News Summary
Los Angeles County prosecutors have added two new corruption charges against City Councilman Curren Price, intensifying allegations of embezzlement and perjury. The charges are connected to Price’s votes on projects that benefitted his wife’s consulting firm. Previous indictments include ten counts of grand theft and conflict of interest. District Attorney Nathan Hochman emphasizes the importance of public trust, while Price’s attorney claims the accusations are unfounded. A preliminary hearing is set to reveal more details as the case unfolds.
Los Angeles – L.A. County prosecutors have filed two new corruption charges against City Councilman Curren Price this week, adding to existing allegations of grand theft and perjury. These new charges stem from Price’s votes that favored projects financially benefitting his wife, Del Richardson, who founded the consulting firm Del Richardson & Associates.
The latest developments come on the heels of a June 2023 indictment, where Price was charged with ten counts, including grand theft by embezzlement, perjury, and conflict of interest. Prosecutors assert that Richardson received over $150,000 from various developers between 2019 and 2021, just prior to Price’s favorable votes on those associated projects.
Furthermore, Price is accused of failing to disclose his wife’s income on requisite financial disclosure forms, leading to the perjury charges. Compounding these issues, it is alleged that Price added Richardson to his city-issued healthcare plan from 2013 to 2017, despite the couple not being legally married, which has raised additional embezzlement concerns.
New evidence bolstering the conflict allegations has reportedly been obtained through subpoenas issued since the start of 2023. The prosecution outlines that from October 2019 to June 2020, Richardson was compensated nearly $609,000 by the City Housing Authority while Price voted for a $35 million federal grant and a $252 million state grant application tied to housing projects. In addition, there are accusations that Price authored a motion for L.A. Metro to receive $30 million, during which time Richardson received over $200,000 in payments from the transit agency.
District Attorney Nathan Hochman emphasized that embezzlement of public funds and self-serving practices erode public trust and undermine the integrity of public service. The severity of the situation for Price is exacerbated by a history of public corruption issues transpiring within the L.A. City Council, as several members have recently encountered legal difficulties.
Price’s attorney has labeled the new charges an overreach and has stated that there is no credible evidence indicating that Price was aware of any conflicts of interest. Despite the growing legal clouds hanging over him, Price remains in office and actively continues his daily responsibilities as a council member for L.A.’s Ninth District, a position he has held since 2013.
The councilman is constrained by term limits and is scheduled to leave office at the end of 2026. Several candidates have already begun their campaigns in anticipation of his departure. Following recent legal proceedings, a judge has rejected motions from Price’s legal team aimed at dismissing the initial charges. As the situation stands, if Price is found guilty, he could potentially face a sentence ranging from 11 years and four months, a combination of state prison and county jail time.
A preliminary hearing for Price is set for later this year, where further developments in the case are expected to unfold. As the case continues to evolve, many within the community are observing its implications on both Price’s political career and the broader landscape of governance in Los Angeles.
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Additional Resources
- NBC Los Angeles
- Wikipedia: Los Angeles City Council
- Los Angeles Times
- Google Search: Curren Price corruption
- CBS News
- Google News: Curren Price charges
- KTLA
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Corruption
- FOX LA
- Google Scholar: Curren Price
Author: STAFF HERE HOLLYWOOD
The Hollywood Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREHollywood.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Hollywood, Los Angeles County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Hollywood Bowl summer concerts, the Hollywood Christmas Parade, film premieres at TCL Chinese Theatre, and festivals at the Magic Castle. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and Visit Hollywood, plus leading businesses in entertainment, dining, and tourism that define the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELosAngeles.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HEREAnaheim.com, and HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
