Santa Ana City Council Member Charged with Sexual Assault and Other Charges

Carlos Bustamante of the Santa Ana City Council pled not guilty to several felony and misdemeanor charges. The allegations are that he sexually assaulted seven women at the Orange County Public Works Department. This happened over a period of eight years and the alleged victims were subordinates in the same department.

Bustamante has denied these allegations since leaving his position last year. Allegations were made in March of 2011 and information gathered by the county’s internal investigation was given to the District Attorney’s Office in March of this year. The scandal resulted in the firing of the county’s director of public works. A deputy chief executive officer has gone on medical leave and the county Board of Supervisors could evaluate whether to keep the county’s CEO. Bustamante faces six felony counts of false imprisonment, three felony counts of assault with intent to commit a sexual offense. Other charges are one count of stalking, attempted sexual battery by restraint and one grand theft for misuse of public funds. Misdemeanor charges of sexual battery, assault and battery have also been filed against Bustamante.

Here is an Orange County Register video covering Mr. Bustamante plea.

If you are having trouble viewing the video, you can see it here.

Criminal Law Updates by the Law Offices of Orange County Defense Attorney William W. Bruzzo (714) 547-4636.

Related Articles

• Carlos Bustamante arrest, charges to be addressed by Orange County DA (abclocal.go.com)
• Santa Ana City Councilman Arrested On Sexual Battery Charges (losangeles.cbslocal.com)
• Councilman Bustamante, accused of sex assault, due in court (ocregister.com)
• Orange County CEO Resigns Amid Sex Scandal (losangeles.cbslocal.com)