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Herb Wesson Is Approved To Take Over CD 10 Seat
Herb Wesson at the unveiling of Obama Boulevard on May 04, 2019, in Los Angeles, California.
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The Los Angeles City Council has unanimously voted to appoint former member Herb Wesson to fill the 10th District seat.
He'll temporarily replace Mark Ridley-Thomas, who's been suspended on federal corruption charges. Councilmember Mike Bonin tried — but failed — to delay the vote.
The Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Southern California and others filed a lawsuit late last week seeking to get Ridley-Thomas reinstated and block Wesson's appointment.
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USC Professor Frank Zerunyan says the pending litigation could affect the appointment.
“To be honest, it's not going to change anything rushing this through. Because a court, as I said, can fashion an order that will dismantle all this anyway,” Zerunyan said.
The complaint alleges “the decision to suspend Ridley-Thomas contravenes the bedrock presumption of innocence guaranteed under California law.” Ridley-Thomas has denied wrongdoing.
The council is asking the city attorney and others for more information about the appointment process and details for holding a special election.
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