The embattled president of one of the state's most well-established Mexican-American civic organizations wants to make one thing clear: "Everything is fine over at the center."

John Renteria's comments came after Centro Civico Mexicano's board of directors apparently moved to oust him while he was jailed for violating a probation order. Board members have not returned phone calls asking for comment.

"We run a clean ship," Renteria said. "In no way do the shady activities that have taken place over the last couple of weeks need to mar the last year and a half that I've been there."

Renteria contends he's still president of the board because members ignored the organization's bylaws when they unilaterally decided to remove him from leadership and name the secretary, Margarita Rodriguez, acting president.

"The bylaws control, not the people," Renteria said. "Nonprofits need those in place to prevent mob rule from calling the shots. These folks just really took them for granted, ignored them."

Renteria was jailed after he drove twice with a revoked license, and he drank alcohol; each was an independent probation violation. He has since been released on condition that he wear an electronic ankle monitor for 30 days.

At a board meeting scheduled next week, Renteria hopes to have a discussion with the board. By then, he also hopes to have a better idea of his restrictions.

Renteria said he has a probation interview today to go over the conditions and possibly fit him with his ankle bracelet. He says he also hopes to learn whether he'll have enough freedom to run his mayoral campaign and Centro Civico. For now, he's planning on both.

"I'm reservedly optimistic," Renteria said. "I really hope that they'll work with me."

Board members Margarita Rodriguez, Alberto Bernard, Arturo Espinoza and Tomas Perez did not return phone calls for comment. As of Thursday evening, Renteria was still listed as president on the organization's Web site, and as the key contact person.

When he started as president of Centro Civico in January 2006, Renteria said he helped an indebted organization move from the red to the black, in part with a personal loan to the organization worth "thousands." He's working to reorganize and revitalize the organization, which was established in the 1930s.

"I have the trust of a lot of Hispanic and community leaders and that shouldn't be eroded because of a misdemeanor," Renteria said. "People make mistakes ... I'm hoping to bank on people's faith in me as an individual and not on this little mistake."

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E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com