Disgraced former Santa Ana Councilman Carlos Bustamante returned to the City Council Chambers at this Tuesday’s City Council meeting, where he was warmly welcomed by his old friend, Councilman David Benavides.
Bustamante and Benavides have been friends for year although they hail from different political parties. Bustamante is a Republican and Benavides is a Democrat. They flew to Washington DC together a few years back when then President George W. Bush invited Bustamante to a Cinco de Mayo celebration for the GOP. Lord knows what those two did while their wives were back home!
Today both men are divorced from the women who stood by them as they crafted their political careers. Bustamante’s wife dumped him after he was charged with felony sex crimes against several women that he used to work with at the County of Orange. Benavides separated from his wife, who is a schoolteacher in Santa Ana, during his failed Mayoral campaign against Mayor Miguel Pulido back in 2012. Bustamante supported Benavides’ failed Mayoral campaign but Benavides lost that election by 12,097 votes according to Smart Voter. Benavides found a new wife this year when he got engaged to Erika Carranza, one of his City Commissioners.
Bustamante returned to the Council Chambers on Tuesday night with his client, Jannett Mendoza. She is the 33-year-old owner of Kutsi Restaurant, which replaced the Memphis Cafe in DTSA. Mendoza was recognized at the Council meeting for her restaurant’s grand opening – which is set for some time in September.
It is not unusual for former City Council Members to become paid consultants after they leave the City Council. Former Councilwoman Pat McGuigan did that for years. It speaks to how difficult it is for an ordinary businessman to get permits from the city’s Planning Department. Sadly our city administrators have done very little to make this city more business-friendly.
However Mendoza must not know Bustamante’s history. Or she just doesn’t care.
Benavides was apparently very happy to welcome his old comrade back to the Council Chambers. “It’s great to see you,” Benavides told Bustamante, “And great to have you back in the house.”
This could be a bad move for Benavides who reportedly wants to run for Mayor again in 2016.
As for Bustamante, his criminal trial – in which he faces two felony counts of false imprisonment, and single counts of stalking, attempted sexual battery and grand theft – is scheduled to begin Sept. 25, according to the Voice of OC.
Bustamante is also a part owner of Wursthaus, a sausage restaurant in DTSA. If he beats his charges I expect he will be more visible there as he tries to convince the people of Santa Ana to eat his sausage.
This is incredibly POOR judgement on the councilman’s part. Not to mention he is the head of a faith-based community organization that works with children.
An accused Kidnapper and rapist would not be at the top of the list for a photo op!
So I notice the VOC has removed this article. It is NO LONGER google searchable. DISAPEARED in it’s entirety. Including comments by progressive bloggers, activists and citizens.
I think that Adam’s reporting has suffered greatly of late, unnamed sources, pictures hijacked from Facebook and now caving when a TARGET of the story calls and complains.
What must the Journalistic kingpin of all that is right, Greg Diamond think? Oh wait, PDB is a progressive.
The VOC post is here – http://voiceofoc.org/2015/08/heees-baaaack/
Good Catch Admin.
I saw David is promoting this on his FACEBOOK page as well.
Those DTSA pockets run deep.
This is shameful and embarrassing for the City of Santa Ana.. it’s no wonder the City has such a negative reputation. No education; no common sense; just a bunch of stupid Cholos and Chola elected city council members. I suppose the elected really are representative of the community.
Plus One on the final paragraph.
David is a dunce and cheated on his wife. Carlos is a scumbag with zero self-control. Nothing new in this post.
Editor,
Are you on vacation? You haven’t posted a new article in over a week.
I was but posted several since I got back.
So, Councilmember Benavides could be seen enjoying Sunday Brunch with his fiancé, City Commissioner Ericka Carranza (who he appointed???WTF) at the Barrel Room, enjoying OXTAIL HASH and Artisan Cheeses.
Meanwhile across town in Orange, Emily Hall (Benavides) his Ex-Wife and Mother to his kids were enjoying IHOP on Tustin Avenue.
If there is ANY more evidence that this guy is a pig, I don’t know where to find it. Why do the dem’s surround themselves with the BAD MEN.