The charges include five counts of grand theft by embezzlement, three counts of perjury, and two counts of conflict of interest. Price is the fourth Los Angeles current or former council member to face criminal charges in the last four years.
Price, who served on L.A. City Council, for a decade, is accused of voting on development projects in which he had a financial interest and collecting medical benefits for his now-wife while he was still married to his former wife. Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón released a statement alleging that Price’s wife, Del Richardson Price, operated a consulting company that collected “payments totaling more than $150,000 between 2019 and 2021 from developers before he voted to approve projects.”
The complaint further alleged that Richardson Price’s consulting firm received approximately $35,000 in 2019 from a company incorporated by developer Thomas Safran & Associates. Price later voted to fund a $4.6 million real estate project involving the company. Safran, however, denied any knowledge of the matter, stating, “I don’t know anything about it. I do know Del Richardson.”
WATCH: NFL LEGEND LAWRENCE TAYLOR ENDORSES TRUMP FOR PRESIDENT
Price was charged with perjury for allegedly failing to disclose the income that his wife received on government financial disclosure forms. Additionally, he was accused of receiving about $33,000 in medical premiums for Del Richardson from 2013 to 2017, despite being legally married to Lynn Suzette Green.
WATCH: THE BEST KAMALA IMPRESSION AT A TRUMP RALLY
June 15, 2023
“These alleged actions undermine the integrity of our government and erode the public’s trust in our elected officials,” said Gascón. Price announced that he would be stepping down from his position following the charges but did not explicitly confirm that he would give up his seat.
DECEIVED AND DEPLOYED: HOW HUNDREDS OF SRI LANKANS WERE TRICKED INTO FIGHTING RUSSIA'S WAR
In a letter to City Council President Paul Krekorian, Price wrote, “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.” However, Krekorian announced that he plans to move to suspend Price.
WHISTLEBLOWER ALERT: INSIDER CONFESSES EPA'S FATEFUL ERRORS AMID TOXIC CHAOS IN EAST PALESTINE
Richardson Price did not respond to a request for comment. In an official statement, Price’s office said, “We have not seen the charges filed against Councilmember Curren Price. It’s highly unusual for charges like this to be brought up against a sitting City Councilmember without any prior notice or discussion.”
SEE ANTONY BLINKEN'S ‘ROCKIN’ RESPONSE TO UKRAINIAN CONFLICT
“Curren Price is a long-standing 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 address these charges,” his office added. The charges against Price are a severe blow to the public’s trust in elected officials and the integrity of the government.
Discover alternative ideas that will make you think
Engage in mind bending debate
Earn points, rise in rank, have fun
