Ludlow in a Pinch?

While the outcome of the pending election of Martin Ludlow to head the LA County Fed on Monday has all the excitement of watching ink dry, the repercussions of the move are just heating up.

As the Daily Breeze reports, the LA City Ethics Commission recently sent Ludlow a little love note addressing the following issue:

Ethics Commission Executive Director LeeAnn Pelham, while refusing to comment directly on Ludlow's circumstances, said the law applies to more than only registered lobbyists. Former council members must wait a year before being paid to have "any direct communication" with any city agency if the purpose is to affect the outcome of a pending city decision, according to the Ethics Commission letter.

"The issue here is assuring that there's some period of breathing room so city decision-makers don't feel unusual pressure from someone they may have recently worked closely with," Pelham said. "But it's also to provide assurance to the public that someone isn't trading on their public position for private gain."

Isn't this his job? Well, he sees it differently:

An activist with a lengthy union resume, Ludlow said he had been briefed on the city's ethics rules and concluded that it only applies to discussions of specific contractors. Ludlow said his work is not lobbying and that he has no need to register as a lobbyist.

Why do I have a feeling the only ones who are going to make out in this are lawyers? Let the shenanigans begin!