Report on Legal Proceedings and Business Closure of Chando’s Tacos and Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

This report details the recent legal proceedings involving Lisandro Madrigal, owner of the Chando’s Tacos restaurant chain, and the concurrent closure of the business’s Sacramento-area locations. The events are analyzed through the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a particular focus on Gender Equality (SDG 5), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), and Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (SDG 16).

• Lisandro Madrigal has pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of domestic violence and battery.
• The charges were filed on March 26, 2024, following multiple hearings in the preceding year.
• The plea occurred one day after Chando’s Tacos officially announced the permanent closure of its restaurants, citing economic factors.

Analysis of Legal Proceedings and SDG Alignment

The criminal complaint against Mr. Madrigal presents a significant challenge to the advancement of key Sustainable Development Goals related to justice and gender equality.

Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality

• The allegations directly contravene Target 5.2, which calls for the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls in the private and public spheres.
• The criminal complaint alleges that Mr. Madrigal “willfully and unlawfully inflicted corporal injury resulting in a traumatic condition” upon an intimate partner, representing a severe form of gender-based violence.

Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• The case underscores the importance of Target 16.1, which aims to significantly reduce all forms of violence.
• The court proceedings represent the function of a strong institution attempting to uphold Target 16.3 by promoting the rule of law and ensuring access to justice for victims of alleged violence.
• The complaint’s allegation of inflicting “great bodily injury” classifies the charge as a serious felony, activating a robust judicial response in line with SDG 16’s objectives.

Socio-Economic Impact of Business Closure

The abrupt closure of the Chando’s Tacos chain has immediate and adverse consequences for local economic stability and employment, impacting progress toward several SDGs.

Sustainable Development Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• The sudden termination of operations, while officially attributed to “economic factors,” results in immediate job losses for all employees of the restaurant chain.
• This event undermines Target 8.5, which strives to achieve full, productive employment and decent work for all. The closure represents a setback for local economic growth and stability for the affected workforce.

Case Chronology

1. Multiple court hearings related to the complaint were held throughout 2023.
2. A criminal complaint against Lisandro Madrigal was filed in the Sacramento Superior Court on March 26, 2024.
3. On or around July 29, 2024, several Chando’s Tacos locations closed abruptly.
4. On July 30, 2024, the company officially confirmed the permanent closure of its restaurants.
5. On July 31, 2024, Lisandro Madrigal appeared in court and pleaded not guilty to two felony charges.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• The article’s central theme is the domestic violence charges against Lisandro Madrigal. It states he is charged with “two felony counts of violent crime by Madrigal against a person he was dating,” including inflicting “corporal injury resulting in a traumatic condition.” This directly relates to the goal of eliminating violence against women and promoting gender equality.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• This goal is relevant due to the focus on violence and the justice system’s response. The article details the alleged crime, describing it as a “serious felony” involving “great bodily injury.” Furthermore, it describes the legal process: “Madrigal appeared in court,” “pleaded not guilty,” and the filing of a “criminal complaint… in the Sacramento Superior Court.” This highlights the goal’s aim to reduce violence and ensure access to justice.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• The article mentions that “Chando’s Tacos, a restaurant chain that abruptly closed its Sacramento-area locations this week, citing economic factors.” The closure of multiple restaurant locations directly impacts local economic activity and results in job losses, which is contrary to the objectives of promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth and decent work for all.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres.

• The article’s core subject is an alleged act of domestic violence. The criminal complaint alleges that Madrigal “willfully and unlawfully inflicted corporal injury resulting in a traumatic condition” upon a person he was dating. This is a direct example of the type of violence this target aims to eliminate.

Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.

• The charges against Madrigal, which include “battery” and inflicting “great bodily injury,” are a clear instance of the physical violence that this target seeks to reduce. The description of the crime as a “serious felony” underscores the severity of the violence discussed.

Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

• The article describes the activation of the justice system in response to the alleged crime. The filing of a “criminal complaint,” Madrigal’s court appearance, his “not guilty” plea, and the mention of “multiple hearings” all demonstrate the process of seeking justice and upholding the rule of law.

Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men.

• The article states that the “restaurant chain… abruptly closed its Sacramento-area locations.” This action directly leads to unemployment for the staff of those locations, representing a setback for achieving full and productive employment in the local community.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Indicator for Target 5.2 & 16.1: Number of reported violent crimes.

• The article provides a specific data point: “two felony counts of violent crime by Madrigal against a person he was dating.” The filing of a “criminal complaint” in the Sacramento Superior Court is a concrete, measurable instance of a violent crime being officially recorded and processed by the justice system.

Indicator for Target 16.3: Number of cases processed by the justice system.

• The article implies this indicator by detailing the legal proceedings. It mentions that “Madrigal appeared in court where he pleaded not guilty,” that charges “were filed in March of 2024,” and that there were “multiple hearings last year in connection with the complaint.” These are all measurable steps within the judicial process.

Indicator for Target 8.5: Number of business closures or job losses.

• The article implies a negative trend for this indicator by stating that “Chando’s Tacos, a restaurant chain that abruptly closed its Sacramento-area locations.” While not providing a specific number of jobs lost, the closure of “several locations” serves as a qualitative indicator of a negative impact on local employment.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: kcra.com