Clash of Interests Abound in Huntington Park's Agreement with Its New City Lawyer
In a controversial decision, the Huntington Park City Council has approved the hiring of Andrew Sarega as the city's new attorney. The approval has raised questions about the council's motives and ethics, as Sarega has a history of legal controversies and potential violations.
Sarega, who previously served as a councilman in La Mirada, is known for his controversial behaviour and legal troubles. He has violated FPPC laws and the Political Reform Act, which prohibits public officials from using their positions for personal financial gain. He has also been hit with two violations for hiding campaign donations from residents.
The controversy surrounding Sarega's hire stems from the fact that he is currently representing Councilmember Martinez and City Manager Reyes in their individual capacity in the "Operation Dirty Pond" investigation. Under conflict laws, if Sarega is representing them personally and being paid by them, he is barred from representing the HP City Council and the city as the city attorney.
However, the HP City Council approved a waiver of the conflict, allowing Sarega to personally represent City Manager Reyes and Councilmember Martinez in matters related to the investigation. The waiver was included in an agenda item, which stated that the City Manager and Councilmember will be personally responsible for paying all costs associated with this case and their representation.
Sarega's contract also raises concerns, as it potentially violates CRPC Rule 1.7, which prohibits representation when the interests of the individual and the city differ or are adverse. Furthermore, Sarega's use of city resources for a councilmember's personal legal issues could be seen as an improper gift of public funds, another Political Reform Act violation.
The deal between Huntington Park City Councilmembers and Sarega was signed by HP City Manager Ricardo Reyes on March 17, 2025. The contract approval was made by Mayor Arturo Flores, Vice-Mayor Eddie Martinez, Councilmembers Karen Macias, and Jonathan Sanabria.
Councilwoman Macias expressed discomfort with voting on the waiver and left the dais, but the waiver was still approved at the meeting.
It is important to note that there appear to be no relevant details in the provided search results regarding the conflict of interest, potential violations, or specific controversies related to Huntington Park's hiring of Andrew Sarega as city attorney. For the most accurate and up-to-date details on this legal and political matter, you may need to consult specialized local news sources or official statements from Huntington Park city officials or legal authorities.
The Huntington Park City Council's decision to hire Andrew Sarega, known for his history of legal controversies and potential violations, as the city's attorney, has sparked controversy within the community news, with concerns raised about the council's motives and ethics. Sarega's contract, which potentially violates CRPC Rule 1.7, has raised questions about policy-and-legislation, as it allows him to represent City Manager Reyes and Councilmember Martinez in matters related to the "Operation Dirty Pond" investigation, while also serving as the city attorney. These events have led to discussions about politics, crime-and-justice, and the general-news in the city.
