Resident alleges council contact aimed to derail top-ranked sergeant; city attorney urges caution

Julio Martinez, a San Fernando resident and business owner, told the City Council during public comment that a council member had called him to ask about a recent promotion process and what he thought about the department’s new commander. Martinez said he is a witness in an ongoing investigation alleging Vice Mayor Victoria Garcia sought to “character-assassinate” and obstruct the promotion of a sergeant who ranked first on the commander’s examination. “This raises serious concerns about the fairness,” Martinez said, calling for transparent answers and checks and balances.

City Attorney Alex Padilla (referred to in the meeting as “Mister Padilla”) advised the council to refrain from addressing statements that touch on personnel matters during the public comment period. Mayor Joe Fajardo noted the matter had been discussed in closed session earlier in the evening (an update was provided on existing litigation and anticipated litigation) and that no final reportable action had been taken.

Other speakers during public comment expressed distrust of the police department and urged the council to place qualified, trusted people into leadership roles. The council did not take formal personnel action at the meeting; Mayor Fajardo and the city attorney indicated legal risks in responding publicly to allegations about individual employees.

The council’s formal business that followed included routine agenda items and direction to staff on unrelated matters. The allegation Martinez raised remains an assertion voiced in public comment and was not adjudicated or otherwise resolved at the meeting.