UPDATE: Former Compton City Councilmember Isaac Galvan has pled guilty to serious federal charges, including bribery and tax evasion. This urgent development was confirmed in a court hearing on Tuesday, where Galvan admitted to facilitating a scheme that involved paying $70,000 in bribes to Baldwin Park City Councilman Ricardo Pacheco for marijuana permits.
This case highlights a troubling intersection of politics and corruption, with significant implications for local governance. Galvan, aged 38, operated a consulting service and conspired to secure marijuana permits for his client, W&F International Corp, a Diamond Bar-based business. The bribery scheme unfolded during a period when Baldwin Park was expanding its marijuana cultivation and distribution laws.
In his plea agreement, Galvan admitted to failing to report over $560,525 in income from 2017 to 2020, which led to a tax loss of $115,816 for the U.S. Treasury. U.S. District Judge Otis D. Wright II has scheduled Galvan’s sentencing for June 8, 2026, where he faces up to 10 years in prison for bribery and up to 5 years for tax evasion.
Galvan’s illegal activities came to light as part of an extensive investigation into corruption within Baldwin Park’s city council. According to court documents, Pacheco solicited bribes from businesses seeking marijuana permits, accepting payments in exchange for political support. In June and July of 2018, Pacheco voted in favor of W&F’s marijuana permit, directly benefitting from Galvan’s illicit payments.
The scheme involved complex tactics to conceal the bribes, including the use of checks with blank payee lines, which Galvan would then hand over to Pacheco for cashing. Responding to growing scrutiny, Pacheco previously pled guilty in June 2020 to bribery charges stemming from an FBI sting operation. He is cooperating with federal investigations into the wider bribery network.
Pacheco’s involvement raises further questions about the integrity of local governance, as he was actively soliciting funds for his legal defense fund shortly after the approvals for W&F’s marijuana operations were secured.
Galvan’s political career has been marred by controversy, including a previous election fraud scandal that cost him his council seat. He secured his last election by a mere vote, with several ballots later deemed invalid due to residency issues. He is among several individuals charged with conspiracy to commit election fraud.
The repercussions of this case extend beyond Galvan and Pacheco, impacting public trust in local officials and prompting calls for reform in how city councils handle business permits. As the legal proceedings continue, the community remains on alert for further developments.
As this story unfolds, watch for updates on the upcoming trial for Galvan’s associate Yichang Bai, who has pleaded not guilty and is set to face trial in February.
