Watch CBS News

Elected Officials In Bell Call For State Sen. Ron Calderon To Step Down

BELL (CBSLA.com) — Assemblymember Cristina Garcia of Bell Gardens and several other elected officials Wednesday called for Senator Ron Calderon to step down amid a federal investigation and accusations that he accepted money to promote certain bills.

Garcia said her call is not just about the FBI sting that Al Jazeera America reported it had obtained alleging he accepted a bribe from a fake movie agency in order to move ahead with film incentives in the state Senate, KNX1070's Megan Goldsby reports.

Elected Officials In Bell Call For State Sen. Ron Calderon To Step Down

"It's about the way you carry yourself as an individual, what we expect from our leader and what we expect when you're out there representing us," she said during a press conference.

The Senate Rules Committee voted unanimously Tuesday to remove Calderon, who denies the accusations, from all committees and commissions.

Downey Mayor Mario Guerra said he had complained in the past about threats made by Calderon's office.

"They've always been a bully, and we're just not surprised. When the FBI raided their offices, I said 'gosh, it's about time,'" Guerra said.

Calderon released a statement saying Garcia has assumed the role of judge and jury instead of waiting to hear the facts, Goldsby reports.

No charges have been filed against him.

RELATED STORIES:

Embattled State Sen. Ron Calderon Removed From Committees

New Details Emerge About FBI Sting Of State Senator Ron Calderon

State Sen. Ron Calderon Promises He'll Be Cleared In FBI Probe

FBI Started Asking About State Sen. Rob Calderon Years Ago

FBI Raids Offices Of State Sen. Ron Calderon, Latino Caucus

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.