Los Angeles City Councilmember Curren Price said on Wednesday, June 21, that it would be “inappropriate” for a city council committee that’s meeting this Friday to recommend suspending him from his seat on the council until he’s had a chance to address corruption charges recently filed against him.
Wednesday’s statement from Price, a third-term councilmember who represents Angelenos in South L.A. and a part of downtown in Council District 9, marked his first public comment since Tuesday, June 13, when the county District Attorney’s Office charged him with 10 counts of embezzlement, perjury and conflict of interest.
“I have lived my entire life in public service honorably and with no other focus than the best interests of my constituents. As such, I am eager to respond both to the misguided charges that have been filed against me, and the unfair aspersions that have been cast upon my wife. I am confident that the court, and any fair observers, will recognize that these charges are unwarranted,” Price said in his statement.
“Until I have had an opportunity to address the charges in court, it is inappropriate for the Rules, Elections, and Intergovernmental Relations Committee to recommend my suspension from the City Council,” he continued. “While I respect that Council President Krekorian has to take any allegations against a member of the Council seriously, I am presumed innocent, as indeed I am, and the best way to protect the voices and concerns of those in my District is to allow me and my dedicated staff to continue to serve the needs of District 9.”
The City Council’s rules committee is expected to consider suspending Price while his case makes its way through the legal system. Any decisions the committee makes would just be a recommendation; the full council would still need to decide what it ultimately wants to do.
Price previously called the charges against him “unwarranted” and is expected to be arraigned July 13.
He’s…
Read the full article here