Government official Juan Garza's business represented La Luz Del Mundo, the church led by a man who later pled guilty to having sexual relations with a minor, prior to the church leader's court confession.
In a series of developments, Juan Garza, a legal representative, has been at the centre of controversies involving both La Luz Del Mundo and the Central Basin Water District.
During the height of the felony sex charges proceedings involving the leader of La Luz Del Mundo, Naasón Joaquín García, Garza met with the church's leadership and reportedly "increased his compensation." However, no recent or concrete information can be provided from available sources about Juan Garza’s current status or relationship with La Luz Del Mundo following those legal proceedings.
In 2021, Garza worked for La Luz Del Mundo for an entire year, yet he was paid more working for the religious group for only three months in 2022. The contracted relationship between Garza and La Luz Del Mundo ended three months before the guilty plea, and the church was not included in Garza's 2021 FPPC form 700 due to the church compensating his firm less than $10,000 during all of 2021.
On the other hand, Garza's involvement with the Central Basin Water District has also been under scrutiny. Central Basin Vice President Gary Jones is illegally on the Central Basin board, violating AB 1794, the State's Water Code, and the Central Basin Administrative Code. Central Basin President New Ochoa and Director Joanna Moreno left reportable income off their respective FPPC 700 forms.
Moreover, a significant controversy arose when a $49,000 FTB (Franchise Tax Board) lien was filed on Central Basin Director Juan Garza's home on May 30, 2024.
Garza's 2021 Statement of Economic Interests (SEI) did not list La Luz Del Mundo, and his firm's rate for services with La Luz Del Mundo increased in January 2022, resulting in them compensating his firm for services in excess of $10,000 during the three-month period from January to March 2022.
These developments highlight the complexities surrounding Juan Garza's professional relationships and potential legal issues. As more information becomes available, it is expected that further insights will be uncovered.
- The city council could discuss the ongoing investigations surrounding Juan Garza, who has been at the center of controversies involving both La Luz Del Mundo and the Central Basin Water District, as part of the community news or general-news segment.
- The local news channel might cover the recent findings about Juan Garza's income from La Luz Del Mundo, including his increased compensation during the leader's felony sex charges proceedings, as well as the $49,000 FTB lien filed on his home in 2024, which is a significant development in the crime-and-justice category.
- In the politics section, reporters might delve into the allegations of illegal activities at the Central Basin Water District, such as the violations of AB 1794 and the omission of reportable income by Central Basin President New Ochoa and Director Joanna Moreno, which are linked to Juan Garza's tenure.
