What's Happening?
Los Angeles City Councilman Curren Price is set to face additional corruption charges, as announced by L.A. County prosecutors. Price, who is already dealing with multiple counts of grand theft and perjury, is accused of voting in favor of projects that financially benefited his wife, Del Richardson. The new charges are expected to be revealed during a pretrial hearing in downtown Los Angeles. Previously, in June 2023, Price was charged with 10 counts of grand theft by embezzlement, perjury, and conflict of interest. These charges are linked to payments exceeding $150,000 received by Richardson from developers between 2019 and 2021, prior to Price's votes on related projects. Additionally, Price is accused of embezzling city funds by enrolling Richardson in his city-issued healthcare plan before their legal marriage. Price's attorney, Michael Schafler, has dismissed the new charges as an attempt to strengthen a weak case, arguing that there is no evidence Price was aware of any conflicts of interest.
Why It's Important?
The legal proceedings against Curren Price highlight ongoing concerns about corruption and ethical conduct within local government. The case underscores the potential for conflicts of interest when public officials have personal or familial financial ties to projects they oversee. This situation could impact public trust in the Los Angeles City Council and its decision-making processes. If proven guilty, Price's actions could lead to significant legal and political consequences, affecting his career and the governance of his district. The case also raises questions about the effectiveness of current disclosure and conflict-of-interest regulations, potentially prompting calls for reform to prevent similar issues in the future.
What's Next?
Curren Price is expected to face a preliminary hearing later this year, where the new charges will be formally addressed. The outcome of this hearing could determine the trajectory of the legal case against him. Meanwhile, Price's term is set to end in 2026 due to term limits, and several candidates have already announced their intention to run for his seat. The ongoing legal battle may influence the upcoming election, as voters consider the implications of the charges against Price and the integrity of their local representatives.
