By Terry Miller

In the ongoing matter of illegal pot dispensary owner Szameit’s attempt to recall Pasadena Councilmember Victor Gordo, new revelations have now emerged.

According to a statement send to Pasadena Independent by Ralph Frammolino, PivotHound Communications, LLC:

“At least two proponents named in the effort to recall Councilman Victor Gordo have signed statements saying they were deceived into putting their names on qualifying papers for the recall measure.

“Roberta Wilcox and Robert B. Phillips said they were ‘hoodwinked’ by signature-gatherers who came to their door and misrepresented the intent of the qualifying papers. In fact, they signed papers that started the clock on the recall effort.

“Both said they realized they had been deceived after Councilman Victor Gordo, as required under state law, gave Wilcox a formal response to the qualifying papers.

“’I felt as if I had been hook-winked,’ said Phillips. ‘Kind of a bait-and-switch kind of a thing. A recall for someone on the Council is pretty serious…. Had I known it was a recall petition against Victor, I wouldn’t have signed it.’

“Added Wilcox, who lives in District 5 and is a supporter of the Councilman: ‘The women who came to my door were totally dishonest. They never said anything about a recall…. If I could, I would retract my signature if the petition is certainly to get rid of Gordo.’

“On Sunday, Wilcox sent a letter to Bradley Hertz, listed on the qualifying papers as attorney for the recall effort, demanding to see his legal file related to the effort. The demand letter also asked to see any communication Hertz has had with illegal pot operator Shaun Szameit, who Hertz represents.

“Although Szameit has emerged as a recall spokesman, he is not listed as a proponent on the qualifying papers and does not live in District 5.

“Gordo said ‘it is no coincidence’ that after Mrs. Wilcox sent her demand, Hertz did not meet a 5:30 p.m. deadline to submit additional recall paperwork to the Pasadena City Clerk.

“’To purposely deceive two elderly people into signing recall paperwork is shameful and we anticipate that others who were tricked will come forward as well,’ said Gordo. ‘In my view, this is clear evidence of an attempt to overturn the will of the people by grabbing control of our local government through a fraudulent recall.’

“’This recall is nothing more than a desperate attempt by an illegal pot operator and his attorney to strong-arm the city into letting him sell cannabis despite a long record of breaking the law,’ said Gordo. ‘He has been cited for 21 zoning violations, fined more than $25,000, has sued the city and is facing criminal charges.’

“’These are the type of operators the people of Pasadena rejected when they approved the sale of legal cannabis in June.’”