Memo Torres, a prominent Los Angeles immigration journalist, has been dismissed following allegations of ethical misconduct, including claims that he maintained a secret romantic relationship with a rising California state senator and permitted her to contribute to articles published under his byline.
Torres, 46, left the progressive outlet L.A. TACO this week after an internal review that the publication said followed nearly five months of discussions about repeated breaches of its policies and journalism standards.
His departure has triggered a public dispute between Torres and the outlet, with L.A. TACO rejecting suggestions that he was pushed out as part of an effort to reduce reporting on Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in 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,” L.A. TACO said in a statement released Saturday.
The publication said Torres was given several chances to acknowledge the concerns and correct his conduct, emphasizing that his firing was unrelated to the outlet’s immigration reporting.
“The rumor that we’ve turned our back on ICE coverage is a lie. And a dangerous one,” the statement said.
Reporting from LA Material, meanwhile, has raised questions about Torres’ coverage of Democratic California state Sen. Sasha Renee Pérez, 34. The report included allegations that the two had a personal relationship while Torres was covering Pérez’s political priorities.
The most consequential claim is that Pérez helped edit or write sections of stories that appeared under Torres’ name. Pérez has forcefully denied influencing L.A. TACO’s editorial decisions.
“I did not write any articles or control the editorial decisions of L.A. Taco,” Pérez said. “Any person suggesting I wrote pieces for L.A. Taco is attempting to undermine my work and attack Memo’s integrity.”
Pérez, California’s youngest state senator, confirmed that she and Torres had previously been involved in a personal relationship. She said L.A. TACO’s management instructed them to reduce communication about six months ago and that they followed the directive.
A person familiar with Torres’ position also dismissed the ghostwriting allegations, saying the veteran journalist would not allow someone else to produce work under his byline. The source claimed L.A. TACO executives knew about the relationship as early as February and later cited it as a reason to remove Torres during broader disagreements over immigration coverage. The California Post has contacted Torres for comment.
L.A. TACO, however, said it had given Torres the option to depart under favorable conditions, including what it described as a substantial severance package and public backing for his future projects.
“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 outlet said. “We thought we left on good terms, and offered to publicly support his next chapter and give him a generous severance.”
According to the publication, Torres later told his followers that he had been caught off guard by the decision, prompting speculation that L.A. TACO was stepping away from its coverage of ICE operations.
“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,” L.A. TACO said.
“Memo, you’ve always said you stand for the truth. Then tell it.”
Torres has rejected the suggestion that he failed to accept responsibility for his reporting or conduct.
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“I have no idea what they are talking about. I have never refused accountability about anything,” he told LA Material.
L.A. TACO said the termination came after an internal investigation and months of repeated discussions. Sources cited by LA Material alleged that management imposed additional safeguards because of concerns about Torres’ conduct, including a requirement that he complete an ethics course—one he allegedly never took.
The dispute reportedly intensified this month after editors confronted Torres over a major journalistic error and his alleged unwillingness to accept responsibility, leading to the final separation.
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.”
