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ERIC PREVEN’S NOTEBOOK - City Hall tributes and scandals are practically L.A. traditions, but if we’re running a legacy “laundromat” for Richard Alatorre, shouldn’t we be putting the real story on the agenda—and maybe even in the LA Times?
Last Friday, in a nearly two-hour tribute led by Kevin De León, with a lineup including Zev Yaroslavsky, Mayor Karen Bass, and Imelda Padilla, Alatorre’s legacy was celebrated as a cornerstone of Latino empowerment. Yet, this legacy isn’t without blemishes. Investigations from his later years revealed unregistered lobbying at City Hall from 2003 to 2007, as he advocated for companies without proper disclosure. The L.A. County District Attorney’s office documented these as misdemeanors, though they stopped short of pressing felony charges.
As Alatorre’s legacy was celebrated in Friday’s “pre-election” memorial, De León’s campaign, fittingly, came under FPCC scrutiny. It’s the same old pattern at City Hall—showcasing accountability while sidestepping it.
The cast of “brothers in corruption” continues to grow. One could almost imagine a silent fist pump from the federal detention facility—a reminder that accountability in L.A. politics is, too often, all smoke and mirrors.
Want the full story on Zev’s speech sometime? Just ask.
Finally! The Holder Report Lands, and It’s a Disappointing Whitewash"
After years of waiting, we finally have the Holder firm's "independent investigation" report on LA County contracting. [Covington & Burling] But instead of hard-hitting findings, we get a bland, generic report—a careful “review” rather than the exposure of rot we needed. This report skirts around specifics, leaving the true issues out in favor of bureaucratic generalities.
Contrast this whitewash with the real-life saga of Mark Ridley-Thomas, whose 2023 conviction shined a light on corruption’s reach and specific misdeeds. From funneling campaign donations to fund his son’s career moves to helping secure lucrative contracts for USC, Ridley-Thomas' actions reveal the depth of influence a single official can wield.
Meanwhile, this report quietly “receives and files” the findings, omitting a clear conclusion, masking its intent in preceding slides, and, outrageously, never addressing how much Covington & Burling LLP was paid for this exercise in deflection.
We demand transparency: publish the full costs of this “investigation” and the real measures needed to prevent another Ridley-Thomas-like saga. Anything less is unacceptable and underscores the need for the Board’s immediate accountability if not resignation. For detailed information, you can view the full report here.
Metro Haunting:
Chair Hahn, here’s a Halloween trick we don’t need—the creepy, stifling consent calendar. Let’s do away with it and allow public voices on every item, especially when the stakes are as high as this week’s $1.85 billion allocation. With Metro’s big-ticket items, like the $757 million for the I-105 ExpressLanes and nearly $800 million for the Gold Line extension, it’s essential that public input is fully embraced.
To the Metro Board—Janice Hahn, Fernando Dutra, Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker, Kathryn Barger, Karen Bass, James Butts, Lindsey Horvath, Paul Krekorian, Holly J. Mitchell, Ara J. Najarian, Tim Sandoval, Hilda Solis, Katy Yaroslavsky, Gloria Roberts (non-voting), and CEO Stephanie Wiggins—I urge you to back a complete ban on the consent calendar. We need accountability, transparency, and the assurance that public funds serve public interests.
When nearly two billion dollars is in play, we deserve a real accounting. We need clear assurances that the “trains, planes, and automobiles” run on time—and, yes, that public amenities like potties are prioritized.
The agenda for the Metro Board meeting is accessible here, though items 26 through 29 seem to be missing without clear explanation.
And how about a flood of applause for Climate Resolve, and WeTap, and other dedicated groups, cozying up to public agencies like LADWP and the water districts, for their advocacy on water access across LA. WeTap’s work—pushing for more hydration stations ahead of the 2028 Olympics—exemplifies grassroots strength in protecting public water resources.
But where’s their 990?
And where’s the agua in Studio City, Wisconsin? At the Rec center…
And where has all the open space, gone?
We see you, Paul Krekorian, Nithya Raman and longtime bad idea broker, Brad Sherman!
Smart Speaker: What about Adrin Nazarian?
“You’re off topic.”
Enticement and the “Kong Effect” in Politics
If Trump is the GOP’s King Kong, Elon Musk plays the higher IQ chimp, deftly shaping policy even as he creeps out millions of Americans. In an August rally, Trump flip-flopped, declaring support for electric cars—thanks to Mr. Musk’s endorsement. Appointing Musk to audit government spending would be a Cirque de Soleil of conflicts, with billions in federal money tied to Musk’s businesses.
Michelle Obama, one of the most popular Democratic figures, put it nicely: “Y’all know I hate politics.”
Well, if you hate it, what are the rest of us supposed to think?
Anyone but Nazarian!
Eligible for Removal:
“Mr. President, Mr. Reedy is eligible for removal”—a phrase evoking medieval power plays heard right here in City Hall. You know who else is "eligible for removal"? The CD2 heir-apparent to Paul Krekorian, Adrin Nazarian. During the recent LA Times ad blitz, visiting the site without being bombarded by Nazarian’s constant self-promotion is impossible. It’s shifted from impressive to downright obnoxious. I suggest that, along with the recent Editorial Board departures, Mr. Nazarian is now eligible for removal!
Who Really Profits from LA28? The Corporate Cash Grab While Angelenos Foot the Bill
With the 2028 Olympics on the horizon, one thing is clear: the profits will likely flow to a narrow band of corporate players, leaving Angelenos with little but congested streets and a looming bill. The recent exit of Salesforce as a top sponsor of LA28—less than halfway into a seven-year partnership—underscores just how shaky the financial ground is. Originally positioned to elevate the digital experience for fans and athletes, Salesforce’s “amicable” departure left LA28 scrambling to hit a huge sponsorship goal, with less than half booked so far.
Delta and Comcast remain the only founding sponsors, but who benefits here? Delta’s influence isn’t just about helping athletes travel; it’s about securing its stake in LA’s policies on airport leaseholds and beyond. Delta may be flying Olympians, but it’s also lobbying heavily to steer city policy in its favor. This setup raises the question: did Delta or other sponsors subsidize officials’ recent trips to Paris for “research” on LA28 operations? If so, are these the same officials making policy decisions about contracts affecting these sponsors? The need for transparency here couldn’t be greater.
Even more concerning is the Olympics’ $6.9 billion price tag or more, with a taxpayer “fail-safe” waiting to cover any funding gap if corporate sponsors fall short. We saw it in Paris, where the taxpayer burden climbed to $3.25 billion. Federal funding is taxpayer funding, after all. The backstop here isn’t corporate goodwill—it’s the pockets of everyday Angelenos.
LA residents deserve to know exactly who’s bankrolling our officials’ travels and how corporate sponsorships are leveraged in city deals. This isn’t just about legality; it’s about accountability. If corporate sponsors are influencing our city leaders with perks, let’s open the books and hold those in power responsible.
United and Delta’s “Friendly Skies” of Influence: What Does $150,000 Buy in LA Politics?
If you’ve scanned the LA Times lately, you may have noticed ads from the Central City Association PAC, sponsored by heavyweights like United and Delta Airlines, backing candidates such as Adrin Nazarian and Heather Hutt. While these ads technically claim “independence,” United’s lobbying adds another $150,000, targeting LAX policies like leaseholds, terminal access, and city policy to secure prime business interests.
This level of financial commitment isn’t goodwill; it’s influence insurance. United and Delta are leveraging campaign support as a springboard for policy power, spending $37,500 a quarter to maintain their standing at the heart of LA’s transportation policy scene. This isn’t an isolated trend; it’s part of an escalating influence play, as each “independent” expenditure pushes United and Delta further into the center of LA’s policy landscape.
And is it shocking? Unfortunately, no. We’ve seen these tactics at every level of government, from Trump’s notorious pay-to-play model down to local politics. But let’s call it what it is: an attempt to shape public policy behind a facade of independent spending.
The fix is simple: don’t take the money. Candidates, including Nazarian and Hutt, should choose public interest over “independent” PAC donations and the expectations that come with them. But through PACs and independent campaign expenditures, politicians can dodge direct accountability while cash still flows. We, the public, must read through these disclaimers and recognize it for what it is—a distortion of public representation.
If our officials can’t resist the allure of corporate-backed ads, it’s time to elect those who prioritize community voices over big-business sponsorships. The message is clear: don’t take the money.
RFP for Scrapbook preparation of LA’s Paris “Prep” Trips for the Olympics:
So we missed the chance to see our city officials’ Paris “prep” trips for LA28 in real-time, but transparency demands more than vague expense reports. Angelenos are paying for these excursions, and we deserve a clear record of meetings, deals discussed, and the full costs of each moment abroad.
Here’s what we’re asking for a comprehensive public report with every receipt, meeting detail, and corporate-sponsored event attended. In an era where companies like Delta and United influence City Hall, we need full transparency on who our officials are meeting and what’s at stake. Angelenos deserve an honest account, especially when city contracts are on the line.
If these trips truly benefit LA, let’s see the proof—plain, simple, and documented. And let’s get a scrapbook of every trip highlight. No need to worry about procurement—we’ll see that an RFP is out soon for this vital public service.
Thank you = Shnorhakalutyun
With both United and Delta happily serving Armenia, it’s a good time to book flights. Armenia's two major airports, Zvartnots International (EVN) near Yerevan and Shirak International (LWN), provide easy access. United’s Star Alliance partnership with Lufthansa offers United MileagePlus members the chance to earn miles on eligible Lufthansa flights, while Delta’s SkyTeam Alliance offers status matches for elite members, including those in Lufthansa’s Miles & More program.
Double cancelation by anti-public comment activist, Linsdey P. Horvath.
Por Favor:
Remember the “Trespassing Flyer” debacle—a multilingual mishap, brought to you by the City that forgot we’re in Los Angeles. The Ethics Commission’s English-only trespass warning? A modern “F-you” to accessibility, courtesy of Vivianne Swanigan, she who always wore the big hat but missed the bilingual memo. Only after public shaming did Swanigan and Feuer flood us with apologies, reluctantly acknowledging that, yes, bilingual service is a right, not a courtesy.
And who crafted that genius move? Enter David Michaelson—part bureaucrat, part rat-whisperer. The same architect behind "No Public" signs in the City Attorney’s office and illegal bike repairs on sidewalks is now in the Mayor’s Office. If there’s a manual on obstruction, he's written it. And the kicker? Fauble’s classic: “Why don’t you go to your general, Mr. Preven?” Well, the general here is the public, and we’re asking for transparency—en español, por favor.
Blast from the Past:
Picture this: Adrin Nazarian, trying to score points with the public, starts pushing out friendly state-sponsored emails—“Resource Guide for Seniors,” “Coffee Chat Updates”—all well-timed during election season. But the Studio City crowd wasn’t buying it. They wanted real answers and demanded he show up at their open forum. Instead of the warm welcome he expected, he got cornered by an audience fed up with canned responses and flashy mailers, proving sometimes people just want less talk and more action.
Brad Sherman never showed!
(Eric Preven is a longtime community activist and is a contributor to CityWatch.)
