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LA Ethics Commission fines former councilmember Kevin de León
Kevin de León speaks at his campaign party in Los Angeles, on Nov. 5, 2024.
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Zaydee Sanchez
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LAist
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Topline:
Kevin de León was fined nearly $19,000 after the former L.A. City Councilmember admitted to violating city law.
Why now: The city’s Ethics Commission announced its unanimous decision to fine him Wednesday.
Why it matters: De León admitted to five violations for participating in decisions in which he had a financial interest and failing to disclose income, according to the commission.
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The backstory: The financial interest was connected to his work with USC and the Healthy Housing Foundation, which is controlled by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation.
What officials say: Kenneth Hardy, director of enforcement for the Ethics Commission, said in a statement that the decision reaffirms the importance of transparent and accountable government.
“To avoid conflicts of interests, it is essential that City officials properly disclose their reportable financial interests,” Hardy said in a statement. “It is also incumbent on City officials to review each meeting agenda, identify items in which they may have a financial interest, reach out to the City Attorney’s Office or the Ethics Commission with questions, and recuse themselves from participating in items that create conflicts.”
What’s next: All fines handed down by the Ethics Commission go into the city’s general fund.
A representative listed in De León’s proposed settlement didn’t immediately respond to LAist’s request for comment.
Go deeper: Kevin de León’s concession in the District 14 race.
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