South L.A. State Senator Indicted on 8 Felony Charges

First a L.A. City Councilmember, now this? A state Senator who represents a portion of South L.A. and surrounding communities was indicted today for a number of felonies by a Los Angeles County Grand Jury. Senator Roderick Wright is accused of "filing a false declaration of candidacy, voter fraud and perjury beginning in 2007, when he changed his voter registration to run for the Legislature," according to the LA Times.

Wright is accused of registering at an Inglewood residence within his 25th state Senate district while actually living in Baldwin Hills, which is in the 26th district. Elected officials are required to live within their district. In the 2008 and 2009 elections, Wright voted as an Inglewood resident.

Attorney Winston Kevin McKesson told wire services that his client should be "fully exonerated.” “I disagree with the indictment,” he said. “Senator Wright complied with the law.” The Senator pleaded not guilty.

If convicted, Wright could be sentenced up to eight years and four months in prison and would be barred from holding office ever again.

Last month a similar case was seen by a grand jury. In that one Los Angeles City Councilman Richard Alarcon and his wife were indicted on a total of 21 felony charges.