Prosecutors say Cardenas, 41, and his sister fraudulently obtained a $176,227 Paycheck Protection Program loan in early 2021 intended for their firm, Grassroots Resources. The money was meant to support payroll for 34 employees, most of whom actually worked for a marijuana dispensary that was a Grassroots client.
Former Democrat Chula Vista City Councilwoman Andrea Cardenas and her brother Jesus pleaded guilty Wednesday to two felony counts of grand theft for fraudulently obtaining a COVID-relief loan for their political consulting business and using the money for personal expenses, and for unlawfully obtaining state unemployment benefits.
Chula Vista City Council member Andrea Cardenas and her brother, Jesus Cardenas, pleaded not guilty to criminal charges stemming from an alleged fraudulent loan.
Chula Vista City Councilwoman Andrea Cardenas spoke out for the first time Monday about fraud charges against her and her brother, while two top city officials called on her to resign.