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ERIC PREVEN’S NOTEBOOK - Marqueece Harris-Dawson’s (CD8) appointment of Staffer B John Lee (CD12) as Chair of the Planning and Land Use Committee is an unsettling reminder of the city's indifference to ethical leadership. Not only is Lee an unindicted co-conspirator in Mitch Englander’s pay-to-play operation, but he also carries the burden of the upskirt incident, which cost taxpayers $75,000 in a settlement. It’s clear that Mitchell Englander successfully passed the baton to Lee, who has become the torchbearer for Englander Knabe & Allen, a downtown influence powerhouse. This appointment betrays the public’s desire for integrity in city governance.
Lee’s inappropriate behavior in the workplace, coupled with his involvement in questionable dealings with nonprofits like the YMCA, reveals a disturbing pattern of misconduct. His role in steering donations for personal and political gain, while overseeing staff involved in egregious behavior, makes him unfit for leadership. Yet Harris-Dawson has entrusted him with shaping the future of development in Los Angeles, a position that requires transparency and ethical governance.
In appointing Lee, the City Council sends a dangerous message: ethical violations and shady dealings will not only be tolerated but rewarded with greater power.
Worse yet, he is currently suing the city's Ethics Commission, underscoring his ongoing disregard for transparency and accountability. Appointing someone with this checkered history is a terrible choice for Los Angeles, which deserves leaders of integrity.
One wonders if Ray Chan who got a 12 year prison sentence will be roomies with Jose Huizar who got up to 13 years?
Ray Chan City Council Meeting 2017 v1
Timeless classic as Mitchell Englander and Paul Krekorian and all y'all praise treasured partner and felon, Ray Chan.
Call me Frannie:
Pope Francis recently appointed more than 20 new cardinals, but only one of them is from North America. Disappointing.
Bishop Mykola Bychok, a 44-year-old leader of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Melbourne, became the youngest cardinal with this appointment, which acknowledges the ongoing war in Ukraine and the global role of the church.
Had Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, born on June 30, 1982, been appointed, she would have held that title as the youngest cardinal.
Known for her work as a politician, advertising executive, and activist, Horvath’s potential appointment sparked conversations among board watchers in Los Angeles about the recognition of local figures like her.
The appointments reflect the Pope's ongoing global focus, prioritizing regions outside traditional Western influence. Interestingly, Horvath was once considered a Notre Dame conservative but has since transformed into a Sheila Kuehl-Mike-Antonovich-style liberal.
Like Ambassador Eric Garcetti, Horvath appears in campaign mode 24/7, with Estevan Montemayor, the brains behind her operation, often seen pulling strings behind the curtain.
Oops: Explosion Fallout—Literally
For all the promises of a spectacular artsy "blast off," it turns out that Cai Guo-Qiang’s fiery display on September 15, at the L.A. Coliseum came with more than just artistic flair—it brought actual debris raining down on the audience. While 5,000 of us stood on the field, colorful chalk-based fireworks exploded overhead. But the real impact? Holes burned into sweatshirts and bits of rock that fell like unwelcome confetti, no doubt causing more damage than the “footwear field damage” Getty was so concerned about.
No earplugs? Check. No warning for those prone to light-induced seizures? Check. Getty’s obsession with protecting the football field over the wellbeing of attendees is just the start. The bigger question remains: where else will this debris fallout land in future shows? South Central residents may want to take cover next time the Coliseum hosts an “artful” explosion.
And this, folks, was just the pregame show for the mega-event programming coming fast and furious. With the Olympics on the horizon, if this fireworks display is any indicator, adjacent neighborhoods might want to brace for even bigger—and potentially hazardous—spectacles. So much for no "malfunctions."
Looks like the wind wasn’t as cooperative as we hoped. Gone are the days when a windbag like Mark Ridley-Thomas could be counted on...
Motion du Jour:
As Paul Krekorian heads for the exit, the Los Angeles City Council faces a mountain of legal claims, with a half-dozen cases set for discussion in closed session on Tuesday. These cases, ranging from auto collisions and trip-and-fall incidents to police-related litigation, underscore the city's growing liability concerns.
Each case represents significant potential costs for the city, which, as Kenneth Mejia highlighted has already blown through its yearly liability budget in just three months. Not good. Great!
Nothing to See here: Keep moving.
Paul Krekorian's motion for Tuesday reallocates $400,000 in surplus bond proceeds originally designated for the Vineland project to support the Chandler Bikeway Project.
This funding aims to enhance community mobility, promote cycling, and address demands for safer biking routes. The City Council must approve the motion to authorize the transfer, ensuring transparency and accountability in public fund usage.
Overall, this shift raises the total funding for the Chandler Bikeway Project to $1,600,000, underscoring a commitment to sustainable transportation solutions. [...and the Bike lobby.].
LACityEthics.com is the official website for the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission.
Mills Action:
Smart Speaker: It’s Eric Preven from Studio City, you never call me up so I write my public comments. Tuesday I would like to comment on the recent recommendations by the Cultural Heritage Commission to designate the Gaylord Apartments, located at 3355–3357 West Wilshire Boulevard and 639–649 South Kenmore Avenue, and the Astro Family Restaurant, situated at 2300–2306 North Fletcher Drive and 2611 North Silver Lake Boulevard, as Historic-Cultural Monuments.
The inclusion of these sites in the Historic-Cultural Monuments list not only acknowledges their significance but also might allow the property owners to benefit from tax incentives through the Mills Act, promoting a sustainable approach to historic preservation in Los Angeles.
Mark Ridley-Thomas, indicate felon, was a pioneer in this space.
The Mills Act enables local governments to contract with owners of qualified historic properties, providing property tax reductions to encourage preservation and restoration.
While preserving our historical landmarks is vital, we must ask whether granting tax breaks for these properties is the best use of taxpayer dollars. Shouldn't we be addressing the pressing needs of our communities, especially in resource-scarce areas? Our tax incentives should benefit all Angelenos, not just a select few.
Trojan Report:
The Minnesota Golden Gophers staged a fourth-quarter comeback to upset No. 11 USC 24-17 Saturday night in Minneapolis.
A dude/bro writes:
“Dude, as a bummed PAC-12 fan, watching USC and UCLA bail for the Big Ten was a major let down. They ditched the vibe for some quick cash, and honestly, they deserve every bit of that hammering from Minnesota! I hope all their fans caught the Gophers’ determination because it shows what real grit looks like. The fancy “Bros of USC” got served, and it’s about time they faced the music for putting TV money over everything.”
Bros Best Be Better:
The Dodgers lost to the San Diego Padres, 10-2, and during the seventh inning, Dodger fans reportedly began to pelt the Padres with junk. A fan interviewed by KNX said, “I loved it. That’s LA.”
No, it’s not. Holy crap! Angelenos throwing shit at players on the field is unacceptable, especially when our leadership has become heat-seeking missiles to become the mega-event center of the… world, actually, the universe.
This isn't just a bad look; it reflects a Bros will-be Bros culture that is toxic. Casey Wasserman—
City Attorney: Mr. Preven you are off topic.
Thank you. Incidentally, I’m wondering if the LA County Board of Supervisors is aware of the staggering amount of sex trafficking associated with the wild sporting event-related parties for which James T. Butts, Mayor of Inglewood, is the poster boy.
On a brighter note, people are stunned by NBC's relentless and repetitive promotion of Snoop Dogg. During the NFL game on Sunday night, Snoop sat down with Mike Tirico of NBC. He’s a Pittsburgh fan but didn’t have too much to say. Still, one can only imagine how much Snoop Dogg was paid for his appearance - he got $9 million to attend the Olympics at a rate of $500,000 a day - and how many affordable housing units will go unbuilt as a result.
The focus on celebrity endorsements in major events often overshadows critical issues like the housing crisis in Los Angeles. As resources are funneled into high-profile promotions, the community suffers from the lack of investment in essential infrastructure, particularly affordable housing.
This disconnect between glitzy events and the pressing needs of the city reflects a troubling trend that was neatly avoided in a piece in this weekend’s LA Times.
What the Geniuses are saying? Not too much.
The Times article asked 11 intellectuals—poets, urbanists, historians, and artists—what the real Los Angeles should showcase for the 2028 Olympics.
Michael Maltzan calls for removing the palm trees and Hollywood sign to move past cliches, while Jessica Kim emphasizes L.A.'s immigrant history. Thom Mayne advocates for creativity in infrastructure. Jay Lynn Gomez and Héctor Tobar stress highlighting working-class communities. Venita Blackburn and D.J. Waldie discuss the city’s contradictions and diversity. Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris focuses on public spaces, Luis Rodriguez on resilience, Wendy Cheng on underrepresented cultures, and Aaron Paley envisions a car-free zone.
Smart Speaker: Thank you, If you ask me what Los Angeles should showcase for the 2028 Olympics, the PUBLIC obviously! Why don’t we prioritize actual public engagement? We must not overlook how the city council and county board mercilessly manipulate public meetings, stifling dissent. Just last Friday, the closed session of the council on redistricting was extended until 6 PM, raising serious questions about transparency. Rather than dealing with a very important issue of our time, the sneaky council goes behind closed doors, effectively blocking LA from fixing the real issues in our communities. We demand accountability and open discussions I urge you all to step down, quickly.
But watch your step…we can’t take on any more lawsuits.
101-C U next Tuesday:
Supervisors Hilda Solis and Lindsey Horvath introduced a motion late on Friday aimed at improving transparency and accountability in Los Angeles County’s contracting processes, following recommendations from a two-year investigation by Covington & Burling.
Smart Speaker: Holy shit, here it is…..
The motion outlines plans to prevent fraud, and conflicts of interest, and increase contract oversight. Yet, despite that breezy rundown, the report remains confidential and so hidden from public view.
Rufkm
No.
Let’s not forget—just last year, a sitting Supervisor, Mark Ridley-Thomas, was indicted on federal corruption charges for wheeling and dealing at USC. Yes, the same one that overpaid for Lincoln Riley.
The fact that a report tied to preventing this kind of corruption is being withheld from the public is beyond unacceptable. The public has waited long enough for answers. We deserve to see the invoices for this consultation and, more importantly, the full report itself.
If the Covington & Burling report is not made public immediately, it’s time for the entire Board of Supervisors, County Counsel, and the Chief Executive Officer to step down. The people of LA County deserve transparency, not hidden findings and empty promises.
It’s a fundamental principle that public office cannot be used for personal enrichment*. This isn’t just about ethics; it’s a pillar of our democracy.
The U.S. Constitution itself guards against corruption at every level of government. When those in power betray public trust, they undermine the very system meant to serve the people.
Put the report on the table… Bonta!
Bonta's Big Nothingburger - Make It Public
Finally, Bonta weighs in—but can we talk about the hypocrisy dripping from this whole situation? Remember, "hypocrite" literally means actor. In LA’s political theater, these characters aren’t just acting; they’re performing award-winning backroom deals and smoke-and-mirror democracy. [APPLAUSE]
It's a shame Mike Bonta the Attorney General is such a useless weenie. Had he indicted Nury Martinez, Gil Cedillo, Kevin DeLeon, and Ron Herrera for their starring roles in the infamous tape scandal we’d be somewhere else by now. And the rest of the cast would be right behind them. Just recently, Bonta published his confidential report, which to me is nothing short of insane.
Why wasn’t Map K2.1—the one the commission approved but was ignored in favor of the land-grabbing schemes of certain councilmembers, adopted? Maybe as punishment, we should insist that all 15 thieves run again in 2026, with their dirty deeds out in the open for all to see.
Paul Krekorian’s sleight of hand is Oscar-worthy. Filleting all the contentious land use disputes into Nithya Raman’s district by redrawing CD4 was a masterstroke of bad acting. The political Frankenstein districts were crafted to confuse, distract, and, most importantly, protect the vested interests of legacy power players. Supporting Actor goes to sidekick, Karo Torossian, for “participation” (even while bellyaching about Brown Act Violations).
Residents pay the price of Krekorian's backroom dealing with Brad Sherman.
Critics called it, “Brilliant!” “A tour de force.”
And thanks for the grand announcement that council members and their staff should take a training course on the Ralph M. Brown Act and the Public Records Act. Great idea! I’m happy to offer a seminar..
But let’s be honest—will we be teaching the elected how to be champions of open government? Or just giving them a masterclass in bending the law to suit their personal agendas? [APPLAUSE] I mean, this is the same crew who cancel meetings whenever it suits them, hold one-item budget hearings with impunity, and ban virtual public testimony from committee discussion. A horrible thing to do, Mr. Harris-Dawson.
Suggested Curriculum: ”Advanced Techniques in Dodging Transparency 101," followed by "How to Bury Public Comment And Not Get Caught!” AND “The presumption of regularity: JK”
Next week there will be a pop quiz on bribery and extortion, with extra credit on sneaky overt acts and RICO violations, using Ray Chan’s textbook as the primary source.
(Eric Preven is a longtime community activist and is a contributor to CityWatch.)
