Cardenas and her brother Jesus were indicted last year in connection with alleged COVID-19 relief loan fraud.
Chula Vista City Councilwoman Andrea Cardenas, who is accused with her brother of fraudulently obtaining a loan for their political consulting business, resigned Monday, according to multiple media reports.
"In an effort to prioritize my mental health, and the health of my community, I have made the very difficult choice to formally resign effective immediately from my position as Councilmember for our City's 4th District," she wrote, according to the newspaper."It has been an honor and privilege to serve my community and work alongside all of you."Cardenas and her brother, Jesus Cardenas, have pleaded not guilty to criminal charges. The siblings are accused of fraudulently obtaining a $176,227 Paycheck Protection Program loan in early 2021 intended for their firm, Grassroots Resources, then using the funds on personal expenses, including a $33,500 check to Andrea Cardenas' Chula Vista City Council campaign account. They are accused of making several misrepresentations in order to secure that loan, including that they were using the funds to support 34 Grassroots Resources employees, when in reality those employees worked for a marijuana dispensary that was a Grassroots client. Jesus Cardenas, 40, who served as chief of staff for San Diego City Councilman Stephen Whitburn until he resigned from that post in 2023, faces up to four years and four months in prison, while Andrea Cardenas, 31, faces up to five years and eight months if convicted of all charges, which include conspiracy to commit a crime, money laundering, conspiracy to defraud, grand theft, and failing to file tax returns.Some Chula Vista leaders including Mayor John McCann had called for her resignation. In a statement issued in early November of 2023, Cardenas said she and her brother"became aware of many of the details of these allegations through local media outlets, who received a full copy of the complaint before we did. "Our American judicial system is built on the fundamental principle that our citizens are innocent until proven guilty. As someone who has spent more than half of my life working to support and elevate my community, I understand and respect the critical work that our District Attorney's Office does to uphold the law. While the DA's Office is tasked with the responsibility to protect our community and prosecute abusers of the law, as defendants, we are afforded the right to prove our innocence," she said. "My intent has never been to harm or disappoint those who believed in me, both in life and at the ballot box. Many conversations are taking place around me about me and what others think is the best way for me to move forward. I would like to make one thing very clear — my commitment to my community continues. As we move forward in this process, I hope to be given an opportunity by the media, folks in political circles, and, most importantly, my constituents to defend myself."Millions of women are 'under-muscled.' These foods help build strengthGet ready to vote The 2024 primary election is March 5. Find in-depth reporting on each race to help you understand what's on your ballot.
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