LA's Scandal Response: Status Quo

West Coase Land Use and Environment Partner Ryan Leaderman was quoted in an article by The Real Deal describing the response to federal corruption charges against former Los Angeles City Council member Jose Huizar. According to investigators, Huizar took gifts and payments from developers in exchange for favorable treatment of their projects. In the aftermath, some have included called for the creation of an independent office of the inspector general to root out corruption in addition to reforming the development approval process. However, little has been accomplished, and Mr. Leaderman commented that he does not see any changes coming to fruition.

"There's a lot of institutional inertia. People generally don't want to give up power," he said. "...The Council members like being little kings of their district."

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