LOS ANGELES—The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)’s Major Crimes Division has opened an investigation into the leaked conversation that led to the City Hall racism scandal to determine if the conversation was recorded illegally, LAPD Chief Michel Moore said Oct. 25.
“The department has initiated a criminal investigation into an allegation of eavesdropping relative to the [Los Angeles County Federation of Labor] meeting involving then-Council person Nury Martinez, Council member Gil Cedillo, and Council member Kevin de León and the Fed President, Mr. [Ron] Herrera,” Moore said during a media availability.
“Our Major Crimes Division is conducting that, and we will bring our results to the appropriate prosecuting agency upon completion of that investigation.”
He was asked, “So, Nury Martinez, Gil Cedillo, the president of the LA Fed, and Kevin de León came to the LAPD and asked for an investigation into it?” Moore replied, “Yes.”
“They approached the department on Friday, this past Friday, and requested that we conduct an investigation into the illegal recording of their private conversation,” Moore said.
“The department immediately dispatched detectives to conduct recorded interviews of the individuals and our investigation will continue as to the facts and circumstances of how the meeting occurred and information from the victims of why they believe the recording was unlawful and also understanding from them the assertion that it was not with their permission.”
However, late Tuesday, a spokesperson for de León said the council member did not request an investigation.
It remains unknown who recorded the year-old, racially charged conversation that took place at the offices of the LA County Federation of Labor, and who leaked it some two weeks ago—triggering a series of events that led Martinez to step down as City Council president and then resigned from the council altogether, and de León and Cedillo to face relentless calls for them to resign as well.
