Tow company owner convicted of threatening Bell Gardens councilman

By Wave Staff Report

Story Created: Jan 15, 2009 at 3:07 PM PST

Story Updated: Jan 15, 2009 at 3:07 PM PST

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LOS ANGELES — Sharam Shayesteh, owner of the South Gate-based United Motor Club, a towing service which contracts with the city of Bell Gardens, will be sentenced Feb. 19 In Los Angeles Superior Court after being found guilty of making a criminal threat against Bell Gardens City Councilman Daniel Crespo.

He will be sentenced by Judge Stephen Marcus, who presided over the jury trial which found Shayesteh guilty of the felony charge Monday, said Sandi Gibbons of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office.

Deputy District Attorney Marcus Mousanti, who prosecuted the case, said Crespo testified that he did not realize Shayesteh was in the room with Councilman Mario Beltran during a telephone conversation Feb. 28, 2007, until the defendant came on the line and threatened him.

Crespo said the private call with Beltran was regarding an item on the City Council agenda to reduce the number of days a vehicle could be impounded from 30 days to three days.

Crespo said an earlier threat was made on Nov. 13, 2006, after his inquiry forced the towing company to pay a $50,000 franchise fee.

At that time council approved a $5 million contract with Shayesteh to replace South Side Tow which had served the city for more than 38 years.

In a separate case, Beltran pleaded guilty Jan. 9 to four misdemeanor charges which will require him to step down from the City Council by Feb. 12, when he is sentenced.

Deputy District Attorney Max Huntsman said Beltran pleaded guilty to three counts of failing to file campaign disclosure statements and one count of failing to deposit a campaign contribution.

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angry parent in B.G. said on Saturday, Jul 10 at 7:43 AM

bell gardens is so corrupted it not funny now the found Jennifier Rodriguez guilty of the sames as Mario Beltran also her husband Gerry and her Father Rogelio Rodriguez and Priscila Flores ran on the same ticket they get a car allowance credit card and they gave themselves a raise if you recall Rogelio get busted going to Mexicali smuggling goods put his daughter in city council to help get back his truck and use city attorney to defend him Priscilla has yet to be indited she still the mayor of BG and did the same as Mario Beltran when is the rest of the city going to wake up and smell the coffee they continue to wow the public about stupid things and blind them remember not every thing thatshines is gold

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