Temple City pol pleads guilty to perjury

One-time state Assembly candidate and former Temple City council candidate Scott Carwile has pleaded guilty to perjury and has agreed to testify against other Temple City officials charged in a corruption probe that has already taken down one councilman and threatens two others, Mayor Judy Wong and former mayor Cath Wilson.

Indictments in Temple City

The mayor, a former mayor and a former councilman of Temple City were all indicted today on charges stemming from a bribery investigation that has already taken down one City Councilman. The Pasadena Star-News reports:

Temple City Mayor Judy Wong was charged with five counts of bribery, three counts of perjury, and one count of solicitation of bribery. Her bail was set at $250,000.

Former Mayor Cathe Wilson was charged with three counts of bribery and three counts of perjury. Her bail was set at $150,000.

Former City Council candidate Scott Carwile was charged with four counts of perjury and one misdemeanor count of not reporting campaign contributions. His bail was set at $100,000.

All three pleaded not guilty to the charges.

More Temple City indictments coming

The hammer is about to drop on a trio of Temple City pols accused of soliciting bribes from a developer, the Pasadena Star-News reports. Mayor Judy Wong, former mayor Cath Wilson and former council candidate Scott Carwile are expected in court tomorrow, when prosecutors will unseal a grand jury indicment against them.

The indictments were supposed to be announced yesterday, but the court delayed a couple days when Carwile, who ran unsuccessfully for the state Assembly in 2006, showed up without an attorney.

Temple City has already lost one councilman in the bribery scandal. Last week, Councilman David Capra was forced to resign after he pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to report a campaign contribution.

Temple City councilman resigns

Temple City Councilman David Capra pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor campaign violation on Tuesday and, as part of the deal, agreed to resign from office. He also received 36 months of probation and a $150 fine.

When Capra submitted his letter of resignation on Tuesday, he blamed it on his health. Alfred Lee of the Pasadena Star-News has the story.

Temple City troubles

An investigation into alleged pay-to-play corruption at Temple City City Hall led to searches of city offices and the homes of the mayor, two city council members, and a former council candidate. Pasadena Star-News, Los Angeles Times