GET THE FACTS
SMEAR:
Misdemeanor from the 1990s
FACT:
In the 1990s, Michelle was involved in two altercations with other women with whom she has since reconciled. One of which was when Michelle, as a young mother 30 years ago, was protecting her children. The second was in self defense amid an altercation with a friend over a misunderstanding. The friend, who still today remains close with Michelle, issued the following statement refuting the lies perpetrated by Michelle’s opponent:
“Michelle Chambers is a kind human with a big heart and I condemn anyone who is attempting to slander her character with lies about events that happened 30 years ago and have long since been resolved. When we were young, I was in a bad living situation. As my neighbor and friend, Michelle and I looked out for one another. Following a misunderstanding between us, I initiated a physical altercation during which Michelle tried to defend herself. There was no ill intent on Michelle’s part. Michelle and I were close friends before and have been close friends ever since. I find it disgraceful that anyone would stalk and harass me, forcing me to relive traumatic memories from a dark time in my life decades ago, in a blatant politically motivated attempt to spread lies about my friend.”
– Rhonda Toby
BOTTOM LINE: Following these altercations, Michelle got a second chance and has since dedicated her life’s work to public service, fighting for rehabilitation and re-entry programs that help people rebuild their lives after incarceration and give back to their communities.
SMEAR:
Publicly disproven claims that Michelle used a racial slur while on Compton City Council
FACT:
Michelle’s Council colleague at the time Isaac Galvan, who has since been found by a court to have committed the most egregious case of voter fraud in years in California, and is under federal indictment by the U.S. Attorney’s office for bribery, accused Michelle of using a racial slur in a closed session meeting. Michelle immediately denied the allegations and requested a formal investigation. An independent investigation, in which her colleagues who were present during the closed session meeting were interviewed under oath — except Galvan who refused to participate despite having made the accusation — determined that Michelle had NOT used the racial slur. The investigation report was presented at a public council meeting and can be viewed here.
In addition, Damon Brown, who served as Compton City Attorney at the time of the initial allegations and was present in the closed session, publicly discussed the investigative findings in October 2021:
“Councilmember Galvan did make an inappropriate comment to Councilmember Michelle Chambers and there’s no evidence to support Councilmember Galvan’s accusation. I wanted to take this time to personally apologize to Councilmember Chambers because when I was called upon at that meeting to confirm that the comment was not made, I was hesitant to do so because I did not want to violate the Brown Act by discussing items that were discussed in closed session. However, I did confirm, subsequently, that it is not a Brown Act violation to talk about things that were not talked about during closed session and to confirm statements that were not made during closed session that had nothing to do with any confidential information that was being discussed in closed session… I did know that that comment was not made during closed session.”
Moreover, current Compton City Attorney Eric Perrodin confirmed the findings of the past investigation into this matter:
“Before becoming the Compton City Attorney, I can report that an investigation was conducted by the law firm of Harrington, Foxx, Darrow & Canter. The report of the investigation dated September 17, 2021, concluded there was no evidence to support Councilmember Isaac Galvan's accusation that Councilmember Michelle Chambers referred to his son in a derogatory manner. Any accusations stating Councilmember Chambers used a racist derogatory term towards Councilmember Galvan's son are patently false and are not supported by any evidence.”
SMEAR:
False allegations about Michelle mistreating staff while on the Compton City Council
FACT:
Former City Manager Cecil Rhambo has publicly endorsed Michelle’s campaign for State Senate. Michelle has a great relationship with Rhambo, as well as the only staff member at the city who reported directly to her, Andre Spicer, who is now a Compton City Councilmember.
"I am pleased to support Michelle Chambers for the 35th State Senate District. Having worked with her in the City of Compton, I believe she is a committed leader who will represent the interests of our community well as the next State Senator for SD-35."
– Former Compton City Manager Cecil Rhambo
Michelle’s opponent is only bringing this up to distract from her own abhorrent record with staff. Her opponent had one of the worst staff turnover rates in Congress nearly every year she was in office - including a 47% turnover rate one year. She even had an employee who was a disabled Afghanistan veteran say she’d rather be back in Afghanistan than work for Laura Richardson. Her opponent was fined by the House Ethics Committee for illegally using 10 congressional staff members — on the taxpayers’ dime — to work on her campaign.