Nonprofit Run by Central Basin Board Vice President Gary Mendez Found Without a Valid License
In a series of shocking revelations, Gary Mendez, a Whittier Union High School District Trustee and Central Basin board member, has found himself embroiled in a scandal involving the California Youth Martial Arts Academy and Education Foundation (CYMA).
According to reports, the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) has concluded that Mendez holds incompatible offices, a finding that could potentially lead to his removal from his position in the school district.
The controversy surrounding Mendez began in April 2021 when the Franchise Tax Board suspended the California Youth Martial Arts Academy and Education Foundation, an organisation Mendez leads as CEO, according to his "assuming office" Statement of Economic Interest. Four months later, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) revoked the tax-exempt status of CYMA as a 501(c)(3) corporation.
Despite these suspensions and the revocation, both documents show that Mendez continued to do business for over two years, a move that could lead to serious legal and financial consequences. If an organisation operates as a 5001(c)(3) after its tax-exempt status has been revoked, it may be subject to civil penalties and could face criminal charges for fraud or false statements.
In an email to the South Whittier School District Associate Superintendent in Aug. 2023, Mendez asked for help promoting CYMA classes, including a 501(c)(3) award letter. This request raises questions about Mendez's intent to misrepresent CYMA's tax-exempt status.
The initial address of CYMA was next to a machine shop in Santa Fe Springs. The only IRS financial statement filed by Mendez in 2017 shows the corporation earning over $27,000 in revenue, mostly from grants, while Mendez paid himself nearly $22,000.
In a further twist, in July 2023, Mendez sent a letter to Supervisor Janice Hahn's office asking for $1,500, using CYMA letterhead, which violated the state and IRS suspensions. Hahn's accounting office confirmed that they cut the $1,500 check to Mendez.
The next step is to sue Mendez under quo warranto and remove him from his Whittier Union High School District seat. The allegations against Mendez raise serious concerns about his suitability to hold public office and his adherence to the law.
- The community news and education-and-self-development sector have been buzzing with the scandal involving Gary Mendez, a Whittier Union High School District Trustee and Central Basin board member, due to his role in the California Youth Martial Arts Academy and Education Foundation (CYMA).
- General-news outlets have reported that Mendez, despite the suspensions and revocation of the CYMA's tax-exempt status, continued to conduct business for over two years, which may lead to civil penalties and criminal charges.
- Politics have been affected as well, with the potential for Mendez to be removed from his position in the school district following the Los Angeles County Office of Education's finding that Mendez holds incompatible offices, and the forthcoming lawsuit under quo warranto to remove him from his Whittier Union High School District seat.
