The Los Angeles City Council will be considering a motion on Tuesday to elect a new president pro tempore, replacing Curren Price. Price recently stepped down from the position due to charges of embezzlement, perjury, and conflict of interest. Council President Paul Krekorian introduced the motion, which proposes holding an election at the next council meeting and nominating Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson for the position.
Last week, Price announced his decision to step down as council president pro tem and relinquished all his committee assignments, stating, “While I navigate through the judicial system to defend my name against unwarranted charges filed against me, the last thing I want to do is be a distraction to the people’s business,” in a letter to Krekorian.
District Attorney George Gascón commented on the charges against Price, stating that they are the result of a comprehensive investigation into allegations of public corruption. He added, “This alleged conduct undermines the integrity of our government and erodes the public’s trust in our elected officials.”
The charges against Price involve voting on projects that had ties to his wife’s consulting firm. Additionally, he is accused of embezzling money by having the city cover medical insurance premiums for his current wife while still being married to his first wife. A motion to suspend Price will first be reviewed by the council’s Rules Committee before being voted on by the full council.
Price is the latest in a series of Los Angeles city officials who have faced legal or political troubles. Former council members Jose Huizar and Mitch Englander have pleaded guilty to federal charges in recent years, and Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas was convicted earlier this year for trading votes while on the county Board of Supervisors. Former City Council President Nury Martinez also resigned last year after being caught on tape in a racially charged conversation about the council’s redistricting process with two other council members and a county labor official.
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