Los Angeles City Ethics Commission fines mayor and four other city officials

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The Los Angeles City Ethics Commission (CEC), fined Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and four other city officials for allegedly accepting gifts valued at more than the allowed $100.

The five commissioners were unanimous in voting to fine the mayor almost $21,000. They also fined city council officials Eric Garcetti, Jose Huizar, Herb Wesson and Tony Cardenas a combined $13,300. Heather Holt is the executive director of the CEC.

"As I noted, these penalties we're basing on the excess amount of the gifts, beyond the initial $100, so the total fine is a little over $20, 000" said Heather Holt, executive director of the CEC. "That's in addition to the $21,000 fine that the FPPC has already ratified."

The FPPC is the California Fair Political Practices Commission. Yesterday, it fined the mayor $21,000 for failing to report 21 gifts over the last four years. He's avoiding the maximum $160,000 fine because his failure to report them was unintentional. Among these gifts were Lakers, Dodgers, and USC game tickets, awards shows and after parties, and concerts.

"These are the events that both parties believe should have been reported," said Holt. "Therefore these are the events of the FPPC's enforcement action."

The mayor accepted these gifts from restricted sources, which essentially means anyone with active business before the city.

"We have 12 counts of gifts from restricted sources," said Holt. "And we have a chart that outlines it going back from 2007 through March of 2010."

These sources include the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences, AEG, BET Networks and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. These companies are also facing fines from the CEC.

"It's not just our elected offices; it's all six thousand of our city officials who are subject to the restricted source law," said Holt. "So everyone in every department needs to be aware of these laws."

The combined CEC and FPPC penalties value almost $42,000. The mayor is working jointly with the FPPC and CEC to fully resolve the investigation, and provide a comprehensive settlement.

"It is my responsibility to make sure I act in strict compliance with the applicable rule," said Villaraigosa earlier this month.