In a shocking turn of events, Huntington California City Hall and Mayor’s Home Raided in $14 M Public Funds Probe, has found itself at the center of a major corruption investigation dubbed “Operation Dirty Pond.” On February 26, 2025, law enforcement officers, led by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, raided Huntington Park City Hall, the home of Mayor Karina Macias, and nine other locations. The raids are part of an ongoing probe into the alleged misuse of approximately $14 million in public funds allocated for a long-promised aquatic center at Salt Lake Park. Despite years of planning and significant spending, the project remains unbuilt, leaving residents frustrated and demanding answers. This article dives into the details of the investigation, the aquatic center project, the key figures involved, and what it means for the community.
What Happened in Huntington California City Hall and Mayor’s Home Raided in $14 M Public Funds Probe?
On a Wednesday morning, yellow police tape sealed off parts of Huntington California City Hall and Mayor’s Home Raided in $14 M Public Funds Probe descended on the building. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, under the leadership of District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman, executed search warrants at 11 locations across the city. In addition to City Hall, the homes of Mayor Karina Macias, City Manager Ricardo Reyes, and City Councilmember Eduardo “Eddie” Martinez were searched. The residences of former council members Graciela Ortiz, Marilyn Sanabria, and Efren Martinez, as well as the offices and homes of individuals tied to JT Construction Group and Unified Consulting Services, were also targeted.
The investigation, which began in November 2022, focuses on the potential misuse of public funds intended for the Huntington Park Regional Aquatic Center. Authorities seized public records, financial documents, computers, tablets, cell phones, and other electronic devices during the raids. While no arrests have been made, the scope of the investigation suggests serious allegations, including bribery, misappropriation of public funds, conflict of interest, money laundering, and conspiracy.
Huntington Park, a small city of about 55,000 residents located just south of Boyle Heights in Los Angeles County, is now grappling with the fallout of these raids. The investigation has raised questions about transparency, accountability, and the integrity of local leadership. For residents, the empty lot at Salt Lake Park—where the aquatic center was supposed to stand—serves as a stark reminder of promises unfulfilled.
The Huntington California City Hall and Mayor’s Home Raided in $14 M Public Funds Probe Regional Aquatic Center: A Dream That Never Materialized
Back in 2018, Huntington Park officials unveiled ambitious plans for a state-of-the-art aquatic center at Salt Lake Park, a 23-acre public park with athletic fields and courts. The proposed facility was billed as a game-changer for the working-class community, featuring an Olympic-size indoor pool, a gym, a synthetic football field, conference rooms, and other amenities. The city touted the project as a way to bring residents together for recreation, fitness, and community engagement, with opportunities for children and families to access swimming programs and even pursue higher education through aquatic-related activities.
The project was initially estimated to cost around $23 million, with the city allocating over $20 million in public funds. However, more than six years later, the site remains an empty, fenced-off lot covered in dead grass. Vice Mayor Arturo Flores, who joined the City Council in 2022, has been vocal about the project’s failure, stating, “This is a project that has yielded nothing for the residents. It’s my understanding that there’s an estimated $14 million, give or take, that has been expended by the city, and that from those funds, the residents of the city have only received an empty lot with dead grass—and nothing to show for those millions of dollars.”
The lack of progress has frustrated residents like Daniel Fierro, who expressed disappointment over the lost opportunities for the city’s youth. “The playground needs to go up for the kids. The kids are gone,” Fierro told CBS Los Angeles, standing at Salt Lake Park. “Huntington Park kids—where are they at? They’re not here.”
Why Was the Aquatic Center Never Built?
The aquatic center project has been plagued by issues from the start. According to Vice Mayor Flores, the project was “never feasible” due to legal and logistical challenges. One major hurdle was the decision to build the center on a landfill, which prompted a cease-and-desist order from the Local Enforcement Agency responsible for overseeing solid waste facilities. Additionally, lawsuits were filed after the city bypassed a formal bidding process for the project, raising red flags about how contracts were awarded.
A Huntington Park city employee, who spoke anonymously to the Los Angeles Times, revealed that approximately $9 million was paid to a construction firm, but only $3 million of that amount has been accounted for. This discrepancy has fueled suspicions of financial mismanagement or worse. Former council member Linda Caraballo claims she sent a 282-page dossier to the District Attorney’s Office years ago, alerting authorities to alleged corruption involving “big-time city officials from the city manager all the way down to the shot caller.” Another former council member, Valentin Amezquita, suggested that the aquatic center project is “just the tip of the iceberg” and called for a forensic audit of the city’s current and past contracts.
Who’s Involved in the Investigation?
The raids targeted a wide range of current and former city officials, as well as private entities connected to the aquatic center project. Here’s a breakdown of the key figures and locations involved:
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Mayor Karina Macias: The current mayor of Huntington Park, Macias has been a central figure in the investigation. Her home was searched, and she has faced scrutiny for her past role as a political consultant. In 2017, the District Attorney’s Office investigated Macias for raising funds for then-council member Efren Martinez’s 2016 state Assembly campaign. The money came from companies seeking to do business with the city, and Martinez was appointed to the Planning Commission with a $75 monthly stipend while Macias was fundraising for him. No charges were filed at the time, and Macias denied any wrongdoing.
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City Manager Ricardo Reyes: Reyes, the current city manager, had his home in Downey searched as part of the probe. His role in overseeing city operations makes him a key figure in the investigation.
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Councilmember Eduardo “Eddie” Martinez: A current city council member and the executive director of the Latino Equality Alliance, Martinez’s home was also searched. His involvement in city decision-making has come under scrutiny.
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Former Council Members: The homes of former council members Graciela Ortiz, Marilyn Sanabria, and Efren Martinez were targeted. Ortiz, who served as mayor in the past, and Efren Martinez, who ran for state Assembly in 2024, have been named in connection to the probe.
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JT Construction Group and Unified Consulting Services: The residences of Edvin Tsaturyan and Sona Vardikyan, owners of JT Construction Group, and the business office of Unified Consulting Services were searched. These entities are believed to have been involved in the aquatic center project, and allegations of improper contract awards have surfaced.
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Other Locations: The raids extended to Huntington Park Public Works, located near Salt Lake Park, and the park itself, where the aquatic center was supposed to be built.
Operation Dirty Pond: What We Know About the Investigation
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office launched “Operation Dirty Pond” in November 2022 to investigate the potential misuse of public funds. District Attorney Nathan Hochman has emphasized the importance of accountability, stating, “My office is committed to ensuring that public officials uphold the highest standards of honesty, integrity, and transparency. When concerns arise about the use of public funds or the actions of those in office, it is our duty to investigate thoroughly and protect the public’s trust.”
A copy of a search warrant reviewed by the Los Angeles Times indicates that investigators are looking into allegations of bribery, misappropriation of public funds, conflict of interest, money laundering, and conspiracy. The warrant specifically names Efren Martinez under the “case name,” though it’s unclear what role he plays in the allegations. The District Attorney’s Office has not released detailed information about the evidence seized or the specific allegations against each individual, as the investigation is ongoing.
The city of Huntington Park issued a statement acknowledging the raids and pledging to cooperate fully with authorities. “The city is committed to cooperating fully with the District Attorney’s office throughout this process and remains dedicated to resolving the matter promptly and transparently,” a spokesperson said.
Community Reaction and Calls for Accountability
The raids have sparked outrage among Huntington Park residents, who are frustrated by the lack of progress on the aquatic center and the apparent mismanagement of taxpayer money. At a special City Council meeting on February 28, 2025, Mayor Macias addressed the investigation, alleging that “misinformation” had surfaced. She assured residents that city staff were working with authorities to provide all relevant information about the aquatic center project. However, her remarks were met with skepticism and jeers from attendees.
During the same meeting, three council members and the city manager were served with a civil lawsuit, adding to the tension. The city attorney also tendered his resignation, signaling further turmoil within the city’s leadership. Residents voiced their anger, with one telling the council, “I’m not happy that this is happening. These are my communities, this is people’s money.” Others called for officials to step down and make way for new leadership.
The investigation has also drawn comparisons to other corruption scandals in southeast Los Angeles County, such as the 2010 case in the city of Bell, where officials were charged with misappropriating public funds. Huntington Park’s history of controversy, including a 2021 security breach of electronic financial records and allegations of suspicious bank transfers, has only deepened public distrust.
What’s Next for Huntington California City Hall and Mayor’s Home Raided in $14 M Public Funds Probe?
As “Operation Dirty Pond” continues, residents and officials alike are bracing for more revelations. The District Attorney’s Office has urged anyone with information about the aquatic center project to contact Sgt. Robert L. Jackson at 213-257-2511. Vice Mayor Flores has vowed to “get down to the bottom of it” and find out what happened to the missing funds, emphasizing the need for transparency.
For now, the aquatic center remains a symbol of broken promises in Huntington Park. The empty lot at Salt Lake Park stands in stark contrast to the vibrant community hub that was envisioned, leaving residents to wonder if they’ll ever see the project come to fruition. The investigation could lead to significant changes in the city’s leadership and policies, as well as renewed efforts to ensure public funds are used responsibly.
Why This Matters
The Huntington California City Hall and Mayor’s Home Raided in $14 M Public Funds Probe highlights the importance of accountability in local government. Public funds are meant to serve the community, and when they’re misused, it erodes trust and deprives residents of much-needed resources. For a working-class city like Huntington Park, the loss of $14 million is a significant blow, especially when it was meant to benefit children and families through recreational opportunities.
The investigation also raises broader questions about how public projects are managed and how contracts are awarded. Bypassing competitive bidding processes and ignoring regulatory hurdles, as alleged in this case, can lead to wasteful spending and potential corruption. As the probe unfolds, it could set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in other cities.
Final Thoughts
The raids on Huntington California City Hall and Mayor’s Home Raided in $14 M Public Funds Probe have sent shockwaves through the community. “Operation Dirty Pond” is a stark reminder that no one—not even elected officials—is above the law. While the investigation is far from over, it has already sparked a reckoning in Huntington Park, with residents demanding answers and accountability. The coming months will likely reveal more about what happened to the $14 million allocated for the aquatic center and whether those responsible will face consequences.