Los Angeles City Councilman Curren Price appeared in court for the first time on Thursday, facing criminal charges of theft by embezzlement, perjury, and conflict of interest. These charges stem from allegations that he voted on projects involving developers connected to his wife’s consulting firm without disclosing the connections. Price’s arraignment is scheduled for August 28 at the downtown Los Angeles courthouse.
During the court appearance, Superior Court Judge Kimberley Baker Guillemet allowed Price to remain free on his own recognizance but imposed two conditions. Price must be fingerprinted and booked, and he must disclose any conflicts of interest on contracts or agreements before the City Council and recuse himself from voting on those issues.
The criminal complaint accuses Price of embezzling money between 2013 and 2017 by having the city cover approximately $33,800 in medical premiums for Del Richardson, whom he claimed to be married to while still being married to Lynn Suzette Price. Price, who asserts his innocence, has represented the Ninth District since 2013 and previously held positions in the state Assembly and state Senate.
Price sent a letter to Council President Paul Krekorian announcing his decision to step down as council president pro tem and surrender all of his committee assignments. In the letter, Price emphasized that he did not want to distract from the people’s business while navigating through the judicial system.
Council President Krekorian introduced a motion to suspend Price the day after the criminal charges were filed. However, the Rules, Elections, and Intergovernmental Relations Committee of the Los Angeles City Council deferred a recommendation on Price’s suspension until their upcoming meeting on August 25.
Following the committee meeting, Price issued a statement expressing his satisfaction with the delay in the vote. He stated that he has not yet had the opportunity to address the charges against him and hopes that the committee and the full Council will presume his innocence.
If convicted, Price could face probation or a sentence of approximately eight to ten years in prison. This legal trouble adds him to the list of Los Angeles city officials who have faced legal or political turmoil in recent years. Former council members Jose Huizar and Mitch Englander have pleaded guilty to federal charges, and Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas was convicted of federal charges for trading votes. Additionally, former City Council President Nury Martinez resigned after being recorded in a racially charged conversation regarding the council’s redistricting process.
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