The Los Angeles City Council will be discussing a motion on Tuesday to elect a new president pro tempore, as Curren Price has resigned from the position following charges of embezzlement, perjury, and conflict of interest. Council President Paul Krekorian introduced the motion, which proposes holding an election for the position at the next council meeting and nominates Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson as the replacement.
After being charged last week, Price announced his decision to step down as council president pro tem and relinquished all committee assignments.
“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,” wrote Price in a letter to Krekorian.
District Attorney George Gascón stated that the charges against Price were the result of a thorough investigation into allegations of public corruption.
“This alleged conduct undermines the integrity of our government and erodes the public’s trust in our elected officials,” he added.
The charges allege that Price voted on projects involving developers connected to his wife’s consulting firm. He is also accused of embezzling money by having the city cover medical insurance premiums for his current wife while still being married to his first wife.
Before the full council votes on suspending Price, the motion will first go through the council’s Rules Committee.
Price joins a list 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, while Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas was convicted earlier this year for trading votes during his time on the county Board of Supervisors in exchange for benefits provided by USC to his son.
Last year, former City Council President Nury Martinez resigned after being caught on tape engaging 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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