Carlos Bustamante, Santa Ana Councilman, Hasn't Convinced Veteran DA Investigators on Nasty Sex Stories

Carlos Bustamante mug damon.jpg
Bustamante: Do you know who I am? Do you think I'm sexy? No? Let me whip out this tiny Twinkie! Why are you looking away? Look here at my Twinkie, damn you! Michael! Mike Harrah, pay them to look at my Twinkie!
For most observers, the picture of the sensational, July 2 arrest of Santa Ana City Councilman Carlos Bustamante on a sticky glob of alarming sex crimes wasn't necessary revealing.

In the shot, a handcuffed Bustamante looks directly into the camera of a photographer as if he's angry or frustrated or desirous of additional taxpayer-funded ejaculation when he was taken into custody.

But the picture--taken after the Republican councilman ate lunch with Santa Ana City Manager Paul Walters--contains potent information.

And it's probably not good news for Bustamante, who is accused of forcing county employees to watch him masturbate at work.

The law enforcement officer holding Bustamante's arm in the photo is Damon Tucker, a veteran investigator with the Orange County District Attorney's office.

Bustamante arrest at City Hall.jpg
Detective Tucker (L) bringing Councilman Bustamante and his Twinkie to jail
With the assistance of several other superb DA investigators, Tucker took the lead in Bustamante's case.

That's bad news for the onetime up and coming Republican politician known to be a servant (slave?) to wealthy, Newport Beach real estate developer Mike Harrah.

Tucker--a former Irvine Police Department cop--is a low-key, media-resistant but excellent investigator not prone to mistakes.

Read about his prior work HERE.

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16 comments
Albert Gomez
Albert Gomez

Dont believe everything you hear from the OCDA office. There is so so much corruption and false facts that poor out of the DA'S office I personally believe about 25% at most of what they report as factual.  ALOT of Police Corruption is present in OC municipalities including the DA'S office folks

Paul Wallin
Paul Wallin

Many people are making statements that would indicate that Mr. Bustamante is guilty of the crimes he is charged with. The truth is that there are only a very few people that know for sure whether he is guilty or not. Those people are the alleged victims and the accused...and God if you believe in God. So far the defendant has denied his guilt and will plead not guilty at his arraignment. What this means is that at this moment he is innocent of the charges. In fact, if this matter goes to jury trial, the judge will tell the jurors that they MUST PRESUME THAT HE IS INNOCENT WHEN THE TRIAL BEGINS. They can only change that view if the DA proves beyond a reasonable doubt that he in fact guilty. Until then, when people discuss this case they need to remember that this has been our system of justice for over 200 years, and it works pretty well. Unless we want to change our system of justice, everyone needs to keep in mind that this man is "presumed innocent' under our laws. If he is found guilty, there is no doubt in my mind he will be severely punished. However, until that time lets please follow the rules. These are the same rules that would apply if someone you loved was accused of a crime.

Buttercup
Buttercup

What kind of moron throws away a $170,000. a year job (not including kick backs and bribes add another 50 grand) Just to play slap and tickle and hide the pickle with a bunch of young women? Ah, ...a guy named BUSTamante...bet he used to get a kick out of his own name...now? Not so much :)

blackjack
blackjack

Mox Mox Mox, don't let ole Damon fool you, he has many a skeleton stored neatly in his closet.  His overzealous self promotion only is outdone by his efforts to get promoted within the office.  One look at his "special" office with its self promoting trophies and plaques and crap from days gone by are a hint.  One might ask about his certain ability to leave great deals of work for his partners while he is busy telling bosses why they should not have passed him up for promotion.  Another might look at his zealous chase of prey within the office, or maybe ask about his little foray one night in a rest stop restroom in the south, that ended with a bruised and beaten Damon...

Chingy
Chingy

 If Gustavo was the man he would have done some digging and reported some new salacious aspect to the story.  Come on if this guy has been swinging his gavel as much as they say, there are acres of "sources" to find.  Git out there Gus and find us some dirt!

John
John

Oh I am preety sure along with Shroeder and Richardson, they pumped out (or should I say PIMPED) out some mailers opposing Pedroza and supporting CBUS. If I cared enough to look, I bet I could find a post or two where Dan said something along the lines of, "while we would prefer a Democrat, Carlos is an upstanding family man and would serve the city well". pretty funny for a white guy from Irvine I think was one of the responses, from the ex-patriot now in Paraguay. These guys have shorter memories than loyalties.

Gort 2012
Gort 2012

Hey, be Grateful for the OC Weekly and their Truth-telling Investigative Reporters! You know: "Who Watches The Watchmen"? We're all Free to Agree or Dis-Agree on any or all points. No One said you have to agree with someone or an organization all the time! THAT is Liberty and Freedom, Man!  GUSTAVO is The Man!

Jack Grimshaw
Jack Grimshaw

I could have added that just like skanky, lowlife Marion BARRY, he'd be lying his ass off ...

Jack Grimshaw
Jack Grimshaw

It's Marion BARRY and Chuck BERRY - duuuuuh!

Dan Chmielewski
Dan Chmielewski

We backed Becky Valencia-Gemayel in the race; that wasn't her last name in 2008.  But I agree with "Anon" below that we did not support or promote Bustamante. 

Howard_X
Howard_X

What part of the Constitution says the accused has the right to not be discussed in local media?

Francisco Franco
Francisco Franco

He is still innocent before proven guilty according to the U.S. Constitution, you know.

Francisco Franco
Francisco Franco

Carlos is a hero to the City of Santa Ana. He brought jobs to the people of Santa Ana. He follows the same example as Marion Berry from the District of Columbia. As Marion Berry would say, " That B%$TH set me up".

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