Hews Media Group-Community News has obtained an official media statement – including an official paternity test – written by Maribel Zavala that confirms the contents of an article Publisher Brian Hews broke two weeks ago concerning Downey City Councilman Luis Marquez and his wife Alma.

Luis and Alma Marquez

The statement confirms that Luis Marquez had a baby with Ms. Zavala, and that once Alma found out, she and Luis threatened Ms. Zavala at a meeting that “bad things will happen to her and her son” if she did not keep the existence of the child quiet until after the election.

Alma Marquez is a candidate in the Nov. 8 Downey City Council election.

The statement started, “It is with a sad heart that I publicly acknowledge and affirm that I have been involved with Downey City Council member Luis Marquez and that we had a son together. We are currently in legal proceedings to establish paternity, custody and child support.”

She went on to indicate that Mr. Marquez said he was divorced at the time.

“At the time of our relationship, Mr. Marquez assured me he was divorced. When I informed him that I was pregnant, he was happy but asked that I keep my pregnancy discreet due to his political position. He said he would recognize our son after his term in the Downey City Council was over. Soon afterwards, I found out that Luis was still married to Alma Marquez, but he insisted that they were separated.”

Luis with Sabastian Zavala. Photo-Maribel Zavala

Ms. Zavala went on: “By the time our son was born, I no longer had a relationship with Luis, but he had a relationship with our son for a whole year until Alma found out about our child.”

Ms. Zavala seemed to indicate that Luis’s wife Alma cruelly ended the relationship with both Ms. Zavala and her son.

“Afterwards, Luis ceased all emotional and financial support for our son.”

She also confirmed what we were told by reliable sources two weeks ago — that a meeting did take place among Ms. Zavala, Luis and Alma Marquez, and that Ms. Zavala was threatened.

“In June of this year,” she said, “Luis requested that I meet with them at their home to discuss our family situation. I agreed but requested a public location. At the meeting, Alma Marquez shared that her husband was planning to run for a local water board, she was going to run for Downey City Council, and it was (in) my best interests to remain silent about our child. I declined their offer and asked both that Luis legally acknowledges that he is the father of our son as a responsible father not as a negligent one.”

Ms. Zavala continued: “I was then intimidated and threatened that bad things will happen to me and my son and that I would regret it if I go public to acknowledge Luis as the father of my son.”

A news report one week after the Hews Media Group article, approved by Downey Patriot Publisher Jennifer DeKay and Editor Eric Pierce, written by Downey Patriot journalist Alex Dominguez, quoted both Alma and Luis Marquez berating Hews for printing falsehoods.

“This article and what it says about me is baseless and a complete fabrication. I can only surmise that Mr. Brian Hews has again taken money to publish this despicable and untrue political hit against me in a cowardly attempt to destroy my credibility and ruin my chances of winning a seat in the Downey City Council.”

In a prepared statement sent to the Downey Patriot, Councilman Marquez acknowledged making a mistake but called allegations of a love child completely false and a political attack.

Mr. Marquez told the Patriot, “my wife Alma should not be paying the consequences with these completely false allegations and political attacks to discredit her candidacy for Downey City Council.”

Ms. Zavala then went on to blast the character of both Alma and Luis.

“After the meeting, I did not hear from Luis and he has not seen our son now for over six months. I decided to put the intimidation and fear aside and do what is right for my child and moved forward with legal proceedings.”

She filed the lawsuit and requested a paternity test.

“After I filed, Luis was served with papers notifying him of a family mediation within two months. Luis never filed a response nor did he attend the family mediation.

“On Oct. 4, at our court hearing, Luis stated that he was not sure he was the father, and the judge ordered a paternity test. I personally scheduled the paternity test for the following day. He did not show up, (and) therefore it had to be rescheduled. He finally took the paternity test on Oct. 10.”

The tests confirmed what Ms. Zavala already knew, the son was indeed Luis’s.

The official test, conducted by DNA Laboratory, LCC, indicated that the combined paternity test is 996,000 to 1, “Luis Marquez cannot be excluded; the probability is 99.99 percent.”

“The tests results confirmed he is the father of my son,” Ms. Zavala said. “Unfortunately, he continues to deny our son believing that I would stay quiet as he and his wife Alma Marquez asked me to.”

Ms. Zavala ended the emotional statement: “I share this personal story because it is a shame that an elected official is using his public office not only for personal gain, but also to intimidate the mother of his child. I want to thank Los Cerritos Community News for believing in me when nobody else didn’t. I am sad that I had to take the legal route to defend our son, who is the only victim here neglected by Luis for so long.“

Hews Media Group called Alma Marquez. “I have no comment,” she said, and then immediately hung up.

Luis Marquez once again denied the meeting occurred and said “I will email you a statement.”

This story originated at www.loscerritosnews.net