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Pay to Play Investigation Widens

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The Daily News and the Times are both reporting on the Federal investigation into allegedly corrupt City Hall bidding and contracting practices, a probe that has led prosecutors to subpoena Mayor James Hahn's emails. This development will add a juicy subplot to the political drama of the upcoming city primary election, which already features the much-hyped Bernard Parks vs. James Hahn Cage Match and a growing feeling among Valley voters that the DWP hornswaggled them in order to head off the secession movement.Oh yeah, this oughta be good.

One thing about this story has LAist scratching our heads. Buried within the Daily News story is this quote from Antonio Villaraigosa:

"This scandal has spread like a cancer from the DWP to the airport and now the highest offices of the city," said Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa, one of the major challengers to Hahn in next March's primary, adding that it was "a sad day for the city of Los Angeles," which has prided itself for decades on being corruption-free.

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Corruption-free? Huh?

Let the hyperbole begin.

Yeah, for those who enjoy a good old-fashioned political wrestling match, this is definitely gonna be good.

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