Curren Price Becomes Latest Indictment in Troubled Los Angeles City Council
Los Angeles Councilman Curren Price has become the most recent member of the scandal-ridden Los Angeles City Council to face indictment, following the federal conviction of two former Councilmembers implicated in pay-to-play corruption.
According to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, Price’s wife allegedly received payments totaling more than $150,000 between 2019 and 2021 from developers before he voted to approve projects. He also is accused of failing to list the money his wife received on government disclosure forms.
Angelina Valencia-Dumarot, Communications Director for Price’s office released a statement saying:
“It’s highly unusual for charges like this to be brought up against a sitting City Councilmember without any prior notice or discussion. Curren Price is a longstanding public servant who has given his life to the City of Los Angeles. He looks forward to defending himself once he’s had an opportunity to face these charges.”
Angelina Valencia-Dumarot, Communications Director
After news of the charges broke today, Councilman Curren Price immediately resigned from his position as President Pro Tempore. Price was elected President Pro Tempore after Paul Krekorian’s election as Council President following Nury Martinez’s resignation from the City Council amid a racism scandal.
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In a separate statement, Council President Paul Krekorian announced his intention to introduce a motion on Wednesday, proposing a vote to determine the suspension of Price. If the motion passes and Price is suspended, he would forfeit all his privileges as a council member, including participation in committee and council meetings.
“I have had no greater privilege than to serve the people of Los Angeles and specifically the residents of District 9 and I look forward to having the opportunity to continue to be a strong voice for our culturally rich South Central, a part of our city that has long been disenfranchised, overlooked and forgotten.”
Councilman Curren Price
The Council District 9 representative, who also represents the historic South Central district, was born and raised in Los Angeles, began serving on the council in 2013 and was subsequently re-elected in both 2017 and 2022.
Prior to his role on the council, Price was elected to the Inglewood City Council in 1993. He later served as an Assemblymember in the California State Legislature in 2006.
Price says he is prepared to defend his name from the charges against him but the case follows a scandal plagued city council, who saw two former L.A City Councilmen convicted on federal corruption charges.
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In March, former Los Angeles City Councilman Mark-Ridley Thomas was convicted on federal corruption charges for obtaining special benefits for his son from the University of Southern California (USC), while voting in support of motions and a contract sought by the university.
The sentencing for former Los Angeles City Councilman José Huizar, who pleaded guilty to federal charges related to a bribery and money laundering scheme at City Hall, in January was postponed until September. Huizar admitted to accepting over $1.8 million in cash, gambling trips, and escorts in exchange for his endorsement of a proposed downtown hotel project.
