Los Angeles City Councilman Curren Price appeared in court on Thursday, facing criminal charges of theft by embezzlement, perjury, and conflict of interest. The charges stem from allegations that Price voted on projects involving developers connected to his wife’s consulting firm without disclosing the connections.
Price’s arraignment is scheduled for August 28th at the downtown Los Angeles courthouse. Superior Court Judge Kimberley Baker Guillemet allowed him to remain free on his own recognizance but imposed two conditions. Price must be fingerprinted, booked, and announce any conflicts of interest on contracts or agreements before the City Council. Additionally, he must immediately recuse himself from voting on these issues.
The criminal complaint alleges that between 2013 and 2017, Price embezzled money by having the city cover nearly $33,800 in medical premiums for Del Richardson, whom he claimed to be married to, despite still being married to Lynn Suzette Price at the time.
Price, who has maintained his innocence, has represented the Ninth District, which includes most of South Los Angeles and Exposition Park, since 2013. He previously served in the state Assembly and state Senate.
In a statement released after the court hearing, Price expressed gratitude for the court’s decision to allow time for engagement with the District Attorney. He thanked his constituents and the city of Los Angeles for their support and expressed his commitment to continue serving the people.
Price’s statement further stated that the charges filed by the DA’s office are unwarranted and that he has always conducted himself with integrity and professionalism.
The councilman was charged on June 13th with five counts of grand theft by embezzlement, three counts of perjury, and two counts of conflict of interest. In response, Price stepped down as council president pro tem and surrendered all of his committee assignments.
In his letter to Council President Paul Krekorian, Price expressed his decision to step down to avoid distracting from the people’s business while defending himself against the charges.
Krekorian introduced a motion to suspend Price shortly after the criminal case was filed. However, the Rules, Elections, and Intergovernmental Relations Committee of the Los Angeles City Council voted to defer a recommendation on Price’s suspension until their meeting on August 25th.
Following the committee meeting, Price released a statement expressing his satisfaction with the vote delay, as he has not yet had the opportunity to answer the charges against him.
Price stated, “I hope that the committee, and the full Council, will extend the same presumption of innocence that the law extends to me, and I look forward to proving my innocence.”
If convicted, Price could face a sentence ranging from probation to approximately eight to ten years in prison. He is the latest Los Angeles city official to face legal or political trouble, following the convictions of former council members Jose Huizar, Mitch Englander, and Mark Ridley-Thomas.
Former City Council President Nury Martinez resigned last year after a controversial conversation regarding the council’s redistricting process.
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