Mayor Villaraigosa agrees to pay $42,000 ethics fine for accepting free tickets in violation of reporting laws
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has agreed to pay nearly $42,000 in fines to resolve state and city investigations into his practice of accepting tickets to sports events, concerts and pricey entertainment activities without reporting them as gifts, officials said Friday.
In a pact drafted by officials with the state Fair Political Practices Commission and the city Ethics Commission, Villaraigosa admitted that he failed to report free tickets to 34 events during his first five years in office, including Los Angeles Lakers games and concerts at such venues as Gibson Amphitheater.
Villaraigosa faced a maximum fine of more than $167,000 but was offered a smaller amount because investigators concluded that his violations were unintentional and that he made a “good faith” attempt to comply with the law, according to the agreement.
Villaraigosa highlighted those comments but insisted that he was “fully accountable” for his actions. “It is my responsibility to make sure I act in strict compliance with the applicable rules,” he said in a one-page statement.
The agreement with the mayor still must be approved by the FPPC and the Ethics Commission. Robert Stern, president of the Los Angeles-based Center for Governmental Studies, described the fine as “a significant amount of money” and predicted that it would serve as a warning to other politicians.
“I think this will draw enough attention to [the law] that other officials will be very careful about the events they go to, and make sure that they’re complying with the regulations,” Stern said.
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-- David Zahniser at Los Angeles City Hall
Photo: Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, right, sat in the cheap seats in June with Los Angeles Times' columnist Steve Lopez, who invited the mayor to join him after reports that Villaraigosa had accepted scores of free tickets.
Credit: Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times
EDITOR'S PICKS:
He is still a philandering scumbag...
Posted by: ken | April 01, 2011 at 02:40 PM
The amount of freebies was much more than $167,000. Some may argue that the actual value was around $350 million - the amount of "bond" money AEG is receiving for their for-profit stadium. If you add past deals, the amount is actually closer to $1 billion. Any agreement should have him rescind his past and future support of AEG projects.
Posted by: Not Just $167,000 | April 01, 2011 at 02:43 PM
Snakey.....That is all I have t osay about the Mayor of Los Angeles. Snakey.
Posted by: Luis Alvarado | April 01, 2011 at 02:45 PM
He should pay the full dollar value of the tickets he received as a penalty, and the money should go into the LA general fund to make up for all the work he HASN'T been doing.
This agreement still gives him a very nice discount - and at his inflated salary, he can afford to pay the total.
We should also reduce the salaries of the mayor (and the city council members as well). Politicians like this make too much money, think they are immune from the problems that most of us face, and then buy off their wrongs in negotiations like this one when they are caught.
What a corrupt person he is.
Posted by: l9h | April 01, 2011 at 02:49 PM
Cheap shot.
Whatever his politics--Mayor V. is the face of LA.
The Mayor's welcome at my kid's Little League Game anytime.
Hope it's not an ethic felony to offer a veggie burger gratis.
Jeeeeeeez Puleeze.
Posted by: thealaskan | April 01, 2011 at 02:50 PM
The photo sez it ALL.
Thank goodness for our city health ins. plan that hiz honor doesn't suffer nosebleeds.
Posted by: thealaskan | April 01, 2011 at 02:53 PM
Another pay off.
Not one of the but the worst Mayor LA has.
Posted by: Chillipepper | April 01, 2011 at 02:55 PM
Perfect pic of two idiots - Tony Villar and Steve "make up the facts" Lopez. Two bad these two weren't vaccinated against incompetency.
Posted by: Verbalocity | April 01, 2011 at 02:56 PM
he didnt forget... hes just another theiving mexican hoping to get away with it
Posted by: Borchy | April 01, 2011 at 02:59 PM
How does Mr. Mayor NOT know this?
Posted by: Indian Joe | April 01, 2011 at 03:00 PM
What a dirtbag low-life. We have the worst mayor and state legislature in the history of this country. Go clean a toilet Tony Villar.
Posted by: Beast | April 01, 2011 at 03:02 PM
Will $42,000 cover the cost of the investigation? If it doesn't, he needs to pay some more
Posted by: Tux | April 01, 2011 at 03:03 PM
Maybe, just maybe our Mayor is coming clean and starting to turn himself around in general. What a disappointment he has been for those who celebrated his first election but maybe he's discovering some humility and purpose - finally.
Posted by: Public Advocate | April 01, 2011 at 03:05 PM
I think when I get elected to office I will just cover my own costs for sporting events. It's just not worth risking a fine.
Posted by: SFkid | April 01, 2011 at 03:05 PM
Wow. For $42k, he could've gotten much better seats than that vertigo inducing perch. What an idiot.
Posted by: ttop | April 01, 2011 at 03:07 PM
Tony Villar is a political whore.
Posted by: Verbalocity | April 01, 2011 at 03:09 PM
This guy is such a disappointment.
Had high hopes for you Antonio.
Posted by: Authentic Angeleno | April 01, 2011 at 03:14 PM
Tony the Vag: Your conduct, excuses, and rationalizations are not surprising. Why should anyone expect forthright behavior from a half-pint t werp who is always looking to cut corners and get things for free.
Like it or not, your face is the face of despicable behavior.
And don't worry, no one expects anything good or worthwhile from you.
Posted by: Imshockedshocked | April 01, 2011 at 03:17 PM
A cost of doing business. Might even be tax write off.
Posted by: EnemyOfTheState | April 01, 2011 at 03:19 PM
What a slimy cheat. The good citizens of Los Angeles should unseat him ASAP.
Posted by: Zonker | April 01, 2011 at 03:26 PM
A politician and UCLA alum taking advantage of his/her office? Never heard of it.
Just wonder what various parts of the LA Hispanic community feel about the mayor? Thoughts?
Posted by: Native Angelino | April 01, 2011 at 03:31 PM
What else did Tony "forget" to tell us about?
Posted by: California Girl | April 01, 2011 at 03:31 PM
yay
Posted by: Galaxian | April 01, 2011 at 03:33 PM
about time
Posted by: Galaxian | April 01, 2011 at 03:34 PM
This is all much ado about nothing. Not a fan of Antonio, but I really could not care less if the mayor is getting free tickets to local sporting events. There are much more important things to take him to task for!
Posted by: Ridunculous | April 01, 2011 at 03:36 PM