Soto represented the 61st Assembly district (including parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties and the cities of Ontario, Pomona, Chino and Montclair) from 1998 to 2000 and again from 2006 to 2008.

Soto also served on the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

This money is a standard amount paid out to legislators not just for travel and living expenses [citation needed], as she was criticized for, but also to pay for district office space, utilities, and staff resources etc.

Soto maintained these offices and staff during her recuperation period, and did not just use the money as accused by the reporter for personal apartment rent as alleged.

"The rent for the apartment (and her offices) wasn't waived by the landlords" while she was at home recuperating, as explained by Greg Schmidt, the Secretary of the California State Senate.