Top County Political Staffer Charged in Conflict of Interest Scandal
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 6 years ago on
October 17, 2020
Share
A top staff for a Fresno County supervisor is accused of working on both sides of a county contract.
Steven Rapada, the chief of staff for District 5 Supervisor Sal Quintero, was charged with one count of conflict of interest. If convicted, he faces a penalty of up to three years in prison.
According to the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office, Rapada had a personal financial interest in a contract he helped negotiate.
Former Reedley Councilman
Rapada is a former Reedley councilman. He once ran for supervisor himself, finishing fourth in 2014 in the race eventually won by Buddy Mendes.
Quintero said he could not comment because it was a personnel matter.
Sources told GV Wire that Rapada has been on administrative leave from his county job for some time.
