Roger Hernández

Roger Hernández (born July 29, 1975) is an American former politician who served in the California State Assembly, representing the 48th district.

Roger Hernández
Member of the California State Assembly from the 48th district 57th district (2010–2012)
In office December 6, 2010 – November 30, 2016
Preceded by	Ed Hernandez
Succeeded by	Blanca Rubio
Mayor of West Covina, California
In office November 18, 2008 – December 1, 2009
Preceded by	Sherri Lane
Succeeded by	Shelley Sanderson
West Covina City Council
In office March 18, 2003 – December 6, 2010
Preceded by	Mike Touhey
Succeeded by	Karin Armbrust
Personal details
Born	(1975-07-29) July 29, 1975 El Monte, California
Nationality	American
Political party	Democratic
Residence	West Covina, California
Alma mater	University of California, Riverside University of La Verne
Occupation	Part-time Instructor, Rio Hondo Community College

Prior to being elected to the state assembly, he was the Mayor of West Covina, a member of the West Covina City Council, and Professor of Government at Rio Hondo and Citrus Community Colleges. Prior to his tenure on the City Council, Hernández was elected to the Rowland Unified School Board where he served from November 1999 through July 2003. He lost his bid to return to the West Covina City Council on Nov. 6, 2018, coming in fourth. [1]

Early life and education

Hernández received a degree in Political Science from the University of California, Riverside, a master's degree in Public Administration from the University of La Verne and a Master's in Governance Certificate from the California School Boards Association (CSBA).

Hernández was raised in the City of El Monte and attended Nogales High School. As a youth counselor in the City of La Puente, Hernández worked with at-risk teenagers in an after school program.

Career

In 1998, at the age of 23, Hernández was elected to the Rowland Unified School Board and implemented community service graduation requirements as well as a parent empowerment program.

In 2003, Hernández was elected to the West Covina City Council.

Hernández was elected to the California State Assembly in 2010 representing the 48th District. As an Assemblymember for 6 years, Hernández passed 34 bills, and co-authored Senate Bill 3 which raised California's minimum wage to $15 an hour.

Hernández's petition for divorce in 2014 only after a year of marriage claiming "irreconcilable differences" in court documents. Hernández was legally separated from his estrange wife for about a year before the domestic violence allegations according to court documents (http://www.lacourt.org/casesummary/ui/index.aspx?casetype=familylaw).

After being served with a restraining order for domestic violence during divorce proceedings and during his run for his congressional campaign, Hernandez was stripped of his committee assignments. A few months later, he took a medical leave of absence.[2]

2014 California State Assembly

California's 48th State Assembly district election, 2014

Primary election
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Roger Hernández (incumbent)	13,254	48.5
	Republican	Joe Gardner	11,187	40.9
	No party preference	Mike Meza	2,878	10.5
Total votes			27,319	100.0
General election
	Democratic	Roger Hernandez (incumbent)	30,131	54.4
	Republican	Joe Gardner	25,284	45.6
Total votes			55,415	100.0
	Democratic hold

2016 run for Congress

In 2016, as he was termed out of his Assembly seat, Hernández ran for the United States House of Representatives in the 32nd district, challenging Grace Napolitano. In August, after gaining a spot in the general election following a 2nd-place finish in the primaries, Hernandez withdrew from the race, citing fallout from his controversial divorce.[3]

Controversies/Criminal Arrest

Divorce:

December 2014 Hernandez petitioned for divorce, only a year after marriage claiming "irreconcilable differences" http://www.lacourt.org/casesummary/ui/index.aspx?casetype=familylaw).

December 2014 Hernandez was legally separated and the divorce did not finalize until 2016.

Active Restraining Order: On July 1, 2016 State Assemblyman Roger Hernandez was ordered to stay 100 yards away from his ex-wife Baldwin Park Councilwoman Susan Rubio for three years as part of a permanent domestic violence restraining order issued against him by a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge during the couple’s divorce proceedings.

The decision came after Judge Shelley Kaufman heard testimony from both parties and six other witnesses during a hearing drawn out over five days in May, June and July.

In court testimony and a written declaration seeking the restraining order, Rubio, an elementary school teacher, described more than a dozen incidents in which Hernandez allegedly punched, choked and assaulted her during their relationship.

When issuing the restraining order, which expires July 1, 2019, Kaufman said the testimony Rubio provided in court was credible and that it was clear abuse occurred on multiple occasions.[4]

In 2007, West Covina police responded to Hernandez's home after a neighbor reported hearing a loud argument and "someone getting slammed around with a male and female yelling," but no charges were filed, these allegations were also made during Henandez's re-election to the West Covina city council. Hernandez claimed that the allegation was politically motivated.[5] The former West Covina public information officer and city manager sued Hernandez alleging a hostile work environment in 2012, which was rejected by a jury.[6]

Hernández was arrested for drunk driving in Concord, California on March 27, 2012.[7] A jury later found him not guilty. In January 2015, he was charged with money-laundering by the California Fair Political Practices Commission after a probable cause finding that Hernandez's campaign committee had filed "an inaccurate semi-annual campaign statement with the Secretary of State, falsely reporting information regarding the true sources of contributions received." [8]

West Covina police granted an emergency protective order against Hernandez in 2012 when Hernandez allegedly entered into an altercation with a woman at a restaurant, although no charges were filed because the woman retraceted her allegations admitting her allegations were false. The woman had a records of settlements with wealthy men and basketball stars and a record of mental illness. [9]

In April 2016, while in the process of divorcing his estranged wife Susan Rubio, Hernandez was served with a temporary restraining order and ordered to have no contact with Rubio. Rubio, who serves as a councilmember in the City of Baldwin Park, claimed that during their marriage Hernandez physically attacked and assaulted her, providing photos with scratches and bruises.[10] In August of the same year, Hernandez took a leave of absence but was criticized for continuing to collect per diem reimbursements while on leave.[11]

References

1. "LA County Election Results". lavote.net. Retrieved 2018-11-11.
2. Panzar, Javier (Aug 1, 2016). "Assemblyman Roger Hernández out on medical leave following domestic violence accusations". Los Angeles Times.
3. Bollag, Sophia (Aug 19, 2016). "Embattled Assemblyman Roger Hernández drops bid for Congress: 'I don't have the fight in me to continue'".
4. "News 101: When a story is 'news'". Sgvtribune.com. 1 July 2016. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
5. "News 101: When a story is 'news'". Pasadenastarnews.com. 7 May 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
6. "News 101: When a story is 'news'". Sgvtribune.com. 7 May 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
7. "Assemblyman was driving state car when arrested in DUI case". Blogs.sacbee.com.
8. "Ethics agency drops case against Assemblyman Roger Hernandez citing death of witness". Latimes.com.
9. "Woman files restraining order against Assemblyman Roger Hernandez". Sgvtribune.com.
10. Winton, Richard (April 15, 2016). "Judge orders West Covina assemblyman to stay away from wife following domestic violence allegations". Los Angeles Times.
11. Noon, Alison (August 6, 2016). "State lawmaker, on leave and pressured to resign, is still collecting per diem". Orange County Register. Associated Press.