Former Los Angeles City Councilmember Jose Huizar has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for soliciting and accepting over $1.5 million in bribes from real estate developers. The lengthy sentence was necessary to “engender respect” for anti-corruption laws, said U.S. District Court Judge John F. Walter.
Huizar pleaded guilty to racketeering and tax evasion charges last year to avoid a trial. In addition to jail time, he has been ordered to pay $444,000 in restitution to the city of Los Angeles and almost $39,000 to the IRS.
U.S. Atty. E. Martin Estrada spoke to members of the media outside the courthouse after the hearing. He said Huizar had used City Hall “as his personal ATM” for years.
Huizar wielded enormous influence as the head of the council’s planning and land use committee. He’s just one of several individuals that have been implicated in a sprawling pay-to-play scheme at L.A. City Hall. The others include former councilmember Mitch Englander, former Huizar aide George Esparza, and Huizar’s older brother Salvador. Former Deputy Mayor Raymond Chan is also facing bribery and racketeering charges.