Former Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar was sentenced Friday to 13 years in prison in a corruption case involving cash bribes with a local real estate developer.
U.S. District Judge John F. Walter imposed the sentence after receiving a letter from Mr. Huizar apologizing for his crimes. The former city councilor said he had already paid a heavy price, losing his own reputation and ability to provide for his family, harming his children's future and mental health. The Los Angeles Times reported.
Huizar and two of his associates previously pleaded guilty to charges related to a $500,000 bribe from Southern California real estate developer David Lee. He also pleaded guilty to tax evasion and organized crime charges in January last year.
The former City Council member agreed to a sentence of at least nine years in prison. Mr Walter said the 13-year sentence was necessary to “elicit respect” for the country's anti-corruption laws.
Lee planned a large commercial and residential development in downtown Los Angeles. But when the project was halted in the city's approval process, he contacted Huizar, the Justice Department said.
Huizar was a local member of the project and head of the city's planning commission. He asked for a cash bribe, which Lee delivered.
He was ordered to pay approximately $444,000 in restitution to the city and approximately $39,000 to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the LA Times reported. Huizar is also required to surrender to federal authorities on April 30, according to the filing.
Federal prosecutors in the case allege that Huizar monetized his position in government, providing cash bribes, gambling tips, visits to luxury hotels, political contributions, prostitution services, and high-priced payments to developers who were developing projects downtown. He claimed to have secured more than $1.5 million in food and other expenses. The LA area he oversaw.
He served on the City Council from 2005 until 2020, when he was arrested and charged.
In 2018, the FBI raided his office at Los Angeles City Hall. He had been working to elect his wife, Richelle Huisard, as his successor when his term expires in 2020.
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