Full Breakdown
Former California Councilman Sentenced for Bribery Tied to Police-Union Contract and Marijuana Permits
8/30/2026, 8:35:17 AM
Corruption Scheme and Sentencing
Ricardo Pacheco, a former Baldwin Park city council member, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for accepting bribes in exchange for votes on a police-union contract and for facilitating commercial marijuana permits. The Department of Justice said Pacheco admitted burying nearly $63,000 in cash in his backyard and was ordered to forfeit $219,755 in illegal proceeds. His co-defendant, former Compton councilman Isaac Jacob Galvan, received the same prison term and was ordered to pay $323,557 in restitution.
Background and Context
Baldwin Park began issuing cannabis cultivation, manufacturing and distribution permits in 2017, shortly after statewide legalization. Prosecutors allege Pacheco used his council position to solicit payments from businesses seeking those permits. Between January and October 2018 he also solicited $37,900 from a Baldwin Park police officer to support the police-association contract, a deal valued at at least $4.4 million over three years.
Key Figures
- Ricardo Pacheco – former Baldwin Park council member, pleaded guilty to bribery.
- Isaac Jacob Galvan – former Compton council member, acted as “consultant” for marijuana firms and facilitated $70,000 in bribes.
- Robert Manuel Nacionales Tafoya – former Baldwin Park city attorney, drafted documents that funneled bribe money to Pacheco.
- Gabriel Chavez – marketing firm owner, collected $170,000 from marijuana firms and paid Pacheco $93,000 in cash.
- Yichang Bai – owner of W&F International Corp., provided $70,000 in bribes through Galvan.
- Edgar Pascual Cisneros – former Commerce city manager, supplied $45,000 in bribes for a separate permit.
Timeline
- 2017 – Baldwin Park authorizes cannabis permits.
- Jan–Oct 2018 – Pacheco receives $37,900 from a police officer for contract support.
- Oct 2018 – FBI sting captures Pacheco accepting $20,000 cash and $17,900 in checks tied to the police contract.
- June–July 2018 – Pacheco votes for W&F International’s permit after receiving $70,000 in bribes.
- Aug 2021 – Galvan pleads guilty and is sentenced to 18 months.
- 2024 – Tafoya resigns as city attorney and later pleads guilty to federal bribery and tax-evasion charges.
- 2026 – Pacheco and Galvan are sentenced; investigations into additional officials continue.
Data and Statistics
- Cash buried: $62,000–$62,900 (two sources differ).
- Total cash seized by FBI: $83,145.
- Pacheco’s forfeiture: $219,755.
- Galvan’s restitution: $323,557.
- Bribe amounts: $20,000 cash (police contract), $70,000 from W&F International, $45,000 from Commerce city manager, $93,000 from Chavez, $17,900 in checks to Pacheco’s church and political committees.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Mr. Tafoya has apparently made allegations against numerous individuals in order to reduce his sentence.” — spokesperson
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The cash recovered from Pacheco’s backyard is reported as $62,900 by the DOJ and $62,000 by the Los Angeles Times. Both figures appear in filings, but the precise amount remains unreconciled. Prosecutors have identified several additional officials, yet the identity of one unnamed Baldwin Park politician alleged to have solicited $30,000 in campaign contributions remains unconfirmed.
What’s Next
Authorities continue to pursue related officials. Robert Manuel Nacionales Tafoya, who is cooperating with investigators, may face additional charges as plea agreements are reviewed. The broader “pay-to-play” network surrounding California’s municipal marijuana permitting remains under investigation.
