Burbank, CALIFORNIA

Stacey Murphy, a Burbank councilwoman was arrested for cocaine possession and child endangerment. Her longtime boyfriend was also arrested for federal firearms and narcotic violations. The ABC-TV online story missed the best part of the story, though in failing to tell why the couple was arrested in connection with an investigation by a street gang task force.

She was mayor of Burbank in November 2003 when two reputed members of the Vineland Boys street gang killed Officer Matthew Pavelka during a traffic stop. The task force was investigating the gang and the killing. They traced a weapon to her boyfriend. [bolding mine]

Also arrested was her boyfriend, who has allegedly confessed that he knowingly sold a gun to one gang member and that the couple bought cocaine from other gang members. Police who raided Murphy's tidy one-story home found cocaine in a bedroom and, in the garage, three loaded guns and 900 bullets.

The Los Angeles Daily News adds to the charming story. [bolding mine]

Vineland Boys task force officers recently arrested a gang member in possession of a handgun registered to Schaffer, Jette said. Detectives had learned earlier that Schaffer might have provided guns to Vineland Boys members in exchange for cocaine, Jette said.

At Schaffer's home Wednesday night, officers said they found nine handguns and an undisclosed amount of cocaine. Jette said they also learned that more guns, drugs and ammunition were at Murphy's home.

From the Glendale News-Press: "Schaffer, a former chairman and member of the Glendale Water & Power Commission, was allegedly trading handguns to members of the Vineland Boyz street gang in exchange for cocaine, Jette said."

For Women's History Month, Congressman Adam Schiff (D) had this floor statement as he honored her as Woman of the Year for California's 27th Congressional District.

UPDATE: July 29, 2005 A federal grand jury indicted the long-time boyfriend Scott Schaffer for trading guns for cocaine, cocaine possession with the intent to distribute the drug, selling firearms to a known felon and using cocaine while possessing guns.