According to an LAPD statement to The Epoch Times, the department “has opened an investigation into the leaked recording involving multiple city council members to determine the origin of the recording.”
The probe involves “interviews of persons present and any potential witnesses that have insight into this investigation,” the statement read.
According to Police Chief Michel Moore, since last month the LAPD has been looking into whether the audio recording, which was made in October of 2021, was produced illegally. Under California law, private conversations cannot be recorded unless all parties agree.
Currently, it is unclear who recorded the conversation, which reportedly took place at a Los Angeles County Federation of Labor’s office, or who posted it on Reddit Oct. 9.
Besides Martinez, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor President Ron Herrera and Councilmen Gil Cedillo and Kevin de León could be heard in the conversation saying racially charged remarks about a fellow councilor and other ethnic groups.
The recording surfaced—but was removed shortly after—just weeks before the Nov. 8 election. Herrera resigned from his position the next day, followed by Martinez a few days later.
Since the leak, protesters have disrupted city council meetings, calling for Cedillo and de León to resign.
De León said in a series of television and radio interviews last month he wants to regain the trust of the community and his colleagues. Cedillo lost his re-election bid in the November election and will be leaving the council in December.
