Council Meeting Turns Angry Over Mayor's Affair With Councilwoman
Residents berate mayor for cheating on wife with councilwoman.
Dec. 6, 2011— -- A California mayor has come under fire for his shocking announcement during a city council meeting that he was having an affair with a councilwoman while still married to his wife.
Mayor Mario Hernandez of San Fernando was berated by hundreds of angry residents Monday night for his confessional announcement during a November meeting that he and councilwoman Maribel de la Torre were having an affair.
"I'd like to put out there, to squash the rumors, that yes, I have been in a relationship with Councilwoman de la Torre," Hernandez said at the Nov. 21 meeting, according to the San Fernando Sun.
Hernandez made the announcement in front of his wife, who was sitting in the front row of the meeting, as well as the rest of the council and San Ferndando residents.
Hernandez's wife, Anna Hernandez, stood up during the speech and said the affair started while she and her husband were still together, though Hernandez maintains the two were already separated. Hernandez then ordered police to remove his wife, Anna, while she was talking during the meeting, according to the San Fernando Sun.
On Monday night, Hernandez addressed the topic again in front of an angry audience.
"In September, I spoke to my estranged wife and my children about my new relationship," the mayor told a packed council chamber. "I have always remained honest and truthful to my family."
A heckler yelled "yeah right" in the middle of the speech, and numerous other residents spoke out against Hernandez during the public comment portion of the meeting, calling for his resignation, according to ABC affiliate KABC.
"You know what mayor? You ain't got no shame at all," Samuel Arenas said. "I don't have no respect for you."
Neither de la Torre nor Hernandez's wife, Anna, were at the meeting Monday.
"It's really very disturbing that he would bring this to the council and expose the community members and the children that were here to his tawdry little affair," said resident Linda Campenalla-Jauron.
Hernandez did not return requests for comment. A secretary at city hall said de la Torre was out of town. The councilwoman did not answer an email request for comment.
Related Stories
ABC News Live