LOS ANGELES (KNX) – As Los Angeles City Hall continues to grapple with backlash from the leaked tape containing racist remarks by former council president Nury Martinez and Councilmen Kevin de Leon and Gil Cedillo, Mayor Eric Garcetti told KNX News he spoke with those involved in the tape.
“…I’ve told them from the very beginning, that this can only end when they step aside,” he said.
“We all take an oath to our city charter, and while they didn’t violate anything in the city charter, that means our allegiance is to the city and the good of the city first. That means at immensely difficult moments like this you have to think not just about yourself and the pain you might be going through, but the pain you’ve caused others and what’s best for the city to heal. And I will not stop saying that, both publicly and privately, to these individuals, and I hope part of that has led at least one to make the right decision and hopefully two others to follow suit soon.”
When the news broke of the leaked recording, Garcetti’s initial statement read, “There is no place in our city family for attacks on colleagues and their loved ones, and there is no place for racism anywhere in L.A.”
It wasn't until Nury Martinez announced she was stepping down as L.A. Council president that Garcetti publicly said resigning "would be the right response.”
When asked if he could’ve done more to respond to the situation, Garcetti said he was proud of his first statement.
“I’ve been unequivocal about speaking out against this, and early calling for their stepping down and their resignation,” he maintained.
Garcetti also said he is proud of how the city handled the scandal and praised newly elected council president Paul Krekorian.
Listen to the full interview in the audio above.
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