LA Councilman Curren Price Charged in City Hall Corruption Probe
LA Councilman Curren Price Charged With Perjury, Embezzlement in New City Hall Bombshell
The shadow of corruption over Los Angeles City Hall grew darker Tuesday as veteran City Councilman Curren Price was charged with multiple felonies, including embezzlement and perjury. The charges, announced by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office, are a stunning blow to the city’s political establishment and represent the latest chapter in a sprawling City Hall corruption crisis that has already seen multiple council members fall.
The allegations against Curren Price paint a picture of brazen self-dealing, deepening public cynicism and raising urgent questions about the integrity of the city’s leadership. For many Angelenos, this is not just another scandal; it’s a confirmation of their worst fears about a rot at the heart of their government.
The Allegations: A Pattern of Deceit
The charges against Price stem from what prosecutors describe as a clear pattern of financial conflicts of interest and lies. According to the criminal complaint, Price is accused of:
- Embezzlement by a Public Official: Allegedly voting on city projects involving developers from whom his wife’s consulting firm had received payments. This creates a direct financial conflict of interest, where he stood to benefit personally from his public decisions.
- Perjury: Lying on government disclosure forms by failing to report the income his wife received from these developers.
- Conflict of Interest: Multiple counts related to his votes on these specific projects.
Prosecutors allege that Price’s actions constitute a profound betrayal of public trust. “The public’s trust in their elected officials is the bedrock of our democracy,” District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement. “That trust is shattered when officials appear to use their position to enrich themselves and their families.”
The “Rot at City Hall”: A Troubling Pattern
The charges against Curren Price do not exist in a vacuum. They are the latest in a series of high-profile corruption cases that have plagued Los Angeles City Hall, creating a narrative of systemic failure.
This pattern includes:
- The José Huizar Scandal: The former councilman was sentenced to prison for running a massive pay-to-play scheme involving real estate developers.
- The Mark Ridley-Thomas Conviction: The political veteran was convicted on federal corruption charges for a bribery scheme conducted while he was on the County Board of Supervisors.
- The Nury Martinez Leak: While not a financial crime, the leaked audio of council members making racist remarks exposed a toxic backroom culture of power-brokering and contempt for constituents.
The Los Angeles City Council scandals have created a crisis of legitimacy. Each new indictment reinforces the public’s perception that City Hall is a place where power is abused and personal gain is prioritized over public service.
What This Means for Los Angeles
The immediate political fallout will be significant. There will be immediate calls for Price to resign from his council seat. His case will now move through the court system, but the damage to public trust is already done.
This latest bombshell forces a difficult conversation for Angelenos. It raises critical questions about the city’s ethics laws, the influence of developer money in politics, and what it will take to truly reform a broken system. The charges against Price are not just about one man’s alleged crimes; they are a test of whether Los Angeles can finally confront and excise the rot that has taken hold at City Hall.
