Los Angeles City Councilman Curren Price is scheduled to be arraigned Friday on criminal charges involving theft by embezzlement, perjury, and conflict of interest. These charges stem from his alleged voting on projects connected to developers linked to his wife’s consulting firm and failing to disclose these connections.
Price will appear in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom to face the felony complaint filed on June 13. The charges against him include five counts of grand theft by embezzlement, three counts of perjury, and two counts of conflict of interest.
In July, Superior Court Judge Kimberley Baker Guillemet allowed the 72-year-old councilman to remain free on his own recognizance. However, his arraignment was further postponed on August 28.
The criminal complaint alleges that Price embezzled money between 2013 and 2017 by having the city pay approximately $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 maintains his innocence, has represented the Ninth District, which encompasses most of South Los Angeles and Exposition Park, since 2013. He previously served in the state Assembly and state Senate.
Following his initial court appearance in July, Price released a statement expressing gratitude for the court’s allowance to engage with the District Attorney in the coming weeks. He also thanked his constituents and the city of Los Angeles for their overwhelming support. Price stated, “I look forward to continuing to do the people’s business.”
Price’s statement further denied the charges brought by the DA’s office, asserting their unwarranted nature. He emphasized his commitment to integrity and professionalism in both public and private life.
In the afternoon of his court appearance, Price sent a letter to Council President Paul Krekorian, announcing his decision to step down as council president pro tem and relinquishing all committee assignments. In the letter, he explained that he did not want to create any distractions as he defended his name against the charges.
On August 8, Price returned to City Hall for the first time since being charged. He entered the council’s chambers with a business-as-usual approach, encountering little disruption from those in attendance.
During the public comment period that day, some members of the public openly criticized Price’s return, stating that he should not be participating in any voting activities.
If convicted, Price could face a sentence ranging from probation to approximately eight to 10 years in prison, as stated by Deputy District Attorney Casey Higgins outside the court following the brief hearing in July.
Price joins a growing list of Los Angeles city officials who have faced legal or political troubles. Former council members Jose Huizar and Mitch Englander pleaded guilty to federal charges in recent years, and Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas was convicted earlier this year for trading votes during his tenure on the county Board of Supervisors. Additionally, former City Council President Nury Martinez resigned in 2020 after being caught on tape engaging in a racially charged conversation about the council’s redistricting process.
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