Julio Ochoa

Type	CHARACTER
Julio Ochoa
Appears in	N/A
Mentioned in	Grand Theft Auto IV [UN] The Lost and Damned [UN]
Appearance
Gender	Male
Biography
Full name	Julio Ochoa
Nationality	American
Date of birth	Not given
Fate
Status	Alive
Home	Liberty City
Main affiliations	Jon Gravelli Thomas Stubbs Bryce Dawkins
Property
Businesses	Mayor of Liberty City

Julio Ochoa is a character who served as the mayor of Liberty City during the events of Grand Theft Auto IV and its episodes.

History

Background

Ochoa was elected as the mayor of Liberty City before 2008. Much of his policies were unknown, but he was notorious for his draconian anti-terrorism measures and ineffective gun control laws. He ran for office alongside Bryce Dawkins, who allegedly used market connections to provide financial backing to the Ochoa ticket. During his rise in politics, he began to associate with individuals such as Thomas Stubbs and Jon Gravelli.

As reported by the Liberty Tree, Ochoa was responsible for escalating the War on Terror. During the summer before the events of Grand Theft Auto IV take place, he closed the bridges due to an escalated threat of terrorism. This policy was subject to much controversy, as locking out Alderney and the eastern boroughs from Algonquin was unprecedented. The closure had a significant economic impact on the city, with thousands of commuters unable to reach work, and businesses estimated to have lost "millions of dollars a day."

Events of Grand Theft Auto IV

Ochoa does not appear during the game, but he is mentioned frequently by the news media on their websites and the radio. The closest Ochoa came to an appearance was in The Lost and Damned, as Thomas Stubbs III receives a phone call from Johnny Klebitz while in a meeting with Mayor Ochoa. Also, Jon Gravelli claims he was going to receive a visit from Ochoa while in the hospital.

In the autumn of 2008, Ochoa caved to public pressure and reopened the bridges that separate Algonquin from the eastern boroughs. Subsequently, both the Hickey Bridge and Booth Tunnel reopened for travel, allowing for travel between Alderney and Liberty. Ochoa's decision is highly unpopular with Weazel News, as they claim he shows "classic liberal weakness." Weazel further claims that "terrorists use bridges to cross rivers and to kill innocent lives."

According to Weazel News, Ochoa defends his strict gun control, which has made the sale and possession of firearms illegal in Liberty City. Ochoa's task force also launches cases against Ammu-Nation stores across the country. The mayor's office boasts about Liberty City's low crime and high murder conviction rate. However, allegations of statistical tampering undermine these supposed accomplishments. A local lawyer, Tom Goldberg, points out that city officials clear out "cold cases" to reach a high conviction rate. Finally, Goldberg concludes his statement, asserting that Liberty City is "dangerous" and residents' children are "not safe."

After it is reported that Ochoa's approval numbers have fallen, he launches a radical new plan, called the "Sinking Ship Solution," which would clean the Liberty City subway by flooding it. The unorthodox plan aims to clear out rats, homeless people, and "annoying" underground musicians. Additionally, he claims this is an effective method to eliminate the smell of urine from the subway system.

During another radio broadcast, Ochoa is presumed dead after he does not respond to staff with his BitterSweet Email Device. Local government officials call for his resignation, saying that people with mobile email are obligated to immediately respond.

While on a date with Niko, Carmen Ortiz says she saw Ochoa while he opened a new hospital ward. Apparently, Carmen could tell that Ochoa wanted to sleep with her. However, out of loyalty for Niko, she passed up on the opportunity. Carmen's version of the story is never substantiated.

During one of the Higgins Helitours, the pilot mentions to Niko and the other tourists that Ochoa eased safety restrictions on helicopters and their pilots. Mayor Ochoa also settles the diamonds case when he allows Jerry Kapowitz to keep all proceeds on the sale of the diamonds after he found them, despite over a hundred claims of their ownership. The reason given was that it would be impossible to verify the claims. It makes Ochoa extremely unpopular with a number of people in the Liberty City underworld.

Events of Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars

It is unknown if Ochoa is still mayor during the events of Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, as an Ammu-Nation website has been set up, which contradicts Ochoa's strict gun regulations.

Character

Influence

Julio Ochoa appears to be based on Fernando Ferrer, a Democratic Party nominee for New York City mayor in 2005. Julio also bears similarities to former New York mayor Bloomberg when it comes to gun control; Bloomberg supported stricter gun control all over the nation with his organization "Everytown For Gun Safety".

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