EL CHICANo Weekly
Vo l 58, NO. 11
March 0 5, 2020
More victims come forward accusing Mayor John Valdivia of sexual abuse, hostile workplace By Maryjoy Duncan
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www.iecn.com Gloria’s Cor ner Pg. 3
our new victims have come forward alleging sexual harassment and hostile workplace by San Bernardino City Mayor John Valdivia; three of them shared their experiences during a press conference in front of City Hall on Thursday, Feb. 27, three weeks after former city employees Karen Cervantes and Mirna Cisneros broke their silence. According to attorney Tristan Pelayes who is representing all six victims, there have been over a dozen individuals - elected officials, community members, current and former employees of the mayor - who have come forward over the past two weeks as witnesses and victims of the mayor’s alleged unethical behavior.
Meeting exa mine s yout h homelessness Pg. 5
“Through this a distinct pattern has become evident, a predatory pattern by Mayor John Valdivia was seeking out young women, people who are vulnerable, experiencing hardships, or just starting their careers in government,” indicated Pelayes. “This pattern consists of sexually inappropriate behavior, manipulation through
bullying and verbal abuse and quid pro quo by promising promotions and career advancement opportunities; it extends beyond just females.” Two of Valdivia’s accusers are male - Don Smith, current field representative to the mayor, and an unnamed accuser. Pelayes underscored Smith’s bravery in coming forward while still a subordinate of Valdivia, who Smith accuses of mental and verbal abuse over the past yearand-a-half in the form of threats to his job security if he refused to abide by his requests to work for uncompensated overtime, calls to work on scheduled days off, sometimes 10 - 12-hour shifts without a break, and requiring him to run personal errands such as servicing the mayor’s car during city hours.
According to Smith, a struggling part-time employee who can’t afford to lose his job, COURTESY PHOTO Valdivia was upset when he took Three of the four new accusers shared their experiences on time off when his grandmother Thursday, Feb. 27, joined by the two victims who broke their died, reprimanding, “I don’t give silence three weeks prior. From left: city commissioner Alissa a f*** when someone in your Payne, Field Representative for the mayor Don Smith, and Victims, cont. on next pg. recently terminated city employee Jackie Aboud.
Indian Springs High School hosts career pathway pro gram ribbon cutting
By Manny B. Sandoval
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ARMC to host 13th annual Health Expo Pg. 7
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n Tuesday, February 25 Indian Springs High School held a ribbon cutting for its new career pathway program initiative in collaboration with East Valley Water District (EVWD). “San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) has more than 50 career pathways offered to high school students to give them opportunities to learn about potential careers they can pursue after graduation. These include careers that may require a college degree like nursing, or automotive repair which requires specialized training but no college degree. It’s part of our school district’s mission to ensure that students graduate from high school ready to succeed in college and careers,” said Maria Garcia, SBCUSD Communications Officer. ISHS, cont. on next pg.
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SBCUSD
The SBCUSD Career Pathway Program in conjunction with EVWD provides students a robust set of hands-on experience and educational opportunities.