Former Los Angeles City Councilman Richard Alarcon and his wife were convicted Wednesday of voter fraud and perjury in a case involving allegations they lied about their residence in order for him to qualify for office. When Alarcon, 60, filed to run for City Council in 2007 and 2009, the couple claimed their official residence was a home inside the Panorama City council district that was under repair. But prosecutors alleged they were actually living at a larger home outside the district in Sun Valley. Local election laws require that councilmembers live in the district they represent. Alarcon, who left office last year, was convicted of three voter-fraud charges and one perjury charge, but acquitted on 12 other counts. His wife, Flora Montes de Oca Alarcon, was convicted of two voter-fraud charges and one count of perjury, but acquitted on three other counts. Both are now barred from running for or holding public office. Sentencing is set for Sept. 10. Alarcon could face up to six years in state prison, his wife five years and four months.
