COMPTON -- About a dozen demonstrators attended a swearing-in ceremony for incoming Compton city officials on Friday. They were demanding the resignation of Councilmember Isaac Galvan, who has been charged by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office with felony election fraud.
Demonstrators have expressed outrage that Galvan has retained his seat and been assigned to various city boards while under investigation by the D.A.'s office.
Councilmember Michelle Chambers said Galvan's inauguration was an insult to Compton's voters.
"It is imperative that our leaders serve with integrity, with honesty, make ethical judgments and display ethical conduct. All traits Councilman Galvan seems to have misunderstood and disregarded," she said.
Galvan was charged on Aug. 13 along with political operative Jace Dawson, who prosecutors alleged was his main co-conspirator. Four other individuals have been accused, along with Dawson and the councilmember, with conspiring to rig a June 2021 runoff election for Compton's District 2 council seat between the incumbent Galvan and challenger Andre Spicer.
Dawson himself has been accused of fabricating his resume and education to gain political office in various municipalities around L.A. County.
"The people of Compton implore the current seated council to take swift action, and not only remove [Galvan] ... but to also redact any perks that he's currently receiving at taxpayers' expense," protester Alicia Rivers told KNX.
The group has additionally called for Galvan's election to be invalidated. Galvan won reelection by one vote; it is alleged that at least four votes were illegally cast in his favor under the direction of Jace Dawson. However, neither the D.A.'s office nor the L.A. County Registrar, which administers local elections, have the authority to do so.
Galvan's name was listed in a printed program as one of the people who would be sworn into office Friday, but KNX reported he was a no-show at the event.