LOS CERRITOS
Winner of Nineteen LA Press Club Awards from 2012-2021 Serving Cerritos and ten other surrounding communities since 1985 • May 22, 2026 • Vol. 41, No. 29 • LOSCERRITOSNEWS.NET
Ada Briceño Under Fire Over Union Pay Raises and Years of Internal Criticism Her salary climbed from $118,000 in 2021 to more than $144,000 in 2024 while many rank-and-file hospitality workers were still struggling to recover from layoffs. By Brian Hews
VOLUNTEERS SUPPORT LA COUNTY DEPUTIES
VOPS: Volunteers on Patrol members from the Cerritos Sheriff’s Station pose during Saturday’s car show event outside Cerritos City Hall. The volunteer unit assists deputies with community patrols, traffic support, and neighborhood visibility.
Cerritos Boys, Doctor Honored After Saving Toddler From Drowning at Don Knabe Park By Brian Hews Three Cerritos residents who helped save a drowning toddler at Don Knabe Community Regional Park were honored Friday during the American Red Cross 21st Annual Hometown Heroes Awards Luncheon aboard the historic Queen Mary. Preston Hoang, 11, Julian Mata, 11, and Dr. Mark M. Chung were recognized for their actions during the dramatic rescue that unfolded earlier this year at the park lake. Dr. Mark Chung What began as a quiet evening of fishing turned into a lifesaving response when close friends Preston Hoang and Ismael “Julian” Mata III noticed unusual splashing in the lake at Don Knabe Preston Hoang Community Regional Park. At first, they thought it was a fish.
Moments later, they realized a young child was struggling in the water. With no adults nearby, Preston immediately Ismael “Julian” Mata called 911 while both
boys kept their eyes fixed on the toddler’s location. When sheriff’s deputies arrived within minutes, Preston and Julian used their flashlights to guide responders directly to him. Their calm teamwork and quick thinking helped ensure the safe rescue of the 2-year-old, transforming an ordinary night at the park into an extraordinary act of awareness and
See RED CROSS, Page 6
Artesia Lands Nearly $1 Million in Federal Funding for Emergency Operations Center By Brian Hews Artesia received a major federal funding boost this week after U.S. Representative Derek Tran announced nearly $1 million in Community Project Funding for the city’s future Emergency Operations Center project. Tran presented Artesia Mayor Rene Trevino with $925,000 in federal funding secured through the congressional Community Project Funding program to support construction and equipping of
See ARTESIA, Page 7
LCCN has obtained new information deepening years of criticism surrounding Ada Briceño and UNITE HERE Local 11 leadership, as Briceño campaigns for California’s open 67th Assembly District seat while renewed scrutiny focuses on rising union executive compensation, internal labor unrest, political tactics and whether leadership priorities became increasingly disconnected from the economic struggles facing many rank-and-file hospitality workers. Briceño, who also serves as chair of the Orange County Democratic Party, is seeking the Assembly seat being vacated by termed-out Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva. The race is expected to become one of the more closely watched Democratic primary battles in the region and includes Cerritos Councilman Mark Pulido and Artesia Councilman Ali Sajjad Taj. As Briceño’s candidacy advances, renewed scrutiny is focusing on whether rising compensation and leadership tactics at Local 11 reflected the economic struggles faced by many union members. Federal labor filings show Briceño’s compensation increased for several years while many union hospitality workers continued to bear economic hardship after the COVID-19 shutdowns devastated hotels, restaurants and tourism throughout Southern California. Department of Labor records show Briceño’s gross salary rose from approximately $118,000 in 2021 to more than $144,000 in 2024, with total reported compensation exceeding approximately $157,000. Additionally, other Local 11 officers reportedly received raises during the same period. Critics argue leadership compensation continued rising while many union hospitality workers struggled with layoffs, reduced hours and lingering financial hardship. “Dues are right now $98 for everybody,” said a management-level Unite 11
member. “That’s easy for union bosses making six figures. That’s not fair. For lower-wage hotel workers already struggling to pay rent and groceries, it hits a lot harder.” The latest scrutiny follows circulation of a lengthy accountability document criticizing Local 11 leadership over compensation, hiring practices, political tactics and what critics describe as growing consolidation of power inside the union. The document Ada Briceño calls for independent audits, transparency reforms and leadership accountability measures. Criticism surrounding Local 11 lead-
See CANDIDATE, Page 5
Fullerton’s $10 Million Budget Gaffe Raises Questions About City Management and Auditors City officials blame accounting errors dating back to 2022 as critics ask how the problem survived three audit cycles. By Brian Hews
A stunning accounting revelation inside the City of Fullerton is now raising uncomfortable questions about oversight, financial controls, and how nearly $10 million in reserve funds were misclassified for years without detection by either city management or outside auditors. The controversy erupted after a March budget presentation revealed that approximately $10 million previously believed available for general city operations had actually been restricted or assigned for other purposes. Included in the disclosure was a reported $2.9 million clerical error dating back to 2022. City officials insist no money was lost or stolen, stating the funds were simply placed in incorrect accounts and later reclassified according to accounting standards. But the explanation has done little See FULLERTON, Page 6