With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Asked Not To Attend LA City Council Meetings, José Huizar Says He Will Limit Participation Going Forward
Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar leads a press conference about the Operation Healthy Streets initiative at the Volunteers of America building near Skid Row in this 2014 file photo. (Photo by Benjamin Brayfield/KPCC)
()
Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez is asking Councilmember José Huizar not to attend any more meetings until there’s “legal clarity” regarding his involvement in the city’s “pay-to-play” bribery scheme.
Martinez’s office confirmed the move to us, but stopped short of calling it a suspension. It will mean Huizar is unable to vote on city matters.
Huizar responded in a statement saying he would continue district work but limit participation with the city council:
Statement from CD 14 City Councilmember Jose Huizar: he will continue his work in the district but -- at Council President Martinez's request -- he will "limit" his participation in council going forward @LAist @KPCC pic.twitter.com/udodqj5gnY
— Libby Denkmann (@libdenk) May 15, 2020
Support for LAist comes from
Back in Nov. 2018, FBI agents raided Huizar’s Boyle Heights home and council district offices. He has not been charged with any crimes.
Martinez's office calls the move an effort to preserve the council’s integrity.
That integrity is under federal investigation at the moment. The FBI has been looking into possible corruption at City Hall in a probe that includes multiple suspected "pay-to-play" schemes involving city officials, developers, investors, lobbyists and others.
So far, three people have pleaded guilty.
That includes George Chiang, a Granada Hills real estate developer who authorities say offered bribes to public officials — including an unnamed member of the City Council — to smooth the passage of real estate projects.
Court papers detail how the councilmember accepted bribes from a Chinese real estate business, for which Chiang consulted.
Chiang became a "close political ally" of a city councilmember on the powerful Planning and Land Use Management Committee, according to Department of Justice officials. Huizar had been a member of that committee before being stripped of his committee duties following the Nov. 2018 FBI raid.
Support for LAist comes from
This March, former Councilmember Mitch Englander surrendered to federal authorities and later pleaded not guilty to seven federal counts of obstruction of justice. He faces a maximum of 50 years in prison for allegedly trying to cover up an extravagant Las Vegas trip and accepting $15,000 in cash from an unnamed businessman.
Brianna Flores and Ryan Fonseca contributed to this story.
READ MORE ABOUT THE CITY HALL CORRUPTION PROBE:
- Timeline: Follow The FBI's Sweeping LA City Hall Corruption Investigation Through The Years
- 'Absolutely Stunning' Indictment Alleges Former LA Councilman Englander Took Cash Payouts In Casino Bathrooms
- The FBI Is Shaking Up LA City Hall. They May Be Looking For Chinese Money
- After FBI Raid, Richelle Huizar Won't Be Running For Her Husband's Council Seat After All
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
What do stairs have to do with California’s housing crisis? More than you might think, says this Culver City councilmember. -
Yes, it's controversial, but let me explain. -
Doctors say administrator directives allow immigration agents to interfere in medical decisions and compromise medical care. -
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings. -
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past. -
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases.
Best of LAist