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 [ ARCHIVE ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=16)

#  Voices: Mayor Practices Don't Ask, Don't Tell

September 20 2012

Written by Jay Handal.

<a class="a2a_button_facebook"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter"></a><a class="a2a_button_email"></a><a class="a2a_button_print"></a>[](https://www.addtoany.com/share)

![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Sep-2012/cw1076r.png)WE GET MAIL - Today we learned that AEG is for sale. Figures. Just like our city ... for sale to the highest bidders.

Did the Mayor think it was rich, ethical to negotiate away tens of millions of dollars in hotel taxes, potentially the operating of the convention center, new hotel space and tax credits that will help keep this city broke, while hiding the fact that the company HE was negotiating with was for sale itself?!

And worst, he defends back door negotiating and deals stating "He is the Mayor".

Let's be clear ... this is not a monarchy.

This Mayor has been running for higher office for years with complete disregard for the fiscal health of our city, and the crumbling of our infrastructure.

So now, it's O.K. to not tell?

This is the most egregious act of this Mayors career. And worse, Councilmember Perry is quoted in the paper as stating "she wished the Mayor had mentioned that AEG was being sold".

Besides Councilmember Rosendahl's proclamation that he was stunned, where is the outrage?

The city council should immediately stop any hearings or votes on the agreements. They should launch an ethics investigation into the Mayors conduct and relationship to AEG, and nothing should move forward until the closet door is opened, the closet cleaned out, and the Tell All version is released.

*(Jay Handal is chair of the West LA Neighborhood Council and co-chair of the NC Budget Advocates Committee. This e-letter expresses his own views.)*
-cw

CityWatch
Vol 10 Issue 76
Pub: Sept 21, 2012

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