Compton, California, December 10, 2025
Isaac Galvan, a former Compton City Councilmember, has pleaded guilty to federal charges of bribery and tax evasion. He admitted to facilitating $70,000 in bribes for support in obtaining marijuana permits from Baldwin Park’s City Councilmember Ricardo Pacheco. In addition, Galvan failed to file tax returns for four years, concealing over $560,000 in income and agreeing to pay substantial restitution to the IRS. His sentencing is set for June 2026, where he faces significant prison time.
Compton, California
Former Compton City Councilmember Isaac Galvan has pleaded guilty to federal charges involving bribery and tax evasion.
Bribery Scheme Details
Isaac Galvan, 38, admitted to facilitating $70,000 in bribes to Baldwin Park City Councilmember Ricardo Pacheco. In return, Pacheco supported marijuana permits sought by Galvan’s client, W&F International Corp., a business based in Diamond Bar. This arrangement led to Pacheco voting in favor of W&F’s marijuana permit in 2018 and later assisting the company’s relocation within Baldwin Park. To hide the payments, checks with blank payee lines were used, which Pacheco or third parties cashed. In addition, Galvan arranged for $20,000 in further payments to Pacheco’s legal defense fund.
Tax Evasion Admission
In his plea, Galvan confessed to not filing federal individual tax returns for the years 2017 through 2020. He concealed around $560,525 in income, resulting in a loss of $115,816 to the U.S. Treasury. He has agreed to pay $323,557 in restitution to the IRS.
Background Information
Galvan served on the Compton City Council from 2013 to 2022. In 2021, he was charged with election fraud after a judge determined that ballots were submitted by persons not residing in the contested council district. The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office charged him and six others with conspiracy related to election fraud.
Ricardo Pacheco, the councilmember involved in Galvan’s scheme, had pleaded guilty in June 2020 to accepting nearly $40,000 in bribes from an informant in exchange for his support of a police association’s contract with Baldwin Park. Pacheco’s sentencing hearing is set for March 30, 2026.
Galvan’s sentencing is scheduled for June 8, 2026, where he faces a maximum of 10 years in prison for bribery and up to five years for tax evasion.
Related Cases
Former Baldwin Park and Commerce officials were implicated in related schemes involving bribery for marijuana permits in December 2024. In November 2023, Edgar Pascual Cisneros, the former Commerce City Manager, pleaded guilty to federal bribery charges linked to assisting a company in obtaining a marijuana permit through bribes. Similarly, in December 2023, Robert Tafoya, former Baldwin Park City Attorney, pleaded guilty to bribery and tax evasion charges connected to Galvan.
Legal Proceedings
The FBI and IRS are investigating this matter, with Assistant United States Attorneys from the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section leading the prosecution. Anyone with information related to public corruption is encouraged to report it to the FBI.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What charges did Isaac Galvan plead guilty to?
Isaac Galvan pleaded guilty to federal charges of bribery and tax evasion. He admitted to facilitating $70,000 in bribes to Baldwin Park City Councilmember Ricardo Pacheco in exchange for support for marijuana permits and acknowledged failing to report approximately $560,525 in income, resulting in a loss of $115,816 to the U.S. Treasury. Galvan has agreed to pay $323,557 in restitution to the IRS.
What is the background of the bribery scheme involving Isaac Galvan?
The bribery scheme involved Isaac Galvan facilitating $70,000 in bribes to Baldwin Park City Councilmember Ricardo Pacheco. In exchange, Pacheco provided support for marijuana permits sought by Galvan’s client, W&F International Corp. This arrangement led to Pacheco voting in favor of W&F’s marijuana permit in 2018 and later supporting the company’s relocation within Baldwin Park.
What is the sentencing schedule for Isaac Galvan?
Isaac Galvan’s sentencing is scheduled for June 8, 2026. He faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison on the bribery count and up to five years on the tax count.
What other officials have been implicated in similar bribery schemes?
In December 2024, former Baldwin Park and Commerce officials pleaded guilty to participating in a scheme involving bribes in exchange for votes and support for marijuana permits. In November 2023, Edgar Pascual Cisneros, former Commerce City Manager, pleaded guilty to federal bribery charges related to helping a company obtain a marijuana permit through bribes. In December 2023, Robert Tafoya, former Baldwin Park City Attorney, also pleaded guilty to federal bribery and tax evasion charges.
Who is investigating the bribery scheme involving Isaac Galvan?
The FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation are investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys are prosecuting this case. Anyone with information related to public corruption is encouraged to contact the FBI.
Key Features of the Case
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Defendant | Isaac Galvan, former Compton City Councilmember |
| Charges | Bribery and tax evasion |
| Bribe Amount | $70,000 |
| Recipient of Bribe | Ricardo Pacheco, Baldwin Park City Councilmember |
| Client Involved | W&F International Corp. |
| Sentencing Date | June 8, 2026 |
| Potential Maximum Sentence | 15 years in federal prison |
| Restitution to IRS | $323,557 |
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