Topline:
Former LA Councilmember Gil Cedillo is suing the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor over leaked audio tapes originally recorded at the labor group’s headquarters.
The complaint: His suit alleges that the recordings' release was “designed to kneecap” his political future and damage his reputation. Also named as defendants are Karla Vasquez and Santo Leon, two former employees of the federation.
The backstory: The tapes captured a conversation between Cedillo, Councilmember Kevin de León, former Council President Nury Martinez and former President of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor Ron Herrera and featured disparaging and racist remarks. The audio was leaked nearly a year ago and became one of L.A.’s biggest political scandals. The L.A. Times reported today that de León is also suing over the release of the recordings.
Former L.A. Councilmember Gil Cedillo is suing the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor over leaked audio tapes originally recorded at the labor group’s headquarters. His suit alleges that the recordings' release was “designed to kneecap” his political future and damage his reputation.
Cedillo is seeking punitive and compensatory damages, among other things, for the loss of job opportunities, income, and for having his reputation tarnished.
The charges were filed by Cedillo's legal team Friday afternoon. The Los Angeles Times first reported on the lawsuit.
Also named as defendants are Karla Vasquez and Santo Leon, two former employees of the federation who are married to each other.
Police searched the Eagle Rock home of Vazquez and Leon in July with a search warrant alleging eavesdropping and destroying or concealing evidence, neither have been charged.
What Cedillo's suit alleges
Cedillo alleges that the couple “compromised” the conference room to secretly record a conversation between Cedillo, Councilmember Kevin de León, former Council President Nury Martinez and Ron Herrera, who was president of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor at the time of the recording.
The tapes, containing disparaging and racist remarks, were leaked nearly a year ago and became one of L.A.’s biggest political scandals — roiling City Hall and leading to a push to reform how council districts are drawn.
Read Cedillo's lawsuit
Cedillo, a longtime political figure in California. He was defeated in last year's primary by Eunisses Hernandez. He had represented District 1 since 2013 and had previously been elected to the state Senate and Assembly.
About District 1
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District 1 includes all or part of the following neighborhoods: Glassell Park, Cypress Park, Highland Park, Mount Washington, Solano Canyon, Elysian Park, Echo Park, Angelino Heights, Temple Beaudry, Chinatown, Downtown, Westlake, Rampart Village, Lincoln Heights, Montecito Heights, Pico Union, University Park, Victor Heights, Koreatown.
His lawyer Brian Kabateck provided a copy of the lawsuit to LAist, but declined to comment.
Labor federation officials declined to comment, citing the ongoing investigation.
Read de León's lawsuit
De León, who refused demands that he resign and has announced he will run for reelection, also has filed a lawsuit against Vazquez and Leon over the leaked tapes. His lawsuit also was first reported by the L.A. Times on Saturday.
More on the tapes
This season of LAist's Imperfect Paradise is covering the city hall tape scandal. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Or check out the first two episodes here:
We take you behind the scenes of the L.A. City Council tape scandal, a year later.
Before the L.A. City Council tape scandal, Nury Martinez, the former council president, was known as a champion of working class immigrants. After, she became the poster child of anti-Blackness and colorism in the Latino community.
