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FBI Agents Search Councilman José Huizar's City Hall Office, Boyle Heights Home
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)
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Federal agents executed search warrants at multiple locations tied to Los Angeles City Councilman José Huizar Wednesday, including his City Hall office and Boyle Heights home.
At roughly 9:15 a.m., FBI investigators entered and began searching Huizar's office inside City Hall, according to a city employee who was in the building when the search took place.
The FBI confirmed only that agents were "executing a federal search warrant at an office inside Los Angeles City Hall," according to spokeswoman Laura Eimiller. The affidavit granting the warrant is sealed, Eimiller said, meaning she could not comment on the investigation.
But a photo tweeted by L.A Times reporter Joel Rubin Wednesday showed agents in FBI jackets entering Huizar's office.The Times reportedan additional search warrant was executed at Huizar's home.
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FBI is currently searching the city hall office of LA City Councilmember Jose Huizar. We will update story as learn more @latimes. pic.twitter.com/4BY56HmA4G
— Joel Rubin (@joelrubin) November 7, 2018
Eimiller later said agents were searching "additional locations in and around L.A. County" related to the warrant served at City Hall. One of those searches was executed at an address listed in public documents as Huizar's residence.
In her brief statement, Eimiller said "no arrests are planned." She also said there was no threat to public safety.
FBI Agents raid the home & office of LA City Councilman Jose Huizar. Agents won’t say what they are looking for. pic.twitter.com/wJQtS4i2Gc
— Angie Crouch (@AngieNBCLA) November 7, 2018
Huizar was first elected to the City Council in 2005 and will be termed out in two years. In September his wife, Richelle Huizar, announced her intent to run for the District 14 seat in 2020. The district includes Eagle Rock, downtown and Boyle Heights.
In September, city officials reported receiving a complaint about Huizar through a site set up to report discrimination, harassment and retaliation. He'd previously settled a harassment suit brought by his former deputy chief of staff.
Stephen J. Kaufman, an attorney for Huizar, released a short statement, saying only they were "assessing the situation and have no further comment at this time."
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