City's Agenda Amended to Grant Contract to Mario Beltran, Originally Listed Previously
In Huntington Park, California, concerns about governance, nepotism, and potential misuse of public funds have been raised by the City Council and City Manager regarding a proposed contract with Principia Group, LLC. However, a thorough search of available information has not uncovered any evidence of a violation of the Ralph M. Brown Act by City Manager Ricardo Reyes in relation to this contract.
The increased spending authority of City Manager Ricardo Reyes, which allows him to approve contracts up to $100,000 without public scrutiny or bidding process, was approved by a 3-1 vote at the April 7, 2025, City Council meeting. This authority was reportedly used to recommend a nearly $58,000 outreach contract for Principia Group, LLC, which is owned by Mario Beltran, a former Bell Gardens Councilmember with a history of legal challenges.
The original agenda item for the Principia contract was scheduled for the May 19, 2025, City Council meeting. However, it was later pulled for further administrative review, and the new agenda posted without the Principia item. The original agenda item lacked key financial disclosures, such as the contract amount and duration.
Critics have raised concerns that the broadband and outreach contract could be redirected toward political purposes, namely fighting the ongoing recall campaign against Councilmember Arturo Flores, who is an ally of City Manager Ricardo Reyes.
It is important to note that while there is no publicly available evidence of a Ralph M. Brown Act violation by Ricardo Reyes regarding any contract with Principia Group, LLC, the increased spending authority and the lack of transparency in the original agenda item have fueled these concerns.
In 2021, Beltran was charged with 34 counts of felony in a case involving corruption in Maywood. He entered a plea agreement and is currently on probation. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office has accused Beltran of orchestrating fraudulent canvassing efforts, submitting falsified recall petitions, and operating a "pay-to-play" operation.
The city has sent a statement claiming that raising the City Manager's purchasing authority is a step toward ethical, efficient governance. However, the lack of transparency in the initial agenda item and the subsequent removal of the Principia contract item have not helped to alleviate the concerns of the public and the City Council.
As the situation continues to develop, it is recommended that local government records, official statements from Huntington Park, or investigative news sources be consulted for more detailed and updated information. The current agenda on the Huntington Park City Council's website does not include the outreach contract for Principia Group, LLC.
- The city council in Huntington Park, California, has expressed concerns about the lack of transparency in the city's governance, particularly in relation to the increased spending authority given to City Manager Ricardo Reyes and a proposed contract with Principia Group, LLC.
- Local nonprofits and community news outlets have been discussing the potential use of a Principia Group, LLC contract for political purposes, such as fighting ongoing recall campaigns against council members, which have contributed to the broad concerns about city politics and policy-and-legislation.
- As events unfold regarding the contract with Principia Group, LLC, local residents are encouraged to stay informed by following general-news sources, investigative reporting, and city records to gain a comprehensive understanding of the situation and the city council's actions.
