Zuly Carpio

Amy Depaul
Literary Journalism 21
27 April, 2015
Political Office Holder
Denial of Baldwin Parks public records to Paul Cook.
Interview: Manuel Lozano, mayor of Baldwin Park.
1. What is the process of releasing public records?
Public access is protected by the constitution of the United States, so any individual that wants
to access any type of information that is public access meaning me or any other council
members, finance you name it, has that accessibility. No one can deny the actual gathering of this
type of information You have to go through the city clerk and allow them two weeks so that
they can gather the information for you
2. Are you involved in the process of releasing public records to those who request
them?
No. That goes directly through the CEO, the chief executive officer of the city of Baldwin Park.
Its totally separate. None of the council members are directly involved with that other than if
someone comes and says it publicly. If that happens, then certainly Ill refer them to the CEO
and ask that he be given this information that he is asking for in an appropriate time. There is a
time that is permitted by the city.
3. In his blog, Paul Cook released a lot of personal information that related to you,
including your address, financial report for the purchase of your house, and that
you were unmarried. Do you think Cook went overboard with the information?

I am a public figure and that means that you are going to be vulnerable in everything and
anything and this person knows that. He has attacked not only me but all of the council members
as well. You could go up there and accuse me and accuse any council member of anything out
right, fabricated information and there is no recourse on our behalf. The constitution, first
amendment right allows you that opportunity. Hes familiar with it and he takes advantage of it
and of course once public communication finishes I clarify to the audience and let everyone
know that this individual here has a right per the constitution to literally attack me and attack the
other council members and say outright things and he cant validate any of the things. Hes a liar
hes a congenital liar.
4. There we a lot of reports saying that you dont live in Baldwin Park and you live in
Chino Hills. Is that true?
[He begins to laugh before answering the question] Number one, if that were the case, I would
be arrested and I would probably end up in the District Attorneys Office and probably end up in
jail. It is illegal for any elected official to live out of the city that they are elected and govern.
Ive been a resident of Baldwin Park since 1979. [He continues by giving me his home address
and the address of his rental home]. Ive been here since 79 and I have no plans in moving
anywhere else.
5. In his blog, Paul Cook released a lot of personal information that related to you,
including your address, financial report for the purchase of your house, that you
were unmarried. On a scale of 1-10, how overboard do you think Cook went?
Ive been in public line since 1992 I personally dont care. Its public access. He could have
it. And I really dont want to put a rating on it because for a public official every person has
every right to look to dissect whatever they can find out about me that is public access. I dont

even want to rate it because he has a right, from 1-10 he has a right to any information he can
find on me. And its just a reality Im a public official. I cant tell him Hey you cant get that. I
even shared it. Theyre public and its his right. He distributed my social security to everyone
who was at the council meeting and I cant deny him. Im not going to pick up the papers. The
only missing numbers were the last four digits of my social security number. I dont want to refer
to a rating because I am not about to inhibit anyone from gathering general information that is
public access and it is just the way it is. When you get elected, you literally become the focal
point of any person and they can do whatever type of research to find out whats Manuel Lozano
about. Im not going to rate it because Im a public assertive and everyone has a right to go
investigate it.
6. So youre saying its ok for him to have released all that information because you
are a public figure and it is within his right?
It is within his constitutional right to do that, yes. I can say Dont release that, dont release
my social security. Certainly there is a point where the restraining order was based on the fact
that he was a danger to my personal safety.
7. Do you think the earnings of members of the city, including yourself, should be
public records to the residents of Baldwin Park?
Absolutely. Unequivocally. Yes. And I tell you its tough for people when they first see this
information about your salary. How is this possible? Wait a minute they cant. Once youre
elected official, whether it be the mayor of the city or water district, school board member, state
senate. Thats just the way it is. I support it. It gives me the opportunity to do that with other
members. Some politicians get elected and then realized that it becomes public official.

8. Besides the things that are already in public record, is there anything that you
would add or take out?
No. There is nothing that I would say. As long as the constitution is what it is, with the first
amendment, you have to live by it. If I do something wrong, it is public access. If I get pulled
over, commit a DUI, a crime or whatever youll find out if Im in Sacramento or out of state.
9. Many of the council members, including you, have been accused of being corrupted
and stealing money from the city, and taking it for yourselves. How can you assure
us that these accusations are false? Whats to say you are not doing the same thing
the city council members of the city of Bell did?
The city of Baldwin Park itself is ethical and above board. We have never been under
scrutinizing by the district attorneys office, let alone involve the FBI. Paul Cook accused the
council members of keeping money for ourselves, yet nothing has been found. Bell changed the
documents and there is nothing of that going on here. You can look at the trail and see everything
is in order...This is a very clean city. We are transparent. Since I have been here we have never
had an internal investigation, nor have they needed one. The state also looked into it, and they
found nothing. Were audited on an annual month and we know the state auditor of the state of
California could conduct an audit of any city at any time. And were open. The district attorney
office never has to come here, pull out files and take it with them and investigate them. That
doesnt exist in Baldwin Park.

10. Is there anything you would add to the system to give the residence more
confidence?
The transparency exists. Meaning any resident can come here and ask for the records and they
will be provided with them or have their own personal auditor look at them. There is nothing
illegal that has occurred during my time in office. You have check and balances. So I think the
best way is to provide proper audio and involve the state. And they are available to any resident
who ask for them. The current system does work. Youve got the District Attorneys office and
the State of Attorney Generals office.