For the 11th consecutive time, Miguel Pulido was elected by the people of Santa Ana this fall.
But this time is different. The Santa Ana mayor is under investigation by the Orange County District Attorney and Fair Political Practices Commission for his real estate dealings, and a recent legal analysis suggested he likely violated state law.
At the heart of the investigations are Pulido’s relationship with the owner of an auto parts shop and a four-yaer-old real estate deal that earned Pulido about $200,000.
A legal analysis commissioned by the city found that Pulido covered up the real estate transaction and rewarded a no-bid contract worth more than $1.3 million to the auto-parts dealer.
As the LA Times reported, the investigations have eroded the power of the man who had been among the most powerful in Santa Ana.
“As the mayor awaits the outcome, his power base in the city of 325,000 has eroded. The city's police union, the county's labor federation and the county Democratic party have dropped their support. And voters last year — for the first time — agreed to term limits for the mayor's office.
“He is increasingly being marginalized by his City Council colleagues. The days of Pulido being a "mover and shaker" in city politics are gone, said Councilwoman Michele Martinez.”
“The tipping point for Pulido may be whether prosecutors find that his actions were "willful," which could elevate the case to a felony.
“If convicted, Pulido could face prison time and would be barred from ever holding public office again.”