Huntington Park City Hall, Mayor Macias' home searched in public corruption probe "Operation Dirty Pond"

Huntington Park City Hall and the home of Mayor Karina Macias were among 11 locations searched by investigators with the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office Wednesday as part of an ongoing corruption probe, prosecutors said.

"Operation Dirty Pond," launched in November 2022, is an investigation into the potential misuse of millions of dollars in public funds toward the construction of an aquatic center at Salt Lake Park, a 23-acre public park, according to the DA's office. In 2018, the city of Huntington Park released photos of the promised building, complete with amenities including an indoor pool.

But more than six years later, the construction site remains an empty dirt lot.

"It's my understanding that there is an estimated $14 million, give or take, that has been expended by the city," Vice Mayor Arturo Flores said. "And that from those funds, the residents of the city have only received an empty lot with dead grass — and nothing to show for those millions of dollars."  

Homes of current and former members of the Huntington Park City Council were among the other locations where search warrants were served Wednesday as prosecutors announced the public corruption probe. The investigation into the alleged misuse of millions in taxpayers' money comes as some residents have questioned what happened to the aquatic center project.

"They just didn't do it. I don't know what happened to the money but they didn't do it," resident Daniel Fierro said of the project, saying he was "extremely disappointed." He said children in the city have really lost out with the development not coming to life.

"The playground needs to go up for the kids. The kids are gone," Fierro said as he spoke from Salt Lake Park. "Huntington Park kids – where are they at? They're not here."

In addition to Macias, Huntington Park City Manager Ricardo Reyes and Councilmember Eddie Martinez were the other current city officials whose homes were searched as part of the DA's probe. Investigators also searched Salt Lake Park and City of Huntington Park Public Works, a city yard located just east of the park.

KCAL News contacted Martinez and Macias but has not received a response.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the city of Huntington Park said the city would cooperate with the investigation.

"The city is committed to cooperating fully with the District Attorney's office throughout this process and remains dedicated to resolving the matter promptly and transparently," the spokesperson said in a statement. 

Prosecutors said the former city officials whose homes were searched include the following:

• Efren Martinez, former Huntington Park city official  
• Graciela Ortiz, former Huntington Park city councilmember  
• Marilyn Sanabria, former Huntington Park city councilmember  

Investigators also searched a consulting firm in Huntington Park, Unified Consulting Services LLC, which lists services online, including analysis of government policies, monitoring of regulations and legislation, public affairs management and polling. The home belonging to the owners of Glendale-based JT Construction Group, Edvin Tsaturyan and Sona Vardikyan, also faced a search.

Among the items seized by investigators with the DA's office were financial paperwork, public records from the city of Huntington Park, cellphones, computers, tablets and other electronic devices, according to prosecutors. 

Oshea Orchid, an attorney, said she has represented former and current city employees who have reported concerns over "corruption and unlawful activities" by city officials for years — accusing them of mishandling contracts and finances. 

She said some of her clients were fired by the city before suing and reaching settlements while others are still fighting their cases. 

"It's hard to ignore the number of employees reporting the same thing — all saying they were retaliated against," Orchid said.

The DA's office did not confirm any other details about the ongoing investigation in a statement released Wednesday. 

"My office is committed to ensuring that public officials uphold the highest standards of honesty, integrity, and transparency," District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in the statement from his office. "When concerns arise about the use of public funds or the actions of those in office, it is our duty to investigate thoroughly and protect the public's trust."

Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Flores said he is committed to figuring out what happened to the millions in taxpayers' money. 

"We want answers," Flores said. "We're gonna get down to the bottom of it. We're going to find the money."