Huizar

As he exited the federal courthouse elevator on the way to his sentencing hearing, Jose Huizar was relaxed enough to joke with his lawyers. The ex-Los Angeles city councilmember would soon find out how much prison time he would serve after pleading guilty last year to racketeering and tax evasion.Walking down the hall in black glasses and a blue suit and toting a brown satchel, he spotted me. I’ve written columns trashing him for not only disgracing his position but for embarrassing Latinos. He could have scowled,…

Former Los Angeles City Councilmember Jose Huizar, awaiting sentencing in a sprawling criminal case, asked a judge for leniency on Thursday, saying “I lost everything.”In a letter to U.S. District Court Judge John F. Walter, Huizar apologized to his family, his former constituents and the city, saying he has paid a huge price — losing his reputation and his ability to provide for his family, harming his children’s future and their mental health.“My whole life has been turned upside down and I regret ever having departed…

Federal prosecutors are seeking a 13-year prison sentence for former Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar for his role in an expansive bribery scheme, according to court documents filed Thursday.After a years-long federal investigation, Huizar pleaded guilty in January to charges of racketeering and tax evasion, admitting that he extorted at least $1.5 million from real estate developers.Huizar is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 26 by U.S. District Judge John F. Walter.Ahead of the sentencing, the government filed…

Former Los Angeles City Councilmember Jose Huizar has agreed to plead guilty to racketeering and tax evasion, admitting that he extorted at least $1.5 million in bribes from developers.In a plea agreement filed Thursday in federal court in Los Angeles, Huizar acknowledged that sweeping corruption allegations that he has denied for years were actually true, saying he was “pleading guilty because I am guilty of the charges.”The plea deal came after two developers were convicted of bribing Huizar at two consecutive trials…

Jose Huizar developed a curious habit as a Los Angeles city councilman: He would give stacks of $100 bills to his wife, mother or brother. They in turn would write him checks or pay his bills.The three of them confirmed Huizar’s suspected money laundering in testimony before a federal jury over the last week. Salvador Huizar recalled asking his younger brother why he needed the checks, telling jurors the councilman told him that it was “better for me not to know.”The poignant spectacle of three family members testifying…