licensed cannabis operation in the City of Commerce.
In addition to receiving money from cannabis operators, the Rodriguez family has a history of ties to the illegal drug market. Jennifer’s husband, Gerardo Rodriguez, co-owned A&G Collective, an illegal marijuana dispensary in Santa Fe Springs. from 2009 to 2011. A&G Collective was located at 8807 Pioneer Blvd, Santa Fe Springs, CA.
During the 2020 campaign for office, Jennifer was confronted with these allegations and failed to address them. Jennifer Rodriguez also failed to report income from her husband’s business on her FPPC (Fair and Political Practices Commission) disclosure forms, thereby violating California Law. It is not the first instance in which Rodriguez broke reporting laws. The FPPC has fined her on several occasions.
Jennifer’s husband, Gerardo Rodriguez, also began a consulting business that catered to cannabis operators looking to obtain licenses in the cities of Cudahy and South El Monte using contacts he made through Jennifer. Mr. Rodriguez attempted to aid in the extortion of $15,000 from an operator along with a Cudahy official who was sentenced to 3 years in federal prison for agreeing to take money from an FBI informant claiming to be a cannabis operator in 2013.
Jennifer Rodriguez’s latest piece of campaign materials claims that she is a strong leader that wants to restore transparency and progress to the city. Unfortunately, Rodriguez has shown time and time again that she is incapable of honesty and openness. She has shown poor decision-making and an inability to maintain her own home in order. How can she be trusted to run the City of Bell Gardens?
