Top LA journalist had fling with Dem SoCal lawmaker, let her write his stories: report

A high-profile Los Angeles immigration reporter has been fired amid allegations of ethical breaches, including claims he had a secret romantic relationship with a rising California state senator and allowed her to help write stories published under his byline.

Memo Torres, 46, abruptly parted ways with left-leaning news outlet L.A. TACO this week after an internal investigation that the publication says followed nearly five months of discussions over repeated violations of its policies and journalistic standards.

The split has sparked a public war of words between Torres and his former employer, with L.A. TACO pushing back against claims it forced him out to scale back its coverage of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids across Southern California.

“Memo Torres did important work here, and we’re grateful that he rose to the challenge when ICE began their siege of our city. But we fired him for repeated violations of our policies and our basic journalistic standards. That’s it. That’s the reason,” the outlet said in a statement published Saturday.

The publication said it gave Torres multiple opportunities to take responsibility and improve, insisting his departure had nothing to do with its immigration coverage.

“The rumor that we’ve turned our back on ICE coverage is a lie. And a dangerous one,” the statement said.

But according to reporting by LA Material, sources have raised questions about Torres’ coverage of Democratic state Sen. Sasha Renee Pérez, 34, including allegations that the pair had a personal relationship while he reported on her political agenda.

The most serious allegation is that Pérez was allowed to edit and write portions of stories published under Torres’ byline. The senator has strongly denied having any role in L.A. TACO’s editorial decisions.

“I did not write any articles or control the editorial decisions of L.A. Taco,” Pérez said in a statement. “Any person suggesting I wrote pieces for L.A. Taco is attempting to undermine my work and attack Memo’s integrity.”

Pérez, the youngest lawmaker in the California Senate, acknowledged that she and Torres had a prior personal relationship. She said L.A. TACO management asked them to limit their communication about six months ago, a request she said they honored.

A source close to Torres also rejected the ghostwriting allegations, arguing the veteran reporter would never allow another person to write under his byline. The insider claimed executives knew about the relationship as early as February and used it as a pretext to push Torres out amid internal disagreements over immigration coverage. The California Post has reached out to Torres for comment.

The outlet, however, said it had offered Torres a chance to leave on favorable terms, including a generous severance package and public support for his next venture.

“On his final day, Memo told us himself he was ready to go independent, and that it was a better fit for what he wanted to do,” the statement said. “We thought we left on good terms, and offered to publicly support his next chapter and give him a generous severance.”

L.A. TACO said Torres instead told followers he had been blindsided by the departure, fueling speculation that the newsroom was retreating from its ICE reporting.

“Memo built his name as a truth-teller and a community leader. But right now, a false narrative is being spread, and it’s dividing the very community he claims to serve,” the outlet said.

“Memo, you’ve always said you stand for the truth. Then tell it.”

Torres has disputed claims that he refused to take accountability for his work.

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“I have no idea what they are talking about. I have never refused accountability about anything,” he told LA Material.

The outlet said the split followed an internal investigation and repeated conversations over nearly five months. Sources cited by LA Material have alleged that management introduced safeguards over concerns about Torres’ conduct, including requiring him to complete an ethics course that he allegedly failed to take.

Tensions reportedly came to a head this month after management confronted Torres over a significant journalistic error and his alleged refusal to accept responsibility, prompting the final break.

Questions about Torres’ coverage of Pérez have also centered on a series of stories in early 2026, as the senator pushed legislation concerning oversight of detention centers.

Torres promoted an oversight bill introduced by Pérez on Feb. 6, covered her press conference less than two weeks later and highlighted the legislation again the following month. The Feb. 6 story was subsequently updated with an editor’s note confirming that it had been amended to meet editorial standards.

The two also appeared together publicly in May, when Pérez presented L.A. TACO with a journalism award during the 2026 Latino Spirit Awards. She reportedly walked arm in arm with Torres onto the state Assembly floor.

Torres built a national profile through round-the-clock reporting on local ICE raids, rising from a former landscaper to a recognized multimedia journalist during seven years at L.A. TACO.

After announcing his departure on social media under the caption “End Of An Era,” Torres launched an independent publication on Substack that climbed into the platform’s top three US news charts within days.

His exit has drawn an outpouring of support from readers, many of whom expressed disappointment and confusion over the split.

“All the respect in the world. LA owes you such a debt for everything, idk what happened or where you’re going but glad to see you pushing forward,” one fan wrote.

Another summed up their reaction more bluntly, writing: “This f—ing sucks…..sorry bro.”

L.A. TACO, meanwhile, insisted its immigration coverage would continue unabated as it hires new reporters.

“Let us be crystal clear: L.A. TACO will never stop covering ICE, immigration, and the attacks on our communities,” the outlet said.

The publication ended its statement by challenging Torres to address the controversy directly, accusing him of remaining silent as supporters attacked its journalists and newsroom.

“How do you benefit from this? How does this movement benefit from canceling one of L.A’.s only independent newsrooms?”

“This was never about one person. It’s about a community. And that community deserves the truth.”