Written by Bobbie Wylie
The city of Los Angeles is dealing with multiple scandals – just in time as Mayor Eric Garcetti is awaiting confirmation as the next U.S. ambassador to India, a position he was nominated to last July by President Biden.
Garcetti has been accused of having knowledge of and protecting his former aide, who has been accused of multiple instances of sexual harrassment. Rick Jacobs, Garcetti’s deputy chief of staff, has been accused by multiple women of multiple instances of sexual assault spanning the last decade. Those who have been assaulted by Jacobs have been told, in a very hush-hush manner, that Jacobs is a friend of the mayor and there’s nothing that can be done. In a statement, Garcetti’s office maintains that the mayor was never aware of any sexual harassments by Jacobs and the claims are “just as false today” as they were when they were first alleged over a year ago.
There is also an ongoing federal investigation into attorney Paul Paradis, who was hired by Los Angeles City Attorney MIke Fueur’s office to represent the city in lawsuits filed by taxpayers regarding overinflated utility bills. Paradis has pleaded guilty to accepting nearly $2.2 million in “kickbacks” in a scheme that involved bribing officials at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power – officials that were appointed by Mayor Garcetti.
Currently, there is an open investigation into two members of LAPD Chief Moore’s security detail, after an “incident” in France. After a high-ranking LAPD commander’s wife falsely accused a man who bumped into her in the streets of Marseille, France of stealing her phone, two members of the police chief’s security detail detained the man, despite the fact they don’t have the authority to make arrests in foreign countries.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti is facing increased scrutiny for the numerous scandals coming out of his city, many which he is accused of being involved in. Since being nominated as the US Ambassador to India, Garcetti has become a “lame duck,” neglecting the residents of his city as he looks forward to newer and bigger political ventures.
Photo Cred: Associated Press
