Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
XXXtremely Shady: Alleged LADOT Porn Cover-Up
Photo by melissssaf via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr
()
Recently, a porn video surfaced showing two LADOT officers engaging in sexual acts with a porn actress while on the job. The officers haven't been disciplined, with parking enforcement chief Jimmy Price claiming that he wasn't able to identify them until recently. But some in the department claim that the participant's identities and participation in the video were common knowledge, and that they weren't disciplined because the department hoped to sweep the incident under the rug. Two LADOT managers came forward under the condition of anonymity, reports NBC, and say that their superiors knew about the incident and chose not to do anything.
In fact, NBC reports that parking enforcement chief Jimmy Price wrote a memo in February notifying some department personnel about the video. Price maintained in a recent interview that at the time of the memo, the department didn't know who the officers were.
One of the anonymous sources, though, claims that by seeing one of the on-tape officer's uniform and his body size and shape, he could easily identify him as Officer John Dancler.
The accusation hasn't been confirmed, and when approached, Dancler replied to an reporter's question about the video by saying, "I don't know what you're talking about."
Support for LAist comes from
The video follows a porn actress as she attempts to interact with regular, non-actor men while they're at work. When she approaches the LADOT officers, one gropes her breasts, both spank her, and then one apparently lets her masturbate in the driver's seat of his city car.
The whole incident is currently under investigation by the City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation, and the officers, now identified although their identities haven't been released, are on leave.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist