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If you live in L.A., you need to know about the federal corruption investigation at City Hall. 
There have been allegations of envelopes of cash, a paper bag of cash and a liquor box with cash in it.
There are casino trips, casino chips, private jet travel, surveillance videos and disappearing texts.
It's a lot.
There are casino trips, casino chips, private jet travel, surveillance videos and disappearing texts.
It's a lot.
L.A. Councilman Jose Huizar was arrested Tuesday, becoming the most prominent figure yet to face criminal charges.
Prosecutors said Huizar was the leader of a “criminal enterprise,” in which developers were shaken down for bribes and political donations. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-06-23/jose-huizar-arrest-corruption-city-hall-fbi-investigation
Prosecutors said Huizar was the leader of a “criminal enterprise,” in which developers were shaken down for bribes and political donations. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-06-23/jose-huizar-arrest-corruption-city-hall-fbi-investigation
Huizar’s life story had been an inspiration to many in his Eastside district. He came to the U.S. from Mexico as a little boy, grew up in working-class Boyle Heights and went on to secure a law degree. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-06-25/jose-huizar-corruption-case-district-responds
The investigation into Huizar erupted into public view two years ago, when FBI agents raided Huizar’s offices and his home in Boyle Heights. https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-jose-huizar-investigation-20181107-story.html
The same year, Huizar’s wife Richelle had launched a campaign to run for her husband’s seat, but abandoned her council bid in the wake of the FBI raids. https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-richelle-huizar-campaign-20181121-story.html
Huizar was quickly dropped from two powerful council committees — one that reviews big real estate projects and another that green lights tax breaks for developers. https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-huizar-committees-20181115-story.html
Earlier this year, prosecutors began filing a series of cases against Huizar’s associates. Although their filings didn’t mention Huizar by name, the details pointed to him. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-05-13/la-city-hall-corruption-consultant-guilty-plea
The first big shoe to drop? City Councilman Mitchell Englander, who agreed to plead guilty in a case centering on allegations that he took envelopes of cash from a Southern California businessman. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-03-27/former-city-councilman-mitchell-englander-agrees-to-plead-guilty-in-corruption-case
Last month, a former aide Huizar aide -- his driver and all-around political fixer -- agreed to plead guilty to corruption charges.
The aide admitted that a Chinese billionaire provided him and the councilman with trips to Las Vegas and other bribes. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-05-27/ex-jose-huizar-aide-george-esparza-guilty-plea-pay-to-play
The aide admitted that a Chinese billionaire provided him and the councilman with trips to Las Vegas and other bribes. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-05-27/ex-jose-huizar-aide-george-esparza-guilty-plea-pay-to-play
That same billionaire helped Huizar get a $570,000 loan to pay off a former aide who had accused him of sexual harassment, according to prosecutors. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-05-29/jose-huizar-george-esparza-alleged-secret-sexual-harassment-settlement
In recent weeks, Huizar’s colleagues began calling on him to step down. In response he stopped attending council meetings altogether. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-05-15/city-hall-corruption-probe-jose-huizar-council-meetings
Investigators also have been looking at other city officials, including former Deputy Mayor Raymond Chan, an appointee of Mayor Eric Garcetti. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-05-20/federal-corruption-investigation-la-city-hall-ray-chan
If you don’t know who your city councilperson is, you can check here: https://www.lacity.org/government/popular-information/elected-officials/city-council
We could link to dozens of other stories, but for now, follow reporters @AlpertReyes, @DavidZahniser and @joelrubin for all of the latest information out of City Hall.
We could link to dozens of other stories, but for now, follow reporters @AlpertReyes, @DavidZahniser and @joelrubin for all of the latest information out of City Hall.
