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LA councilmember Curren Price recovering after dehydration scare
Topline:
Los Angeles City Councilmember Curren Price was hospitalized Wednesday after suffering from dehydration during a groundbreaking ceremony for the L.A. Convention Center expansion project, according to his office.
What happened: Price, 74, appeared to become dizzy as people were speaking at the 7:30 a.m. event. Video shared by KABC shows Mayor Karen Bass, a former nurse, helping to tend to him before paramedics arrived and placed him in a wheelchair and took him to an ambulance. He appeared to be awake and alert.
Office statement: “During today’s groundbreaking for the expansion of the Los Angeles Convention Center, Councilmember Curren Price experienced a health-related incident. After undergoing initial evaluations, medical experts determined that he was suffering from dehydration. Out of an abundance of caution, he will continue to be monitored.”
Where things stand: In an updated statement, Angelina Valencia-Dumarot, a spokesperson for Price, said the council member is "resting and recovering, while staying fully engaged with his staff to ensure the work of serving District 9 continues without interruption."
About Price: Price represents Council District 9, which includes the Convention Center. He is an avid supporter of the controversial $2.6 billion expansion project, which was approved by the City Council last month. He previously served in the state Assembly and Senate.
Corruption charges: The L.A. District Attorney’s Office has accused Price of multiple public corruption charges, alleging he voted to approve projects involving developers who had paid money to his wife’s consulting company. A preliminary hearing on the charges is scheduled for Nov. 3. Price has pleaded not guilty.