Former Vernon City Administrator Pleads in Public Corruption Case

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May 26, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Sandi Gibbons, Public Information Officer
Jane Robison, News Secretary
Shiara Dávila, Assistant PIO
(213) 974-3525

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LOS ANGELES – The City of Vernon’s former city administrator pleaded guilty today to misappropriation of public funds and was ordered to repay $60,000 to the city, the District Attorney’s office announced.

Deputy District Attorney Sean Hassett with the Public Integrity Division said Bruce Malkenhorst Sr., 76, pleaded guilty to taking the city money for personal use. In exchange for his plea, a second count of misappropriation of public funds was dismissed.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Kathleen Kennedy also sentenced Malkenhorst to three years formal probation and fined him $10,000 in addition to ordering to pay full restitution to the city.

From Feb. 15, 2000, to June 1, 2005, Hassett said Malkenhorst had the City of Vernon illegally reimburse him a total of $60,000 that included eight $99 political contributions and various personal expenses, such as golf, massages, a personal trainer and a home security system.

Malkenhorst’s plea today completes a case that began in April 2005 when PID launched an investigation into allegations of corruption in the city. Convicted of voter fraud and other charges were Vernon’s longtime mayor, Leonis Malburg, his wife and their son.

Even though all three registered to vote in Vernon, the judge said none of the Malburg’s lived there. While maintaining apartments on Leonis Boulevard and 50th Street in Vernon, the family actually lived in Hancock Park.

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