Tainted US Ambassador-Designate To India Eric Garcetti Lobbying For Senate Votes 

It’s been almost two years since the US has not fielded Ambassador to India in New Delhi due to raging controversy and allegations over Ambassador-designate Eric Garcetti’s inaction against his close aide Rick Jacobs, who faces complaints of sexual misconduct. The New Indian has learnt that Garcetti, currently the Mayor of Los Angeles, doesn’t have 50 votes in his favour in the Senate to confirm his position — a fact admitted by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. It is also learnt that

Garcetti’s patrons are lobbying law firm McGuire Woods to turn the votes in his favour. Breelyn Pete, who served Garcetti as his chief of state and Federal Affairs, is handling the case at McGuire Woods.

Garcetti has been accused of not taking action against Jacobs, which The New Indian reported exclusively in March. He, however, has reportedly feigned ignorance about the charges. The New Indian‘s email to Garcetti’s office for comments has not received any response yet.

Republican Senator Charles Ernest Grassley (Chuck) initiated an investigation and perjury charges, confirmed Naomi Seligman, former director of communication for Garcetti, to The New Indian over the phone in March.

Ambassador-designate Garcetti is believed to be not just US president Joe Biden’s most trusted man but a confidante of the CIA as well. With Garcetti in Delhi, Washington will execute its “South Asia plan”, said sources. In the last week of August, Garcetti visited Japan and Indonesia.

Jacobs and Garcetti have known each other since 2003 or 2004. When Garcetti became Mayor of Los Angeles in July 2013, he recruited Jacobs as his Deputy Chief of Staff, said an official statement, accessed by The New Indian. 

Jacobs has allegedly sexually harassed one more individual in the presence of Mayor Garcetti other than the case which The New Indian reported in March.

The photo of the harassment was widely circulated and is available on the internet. During the US Conference of Mayors in Miami Beach, Florida in June 2017, Jacobs posed for a photo alongside Mayor Garcetti and Alec Evans, Partner of Kirra Consulting, and others. Jacobs placed his palm on the crotch of Mayor’s bodyguard.

In a letter to Senator Grassley on May 10, 2022, O & I staff of the US government said they carried out a  thorough investigation.

“To conduct this investigation, we interviewed 15 witnesses, read 26 depositions taken in the course of a civil suit against Mr Jacobs, and reviewed an investigative report and a supplemental report

commissioned by the City of Los Angeles. Additionally, we reviewed several documents, including emails and text messages provided to investigators by witnesses. Unfortunately, Mr Jacobs and 11 separate individuals currently working for or close to Mayor Garcetti refused to speak with us,” reads the letter. 

The detailed Wikipedia page about Garcetti, most likely penned and furnished by his family or admirer, doesn’t state much about his eight years in US intelligence. According to sources of The New Indian, he had hidden those eight years, even while campaigning for the Mayor’s post against Wendy Greuel.

The findings of the investigation sent to Senator Grassley reads, “Based on information obtained by Committee investigators, it is more probable than not that Mr Jacobs sexually harassed multiple individuals, and made racist comments towards others. Based on witness testimony, this behaviour was pervasive, widespread, and notorious. Several individuals told investigators that Mayor Garcetti was aware of this behaviour, and based on the reported frequency and conspicuous nature of the conduct, it is more likely than not that Mayor Garcetti either had personal knowledge of the sexual harassment or should have been aware of it.”