At a Glance
- Curren Price, 75, charged with 10 counts of public corruption.
- Allegations include embezzlement of millions from LA Housing Authority and LA Metro.
- If convicted, faces up to 11 years 4 months in custody.
- Why it matters: The case signals a crackdown on city-wide corruption and may reshape South LA’s leadership.
Introduction
Curren Price of Council District 9 in South LA has been thrust into the spotlight after a federal indictment on 10 counts of embezzlement, perjury, and conflict of interest. The preliminary hearing began Tuesday in downtown Los Angeles, and the case could determine whether the long-time councilmember remains in office.
Charges and Allegations
The indictment details how Price allegedly voted to award a multi-million-dollar grant to a real-estate consulting firm owned by his wife, Delbra Pettice Richardson. The grant reportedly came from the LA Housing Authority and LA Metro, according to the LA County District Attorney’s Office. In addition, Price is accused of having the city pay medical benefits for Richardson while he was married to another woman.
Price’s legal team has denied all accusations, and he has pleaded not guilty to every charge. The allegations surfaced in 2023, and the councilmember has kept his seat since then.
Legal Proceedings
A preliminary hearing began on Tuesday, and the judge is expected to decide in a few days whether there is sufficient evidence to require Price to stand trial. The case has been handled by two district attorneys:
- Former DA George Gascon charged him with 5 counts of grand theft by embezzlement, 3 counts of perjury, and 2 counts of conflict of interest.
- In 2025, current DA Nathan Hochman added two more public corruption charges.
If convicted, Price faces up to 11 years 4 months in custody, including up to 9 years 4 months in state prison and up to 2 years in county jail.
Impact on City Governance
Price’s indictment comes at a time when Los Angeles is grappling with a broader corruption investigation that has already exposed misconduct among several city officials. The preliminary hearing has drawn attention from local media, including NBC4’s Conan Nolan, who discussed the case with legal scholars Jessica Levinson of Loyola Law School and Dan Schnur of USC, UC Berkeley, and Pepperdine.
The councilmember’s absence from the Tuesday City Council meeting underscores the gravity of the situation. If a trial proceeds, it could lead to a vacancy in District 9 and a scramble for interim leadership.
Key Takeaways
- Curren Price faces 10 counts of public corruption.
- Allegations involve millions in grant money tied to his wife’s business.
- Legal proceedings are underway, with a potential trial looming.
- The outcome may trigger a leadership shift in South LA.
The case illustrates how city officials can be held accountable for misuse of public funds and highlights the importance of transparent governance.
