CommentsSOUTH OF THE 10 - Compton Councilman Isaac Galvan was arrested for allegedly rigging recent elections which saw him win by a single vote in the June General Election. During the primary he was behind his opponent by 20 votes.
Along with Galvan, candidate Jace Dawson, Kimberly Chaouch, Toni Morris, Barry Reed, and Reginald Streeter were charged with conspiracy to commit election fraud.
Two of those charged with conspiracy appeared on a local podcast aired on the Hub Radio Station, which is owned by Galvan’s challenger, Andre Spicer.
2UrbanGirls had the opportunity to speak with Nina Childs, who was the host of the podcast, who spoke at length of how two of the alleged conspirators agreed to appear on her show to discuss the alleged fraud they willingly took part in.
“When I was first approached by the whistleblower, with the information about the ballot fraud that she participated in, on behalf of Galvan and Jace “Dr.Seuss” Dawson, I knew we finally had the smoking gun that we needed to prove the rumors of ballot fraud and bribery that plagued district 2 for years,” said Childs. “That and eyewitness testimony to alleged improper conduct between Galvan and a county registrar employee, and all the victims and witness’s willingness to speak to the DA is what led to this historic victory.”
The “victory” is no slam dunk.
According to the criminal complaint, Galvan and Dawson, a former candidate for the Compton City Council, worked together to secure votes to ensure Galvan would retain his District 2 seat.
Galvan and Dawson were arrested Friday by members of the district attorney’s bureau of investigations and led into a downtown courtroom in handcuffs. Both men pleaded not guilty and were released on their own recognizance.
Their attorneys declined to comment. Another hearing is scheduled for Sept. 17. The other four defendants were not arrested, and it was not immediately clear when they would appear in court.
Chaouch, Morris, Reed and Streeter were allegedly registered to vote at Dawson’s address in Compton, even though they didn’t live there. All four are charged with voting illegally in the election.
They were not arrested and are due to be arraigned at a later date, most likely due to them being cooperating witnesses against Galvan and Dawson.
Compton residents have seen election fraud allegations result in court challenges that hinged on eyewitness accounts, however in Galvan’s case, text messages appear to corroborate the charges he is currently facing.
2UrbanGirls spoke to multiple Compton elected officials who all proclaimed Galvan “innocent until proven guilty” but declined to be identified for this article.
Mayor Emma Sharif expressed shock at the claims, however, she has repeatedly declined interview requests when 2UrbanGirls has reached out to her.
Galvan is still allowed to remain an active participant of the city council, and was recently named Mayor Pro-Tem. Galvan has given no indication he intends to resign from his seat.
Should Galvan be convicted, and removed from the dais, the city will have the option to either hold a special election or make an appointment. Many believe that Spicer should be given the seat.
“Here’s to hoping the county and Compton city council will do the right thing, and overturn this election and put the true and rightful winner Andre Spicer in that seat where he belongs. Period!,” said Childs.
In previous cases of voter fraud, in Compton, the challenger had to go to court and pay out of pocket in an attempt to overturn the results. This happened in the 2001 mayoral race.
“This will not overturn the election; a felony will,” said resident Janet Earl. “Probably take them four years to go to court. How many cases how they won? Honestly, Innocent until proven guilty in Court. That’s the law.”
“We should have a new election,” said Sandra Moore.
Spicer raised funds to cover a recount of the ballots, and has not publicly declared any plans to challenge the results in court.
According to reports, Galvan invoked his 5th amendment rights after he was subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury related to marijuana activities in the city of Baldwin Park.
Galvan has become a very vocal member of the council, questioning the awarding of grant funds to select non-profits, led the charge to decline the city’s renewal of the former City Manager’s employment agreement, and is persistent in the reopening of the senior center and city parks.
Long-time resident and political observer Cynthia Macon, sees the charges against Galvan as a way to silence him.
“When I see the FBI take Isaac Galvan into custody, but file no charges, and note his many actions since then to thwart and fight the Aja Brown regime, I am not surprised at all,” wrote Macon on social media. “Galvan voted to place his own seat up for election, or there would be no election or opportunity for reform in Compton. He has recently halted the non-profit pre-arranged train and spoken against some dubious upcoming developments.”
Galvan continues to decline requests for comment on all matters related to allegations being levied against him.
(2UrbanGirls has been featured in CityWatchLA, Compton Herald, Daily Breeze, Daily News, Inglewood Today, Intersections South LA, KCRW, KPCC, Los Angeles Times, LA Weekly, LA Watts Times, Mercury News, Orange County Register and The Atlantic.)
