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VOL. 28,
NO. 164
Ex-LA deputy mayor guilty of corruption in case linked to José Huizar
Star Wars celebs to gather for fan event at Chalice Collectibles in Arcadia to raise funds for charity
By Fred Shuster, City News Service
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ormer Los Angeles Deputy Mayor Raymond Chan was found guilty Wednesday of federal racketeering conspiracy and bribery charges for his role in a scheme run by convicted ex-City Councilman José Huizar to monetize the real estate approval process at City Hall. The guilty verdicts on all counts came a little over an hour after the federal criminal jury in downtown Los Angeles began deliberations for the day. Chan, 67, of Monterey Park, was convicted of a dozen charges, including racketeering conspiracy, two types of bribery and lying to federal agents for his role in the bribery scheme. Sentencing was set for June 10. Chan was a key member of the so-called Council District 14 enterprise, a conspiracy in which Huizar — assisted by others — unlawfully used his office to give favorable treatment to wealthy developers who financed and facilitated bribes and other illicit benefits. During opening statements two weeks ago in Chan's retrial, Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Faerstein said the longtime Los Angeles official had three goals: "Get money, keep power, and avoid the feds." But to defense attorneys, Chan was a dedicated, detailoriented civil servant who spent his hours working for the city. "He was helpful — almost to a fault," Michael Freedman told the jury. "Huizar used him just like Huizar used
everyone. Ray Chan didn't create problems — he solved problems." An ex-deputy mayor who oversaw economic development for then-Mayor Eric Garcetti in 2016 and 2017, Chan "sold access" to Huizar, and arranged bribe payments for himself, for the thencouncilman and for other city officials, prosecutors said. Chan worked for the city for almost three dozen years, serving at one point as the top executive overseeing the Department of Building and Safety, which reviews building plans and inspects construction projects. Before Huizar pleaded guilty to federal charges, he and Chan were scheduled to go on trial together. Huizar, 55, pleaded guilty last year to felony charges for using his powerful position at City Hall to enrich himself and his associates, and for cheating on his taxes. He was sentenced in January to 13 years in federal prison and ordered to surrender to begin his sentence no later than April 30. He was also ordered to pay nearly $444,000 in restitution to the city of Los Angeles and nearly $39,000 to the IRS. A mistrial was declared in Chan's first trial last year due to a defense attorney's medical emergency. "He sold out his office," Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassie Palmer told the jury Tuesday in her closing argument. "He helped Huizar take bribes from developers who were willing to pay to play." During the two-week trial, prosecutors called several
By Fabiola Diaz fdiaz@beaconmedianews.com
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Los Angeles City Hall. | Photo courtesy of Bohao Zhao/ Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
cooperating witnesses to the stand to testify against Chan in Los Angeles federal court, including George Esparza, Huizar's former special assistant, and real estate development consultant George Chiang, each of whom pleaded guilty to participating in the City Hall-based racketeering conspiracy. Chan was "careful but corrupt," and for years stayed "under the radar" while coordinating bribes in a scheme to soak developers in exchange for getting building projects approved at City Hall, prosecutors said. The defense countered that the former deputy mayor was motivated only by "love of his adopted city" and did nothing illegal. John Hanusz, one of Chan's attorneys, told jurors that the city of Los Angeles benefited as a result of Chan's
work, making downtown development "attractive" to foreign investors. "It was his mission to bring economic development to Los Angeles," the defense attorney said. "Unfortunately, Ray Chan thought everyone shared his vision." The defense attorney told jurors that his client "was motivated for love of his adopted city of Los Angeles," not by greed or lust for power. As a result of the sprawling public corruption case, a developer, a former lobbyist, a land-use consultant, a Chinese-based real estate company and even Huizar's older brother, Salvador Huizar, have either pleaded guilty or been convicted by a jury. Chan was the final defendant charged in the City Hall corruption investigation.
he force will be at Chalice Collectibles, one of the biggest independent retailers of Funko Pops, in Arcadia on May 4 when celebrities from the Star Wars universe will gather for a signing event raising funds for two of LucasFilm’s favorite charities: the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Starlight Foundation. Fans in the San Gabriel Valley, and beyond, will have the opportunity to meet: - Chris Bartlett, the voice and human behind C-3PO and 1-JAC on the Disney+ series “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” and Q9-0 “Zero” and The Ferryman on “The Mandalorian,” among others; - Kat Cressida, the voice of Princess Leia in “Star Wars: Rebellion” “X-Wing Alliance” and “Star Wars: Rogue Squadron,” as well as the voice of Dee Dee from “Dexter’s Laboratory,” Jessie the Cowgirls from “Toy Story,” Constance Hatchaway from The Haunted Mansion ride and Marvel’s Elektra; - Misty Rosas, who portrayed Kuiil and Frog Lady on “The Mandalorian”; and - Leilani Shiu who portrayed Teeka The Jawa on “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” Tatooine Jawa and Offworld Jawa on “The Mandalorian,” and Tatooine Jawa and Chadra Fan in “The Book of Boba Fett.” Additionally, there will be fully interactive, cinemagrade, life-size replicas of R2-D2 and BB-8 interacting See Star Wars Page 15
and taking photos with the public. Bartlett, Cressida, Rosas and Shiu will be selling and signing Funko Pops, including vaulted ones, 8-by-10s, photo opportunities and other exclusive Star Wars and Disney merchandise. A representative for PSA, a third-party authenticator of collectibles, will be present to authenticate autographs at $5 per item. To raise funds for MakeA-Wish and the Starlight Foundation, guests can enter a charity raffle to win autographed Funko Pops by all participating celebrities, and Chalice Collectibles will be making a large donation. Additionally, all four celebrities will also be donating partial proceeds of what they make in autograph sales. Cressida, who last did a signing at Chalice Collectibles over two years ago, spoke to Arcadia Weekly in a phone interview. “I’m so excited!” Cressida enthused, sharing that this event is “for the fans.” Unlike at larger fan conventions, Chalice is putting together a more intimate event without compromising on thrills. “What’s really amazing about this particular event, of course it’s not just the amazing serendipity of the timing… it’s that I was able to assemble this incredible crew of legit Star Wars celebrities who normally would have been in different parts