Before joining LAist in 2023, I covered L.A. politics, the environment, immigration, and South Dakota's 2023 legislative session for the Associated Press. A lifelong Angeleno, I'm passionate about the
LAist is part of Southern California Public Radio, a member-supported public media network. For the latest national news from NPR and our live radio broadcast, visitLos Angeles City Councilman Gil Cedillo speaks about the US Citizenship Act of 2021 on April 29, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.In these challenging times, the need for reliable local reporting has never been greater. Put a value on the impact of our year-round coverage.
The charges were filed by Cedillo's legal team Friday afternoon. The Los Angeles Times first reported on the lawsuit. Also named as defendants are Karla Vasquez and Santo Leon, two former employees of the federation who are married to each other.Cedillo alleges that the couple “compromised” the conference room to secretly record a conversation between Cedillo, Councilmember Kevin de León, former Council President Nury Martinez and former President of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor Ron Herrera.
The tapes, containing disparaging and racist remarks, were leaked nearly a year ago and became one of L.A.’s biggest political scandals — roiling City Hall and leading to a push to reform how council districts are drawn.His lawyer Brian Kabateck provided a copy of the lawsuit to LAist, but declined to comment.The Los Angeles Times is reporting today that de León has filed a lawsuit against Vazquez and Leon over the leaked tapes.