Ex-Pico Rivera councilman facing charges

PICO RIVERA - Former Pico Rivera city councilman Ron Beilke appeared in court today to face more than half a dozen counts, including perjury and conflict of interest.Beilke has been charged with one felony count each of perjury and conflict of interest, according to deputy district attorney Sandi Roth of the Public Integrity Division. Beilke was also charged with four misdemeanor counts of conflict of interest and two misdemeanor counts of accepting a gift in excess of the legal value. Prosecutors allege that between 2006-2008, Beilke voted to approve three contracts for construction work at an intersection immediately adjacent to his privately-owned Weinerschnitzel franchise. Beilke also voted to approve a contract between Pico Rivera and Krikorian Theatres while receiving free movie tickets totaling $3,400 from the company, according to prosecutors. Beilke was elected to the Pico Rivera City Council in 2005. He lost re-election in November. If convicted, Beilke faces a maximum of seven years, eight months in prison.

********** Published: February 5, 2010 - Volume 8 - Issue 42