Noguez, Salari, McNeill Arrested on Conspiracy, Bribery and Other Charges

Assessor John Noguez

Note: Los Cerritos Community Newspaper will have several additional updates regarding the arrest of Los Angeles County Assessor John Noguez, Property Tax Agent Ramin Salari, and Assessor Appraiser Mark McNeil during the next several days.

LOS ANGELES – District Attorney Steve Cooley announced today the arrest of Assessor John Noguez, his chief appraiser and Arizona tax consultant Ramin Salari on charges they engaged in an elaborate and complex conspiracy to slash property values and save millions in property taxes to help Salari’s clients.

Cooley said the arrests and charges are part of a continuing investigation into public corruption at the Assessor’s Office. Noguez, who announced he would take a leave of absence in June, returned to work briefly before going out on an indefinite medical leave.

“Los Angeles County voters and taxpayers deserve honest, hardworking elected and appointed officials who will serve the best interests of the people,” Dist. Atty. Cooley said during a press conference Wednesday. “Residents must have confidence that their government is not for sale to the highest bidder or the highest briber.”

Noguez, whose real name is Juan Renaldo Rodriguez, was arrested at his Huntington Park home by District Attorney’s investigators with the Bureau of Investigation. The 47-year-old is being held on $1.385 million bail.

Ramin Salari, a tax consultant and campaign contributor to Noguez, was arrested at a residence in Encino by D.A. investigators. The 49-year-old is being held on $1.36 million bail.

Mark McNeil, a principal assessor promoted by Noguez to head the Major Appraisal Division, was arrested at his home in West Los Angeles by D.A. investigators. The 54-year-old is being held on $1.16 million bail.

The complaint’s overt acts allege that Noguez accepted $185,000 in bribes from Salari between February and September, 2010. Noguez also received a list of properties represented by Salari.

Soon after receiving the checks and the list, Noguez’ chief appraiser – Mark McNeil — appeared at hearings and reduced the assessed value on numerous properties, including the Old Spaghetti Factory, and properties in Santa Monica, Hermosa Beach, Torrance and Los Angeles.

The complaint also alleges Noguez also told appraiser Scott Schenter to “take care of our buddy Ramin,” and, “We have to take care of our donors.” Schenter was charged previously in a separate complaint.

Noguez is charged with 24 felony counts, including four counts of accepting bribes; five counts of perjury, two counts of conspiracy; and 13 counts of misappropriation by a public officer. The complaint alleges the fraud and embezzlement exceeds $500,000.

Salari is charged with 23 felony counts, including eight count of bribing an executive officer; two counts of conspiracy; and 13 counts of misappropriation. In addition to allegedly bribing Noguez, Salari is charged with four counts of paying appraiser Scott Schenter $100,000 in bribes.

McNeil is charged with 14 felony counts, including one count of conspiracy and 13 counts of misappropriation by a public officer.

Schenter, who worked from 1988 to early 2011 as a county appraiser, was charged in a separate complaint with allegedly slashing values on multi-million dollar homes, condos and businesses in Beverly Hills, Brentwood and Pacific Palisades. He allegedly secured campaign contributions from the owners of those homes and business for Noguez.

Deputy District Attorneys Susan Schwartz and Michele Gilmer are prosecuting the case.

If convicted as charged, Noguez faces up to 30 years, four months in state prison; Salari faces up to 29 years, four months in state prison; and McNeil faces up to 20 years, eight months in state prison.

Related articles

• Noguez Home Given Historical Designation While in Foreclosure
• Billionaire Developer of the Grove Got Massive Property Reductions from LA County Assessor
• Los Angeles County DA confirms active case on Montebello Councilman Hadjinian
• Huntington Park Taxpayers Could Pay for Noguez Legal Expenses
• Rick Caruso properties implicated in Noguez scandal
• Montebello Councilman Jack Hadjinian took thousands in campaign cash, goods, from Noguez, Salari, while serving stint on Property Appeals Board; Now he is under investigation

Amazon Basics Neoprene Dumbbell Hand Weights

(112086)

$21.99 (as of May 6, 2025 06:28 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Seagate Exos X14 ST14000NM0408 14TB 7.2K RPM CMR SATA 6Gb/s 512e 3.5in Hard Drive (Renewed)

$159.99 (as of May 6, 2025 17:25 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

APEXUP Weighted Vest with 5lbs/10lbs/15lbs/20lbs/25lbs/30lbs Weights and Reflective Stripe, Weight Vest Men…

(3100)

$46.99 (as of May 6, 2025 06:28 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

WENHUI Funny Trump Mothers Day Card from Daughter, Son or kids, Hilarious & Heartfelt Message, Premium Quality Greeting Card for Mom, Grandmother or Wife, Ideal for Happy Birthday & Mother's Day Gift

(30)

$8.99 (as of May 6, 2025 17:25 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M4 chip: Built for Apple Intelligence, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD Storage, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID; Silver

(254)

$849.00 (as of May 6, 2025 17:25 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Saker Twister Arm Trainer, 40-100lb Adjustable Chest Workout Equipment, Arm Trainer, Twister Arm Trainer, Portable Power Twister Bar, Detachable Design Fitness Anywhere

(88)

$36.99 (as of May 6, 2025 17:25 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

NewEleven Mothers Day Card, Dog Mom Gifts For Women, Unique Moms Gift For Mother's Day, Cute Dog Mom Mother's Day Cards From Dogs, Puppy For Her Womens - Greeting Card

(1)

$11.49 (as of May 6, 2025 17:25 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

CAROTE Cast Iron Dutch Oven Pot with Lid, Enameled Dutch Oven for Bread Baking, Dual Handles, Heavy-Duty Cast Iron Pot, 5QT, Brown

(14)

$32.99 (as of May 6, 2025 17:25 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Mom, I Want to Hear Your Story: A Mother’s Guided Journal To…

(16429)

$11.95 (as of May 6, 2025 06:28 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

140W Charger for MacBook Pro 16 14 inch Mac Air 15 13 inch 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 M1–M4【Original Quality】 Type C Fast Charger Power Adapter & 6.6FT Type C to Magnetic 3 Cable LED Between 20021-2025

(72)

$39.99 (as of May 6, 2025 17:25 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)