Cardenas siblings plead guilty with name still on ballot

• Despite her resignation, Andrea Cardenas remains on Tuesday's ballot to represent District 4 of Chula Vista.
• Her lawyer has said she is not actively campaigning — although a political action committee disclosed spending $24,500 on her behalf — but that she will serve, if re-elected.

The latest: After initially pleading not guilty, the siblings pleaded guilty to charges that they improperly received $176,227 in PPP loans, then used the money for personal expenses, credit card bills and to retire campaign debt, the Union-Tribune reported.

• Andrea Cardenas' lawyer said they were nearing a plea deal but that her client's resignation from the council was unrelated to those discussions.

Flashback: Jesus Cardenas was chief of staff to San Diego councilmember Stephen Whitburn at the time of the PPP loan, but he left that position nearly a year ago amid questions about conflicts of interest between his firm's clients and city business.

• Jesus Cardenas and his firms had previously been scrutinized for a network of Democratic clubs they controlled that existed only on paper, but which orchestrated the county party's endorsements.

What's next: Jesus Cardenas will face sentencing March 27; his sister's sentencing is set for Aug. 28, the U-T reported.