突发新闻：洛杉矶道德改革遭到破坏，市议会维持现状
经过多年持续不断的丑闻，市议会重申它仍应自我监管
经过多年持续不断的丑闻，市议会重申它仍应自我监管
LOS ANGELES — Today, the Los Angeles City Council gutted the ethics reforms it has been working on 为了 months, deciding the ultimate authority on ethics matters will remain in the City Council’s hands. Deviating from the recommendations and best practices of academics and democracy reform advocates, the City Council voted in favor of amendments that will deny the Ethics Commission the power to police the Council and effectively enforce the City’s ethics laws.
Specifically, the City Council voted in favor of amendments that effectively deny the Ethics Commission the autonomy and powers to conduct its critical business on behalf of the people and without Council supervision.
Since 2020, three L.A. councilmembers and a 为了mer deputy mayor were found guilty of or pleaded guilty to such charges as bribery and lying to authorities; another councilmember was charged with embezzlement, perjury, and conflict of interest; and yet another stands accused of violating city ethics laws. During the same period, three other councilmembers, including a 为了mer City Council president, were caught on tape engaged in racist commentary as they discussed how to gerrymander council districts to their advantage.
“The Los Angeles City Council had a chance to turn the tide of corruption at City Hall and begin a new era in which L.A. residents could trust their local elected officials,” said 加州共同事业执行董事乔纳森·梅塔·斯坦. “Instead they chose to uphold a broken, shameful status quo.”
The push 为了 ethics reform in Los Angeles has been led by Council President Krekorian and motivated by the endless cycle of scandals and corruption seen from City Council over the last five years, including the 2022 redistricting 丑闻 that shocked the nation and reignited the public’s outcry 为了 change. This spurred months of hearings, recommendations, and advocacy from community organizations, including California Common Cause, residents, community leaders, and academics. All parties advocated 为了 meaningful reforms to help curb corruption in the City, until last-minute pushback from special interests. The proposals were informed by statewide best practices, evidence-based research, leadership from the Los Angeles Ethics Commission, and lessons learned from around the country.
“This is a disheartening setback, but we will not allow this to be the end of the road 为了 ethics reform in Los Angeles,” added 斯坦. “California Common Cause is committed to helping realize an ethical city government that is deserving of Angelenos’ trust and participation.”