Hesperia, CA 92340-2467
12 May 2002 | Discipline, probation; no actual susp. 01-C-00700 (22 years, 12 months ago) |
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20 March 2001 | Conviction record transmitted to State Bar Court 01-C-00700 (24 years, 1 month ago) |
14 June 1988 | Admitted to the State Bar of California (36 years, 11 months ago) |
May 12, 2002 J. SAL MUNOZ [#134410], 51, of Temecula was suspended for 30 days, stayed, placed on two years of probation and was ordered to take the MPRE within one year. The order took effect May 12, 2002. Munoz, who was a city councilman for Temecula, was convicted of soliciting a loan from an individual who had business before the council and then advocating to protect the individual's interests.The council had voted to acquire land owned by the individual by eminent domain and appraised the land at $1.2 million about a year after the city began to consider it for a public park. The land owner had the parcel appraised at $2 million.Munoz then became mayor of Temecula and while the issue was before the city council he approached the land owner and requested a $10,000 loan. Although the owner declined, he arranged a loan between his brother and Munoz.In a closed session, Munoz strongly urged the council to acquire the land for $1.6 million, even though property values had fluctuated substantially during the eminent domain proceedings. At the time of the public vote, he abstained because his relationship with the land owner had the appearance of a conflict of interest.In mitigation, Munoz was embroiled in a bitter divorce at the time that was characterized by financial disputes and a controversy over mortgage payments his wife had failed to make. The loan was to save his home from foreclosure and was completely paid off. Munoz has no prior record of discipline, no clients were harmed, he presented testimony about his good character and he cooperated with the bar's investigation. |