LOS ANGELES (KNX) – Los Angeles City Council President Paul Krekorian is set to introduce a motion resulting in the suspicion of Councilmember Curren Price, who was charged with embezzlement, perjury, and conflict of interest.
“..Today, I am filing a motion to begin the process for suspension of Councilmember Price,” he said during a press conference. “That does not presuppose an outcome in any way.”
Krekorian picked Bob Blumenfield to be acting Council President Pro Tem and proposed Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson permanently replace Price as Council President Pro Tem if Price doesn't come back to his seat.
Krekorian said in a statement on social media Tuesday that he planned to introduce the motion.
The L.A. County District Attorney charged Price, 72, with five counts of grand theft by embezzlement, three counts of perjury and two counts of conflict of interest.
The criminal complaint accused Price of embezzling money from 2013 to 2017 by having the city cover almost $33,800 in medical premiums for Del Richardson, City News Service reported. Price claimed he was married to her; however, the outlet said he was still married to Lynn Suzette Price at the time.
The complaint also alleges Price voted on projects that involved developers tied to his wife's consulting firm, Del Richardson & Associate, and failed to report the connections.
Following the complaint, Price sent a letter to Krekorian announcing his decision to step down as council president pro tem, and surrendering all of his committee assignments, but added that he will not resign from his council seat.
Price's spokeswoman, Angelina Valencia-Dumarot, said in a statement to City News Service, "Curren Price is a longstanding public servant who has given his life to the city of Los Angeles. He looks forward to defending himself once he's had an opportunity to address these charges.”
City News Service contributed to this report.
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