![]() ![]() Is it bribery? Is it extortion? Is it a plagiarized script from something on Netflix? Esparza testified that he picked up another sack of cash and delivered it to Huizar in a Johnnie Walker Blue Label box. In March 2017, following a meeting between Huizar and a lobbyist for the labor group, the challenge to Lee’s project was dropped. Esparza testified that he picked up the first bag of cash from Kim in February 2017, and that’s when he delivered $100,000 to Huizar. The “ask” was allegedly $1.2 million to be split between Huizar, Kim and Esparza, but allegedly Lee made a counteroffer of $500,000, which was accepted. “Nothing made him happy more than money and women,” he testified. Esparza testified that in September 2016, he brought Huizar and Kim to a dinner meeting followed by a karaoke party that included the services of “escorts.”Įsparza said Huizar was in a great mood on the ride home. Lee hired Justin Kim, a real estate consultant, to help make the labor group’s challenge go away. Lee’s lawyers say he thought he was paying for legitimate consulting services. If that happened, is it bribery or extortion? “He would say, ‘OK, hit these guys up,’” Esparza testified, “‘Let’s see if they’re willing to play.’” Now we’ll play L.A.’s favorite game, “Is it Bribery or Extortion?!”Įsparza, who pleaded guilty in 2020 to a charge of racketeering conspiracy but has not yet been sentenced, described his work for Councilmember Huizar. ![]() Lee needed help to get through the approval process. The city planning department had signed off on the project in July 2016, but weeks later a group that represents construction trade unions filed a challenge to the project. Prosecutors say he paid a $500,000 bribe to get Huizar’s support for city approval of a planned 20-story, 232-unit residential building on Olympic Blvd. Last week, Huizar’s former political aide, George Esparza took the witness stand and testified for three hours in the trial of real estate developer Dae Yong “David” Lee, who has been charged with bribery, wire fraud and obstruction of justice. The first trial resulting from the FBI’s investigation into public corruption at Los Angeles City Hall is underway.Īccording to prosecutors, former City Council member Jose Huizar ran a criminal enterprise in Council District 14. Department of Justice released a photograph of a Don Julio 1942 tequila box with the lid open, its gold lining shimmering above the contents of the box – ten thick stacks of bundled $100 bills. ![]()
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