Imagine a bustling California town where the focus is on community growth and civic engagement. Wasco, a small city with a tight-knit population, has been led by Mayor Alex Garcia. Garcia received press for being an openly LGBT candidate. Recently, however, this tranquil image was shattered, plunging the city into controversy and shock.

In an unexpected turn of events, Mayor Garcia was outed over shocking accusations. The drama began with a video posted to a private Facebook group on July 24, which claimed to show Garcia attempting to meet with a minor for sexual acts.

The allegations, detailed in the video, sent shockwaves through the community and beyond. Garcia claimed he was “set up” and targeted. His own party thought otherwise. Quickly, he was forced to face the music.

From The Blaze:
A California Democratic mayor has resigned after allegations surfaced online that he attempted to meet an underage boy for sexual acts. The accusations against the mayor were exposed in a video shared on social media that allegedly shows the mayor of Wasco being assaulted…

The man, Davonn Bradley, told the Wasco Tribune that he met Garcia on the gay dating app Sniffies, where he allegedly posed as a “super young” minor…

After pressure from his own party, Garcia resigned on Thursday morning.

The Allegations Unfold

The video, according to reports from the San Joaquin Valley Sun, alleged that Garcia had arranged to meet a 15-year-old boy. However, the “boy” was actually a man named Davonn Bradley, posing as a minor to catch child predators.

Bradley told the Wasco Tribune that he met Garcia on a gay dating app, where he posed as a “super young” minor. Bradley’s claims included that Garcia came prepared with incriminating items, such as weed, alcohol, and sex paraphernalia, which added fuel to the already raging fire.

The confrontation between Garcia and Bradley, along with another man, turned physical and was recorded on video. Footage allegedly shows Garcia being assaulted, placed in a headlock, and punched multiple times. This video went viral, further escalating the controversy and leading to calls for Garcia’s resignation from various quarters, including his own party.

Legal and Political Ramifications

Garcia’s lawyer responded to the allegations by suggesting that Garcia had been “tricked” and lured into a situation where he was attacked due to his sexual orientation. Thompson claimed that the incident could be a homophobic attack and urged that any criminal investigation focus on this aspect. It seems Garcia’s defense was to paint himself as some kind of victim. But the men in the video claim they feared Garcia was pulling a weapon out of his bag.

Despite these defenses, the political pressure mounted. The Kern County Democratic Party and other political figures demanded Garcia’s resignation. In a public statement, the Kern County Democratic Party condemned any acts of violence or sexual misconduct, emphasizing the importance of leadership free from such distractions. Under immense pressure, Garcia ultimately resigned, stating that he needed to focus on addressing the allegations personally and ensuring the city’s progress without further distraction.

A Resignation with Regret

In his resignation statement, Garcia expressed profound regret and insisted that the accusations were mischaracterized and inaccurate. He thanked the community for their support and highlighted his achievements during his tenure. He noted, “I want to assure you that the accusations made against me are mischaracterized and inaccurate and certainly do not reflect who I am or what I stand for.”

Wasco City Manager Scott Hurlbert confirmed that the city council would appoint a new mayor and mayor pro tempore at its next meeting, signaling a new chapter for the city’s leadership.

Key Takeaways:

• Wasco Mayor Alex Garcia resigned following allegations of attempting to meet with an underage boy for sexual acts.
• A video posted online showed Garcia being assaulted during a confrontation with individuals posing as minors.
• Garcia’s lawyer suggested the incident could have been a homophobic attack, while political pressure led to Garcia’s resignation.

Source: The Blaze