Source: Reuter

Drug charge filed against L.A. councilman

LOS ANGELES (Reuter) A Los Angeles city councilman allegedly
videotaped by police snorting cocaine was charged Thursday with one
count of possessing the drug. Mike Hernandez, a former bail bondsman
and champion for the rights of the city's Hispanic community, was
scheduled to be arraigned Friday in Los Angeles Municipal Court. A
statement from the Los Angeles District Attorney's office said
Hernandez' alleged cocaine suppliers, Jose Gallardo and Jess Alvara
Ramirez, were also charged with one count each of possession and
would be arraigned on Sept. 19. If convicted, each faces a maximum
jail term of three years. Hernandez, 44, was arrested last Thursday
after cocaine and marijuana were found at his City Hall office.
Officers also found what appeared to be oneeighth of an ounce of
cocaine on his person. He immediately posted $10,000 bail and entered
a private drug treatment clinic. According to court papers, police
videotaped Hernandez on Aug 6 allegedly snorting cocaine in his car
outside a supplier's apartment. He then attended a ``community
function.'' Police observed the twoterm councillor buy drugs eight
times after that, the documents said. The videotape has been
broadcast on Los Angeles television stations.