San Fernando Mayor Announces Affair With City Councilwoman In Front Of Wife, Residents

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — San Fernando Mayor Mario Hernandez shocked residents attending a city council meeting last week when he admitted he's having an affair with a councilwoman -- all while his wife was sitting in the front row.

"I'd like to put out there, before, and squash the rumors that yes, I have been in a relationship with Councilwoman [Maribel] De La Torre," said Hernandez, in an audio recording taken at the Nov. 21 meeting.

During his speech, he stated that he and his wife, Anna, had been separated since June.

According to residents, the mayor's wife stood up and said they were not separated, prompting the mayor to ask police to usher his wife out.

Hernandez also announced that he had filed for both corporate and personal bankruptcy due to losing his business.

"We'll go ahead and adjourn the meeting. Adjourn the meeting," Hernandez said moments later.

"Everyone was left in shock, basically, with their mouths wide open," said San Fernando resident Julian Ruelas.

"Everybody knew about it already, it's just that he was bold enough to do it, and took city time and he put it on city record -- which concerns us because, frankly, we look like fools."

Residents see it as another source of shame for their city after their police chief was placed on leave for having a relationship with a much-younger cadet.

"I can't believe it," said San Fernando resident Sandra Wilson. "And that's not the kind of people I want running our city. We're such a nice little community and the kind of reputation we're getting that's not what we're all about."

Neither the mayor nor any of the councilmen would comment about the incident Monday night.

The council plans to meet again in December.