CommentsTHE VIEW FROM HERE - Why Would Candidates for Los Angeles Mayor Not Answer Whether the Anti-Bribery Statute, Penal Code, § 86, Applies to the LA City Council?
On September 30, 2021, this column said it would ask the leading four mayoral candidates Karen Bass, Kevin DeLeon, Joe Buscaino, and Mike Feuer: Does Penal Code § 86 apply to the Los Angeles City Councilmembers?
We so asked and requested a reply by October 9th; we received no replies. The mayoral race is just beginning, and on September 30th, the frontrunner Karen Bass had just announced her candidacy. Candidate Bass kicked of her formal campaign only last, Saturday, October 16, 2021. Our inquiry could have been lost in the shuffle of starting up the various campaigns. Thus, we will be asking again.
Surely, no serious candidate wants to duck a serious question about rampant bribery at the city council. LOL
A Quick Review of Penal Code, § 86
Here’s the short version: “Every city councilmember who agrees to give a vote in return for another member’s vote commits a felony, punishable by four (4) years imprisonment in the state prison.” Here’s a link to the full text.
All the candidates have legal advisors. The candidates may consider this question to be an open book test. Similar to a contestant on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, they may ask a friend.
Since I am not acting on behalf of any law enforcement agency, Councilmembers Joe Buscaino and Kevin De Leon cannot assert their Fifth Amendment rights. Since 2013 Candidate Mike Feuer has been the City of Los Angeles City Attorney, he must have some idea about bribery at the City Council which he has advised for eight (8) years.
We shall keep readers updated on the responses and non-responses to our question and on our follow-up questions.
(Richard Lee Abrams has been an attorney, a Realtor and community relations consultant as well as a CityWatch contributor. The views expressed herein are his own and do not necessarily reflect the views of CityWatch. You may email him at [email protected])
