FBI raids on California Capitol: Sen. Calderon, Latino caucus targeted

This post has been updated. See below for details.

SACRAMENTO -- FBI agents who raided the office of California state Sen. Ron Calderon (D-Montebello) on Tuesday afternoon also raided the offices of the legislative Latino caucus, Capitol officials said.

Tony Beard, chief sergeant at arms for the state Senate, issued a statement Tuesday evening:

“This afternoon, agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation served search warrants in the State Capitol at the office of Senator Ron Calderon and in the Legislative Office Building at the Latino Legislative Caucus office,� it said. “Those warrants are sealed by order of the Federal Court; therefore we have no further information.�

IN DEPTH: Calderon targeted by FBI

“The Senate has and will continue to fully cooperate with the agents in this matter,� the statement said.

Shortly before releasing the statement, Beard asked reporters to stop knocking on the door of Calderon’s office, where FBI agents were inside conducting their search.

Calderon has not responded to request for comment.

Another member of the Latino caucus, Sen. Ricardo Lara (D- Bell Gardens), said he was unaware what the FBI agents were seeking. “I have no idea,� he said. “No comment.�

[Updated, 7:35 p.m., June 4: Laura Eimiller, an FBI spokeswoman, said that all information related to the nature of the search was sealed and that the agency could not discuss it. “The affidavit in support is under seal and we are prohibited from commenting,� she said. Sources with knowledge of the inquiry said the search of Calderon’s office is part of a wider public corruption investigation in Los Angeles County.]

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