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.
José Huizar Pleads 'Not Guilty' Today In Federal Court
Then L.A. City Councilman José Huizar speaks at a climate change rally in 2013. (Charlie Kaijo/Flickr Creative Commons)
()
Suspended Los Angeles City Councilman José Huizar has entered a plea of “not guilty” in a wide-ranging City Hall corruption case. He appeared by teleconference before U.S. magistrate judge Alicia Rosenberg. A trial date will be set at a hearing later this week.
Huizar is facing dozens of charges related to corrupt dealings at City Hall. He wore a dark suit and white shirt and glasses. He appeared to be wearing a white N95 medical-grade mask.
Huizar answered “yes” or “yes, your honor” to questions like — do you understand the charges? In the coutroom, the judge and staff all remained behind plexiglass. Attorneys appeared via videoconference, all precautions in place due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Huizar was arrested June 23 on a racketeering charge. Federal prosecutors say he ran a “criminal enterprise” from his council seat, squeezing money out of development deals for downtown skyscrapers and big hotels.
Support for LAist comes from
A grand jury indictment released last week claims that Huizar accepted at least $1.5 million to usher development deals through the city’s powerful Planning and Land Use Management Committee.
There have been four guilty pleas in this case so far, including former councilman Mitch Englander, who faces up to five years in prison.
READ MORE:
- Grand Jury Returns 34-Count Indictment Against Jose Huizar
- LA Councilman Jose Huizar Arrested By FBI, Accused Of Leading 'Criminal Enterprise' From City Hall
- Timeline: Follow The FBI's Sweeping LA City Hall Corruption Investigation Through The Years
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters. To support our nonprofit public service journalism: Donate now.
This article was first published at 7 a.m. and has been updated with Huizar's plea.
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
-
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. -
Distrito Catorce’s Guillermo Piñon says the team no longer reflects his community. A new mural will honor local leaders instead. -
The program is for customers in communities that may not be able to afford turf removal or water-saving upgrades.
Best of LAist