Melehat Rafiei has accepted a plea deal from the federal government for one felony count of attempted wire fraud, the Voice of OC reported Wednesday.
Described as a “local Democratic power broker,” Rafiei took the deal a year after denying she was attempting to bribe or steal from “programs receiving federal funds,” as was alleged in an FBI affidavit from 2019.
She is set to be sentenced at a future date.
Rafiei was once the executive director of the Orange County Democratic Party and worked as a consultant on several political campaigns including West Hollywood Mayor Sepi Shyne’s race for City Council in 2020. Rafiei was paid more than $30,000 for her work helping get Shyne elected and even swore her into office.
Wow. A fellow POC. Person of corruption
That is perfect! And to JR Birdsong, we seem to be cultivating more of these folks to break our city and exponentially break our country. Outrageous.
Seems better, deeper, vetting is needed for ALL political candidates. We do not want a repeat of SANTOS in NY! YIKES! What a horrific joke!
EXCELLENT! The horses are on track & the race has begun, it’s The Sepi Show for 12 months – Let the games of malfeasance, manipulation, & coercion begin – Ain’t seen nothing yet people.
You forgot victimhood and martyrdom. Both of which are her oxygen and will be used to divert from the games you mentioned.
We know it ALL TOO WELL!!
Ahh, so that is the/a connection.
Read about her in the LAT.
It’s all so tangled and gross.
Sepi’s campaigns paid Rafiei more than $30,000 in consulting fees. Politics is a dirty and corrupt business. The birds of a feather questions are legitimate questions. What has Sepi had to deliver to Rafiei? One must always follow the money; the money usually smells dirty.
It seems as though they may have been pals in 1983 while having immigrated to San Jose according to Rafiei’s resume.
Mark my words, Sepi will use Sepi time at the next council meeting to turn this whole sordid matter into a victimhood and martyrdom, because that’s her oxygen.
Can voters in West Hollywood recall elected officials?
Absolutely, Joan. https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/recalls/recall-procedures-guide.pdf
On what grounds? Bad taste?
In The Creative City, that could be considered grounds…!
As residents on the top of the org chart and therefore the ultimate boss and employer of elected public servants, and in a state with at-will employment, we can fire (recall) any elected official for any reason, or no reason.
Sepi Shyne apparently learned at the knee of her mentor Melahat Rafiei who didn’t fail to mention her righteousness in the face of her reprehensible acts. Bringing more corruption to West Hollywood on a daily basis. Attend the brainwash session of SIPS WITH SEPI at Domain this weekend hosted by Richard Maggio, another sterling character. What have we wrought?
https://voiceofoc.org/2023/01/oc-democrat-power-broker-accepts-plea-deal-in-wake-of-anaheim-corruption-probe/
https://lbpost.com/news/melahat-rafiei-plea-guilty-anaheim-long-beach
Fascinating article! All those back room deals! all these bribes, and kickbacks! And this lady, who was Sepi”s mentor, was right in the heart of it all!
It makes me wonder what the heck is going on with bribes and kickbacks in West Hollywood? Is this the price of doing business here also???
I wonder if the allegation on here of Block by Block giving kickbacks is real,,,,,,,,,
I do not accept Sepi Shyne as my mayor. I’m sickened by the level of her corruption, racism, and pure idiocy.
Look at the networks Sepi has tapped into in her bizarre rise to power. Honestly, did she get plugged into a cult or something? Who is her current handler… 🤔
It’s rather hilarious. Have you seen her “official” Facebook page in which she refers to the “Office of Mayor Sepi Shyne” and in other areas refers us to her “staff”? Such an imperious ego for a small-town titular mayor.
Why do I get the feeling the mayor is even dirtier than her criminal mentor? I’m of the belief those who have to tout their own supposed integrity, are the worst of the worst. She makes John Duran seem like Mother Teresa.