FBI Raids Home, Office Of Adelanto Mayor
ADELANTO (CBSLA) – The FBI Tuesday morning raided both Adelanto City Hall as well as the home of Mayor Richard Kerr following a months-long probe into possible city corruption.
An FBI spokesperson confirmed to CBS2 the raids were conducted in support of search warrants which are currently under seal. Although the FBI said no arrests were planned, Kerr could be seen in handcuffs outside his home in photos taken by the Daily Press newspaper.
Kerr has been mayor of Adelanto since 2014.
As a result of the raid, Adelanto City Hall was closed for the day Tuesday. The city later released the following statement.
"This morning, Federal Bureau of Investigation agents executed search warrants at Adelanto City Hall and the home of Mayor Richard Kerr. As of this morning, the City is unaware of the nature of the FBI's investigation. Nevertheless, the City remains prepared to cooperate with any investigation being conducted.
"In light of the foregoing events, City Hall will be temporarily closed for business today. The City anticipates being open for regular business hours tomorrow.
"The City Council wants to assure the public that the City will continue to focus its efforts on providing the services that residents and businesses expect. At the same time, the City will continue to work with law enforcement as their investigation proceeds."
Last November, an Adelanto councilman and former interim mayor was arrested on federal allegations of taking a $10,000 cash bribe and trying to hire someone to burn down his restaurant so he could collect on the insurance. Jermaine Wright, 41, was charged with bribery and attempted arson.
The investigation into Wright stemmed from a probe into possible corruption in the city of Adelanto. An informant introduced Wright to undercover FBI agents in two separate schemes, according to a federal affidavit.
Wright asked for the informant's help to set fire to his business, an Adelanto restaurant called Fat Boyz Grill, the FBI said.
After confessing to the arson plot, authorities said Wright agreed to cooperate with the FBI's investigation into corruption in Adelanto.
