By Irma Zamorano
Apr 12, 2026, 11:35 PM EDT
When Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman ran for office, he pledged to restore integrity and aggressively pursue political corruption; a promise that resonated with voters frustrated by scandals, backroom deals and a sense that accountability often hinges on who holds power.
More than a year into his term, the public has witnessed some corruption prosecutions, including charges brought against Los Angeles City Councilman Curren Label. Likewise, the prosecutor continues to investigate major corruption scandals in Huntington Park, related to a large parks project. These cases are important. However, the broader promise—a sustained and visible effort to deter misconduct at all levels of local government—has yet to be fully realized.
Recent events in El Monte illustrate why voters expected more. A recent report published in Spanish by the newspaper La Opinión detailed allegations that former El Monte City Councilwoman María Morales took legal action against a resident who questioned the way public funds were being used; specifically, a multi-million dollar grant linked to the ‘El Monte Promise’ Foundation. According to the report, the resident faced a restraining order and police intervention before a judge ultimately dismissed the case.
Regardless of personal disputes, the principle is clear: When residents raise questions about public money, the response must be transparency, not legal intimidation. The deterrent effect this has on civic participation is dependent.
However, the concerns about Morales do not end there. Additional questions have arisen over whether Morales may have misused campaign funds during her run for mayor of El Monte in 2022. At the time, Morales served as Deputy Chief of Inclusion and Diversity Officer for Communications, Community and Student Engagement at the University of Southern California (USC). During her tenure in the USC Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, complaints were reportedly filed alleging discrimination and harassment based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, pregnancy, veteran status, and retaliation.
USC opened an internal investigation during the same period that Morales was running for mayor; a race he ultimately lost, ending his four-year term on the City Council.
According to public records, Morales would have hired the services of two law firms through his campaign committee. One of them, Beaver Proper Company, which specializes in campaign finance compliance and treasury services – an appropriate and recurring campaign expense. The second firm, Zweiback, Fiset & Zalduendo, is known for its work in criminal defense of high-profile cases and government investigations. Morales reportedly paid this firm $15,000 from his campaign account.
If these funds were used to fund a legal defense against an internal workplace investigation—unrelated to campaign activity—this could raise serious questions in light of California’s campaign finance law, which generally restricts the use of campaign funds to political purposes, activities of public office, or other legally permissible uses related to holding or seeking office. The use of campaign money for personal legal defense, outside of these parameters, may constitute a violation of state regulations.
It should be noted that accusations do not amount to convictions. However, well-founded concerns about possible misuse of campaign funds fit squarely with the type of public integrity concerns that voters expect a District Attorney to pep up. Political corruption is not limited to envelopes stuffed with cash or large bribery schemes; It also covers the misuse of campaign accounts, the use of public office to intimidate critics, and any abuse of power that undermines public trust.
Irma Zamorano, former member of the School Board; Reportable member of the Mountain Seek School Board
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