LA Councilman Curren Price Denies Corruption Charges in Court
Curren Price Pleads Not Guilty to Public Corruption Charges
LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles City Councilman Curren Price entered a not guilty plea on Friday in a public corruption case alleging misconduct involving public funds and undisclosed financial interests. Price faces a range of serious charges, including perjury and embezzlement.
In total, he is charged with 12 felony counts. Prosecutors claim that Price failed to reveal financial ties between his wife and developers engaged with the council, and allegedly misappropriated approximately $33,800 in city funds to cover her medical benefits while still married to another woman.
If convicted, the 75-year-old councilman could face over 11 years in custody, including up to nine years in state prison and up to two years in county jail. His next court appearance is scheduled for June 5, where a pretrial hearing will take place.
On January 28, Superior Court Judge Shelly Torrealba denied a defense request to dismiss the case, citing "sufficient cause" for it to proceed to trial. Price, who has been serving on the council since 2013 after a tenure in both the Assembly and state Senate, continues to assert his innocence.
Outside the court, Price’s attorney, Michael Schafler, expressed confidence in his client’s eventual exoneration, stating that the prosecution’s evidence contains "gaps" and "holes." A representative for Price echoed this sentiment, claiming the case is based more on speculation than facts.
District Attorney Nathan Hochman characterized the judge’s decision as a pivotal step toward accountability for Price, emphasizing the expectation that elected officials uphold integrity and transparency.
Price had initially pleaded not guilty to ten charges in December 2023, with two additional accusations arising later. He is the latest public official in Los Angeles to confront legal challenges. Recent examples include former council members Jose Huizar and Mitch Englander, both of whom pleaded guilty to federal charges, and Mark Ridley-Thomas, who was convicted in 2023 for vote trading during his time on the county Board of Supervisors.
As this case unfolds, it underscores the ongoing scrutiny surrounding Los Angeles city officials and raises questions about accountability within the local government.
