Ricardo Pacheco, a former Baldwin Park, California, councilman, was sentenced Friday to 18 months in federal prison after admitting to taking bribes connected to a police-union contract and commercial marijuana permits. Prosecutors said he buried nearly $63,000 in cash in two places in his backyard and used his elected position to channel payments through a church and political groups. Pacheco was also fined $10,000 and ordered to forfeit $219,755. The case formed part of a broader corruption investigation involving local officials and the marijuana industry.
| 1) | Sentencing and financial penalties |
| 2) | Police-union contract bribery |
| 3) | Marijuana permit pay-to-play scheme |
| 4) | Role of the federal investigation |
| 5) | Related convictions and broader impact |
Sentencing and financial penalties
Pacheco, 63, served on the Baldwin Park City Council for more than two decades before resigning in 2020 as part of his plea agreement. A federal judge sentenced him on Friday to 18 months in prison, imposed a $10,000 fine and ordered the forfeiture of $219,755. Prosecutors said the FBI seized $83,145 in cash proceeds from him, including $62,900 he acknowledged hiding in his backyard. A restitution hearing has not yet been scheduled.
Police-union contract bribery
The case began with a 2018 investigation into a Baldwin Park police-union contract. Between January and October of that year, Pacheco solicited and received $37,900 from a police officer in exchange for supporting the Baldwin Park Police Association’s contract with the city. The agreement was valued at least at $4.4 million over three years.
In October 2018, the officer, who was cooperating with federal investigators, delivered a $20,000 cash payment in an envelope at a Baldwin Park coffee shop. Pacheco also directed $17,900 in checks to a church and political action committees established in other people’s names but controlled by him, according to prosecutors.
Marijuana permit pay-to-play scheme
Baldwin Park began permitting marijuana cultivation, manufacturing and distribution in 2017. Prosecutors said Pacheco then sought payments from businesses pursuing development agreements and related permits. The case focused in part on W&F International Corp., a Diamond Bar import-export company seeking authorization to operate in Baldwin Park.
Isaac Jacob Galvan, then a Compton City Council member, provided consulting services to the company and helped facilitate $70,000 in payments from its owner, Yichang Bai, to Pacheco. In return, prosecutors said, Pacheco supported the company’s permit and later backed its effort to move its operations. The payments were concealed through third-party checks, including checks with blank payee lines. Galvan later sought additional money for Pacheco’s legal defense fund, leading to another $20,000 delivered through seven checks from unrelated bank accounts.
Role of the federal investigation
The police officer and another officer approached federal investigators to assist with the corruption inquiry. After the recorded coffee-shop transaction, Pacheco became an informant and wore a concealed recording device while investigators developed additional cases. The investigation ultimately produced six indictments involving more than 20 people connected to local government and the marijuana sector.
The Department of Justice said Pacheco and Galvan carried out “corrupt acts while they were elected officials,” including accepting and paying bribes for political support and municipal permits. The investigation also examined alleged misconduct involving other public officials and industry figures.
Related convictions and broader impact
Isaac Jacob Galvan, 39, received the same 18-month federal prison sentence and was ordered to pay $323,557 in restitution. He also admitted failing to report approximately $560,525 in income to the Internal Revenue Service from 2017 through 2020. Prosecutors said the conduct caused a tax loss of $115,816.
Yichang Bai pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery and was sentenced in July to 20 months in prison and fined $3,000. The combined cases exposed how payments were allegedly routed through intermediaries, political organizations and other accounts to influence votes and permits in Southern California.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Pacheco was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison. |
| 2 | He admitted receiving $37,900 tied to a police-union contract. |
| 3 | Prosecutors linked him to $70,000 in payments involving a marijuana permit. |
| 4 | The FBI investigation involved more than 20 people and six indictments. |
Summary
The sentence against Ricardo Pacheco concludes a major federal corruption case involving payments for political support, a police-union agreement and commercial marijuana permits. The findings underscore the consequences of using public office to influence municipal decisions and conceal proceeds through third parties and political organizations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ricardo Pacheco?
He is a former Baldwin Park City Council member who served for more than 20 years before resigning in 2020 under a plea agreement.
What sentence did Pacheco receive?
He received 18 months in federal prison, a $10,000 fine and an order to forfeit $219,755. A restitution hearing remains pending.
What other officials were sentenced?
Isaac Jacob Galvan, a former Compton councilman, also received an 18-month sentence and was ordered to pay $323,557 in restitution.
