Curren Price Corruption Charges Add New Counts
The Curren Price corruption charges increased this week after the Los Angeles County District Attorney filed two additional counts. Prosecutors accuse the Los Angeles City Councilmember of embezzling public funds and directing contracts for personal benefit.
Curren De Mille Price Jr. has represented the Ninth District on the Los Angeles City Council since 2013. He previously pleaded not guilty to earlier criminal charges filed in 2023.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced the new charges Friday. He said the alleged actions contradict the principles of public service.
Prosecutors Outline Allegations in Curren Price Corruption Charges
According to prosecutors, the Curren Price corruption charges involve financial connections between city contracts and payments to Price’s wife. Investigators said agencies paid large sums to a consulting firm connected to her.
The district attorney’s office said the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles and LA Metro paid the firm more than $800,000. These payments occurred while Price voted to support multimillion-dollar funding for those agencies.
“Embezzling public funds and awarding contracts for your own financial gain is the antithesis of public service,” Hochman said. He added that communities expect better from elected officials.
The district attorney also praised investigators and prosecutors for pursuing the case. He said Los Angeles County will not tolerate pay-to-play politics.
Earlier Felony Counts Filed in 2023
The current Curren Price corruption charges follow a series of felony counts filed on June 13, 2023. That case includes five felony counts of embezzlement of government funds.
Prosecutors also filed three felony counts of perjury. Additionally, the case includes two felony counts related to conflicts of interest.
Authorities say a consulting firm called Del Richardson & Associates received payments from developers. The company is owned solely by Price’s wife, Delbra Pettice Richardson.
According to prosecutors, the company received more than $150,000 between 2019 and 2021. These payments allegedly occurred before Price voted to approve related development projects.
Allegations Involving City Benefits
The Curren Price corruption charges also involve claims related to city-funded medical benefits. Prosecutors allege Price used public funds for benefits connected to Richardson.
Authorities claim approximately $33,800 in city funds were used between 2013 and 2017. They allege Price identified Richardson as his wife while still legally married to Lynn Suzette Price.
These allegations form part of the broader public corruption case. Prosecutors say the actions involved misuse of public resources.
Contracts With Housing Authority and LA Metro
Prosecutors said the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles paid Del Richardson & Associates about $609,600. These payments occurred between October 22, 2019, and June 30, 2020.
During the same period, Price voted to approve a $35 million federal grant. He also supported a $252 million state grant application for the agency.
Additionally, prosecutors say LA Metro paid the consulting firm about $219,500. These payments occurred between October 27, 2020, and October 20, 2021.
During that time, Price introduced and supported a motion allocating $30 million to LA Metro. His staff had previously flagged potential conflicts of interest.
Additional Allegations Involving Nonprofit Funding
The Curren Price corruption charges also include allegations involving federal COVID-19 relief funding. Prosecutors say Price directed more than $2 million in grants to the nonprofit Home at Last.
At the time, Home at Last was reportedly a tenant of the Urban Healthcare Project. Price served as CEO of that organization.
Authorities say the grants were intended to support homelessness initiatives. Prosecutors claim the votes occurred while the nonprofit maintained financial ties to the project.
The case continues to move through the legal system. Price has previously denied the earlier allegations and pleaded not guilty.
