News Releases

The case is being investigated by LADA’s Bureau of Investigation and reviewed by the Office’s Public Integrity Division

HUNTINGTON PARK, CA — District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced today that members of his Bureau of Investigation executed search warrants at 11 locations in connection with an ongoing public corruption probe, “Operation Dirty Pond.”

This investigation began in November 2022 and focuses on the potential misuse of millions of dollars in public funds allocated for the construction of an aquatic center at Salt Lake Park in the City of Huntington Park.

“My office is committed to ensuring that public officials uphold the highest standards of honesty, integrity, and transparency,” District Attorney Hochman said. “When concerns arise about the use of public funds or the actions of those in office, it is our duty to investigate thoroughly and protect the public’s trust.

“I want to commend our dedicated prosecutors and investigators for their diligent work on this complex case. Their unwavering commitment to justice ensures that no one — regardless of their position or title — is above the law.”

Today, the Bureau of Investigation searched the following locations:

• City of Huntington Park, City Hall, 6550 Miles Ave., Huntington Park, CA
• City of Huntington Park Public Works (City Yard located east of Salt Lake Park),  6900 Bissell St., Huntington Park, CA
• Salt Lake Park (Proposed site for aquatic center), 3401 E. Florence Ave., Huntington Park, CA
• Residence of Edvin Tsaturyan and Sona Vardikyan (Owners of JT Construction Group, Inc.), Glendale, CA
• Residence of Efren Martinez (former Huntington Park City Official), Los Angeles, CA
• Business Office of Unified Consulting Services, LLC, Huntington Park, CA
• Residence of Ricardo Reyes (current Huntington Park City Manager), Downey, CA
• Residence of Graciela Ortiz (former Huntington Park City Councilmember), Huntington Park, CA
• Residence of Marilyn Sanabria (former Huntington Park City Councilmember), Huntington Park, CA
• Residence of Karina Macias (current Huntington Park Mayor and City Councilmember), Huntington Park, CA
• Residence of Eddie Martinez (current Huntington Park City Councilmember), Huntington Park, CA

Numerous items were seized from each location including public records maintained by the City of Huntington Park, financial paperwork, computers, tablets, cell phones and various forms of electronic equipment. Any member of the public with information related to the aquatic center at Salt Lake Park in Huntington Park is urged to call Sgt. Robert L. Jackson of the District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation at 213-257-2511. 

The case is being investigated by LADA’s Bureau of Investigation and reviewed by the Office’s Public Integrity Division.