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 .
Grand Jury Returns 34-Count Indictment Against Jose Huizar
Los Angeles City Councilmember Jose Huizar speaks on the steps of L.A. City Hall in this February 2013 file photo. (David McNew/Getty Images)
()
A federal grand jury has returned a 34-count indictment against suspended L.A. City Councilman Jose Huizar.
That indictment includes charges that Huizar led a criminal enterprise where he used his position at City Hall to enrich himself and others. Huizar is also accused of giving favorable treatment to developers who financed and facilitated bribes.
The accusations are part of a wide-ranging investigation into a pay-to-play scheme at Los Angeles City Hall. Huizar is scheduled to be arraigned Monday in Los Angeles Federal Court.
According to a Justice Department news release about today's indictment:
Support for LAist comes from
In total, Huizar allegedly agreed to accept at least $1.5 million in illicit financial benefits.
It also alleges that Huizar used "family members to launder hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes, making false statements on a bank loan application and failing to report his illicit benefits on tax returns and ethics disclosure forms."
Federal prosecutors said "Huizar is the fifth person to be charged in the ongoing corruption investigation being conducted by the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office."
Four other defendants have pleaded guilty. Prosecutors said three of those defendants who are cooperating with investigators are scheduled to be sentenced next February:
Former L.A. City Councilman Mitchell Englander pleaded guilty in court on July 7 and he faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.
READ MORE ON THIS ONGOING INVESTIGATION:
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.
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
-
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol. -
Kevin Lee's Tokyo Noir has become one of the top spots for craft-inspired cocktails. -
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight. -
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious. -
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress. -
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent.
Best of LAist