Board of Central Basin dismisses General Manager Rojas, replaces Art Chacon as chairman

The Central Basin Water District is once again embroiled in controversy, this time over the illegal termination of Director Dr. Alex Rojas. The board, consisting of Juan Garza, Martha Camacho Rodriguez, Nem Ochoa, and Joanna Moreno, called a special meeting on November 1, 2024, where Rojas was unlawfully dismissed.

Rojas, who strongly denies the allegations against him, is expected to sue CB, attorney Victor Ponto, Ponto's law firm Burke Williams Sorenson, and the individual directors for wrongful termination. The case involving the allegations of money laundering, bribery, perjury, and embezzlement against Rojas is still pending and has not progressed past the initial arraignment.

The financial examination by CRI found no money missing but alleged certain violations, all of which were denied by Rojas. The meeting violated Government Code 54956, which requires written notice to be delivered to each member of the legislative body, local newspapers, and radio or television stations at least 24 hours before the meeting. LCCN, the adjudicated newspaper for the City of Commerce, did not receive the notice via email as required by 54956.

Moreover, the meeting also violated Central Basin's Code under Article 3, section 3.3, as the president, Art Chacon, was not asked to approve the November 1 agenda. The meeting was held without a 7/8 vote of the board, as required by Rojas's personal employment contract, with only four CB Directors present.

The board's actions come amidst an ongoing investigation by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, which has ordered the agency to turn over recordings and meeting minutes from 2020 to March 31, 2024, during Rojas's tenure. Notably, there are no video recordings of CB board meetings during the time period in question.

This is not the first time the Central Basin Board has been embroiled in controversy. Former GM Kevin Hunt recently secured a $200,000 wrongful termination settlement, while former CB GM Tony Perez illegally fired and won a $1 million settlement against the agency.

As the election approaches, two of the four board members, Garza and Camacho Rodriguez, could be unseated by next Tuesday's election, and Moreno will be termed out in February 2025. Questions into the board members went unanswered at the time of publication. The person responsible for representing lawyer Victor Ponto at the Central Basin Water District is not publicly specified.

Under Central Basin's Code, if Board members individually cause any lawsuits, they must pay for their own attorneys. With the pending lawsuit from Rojas and the ongoing investigation, the future of the Central Basin Water District remains uncertain.

Board of Central Basin dismisses General Manager Rojas, replaces Art Chacon as chairman