One year ago this month, L.A. city hall was thrust into chaos after a secretly recorded racist conversation involving former council president Nury Martinez, council members Kevin de León, Gil Cedillo, and a labor leader leaked to the public.
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Martinez quickly resigned, Cedillo left the council in December, but de León stayed. That led to several months of loud protests, often bringing council meetings to a standstill.
Over the last year, residents and political figures alike have called for de León to leave his position. But the embattled council member believes he has sufficiently apologized and will continue to make efforts to repair any damage his actions have caused.
In an exclusive interview, de León told KNX News reporter Craig Fiegener that he is well aware people were hurt by his words but believes the response was disproportionate.
"When we talk about death threats, when we're talking about being spat on, when we're talking about people trying to interfere and block the progress of work for the well-being of your constituents. I don't think that deserves any space."
"God knows it hasn't been easy... but doing what I know best, which is to engage with my constituents and deal with their everyday concerns, is one way I've been working hard to restore and gain the trust of my colleagues here at the council," he said.
Current council president Paul Krekorian told KNX News, "The city was facing an incredible crisis last October when we were whipsawed by the repeated indictments of former members, and then of course, the horrendous recording of that secret meeting at the County Federation."
Despite taking over during a period that Krekorian calls possibly "our lowest point of confidence in city government," he looks back on this year as president feeling like the council has finally turned a page.
A small group of protestors still regularly disrupt Los Angeles council meetings calling for de León to resign, but he is so confident he belongs on the council that he is making a run for re-election.
Former council member Mike Bonin, whose son was a subject of the racially charged conversation, said he is not surprised.
Bonin told KNX News he has noticed his former colleagues seem to be rewriting history so they are seen as the victims of the ordeal rather than his son and the people of Los Angeles.
Whether you're for or against de León's re-election, he won't be the only option - State assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo is challenging the councilman for his seat.
The assemblywoman told L.A.'s Afternoon News some motivation for the decision to run came from de León's role in the racist conversation.
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