FBI Raid: Calif. State Senator Ron Calderon Office Raided in Secret Investigation
A raid by the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the offices of California state Sen. Ron Calderon and the California Latino Legislative Caucus this week has residents of Montebello confused over why the Democratic politician was targeted. According to a report from CNN, the reason behind the FBI raid Tuesday afternoon is deemed classified.
The chief sergeant at arms for the California Senate, Tony Beard, said warrants were obtained before the raid occurred, confirming that the offices of the 55-year-old senator and Latino caucus were searched. Beard refused to divulge further information on the target or nature of the secret investigation.
“Those warrants are sealed by order of the federal court; therefore we have no further information,” said Beard. “The Senate has and will continue to fully cooperate with the agents in this matter.”
Calderon’s lawyer Mark Geragos said his client, from the city of Montebello in Los Angeles County, is innocent of any wrongdoing.
“[This] is an example of how out of control this Department of Justice is,” he said. "They leak the search warrant but won't reveal information about the investigation. It's sinful how the FBI just shows up. Senator Calderon is a victim of this agency that has no moral compass."
FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller confirmed no arrests in connection with the raid have been made as of Wednesday morning. Spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Sacramento, Lauren Horwood, said the raid had no connectiio with “public safety.”
KTLA-TV reported Wednesday that the search lasted a total of 90 minutes, with onlookers spotting authorities leaving the premises carrying boxes of evidence and a black briefcase. The last time a similar raid was conducted by the FBI was over 25 years ago.
Calderon was previously scrutinized for covering up costs associated with a voting recount in 2006 in which he was reportedly warned but not penalized for his actions from authorities. Calderon’s family has a three-decade history of serving in the California Legislature.
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