San Fernando Mayor Mario Hernandez and Councilwoman Maribel De La Torre (KTLA-TV) |
SAN FERNANDO, Calif. (KTLA) -- The San Fernando City Council received a tongue lashing Monday night during the public comment period of a public meeting.
One by one, angry residentstook the podium, letting the council know what they think about several scandals rocking city leadership in recent weeks.
Some residents admonished Mayor Mario Hernandez and Councilmember Maribel De La Torre were for having an affair. Hernandez confessed to the affair in November during a council meeting.
"I'd like to put out there and squash the rumors that yes I have been in a relationship with Councilwoman De La Torre," Hernandez said, according to a taped recording of the Nov. 21 meeting.
He said the affair happened when he and his wife were separated.
But Hernandez's wife, sitting in the front row during the meeting, said she and her husband were not separated.
Residents called Monday for the pair, along with Mayor Pro-Tem Brenda Esqueda, to resign from their elected positions.
All three are accused of letting their love affairs get in the way of city business.
Esqueda is accused of having am illicit relationship with a police officer.
When asked by KTLA back in December if she thought she should resign, Esqueda said only, "I will continue doing the work for the residents of San Fernando."
Residents say Hernandez, De La Torre and Esqueda need to step down to spare the city the time and expense of a promised recall.
Meantime, the city's acting police chief was put on leave last month after a ticket-fixing scandal.
One by one, angry residentstook the podium, letting the council know what they think about several scandals rocking city leadership in recent weeks.
Some residents admonished Mayor Mario Hernandez and Councilmember Maribel De La Torre were for having an affair. Hernandez confessed to the affair in November during a council meeting.
"I'd like to put out there and squash the rumors that yes I have been in a relationship with Councilwoman De La Torre," Hernandez said, according to a taped recording of the Nov. 21 meeting.
He said the affair happened when he and his wife were separated.
But Hernandez's wife, sitting in the front row during the meeting, said she and her husband were not separated.
Residents called Monday for the pair, along with Mayor Pro-Tem Brenda Esqueda, to resign from their elected positions.
All three are accused of letting their love affairs get in the way of city business.
Esqueda is accused of having am illicit relationship with a police officer.
When asked by KTLA back in December if she thought she should resign, Esqueda said only, "I will continue doing the work for the residents of San Fernando."
Residents say Hernandez, De La Torre and Esqueda need to step down to spare the city the time and expense of a promised recall.
Meantime, the city's acting police chief was put on leave last month after a ticket-fixing scandal.
