Compton Councilmember Isaac Galvan’s Corruption Case: A Deep Dive

Former Compton Councilmember Isaac Galvan has recently faced significant legal troubles, admitting to funneling $70,000 as bribes to Baldwin Park Councilmember Ricardo Pacheco. This scheme was aimed at securing votes for cannabis permits tied to Galvan’s clients, revealing a troubling landscape of corruption in local government. Galvan, 38, pleaded guilty to one count of bribery and one count of tax evasion in a court hearing held on December 9. As part of his plea agreement with federal prosecutors, he has committed to paying $327,557 in restitution to the IRS for unreported income amounting to nearly $600,000 between 2017 and 2020. Facing a maximum sentence of 10 years for bribery and five years for tax evasion, Galvan’s sentencing is set for June 8, 2026.

Unraveling the Scheme: How It All Began

The illegal activities trace back to Baldwin Park’s compromised rollout of commercial cannabis in 2017. Galvan, who served on the Compton City Council from 2013 to 2022, initially approached his friend Robert Tafoya, then Baldwin Park’s city attorney. Galvan sought to secure permits for his consulting firm’s potential clients through Tafoya, who subsequently connected Galvan with Councilmember Pacheco. This alliance culminated in the illicit exchange of five checks worth $10,000 each and a larger $50,000 check from Galvan’s client, W&F International. The $50,000 was designated to Pacheco in return for his favorable vote on W&F’s permit in mid-2018.

The Fallout of Corruption: Pacheco’s Troubling History

Ricardo Pacheco wasn’t a stranger to legal troubles himself. In the same year, he became embroiled in an FBI investigation for accepting $37,900 in bribes from an undercover police officer. These bribes were in exchange for supporting the Baldwin Park Police Association’s contract with the city. The FBI’s investigation yielded significant evidence, including $302,900 seized from Pacheco’s home, which highlighted the depths of corruption within Baldwin Park’s government. Pacheco later entered into his own plea agreement and began cooperating with federal investigators, further complicating Galvan’s legal predicament.

Legal Consequences: Tax Evasion and Unreported Income

Galvan’s dealings not only involved bribery but also tax evasion. Over a four-year span, he accrued $560,525 in unreported income, which led to a substantial loss of $115,816 in tax revenue for the IRS. The plea agreement noted that Galvan directed those indebted to him to write checks with blank payee lines or in names other than his own, such as his council liaison. This deceptive strategy allowed him to obscure his income and utilize the funds for personal expenses, including rent.

Wider Implications and Ongoing Trials

The tangled web of corruption extends beyond Galvan and Pacheco. Yichang Bai, the owner of W&F International, has pleaded not guilty to his alleged involvement in the bribery scheme, with a trial set to take place in February 2024. Additionally, the El Monte Police Department raided W&F International’s warehouse in September 2020, acting on a tip-off. The business was found to be operating illegally and owed $575,000 to Baldwin Park—yet the City Council delayed revoking its permit until a month after the police intervention. This incident illustrates systemic flaws and inefficiencies within municipal governance that contributed to the unlawful activities surrounding cannabis permits.

Judicial Outcomes and Future Developments

Galvan isn’t the only one facing repercussions from this corruption saga. Another one of his cannabis clients, DJCBP Corp., has filed a lawsuit against him, Tafoya, Pacheco, and fellow Councilmember Manny Lozano, alleging that they misled the company into spending $90,000 on a cannabis business initially acquired for less than $4,000. In September 2025, a jury awarded DJCBP a $1.9 million verdict. However, in November, the judge partially overturned the decision, relieving some defendants of liability while keeping Galvan and Tafoya accountable. DJCBP has since filed an appeal, indicating that legal battles surrounding this case are far from over.

Conclusion: The Ripple Effects of Corruption

The case of Isaac Galvan serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive issues of corruption at local government levels. With his guilty plea and the wider implications of the ongoing trials for others involved, the fallout from this scandal continues to unfold. As Galvan prepares for sentencing and others face trials, the need for ethical oversight and accountability in public office becomes increasingly urgent. The saga underscores the importance of transparent governance, particularly in burgeoning sectors like cannabis, where financial interests frequently intersect with political power. The repercussions of this case will likely resonate for years to come, prompting calls for reform to prevent similar abuses of power in the future.