A Chula Vista City Councilmember and her brother who are accused of defrauding the federal government out of more than $176,000 entered not-guilty pleas Thursday afternoon in downtown San Diego. Council Member Andrea Cardenas and her brother, Jesus Cardenas, face fraud and money laundering charges. The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office said the two had applied for and received more than $176,000 from the federal government's paycheck protection program in 2021, through their political consulting firm, Grassroots Resources. Jesus Cardenas had previously worked as chief of staff for San Diego City Councilmember Stephen Whitburn. CBS 8 asked both Andrea and Jesus Cardenas for comment after Thursday's hearing, but they both declined. MORE: https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/local/chula-vista-councilwoman-brother-set-to-appear-in-court/509-49b92c7a-e683-4983-bb4f-d2eea6bf2ad8