An official complaint has been lodged to the State Bar of California alleging breach of public trust by Kern County Supervisor Leticia Perez.

The complaint was filed by long-time Bakersfield resident David Brust. Brust says he’s just a concerned citizen holding local public servants accountable for their actions. Brust went on to say that he believes all residents should call out unethical behavior by politicians referring to a financial conflict of interest case against Perez in 2018.

At the time, Perez was facing two charges including failing to disclose financial interests after her husband, Fernando Lara, received multiple payments from parties connected to the marijuana industry. Perez then voted for related legislation without disclosing the money had been received. The Kern County District Attorney’s Office and Perez agreed to a conditional dismissal, which required Perez to meet certain stipulations before the charges would be dismissed. Those stipulations included a penalty payment of $30,000, another payment to the Fair Political Practices Commission, 100 hours of community service, and completion of an ethics course. Perez also acknowledged the factual basis of the misdemeanor charges. The case was resolved in January 2020.

In an email received by KUZZ, the State Bar says they received the complaint, and it will be reviewed by an attorney at the Intake Unit before any potential investigation is opened. As a licensing organization, the State Bar can levy fines, put an attorney on probation or, in extreme circumstances, disbar.

Perez has been a licensed attorney since 2007. She could not be reached for a comment.