On January 20, 2021, Adriana Camberos, a businesswoman from El Cajon, was serving a two-year prison sentence after being convicted in 2016 for fraud involving millions of counterfeit energy drinks. That same day, then-President Donald Trump granted her clemency, citing her commitment to rehabilitation and letters of support from community leaders, including John McCann, then-deputy mayor of Chula Vista.
Shortly after her release, however, Adriana and her brother Andres Camberos engaged in another elaborate and lucrative fraud scheme, drawing the attention of federal prosecutors who initiated an investigation that culminated in an 11-count indictment in 2023.
Adriana was described by the White House as a devoted mother and deeply religious individual who mentored fellow inmates during her incarceration. Her case was presented to Trump with testimonials asserting that she had been victimized by her husband, Joseph Shayota, who was her co-conspirator in the initial fraud scheme.
Upon her release, Adriana Camberos swiftly entered the real estate market by purchasing a $1.6 million luxury condominium in Coronado. This property was previously listed by McCann’s real estate company but was removed from the market months before the transaction with Adriana took place.
Both Camberos siblings have since been found guilty of a scheme that defrauded companies to the tune of tens of millions of dollars. Prosecutors revealed that they manipulated goods destined for Mexico, relabeling and selling them at inflated prices in the United States.
Federal prosecutors are now recommending sentences of up to 20 years for the siblings, with Adriana facing six years and Andres four. They are also pushing for the seizure of multiple properties and assets acquired through illicit gains, as well as restitution for affected victims.
McCann, in the midst of a campaign for the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, expressed his disappointment over Adriana’s return to criminal activity. He stated that his intention was to help her secure a second chance after her release.
In 2021, only months after her release, Adriana began making substantial political donations, including $20,000 to a group that supported McCann’s mayoral campaign, raising questions about connections between the Camberos and local political figures. Campaign records indicate that the siblings’ contributions were part of a much larger financial strategy that included donations linked to their fraudulent activities.
As the siblings continued to engage in illicit activities, Andres, who had opened a cannabis retail business in Chula Vista, remained active in local politics and community events. This drew further scrutiny, prompting discussions regarding ethical governance and transparency in political funding.
While prosecutors emphasize the need for accountability, letters supporting Adriana’s character claim she was not fully aware of the legality of her actions. However, this has done little to mitigate the legal repercussions they both now face.
The connection between McCann and the Camberos has sparked numerous questions about ethics in local government, especially in light of financial contributions made to political campaigns by individuals under federal indictment for severe crimes.
The Camberos’ story unfolds as one that raises significant concerns regarding the interaction between community leaders and criminal conduct, the lengths to which individuals will go to support those seeking redemption, and the consequences that follow when those second chances are squandered.
With sentencing hearings approaching, all eyes will be on the judicial system as it determines the fate of the Camberos siblings, as well as the broader implications for political accountability in Chula Vista.
image source from：https://voiceofsandiego.org/2025/04/23/chula-vista-mayor-helped-free-a-felon-whos-going-back-to-prison-with-her-brother-a-lot-happened-in-between/
