Danny Juarez

Former Hawthorne Mayor Danny Juarez pleaded guilty to a felony conflict-of-interest charge stemming from the misuse of a $2,500 donation intended for a police officer’s memorial fund, resulting in a sentence of five years’ probation, community service, fines, restitution, and a lifetime ban from public office. As part of the plea deal, multiple perjury charges were dropped, though prosecutors cited the permanent disqualification from office as their primary objective. Juarez has denied intentional wrongdoing, stating he pleaded guilty to end the legal process, while investigators and former city officials argued the case reflected broader ethical and governance failures during his tenure as councilmember and mayor.