Ex-Councilman Richard Alarcon convicted of 4 felonies in voter fraud case

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Former Los Angeles City Councilman Richard Alarcon was convicted Wednesday of three counts of voter fraud and one count of perjury for living outside the district he was elected to represent.

However, Alarcon was acquitted of 12 other felony counts against him. His wife, Flora Montes De Oca Alarcon, was convicted of two counts of voter fraud and one count of perjury, but acquitted on two other counts.

Prosecutors say the couple falsely claimed to live in a home in Panorama City so Alarcon could represent the 7th District, where that home is located. Alarcon insisted that he was renovating the older house and occasionally lived in the newer Sun Valley home owned by his wife.

Neighbors and mail carriers said the home appeared to be vacant. Prosecutors told jurors that a search warrant served at the home in January 2010 turned up a container of orange juice from March 2009 and eggs that were at least a year old.

Defense attorneys questioned the testimony from neighbors, saying one couple didn't even notice changes to the exterior of the property.

Alarcon faces up to six years in prison and being barred from holding an elected office. His wife faces just over five years in prison.

The sentencing hearing was tentatively scheduled for Sept. 20.

City News Service contributed to this report.