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Former Cerritos City Planning Commissioner Frank Aurelio Yokoyama. Randy Economy Photo
Publisher’s Corner
By Brian Hews
When Mayor Barrows, Councilwoman Carol Chen and Councilman George Ray voted to remove Frank Yokoyama from his Planning Commissioner seat, all three cited Mr. Yokoyama’s State Bar of California transgression as published in this paper two months ago.
Yokoyama was suspended by the California State Bar from practicing law after he was cited for several violations on January 7, 2012 by Judge Richard A. Platel of the California State Bar Court. Yokoyama told State Bar officials that he “was in compliance with the MCLE requirements,” when in fact he had not complied with any MCLE courses within the compliance period.”
Contrary to what Barrows and Chen said at a public Council meeting, Yokoyama took the test, paid a fine and was reinstated by the State Bar.
“This (the suspension) is the reason we are not reaffirming the appointment of Mr. Frank Yokoyama,” said Councilwoman Carol Chen.
But, a closer inspection of Cerritos commissioners shows a clear double-standard existing on the Cerritos Council between Barrows, Chen, and Ray.
Cyndi Yen Chen, a Pulido appointee was fined $79,000 in 2004 by the Federal Maritime Commission for transporting toxic chemicals. It was alleged that Zen Continental unlawfully collected forwarder compensation on shipments booked on behalf of its related NVOCC, Sunway, and failed to seek prior Commission approval of changes in the licensees’ organization and qualifying individuals.
Ms. Chen compromised with the Commission, and paid the fine. With this type of resolution, Chen avoided going to court and facing possible prosecution.
Sound familiar?
Just like Frank Yokoyama, Ms. Chen is a commissioner and ran for council.
Just like Frank Yokoyama, Ms. Chen was found culpable (on a much larger scale), and fixed the situation through a compromise.
Just like Frank Yokoyama, Ms. Chen was removed from her position as commissioner.
No she was not, double standard. One now must seriously question the motive behind the removal of Frank Yokoyama.
Call it for what it is.
The case and fine against Cyndi Yen Chen, click here.
I guess it could have been worse. Frank could have accosted a citizen outside council chambers and still retained his position. Oh right! That has already happened. Good to see Mayor Barrows continues to uphold the high standards for holding public office in Cerritos.
Friday, May 03, 2013. State Bar and other Licensing –Insurance Departments and other agencies, are useless layers or quasi bureaucrats, which act as an attack dog, during campaigns, in order to make certain candidate shine during the elections. Many acquitations are fraught with innuendo and conjecture and pushed, pushed as free advertising, for future rising political candidates, to ponder votes such as State Attorney or Depart. of Insurances, etc. Boy have we seen this played out in the recent Depart of Insurance, Elected Corona- OC Sheriff, San Ofre Nuc. Facilities and the federal fallout from Loan Modification chaos by USA… Read more »
Thank you Mr. Hews, you are so RIGHT-ON. The whacky trio,Barrows, Chen & Ray have got to be the poorest excuse for council members in California. They refuse to reappoint Frank Yokoyama and look the other way on Commissioner Cindi Yen Chen?? This action is disturbing. It’s time the residents take a good look at who we have elected. Do we need to take recall action? What happened to all that sage advice from wise old George Ray. Very disappointing, sorry I voted for him. He jumped right into Barrows back pocket along with Carol Chen. Keep the facts coming… Read more »
Thanks we appreciate that!
“Contrary to what Barrows and Chen said at a public Council meeting, Yokoyama took the test, paid a fine and was reinstated by the State Bar.” Not quite. The state bar issued a stayed suspension for Mr. Yokoyama which is still pending. The “test” you are referring to is the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam. Since this test is only offered three times a year and results from the first exam have not yet been released, no one, not even Mr. Yokoyama himself, knows whether he has satisfied this requirement yet. So contrary to what you said above, Mr. Yokoyama hasn’t… Read more »
Here is the link Mr. Stupid Hurts:
http://members.calbar.ca.gov/fal/MemberSearch/QuickSearch?FreeText=frank+yokoyama&x=0&y=0&SoundsLike=false
It clearly says he is active. Please comment on why they reappointed Cyndi Yen Chen?
But you didn’t say he was active, you said he was reinstated. He hasn’t been reinstated, he has been placed on probation subject to a stayed suspension. Massive difference. So what you reported above just isn’t accurate. As far Ms. Chen goes, I am not familiar with any of the facts surrounding her case, and given the incomplete nature in which you framed Mr. Yokoyamas situation I’m not sure I’d feel comfortable basing an opinion solely on what you posted above. What I do know, and what I’m sure you would agree with, is that anyone (much less an attorney… Read more »
Again it says active, not waiting for test results.
Send us an email at [email protected] and I will send documents for you to look at on Cyndi Yen Chen.
We were the newspaper that exposed Frank’s story first.
And again, your article didn’t say active, it said reinstated, with no mention of the probation or pending suspension. Why leave out these facts?
At the very least do you not agree that regardless of what should or should not have happened to Ms. Chen, Mr. Yokoyama’s deliberate false statements make him unfit to serve.
Sunday, May 05, 2013. Called the BAR, day following the past CCC hearing. Talked with director of the BAR, as staffer said Frank was active and there can be many dark holes with no explanations for the past character of Frank, which is unknown to the public. Staffer said the city should have performed due diligence and not relied on documents, as there can be errors in recordings or processing. I have forwarded the contact name and phone to LCCN on file. http://members.calbar.ca.gov/fal/MemberSearch/QuickSearch?FreeText=frank+yokoyama&x=0&y=0&SoundsLike=false Remember, there are many sides to the pancake, as the CCC failed to do its due diligence… Read more »
Well, it looks like the fact checkers at LCCN are been asleep at the wheel. According to the Ca Bar, Mr. Yokoyama is ineligible to practice law as of the 7th of this month. It would seem that the bar thinks this matter is a bit more serious than the author of this article.
I agree with all of J. Marshall’s comments. It appears that LCCN has completely failed to understand the gravity of Yokoyama’s offense and discipline from the State Bar. The order from the court explicitly states that by reporting that he was in compliance with his MCLE requirements when he was really wasn’t, Yokoyama “committed an act involving moral turpitude, dishonesty and corruption….” He is on probation for one year, had his license suspended for 30 days, has to attend the State Bar Ethics school and pass its exam, and pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam again. Would you trust or… Read more »
We understand the gravity, but he did pay a fine, and is active according to the Bar Assoc site.
The article was pointing out that they did not fire Cyndi Yen Chen for something that was much worse. You and “Mr. Marshall” seem to be avoiding that point.
I am not familiar with what Cyndi Yen Chen did, and cannot simply rely on what LCCN has reported about her incident. Furthermore, according to your article, she paid her fine and resolved her issue with the Federal Maritime Commission. Unlike Cyndi Yen Chen, Yokoyama has to do much more than just pay a fine to resolve his ethics issue with the State Bar. Thus, their situations are not comparable. Also, while you keep citing to the State Bar website saying that Yokoyama’s status is “active,” you fail to acknowledge that he is still on probation and has to fulfill… Read more »
You realize we were the outlet that broke Frank’s case yes? You seem to imply motive where there is none. This is the link to the Cyndi Yen Chen complaint and fine.
http://hmg.theserver.me/loscerritosnews/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Picture-1.png
You will see she was handling toxic waste wrong. It is a clear double-standard.
Yes, and thank you for breaking the story on Yokoyama’s bar suspension. His misconduct with the State Bar clearly affected people’s decisions in the City Council election. The residents of Cerritos sent a clear message when they chose not to elect him. Thus, the current City Council was right in removing him from the Planning Commission, regardless of Cyndi Yen Chen.
Why didn’t you mention the obvious double standard evidence….that we uncovered…. that you asked for and that we showed you on Ms Chen?
http://hmg.theserver.me/loscerritosnews/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Picture-1.png
After looking at the link you posted, your article appears far weaker then even before. Perhaps you missed the part of the compromise agreement (which is not a citation/fine as you suggest) which states “in concluding the above compromises, the parties did not admit any violation of the 1984 act or the commissions regulations”. In short, you displayed your ignorance (if not your ability to misrepresent the facts) when you called this a “fine”. Its not. Its an agreement between the maritime commission and Zen Continental with one of the stipulations being that there is no admission or finding of… Read more »
Marshall you are the ignorant one. She pays a $79K fine and she is not guilty? Yeah…here is my $79K because I DID NOT do anything wrong?…what an idiot you are.
If you had half a brain you would know if she admitted guilt she would have been open to other lawsuits. It is less costly to NOT go to court for both parties. Just like the SEC is doing now with the banks paying fines and not admitting guilt, same goes here. Grow a brain.
Saturday, May 11, 2013. Remember, the Cerritos (GOP) Republicans have always looked the other way, when crimes are in their candidate’s courts. Cerritos republicans wear bubbles to shield their party corruption. Republicans in this town, are quick to hide corruption dirt under the rug, not to loose the (R) seat in Cerritos. Remember how the Cerritos (R) chased away another (D) candidate back in the 60’s : Gay (D) Sheriff Couple who ran for CCC and the Cerritos (GOP) made lies upon lies; hence ran them our of town!!! (R)-Wong- absent more then attended meetings. (R) Beanum -DUI (R) Rabbit-… Read more »
What was done to Frank Yokoyama is plain and simple, intimidation. If Barrows and Chen really felt what Yokoyama did was improper why didn’t they do something earlier? Why did they embarrass him and fellow Councilman Mark Pulido? My answer, intimidation, to WARN anyone else who steps out of line and doesn’t want to play in their sick and twisted world. Yokoyama has been outspoken on a few key issues that the “axis of intimidation” doesn’t appreciate. Take for instance, the Good Will store. One has to imagine Yokoyama’s support pissed off the “axis” During the council race, Yokoyama called… Read more »
Apparently, Chen, Barrows and Ray were right, Yokoyama does have serious problems. Subsequent to this article being published, Yokoyama has incurred another suspension of his law license. Since LCCN has been remiss in reporting this significant matter it relies upon us the people to set the record straight. Apparently, the agenda of the Hews organization have a political agenda rather than a desire for the truth to be told. Shame on you. http://members.calbar.ca.gov/fal/Member/Detail/169912
I am a friend of Franks, actually William the report by LCCN was wrong, Frank was not suspended at the time hew was waiting for his hearing which just occurred and yes he did get suspended. LCCN just reported what it got. You are a hypocrite, Cyndi Yen Chen paid a fine and she is a commissioner, Bruce Barrows assaulted a resident and he is a councilman but all you right wing OLD GUARD Cerritos repulicant’s don’t say anything about that. Why can’t we see the decision by the judge on Barrows assault hearing? Why won’t he voluntarily show it… Read more »
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Brief but very accurate info… Thank you for sharing this one.
A must read post!