Los Angeles police chief confirmed Tuesday the existence of detectives investigating whether recordings were made by city council members. racist commentsIt was illegally made.
An Associated Press reporter asked me to comment on the investigation. Chief Michael MooreDuring media availability, the LAPD stated that it had initiated a criminal investigation into an allegation regarding eavesdropping.
At the podium, Nury Martinez, then-President of Los Angeles City Council, and Eric Garcetti (standing to her right) are seen during a news conference held at Los Angeles City Hall.
(AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
The year-old recording of the private meeting involved then-council president Nury Martinez, Councilmen Kevin de León and Gil Cedillo, as well as powerful labor leader Ron Hererra, head of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor.
The recording captured the group of Latino Democrats plotting to protect their political power in the redrawings of council districts. It was a long conversation filled with racist comments.
BEVERLYHILLS POLICE INVESTIGATING THE LEFT OF ANTISEMITIC FLYERS THROUGHOUT CITY
The tape revealed that the recording was made to mock fellow colleagues while they were planning to preserve Latino political power in council districts. The tape’s creator and purpose are not known.
The recording’s disclosure earlier this month unleashed an uproar citywide just weeks before Election Day. Martinez has resigned, while two other councilmembers have refused to be removed despite widespread calls.
Chief Moore said Martinez, de León, Cedillo and Herrera approached the LAPD on Friday and asked for the agency to open an investigation.
Detectives have interviewed the group since then about their belief that the recording was “unlawfully and secretively” made.
Los Angeles Councilman Kevin de León, left, and then-Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez confer at an Oct. 4 city council meeting.
(Irfan Khan/ Los Angeles Times via Getty Images).
He stated that they would look into the process of recording such an audio and find out who or what is responsible. However, no suspects have been identified.
California law stipulates that all parties must agree to the recording of private conversations or calls. If the recording is not consented to, the person recording it could face civil and criminal penalties.
The investigation is still open to questions regarding the nature of the recording and whether additional recordings were made at the headquarters of the labor union.
Separately, the state is investigating the drawing of the council districts and whether it was rigged. Attorney General Rob Bonta (Democrat) has indicated that his investigation could result in civil liability or criminal prosecutions depending on the results.
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City Hall has been left in chaos by the fallout. President Biden has called on de León and Cedillo to step down. As they seek to increase pressure on Cedillo and de Leon to resign, noisy protestors have been demonstrating at City Council meetings.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the offices of de León and Cedillo for comment.
This report was compiled by the Associated Press.
