A recent controversy surrounding El Monte Mayor Jessica Ancona has shed light on allegations of retaliation and intimidation against a resident, Gabby Leo. Leo claims that the mayor utilized her power and position to punish and silence her for expressing criticism. The lawsuit filed against the city of El Monte and Mayor Ancona reveals a series of incidents that have escalated tensions between the two parties.
The conflict between Gabby Leo and Mayor Jessica Ancona began in 2022 during Leo's campaign for a second term. Leo, a longtime community activist and volunteer, was distributing flyers for a meeting about traffic safety. However, the mayor mistakenly assumed that she was campaigning for her opponent and allegedly confronted her aggressively. This encounter left Leo confused and angered by the mayor's response.
As a result, Leo wrote a strongly worded email expressing her dissatisfaction with the mayor's behavior. Unfortunately, instead of resolving the conflict, this led to further escalation. Mayor Ancona allegedly contacted Leo's employer, accusing her of criticizing her on social media during work hours, which was untrue. The false allegation resulted in a six-month ethics investigation against Leo.
Moreover, the mayor reportedly banned Leo from volunteering for any city-related events and even sent a public works crew to paint the curb outside her house red, limiting her parking space. These actions have fueled Leo's claims of retaliation and intimidation. In another incident, Leo recorded a confrontation with a person described as a known gang member sent by Mayor Ancona to intimidate her. Leo alleges that the individual had been recently released from federal prison and was under federal probation. This confirmation has raised concerns about the extent to which the mayor is willing to go to silence her critics.
Source: Youtube
