Mayor Garcia resigns amid allegations, public outcry

With new information being revealed over the last few days surrounding an alleged meeting in Bakersfield with two men portraying one as a minor, Mayor Alex Garcia resigned as Wasco mayor and councilmember early Thursday morning.

In a statement, he said he has "been healing following my recent assault; I am now finally able to speak with you to announce, with a heavy heart and profound regret, my resignation.

"I want to assure you that the accusations made against me are mischaracterized and inaccurate and certainly do not reflect who I am or what I stand for."

Davonn Bradley, who, along with a longtime friend he calls his “brother,” Wess, posed as the minor, said, "He did the right thing by stepping down, as it was what the public demanded. The evidence is overwhelming: he went to meet with the 15-year-old boy and brought drugs. He has no business in public office. People like him don't stop unless they're brought to justice. All we wanted to do was protect kids from predators like him."

"We're relieved that he finally resigned. His actions were a betrayal of the public's trust and a danger to our community. Our main goal has always been to safeguard our children, and we hope this serves as a warning to others who might consider preying on minors."

Councilmember Vincent Martinez, who called for the mayor’s resignation on Tuesday, encouraged interested individuals to participate more in public life. "I encourage everyone to be more involved with their city government. Anyone interested in running for the vacant council seat or any of the three seats up for election this year, including mine, should reach out to City Hall for more information."

Councilmember Gilberto Reyna, who also expressed his indignation earlier in the week by demanding Garcia step down, said, "The mayor's resignation has removed the negative attention and divisions brought about by his actions. It will allow our community to embark on the healing journey and seize the opportunity to continue improving our city. I invite all of you to take part in the process."

Mayor Pro Tem Valentin Medina said Garcia’s resignation was the only option given the gravity of the allegations. "The community spoke loud and clear about what needed to happen, and that was for Alex to resign from office. This step is essential to restoring the public's trust and ensuring accountability in our local government. We need to continue pushing Wasco forward without distraction. I invite our community to stay informed and engage on important issues by attending City Council meetings held every first and third Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. at the council chambers."

“Leadership is not just about holding a position; it's about making decisions that serve the community's best interest. The mayor's resignation marks a new chapter for our city, filled with opportunities for growth and change," Councilmember Eddie Saldaña said.

Councilmembers will appoint a mayor on Tuesday at their regular meeting and will consider the details of filling the seat.

"The rules of filling a vacant council position are very specific based on how much time is between the resignation and the next regular election,” City Manager Scott Hurlbert said. “We must ensure we follow those rules before I can comment on the city's next steps."

Garcia ended his resignation statement by saying he was deeply sorry that his term ended under these circumstances and added, "I am looking forward to witnessing the future of Wasco, and all the new council will have to offer, and I will continue to root for and support this city and its amazing citizens."