Update 5:45 p.m.: Late this afternoon, Democratic State Senate leader Darrell Steinberg ... and the rest of the Senate Democratic Caucus called on Calderon to resign.
The Department of Justice announced Friday that State Sen. Ron Calderon (D-Montebello) is facing 24 federal charges including bribery, wire fraud and money laundering.
U.S. Attorney Andre Birotte said Calderon solicited and accepted $100,000.
“Ron Calderon, we allege, took the bribes in return for official acts. Such as, supporting legislation to those that would be favorable to those that paid him bribes and opposing legislation that would harmful to them. The indictment further alleges that Calderon attempted to convince other public officials to do the same."
~Andre Birotte, U.S. Attorney
The legislation centered on a potential film tax credit and regulation of medical billing. Calderon is accused of accepting cash, trips, dinners and jobs for his children.
Birotte says Calderon has agreed to surrender on Monday. His brother, former Democratic Assemblyman Tom Calderon, is also being charged in the case. He has already surrendered.
-By Katie Orr
12 P.M.
Federal officials announced Friday that State Sen. Ron Calderon (D-Montebello) is being charged in a 24-count indictment for mail fraud, wire fraud, honest services fraud, bribery, conspiracy to commit money laundering, money laundering and aiding in the filing of false tax returns.
US Atty in #LA Andre Birotte announces indictments against #CA St Sen Ron Calderon and brother Tom #KPCC pic.twitter.com/WMZW5GakWR
— Frank Stoltze (@StoltzeFrankly) February 21, 2014
Calderon Bribe Case - Indictment
11:48 A.M.
KPCC reported Friday that State Sen. Ron Calderon and his brother Tom were indicted on public corruption charges.
Take a look at KPPC's full report. Livestream available here.
Other reports regarding the Calderon case:
- John Meyers from 10News reported that the state senator knew a raid was coming
- The L.A. Times has an interactive graphic about the case
KPCC's timeline of the Calderon investigation:
9:58 A.M.
The U.S. Department of Justice and FBI have scheduled a noon press conference Friday in Los Angeles to announce charges filed in what they call "a political corruption matter and a case involving a massive health care fraud scheme."
A source in the California legislature tells Capital Public Radio that the announcement will involve the investigation of state Sen. Ron Calderon (D-Montebello).
The FBI raided Calderon's Capitol office in June. Then, in October, Al Jazeera America reported the FBI targeted Calderon in an undercover sting operation.
According to a sealed affidavit obtained by Al-Jazeera, Calderon accepted $60,000 dollars in bribes from an FBI agent posing as the owner of a movie studio.
In exchange, the affidavit alleges the senator tried to pass a film tax credit at the agent’s request.
- By Ben Adler
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