If you live in L.A., you need to know about the federal corruption investigation at City Hall. 👇
There have been allegations of envelopes of cash, a paper bag of cash and a liquor box with cash in it.
There are casino trips, casino chips, private jet travel, surveillance videos and disappearing texts.
It's a lot.
There are casino trips, casino chips, private jet travel, surveillance videos and disappearing texts.
It's a lot.
L.A. Councilman Jose Huizar was arrested Tuesday, becoming the most prominent figure yet to face criminal charges.
Prosecutors said Huizar was the leader of a “criminal enterprise,” in which developers were shaken down for bribes and political donations. latimes.com/california/sto…
Prosecutors said Huizar was the leader of a “criminal enterprise,” in which developers were shaken down for bribes and political donations. latimes.com/california/sto…
Huizar’s life story had been an inspiration to many in his Eastside district. He came to the U.S. from Mexico as a little boy, grew up in working-class Boyle Heights and went on to secure a law degree. latimes.com/california/sto…
The investigation into Huizar erupted into public view two years ago, when FBI agents raided Huizar’s offices and his home in Boyle Heights. latimes.com/local/lanow/la…
The same year, Huizar’s wife Richelle had launched a campaign to run for her husband’s seat, but abandoned her council bid in the wake of the FBI raids. latimes.com/local/lanow/la…
Huizar was quickly dropped from two powerful council committees — one that reviews big real estate projects and another that green lights tax breaks for developers.
latimes.com/local/lanow/la…
latimes.com/local/lanow/la…
Earlier this year, prosecutors began filing a series of cases against Huizar’s associates. Although their filings didn’t mention Huizar by name, the details pointed to him. latimes.com/california/sto…
The first big shoe to drop? City Councilman Mitchell Englander, who agreed to plead guilty in a case centering on allegations that he took envelopes of cash from a Southern California businessman. latimes.com/california/sto…
Last month, a former aide Huizar aide -- his driver and all-around political fixer -- agreed to plead guilty to corruption charges.
The aide admitted that a Chinese billionaire provided him and the councilman with trips to Las Vegas and other bribes. latimes.com/california/sto…
The aide admitted that a Chinese billionaire provided him and the councilman with trips to Las Vegas and other bribes. latimes.com/california/sto…
That same billionaire helped Huizar get a $570,000 loan to pay off a former aide who had accused him of sexual harassment, according to prosecutors.
latimes.com/california/sto…
latimes.com/california/sto…
In recent weeks, Huizar’s colleagues began calling on him to step down. In response he stopped attending council meetings altogether. latimes.com/california/sto…
Investigators also have been looking at other city officials, including former Deputy Mayor Raymond Chan, an appointee of Mayor Eric Garcetti. latimes.com/california/sto…
If you don’t know who your city councilperson is, you can check here: lacity.org/government/pop…
We could link to dozens of other stories, but for now, follow reporters @AlpertReyes, @DavidZahniser and @joelrubin for all of the latest information out of City Hall.
We could link to dozens of other stories, but for now, follow reporters @AlpertReyes, @DavidZahniser and @joelrubin for all of the latest information out of City Hall.
