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.
Real Estate Developer Pleads Guilty On RICO Charge, In Latest City Hall Corruption Investigation Twist
City Hall from Grand Park on Tuesday March 24. (Chava Sanchez/ LAist)
()
A Granada Hills real estate developer will plead guilty in connection with a scheme to bribe public officials — including an unnamed member of the Los Angeles City Council — to smooth the passage of real estate projects.
George Chiang, 41, agreed to plead guilty, according to documents filed in federal court today. The public officials involved in the scheme netted cash, consulting fees, concert and game tickets, and political donations as part of the scheme. The court papers detail how the city 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 Commitee, a release from the Department of Justice said. He also worked closely with a longtime city employee who became Deputy Mayor for Economic Development.
No date has been set for Chiang to enter his guilty plea. When he does, he will face up to 20 years in federal prison.
Support for LAist comes from
Chiang is the third person to plead guilty to a felony charge as part of a wide-ranging F.B.I. investigation into corruption at Los Angeles city hall. Former Councilmember Mitch Englander pled guilty to obstruction of justice in March.
In 2018, the FBI raided the home and office of Councilmember Jose Huizar, who then sat on the Planning and Land Use Management Committee, as part of the corruption probe. Huizar has not been charged with a crime, and continues to represent the 14th District.
DO DEEPER
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.
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
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
Best of LAist