During his time on the Rosemead City Council, John Tran has admitted to shaking down a local developer for thousands of dollars. During meetings held at the developer’s office, Tran now admits to accepting more than $10,000 for helping plans move forward for approval. That money was given in both cash payments and in checks made out to ‘cash.’
Tran, who had served on the City Council and as mayor, had been in a campaign for the State Assembly. It was announced that he would be dropping out in light of his plea deal. Similarly, Tran will tender his resignation to the school board on which he is currently a member.
The deal does not promise a reduction in fines or sentencing – which could reach a quarter million dollars and 10 years in prison. Instead, Tran will be spared further charges of corruption and obstruction of justice.
As his lawyer said to the Times, Tran knows that his career in elected office has ended.
From the Los Angeles Times:
A former Rosemead city official who made a run for state Assembly has agreed to plead guilty to soliciting and accepting more than $10,000 in bribes from a developer.
John Tran, 36, an El Monte Union High School District board member and former Rosemead mayor and councilman, admitted shaking down a developer who was trying to build a mixed-use office and residential project in Rosemead while he was on the council, according to a federal plea agreement made public Friday.
Read the full article here.