Support for LAist comes from
Audience-funded nonprofit news
Stay Connected
Audience-funded nonprofit news
Listen

Share This

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.

News

Councilman Alarcón, Accused of Not Living in his District, Blames Break-In

richard-alarcon-home.jpg
()

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 . 

An issue raised years ago has resurfaced once again as neighbors of Councilmember Richard Alarcón say they haven't seen him around in recent months. Such accusations have led to an investigation by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, according to the LA Times. Two search warrants were served earlier this week to homes owned by Alarcon's wife--one within his Council District 7 and another in Council District 2. Both homes are in the Northeast San Fernando Valley.

Back in 2007, Alarcón wanted his district boundaries to be redrawn. If that happened, both of his wife's homes--she was then his fiancee--would be within the district.

Today, the councilmember admitted to not living in his district because he feared for his safety after a burglary in October. A squatter took over his home for less than two days, he told the LA Times. The apparent "mentally ill man broke into his house, changed the locks on at least three doors and destroyed his possessions, including many of his clothes," the paper described.

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
A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right
(
LAist
)

Trending on LAist