Ex-Los Angeles Councilman Richard Alarcon sentenced to 120 days in jail for voter fraud, perjury

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Former Los Angeles Councilman Richard Alarcon was sentenced on Tuesday to 120 days in jail for fraudulent voting and perjury.

In addition to his stint in county jail, Alarcon was also sentenced to five years of home probation, 600 hours of community service and has been prohibited from holding office in the future. His wife, 49-year-old Flora Montes De Oca Alarcon, was sentenced to 400 hours of community service and five years of home probation for the same crimes.

Back in July, the 60-year-old former councilman was convicted of three counts of voter fraud and one count of perjury for living outside the district he was elected to represent. He was acquitted of 12 other felony counts against him.

His wife 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.

"Most people in society will write down where they are physically living - where they go to work and come home. They don't put their vacation home in Big Bear. They put where they've physically residing," said Deputy District Attorney Michelle Gilmer.

The defense entered a motion for a new trial but it was denied.

The Alarcons say they plan to appeal the decision.