During his last day in office in 2011, former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger commuted Esteban’s sentence to seven years.
In a post on Facebook, Cox said, “This is cronyism and corruption of the worst kind.” he added that California voters cannot trust Villaraigosa to put their interest over his political allies.
California law enforcement associations endorsed Villaraigosa
In response, Villaraigosa’s spokesman, Luis Vizcaino, said Cox launched that attack after the former mayor received significant endorsements.
He said, “This attack comes the same week the state’s two most important law enforcement organizations endorsed Antonio Villaraigosa for governor.”
The California Police Chiefs Association and the Peace Officers Research Association endorsed the Democratic candidate.
In addition, Vizcaino emphasized that Villaraigosa reduced violent crimes by almost 50% during his tenure as a mayor.
Furthermore, he said Villaraigosa “was one of 70 individuals who supported the idea that a young man, who made a terrible mistake, still deserved a fair and proper bail and would honor the terms of his bail — which he did.”
