Alvarez Update

Xavier Alvarez, is back in the news this morning.

According to the Daily Bulletin, Alvarez, Pomona's representative to the Three Valley's Municipal Water District, yesterday pleaded not guilty to a federal misdemeanor charge that Alvarez falsely claimed to be a Medal of Honor recipient.

Alvarez will be represented at trial by a public defender, and his trial is scheduled for January 22nd.

The Bulletin also has an audio clip of Alvarez making the infamous medal claim at a July Walnut Valley Water District meeting. You be the judge.

Alvarez, who won his Three Valleys seat with the help of Pomona Mayor Norma Torres' endorsement, may also face charges that he misappropriated public funds when he obtained spousal health benefits for his ex-wife. That matter has been referred by Three Valleys to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Public Integrity Division.

We hope the LADA's office will pursue felony charges against him for the misappropriation of funds. The fact that Alvarez has refused to resign his position despite the considerable evidence against him in the federal and local matters, shows a real disregard for the public he was elected to serve.

Alvarez is clearly not the sharpest pencil in the box, and a few months of jail time might do him some good.