Los Angeles, CA—Councilman Curren Price has become the most recent member of the current Los Angeles City Council to face indictment. According to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, Price is accused of failing to list the money his wife received on government disclosure forms. A criminal complaint alleges his wife received payments totaling more than $150,000 between 2019 and 2021 from developers before he voted to approve projects.
Price was served yesterday at his Los Angeles field office, and shortly after, the news was reported by the Los Angeles Times. He is scheduled for arraignment in July, facing charges including five counts of embezzling government funds, three counts of perjury, and two counts of conflict of interest.
After news broke Tuesday, Councilman Curren Price immediately resigned from his position as President Pro Tempore. He was appointed in 2022, after Paul Krekorian’s election as Council President, following Nury Martinez’s resignation from the City Council amid a racism scandal.
Angelina Valencia-Dumarot, Communications Director for Price’s office, released a statement saying it is 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.”
The Council District 9 representative, who also represents the historic South Central district, was born and raised in Los Angeles. Price first served on Inglewood’s City Council in 1993. He later served as an Assemblymember in the California State Legislature in 2006. His tenure on Los Angeles City Council began in 2013, and he was subsequently re-elected in both 2017 and 2022.
In a separate statement, Council President Paul Krekorian announced his intention to introduce a motion today, 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,” Curren Price said in a statement.
Just a few months ago, 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 in January on federal charges related to a bribery and money laundering scheme at City Hall, 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.
Price asserts his readiness to defend his reputation against the charges leveled against him. However, these allegations come in the wake of a City Council that has been plagued by scandal, as evidenced by the convictions of two former L.A. City Councilmen. The Council’s tarnished history adds to the gravity of the situation surrounding Price’s case.
The Los Angeles City Council meets every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 10:00 am.
