FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 15, 2009


GOP Congressional Candidate Audited By Office Led By Democrat Opponent


It is more than a bit curious that, less than a week before a highly contested congressional special election, the Republican candidate in the race, a local business owner and Latina, is being audited by the office led by Democrat candidate Judy Chu, harassed by local government officials, and burglarized just five days before the election.

Chu is a member of the state Board of Equalization, the entity charged with tax collection in California. Her office has opened an audit investigation of the local restaurant owned by another candidate, Teresa Hernandez - a Republican.

Hernandez’ restaurant in El Monte, Cielito Lindo, received a letter from the Board Of Equalization (BOE) this week informing her of the audit. Hernandez has not been audited by the BOE in 18 years, nor the IRS in 10.

Chu, who claims to have no prior knowledge of her offices decision to audit Hernandez, has had her prospects for the heavily Latino district questioned with the presence of well-known Latino candidates in the race - including Hernandez.

The timing of the investigation and the circumstances involving two opposing candidates calls into question Chu’s impartiality and the ethical use of her powers as a Board member. Whether or not Chu is engaged in misconduct and intentionally attempting to misuse her office to influence the election, it’s clear that either the actions of Chu or BOE staff are inappropriate.

Judy Chu can do better by the people of California than simply denying her involvement by ending this political game being played by her office. Chu should explain that Teresa Hernandez is not only an upstanding and ethical business owner, but a cornerstone of her community who deserves better than to be the subject of an improper bureaucratic fishing expedition.

In addition to being harassed by Judy Chu’s office and City of El Monte officials, Hernandez’ restaurant was burglarized last night with over $4000 being taken along with important documents.

CONTACT: Kevin Roberts
916-448-9496