Dear Friends,

As a public official for almost 12 years, I have endured my share of political battles. However, I have always been extremely careful about protecting the privacy of my personal life. Unfortunately, in November 2011, at my utter shock my personal life was thrown into the public realm by the man I was dating. Then this past June brought even more media scrutiny in the most horrific way possible. I have been charged with two misdemeanor counts and am awaiting to stand trial this December 2012.

The charges brought against me were fabricated by two San Fernando police officers. Currently both officers are under investigation and one of the police officers (Kevin Glasgow) has been placed on Administrative Leave by the City of San Fernando. Why would two officers do this? The answer is simple. In the past two years, I was part of a city council that took all police corruption allegations seriously. I refused to turn a blind eye to the issues of time card fraud, falsification and tampering with police reports, ticket fixing, police brutality and many other police departmental problems. Internal investigations were started on many of the matters and officers were placed on Administrative Leave pending the results of the investigations. This brought vehement anger from the San Fernando Police Officers Association (POA) and its members. The solution for them was to oust the council members who were questioning the rogue department’s business practices. The POA quickly identified me as the council ring-leader and pledged to get rid of me by any means necessary which we are learning included fabricating information so that I would be charged with criminal acts..

As many of you know, I am a single mother of two. My eldest started his fourth year of college this summer. As a responsible mother, I have solely provided for funding his college education. I also have my 16 year old who still lives at home. I have been the sole provider for both of my wonderful children for the last 11 years receiving no outside assistance. Like most Americans we have experienced our fair share of economic hardships but none as severe as the one my boys and I find ourselves in now.

This case, that has been politically motivated, has depleted our entire life savings and my children’s college savings. I am in a situation where no person with her children should find herself. It was always my belief that in the United States of America, one is innocent until proven guilty. I have experienced quite the contrary. I am innocent and I will win my trial; however, if I cannot raise the funds to defend myself, I cannot begin to fathom what will become of me and my sons.

I am reaching out to you today in the hopes that as a friend, you can offer your financial assistance in helping me to defend my innocence and my future livelihood. I need to raise a total of $15,000.00 by November 20, 2012 in order for my attorney to continue representing me. I have set up the De La Torre Legal Defense Fund. You can contribute using a check, money order, credit card or PayPal.

Thank you for assisting me with your generous contribution.

Humbly yours,

Maribel De La Torre
Councilmember, City of San Fernando