In a striking development from Los Angeles, city councilmember Curren Price stands accused of a staggering multimillion-dollar fraud. The allegations come from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office, which outlined a web of corruption that has plagued the councilman’s tenure. Price, a Democrat serving the Ninth District since 2013, now faces severe legal repercussions.
According to a mid-August press release, the DA’s office has filed multiple charges against Price for embezzlement and conflicts of interest. The statement asserts that he funneled over $800,000 to his wife through city contracts while simultaneously voting to approve multimillion-dollar agreements that benefited the housing authority and LA Metro.
The magnitude of these allegations is troubling. Price is accused of embezzling more than $33,800 in city funds between 2013 and 2017 to cover medical benefits for his wife, whom he falsely claimed to be his spouse while still legally married to another woman. This kind of deceit undermines the trust placed in public officials.
The charges against Price don’t end there. The indictment details a series of transactions involving his wife’s company, Del Richardson & Associates. From 2019 to 2021, the company received over $150,000 from developers just before Price cast votes to greenlight their projects. It raises grave concerns about self-dealing and the integrity of public service.
Further investigation revealed additional payments, with the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles purportedly transferring approximately $609,600 to Price’s wife’s business. This activity coincided with Price’s support for significant federal and state grants aimed at the housing agency. Additionally, from 2020 to 2021, LA Metro paid $219,500 to the same company while Price approved a motion allocating $30 million to the agency.
The revelations highlight the disturbing nature of Price’s actions as he allegedly leveraged his position for personal gain. Notably, he awarded over $2 million in federal COVID-19 grants to a nonprofit that was a tenant of a project he oversaw as CEO. Public funds meant to address homelessness now sit under a cloud of suspicion.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman weighed in on the scandal, condemning Price’s alleged actions. “Embezzling public funds and awarding contracts for your own financial gain is the antithesis of public service…” he stated firmly. Hochman’s comments emphasize the expectation for elected officials to act with honor and integrity.
The consequences for Price could be severe. Facing a total of 10 felony charges, he could be sentenced to up to 11 years in prison if convicted. This case reflects not just one individual’s misdeeds but also raises broader questions about accountability among elected officials. As investigations continue, the focus remains on ensuring that public service is upheld and that the citizens of Los Angeles receive the honesty and integrity they deserve from their representatives.
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