Why Isn't Wendy Greuel Telling Truth About Gold Desk?

Most people figure that politicians get and give perks the rest of us aren't entitled to. For example, fixing parking ticket for anyone connected to the City Council. That's something most of us would find to be an example of bad government.

The Gold Card Desk existed within the City to do just that. In fact, the City contracted with an outside company to handle this (I guess there were just that many favors to process).

Here comes Wendy Greuel, years later, as City Controller. One of her famous "audits" uncovered the existence of this service and oh how terrible it was. Much like Captain Renault in Casablanca who was shocked to find gambling going on in the casino, Greuel could not believe this was happening!

Yet, according to the Mayor's office, Greuel was well aware of the program during her previous service on the Council and had even used it herself. She had voted for the program and even received a contribution from the company that was hired to process the requests.

But hours after Greuel's press conference, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's office struck back at the controller, alleging that not only had Greuel known about the program when she served on the City Council, but her staff had made use of it. The mayor's office released documents indicating that Greuel, who had chaired the council's Transportation Committee, voted to renew the contract of the company that maintains the program and had been briefed on its operations.

Rival candidate Kevin James was quick to note this and released a commercial pointing out Greuel's "separation from the truth."

Haven't we had enough of lying politicians? The election is almost a month away. Fasten your seat belts, this is going to be a bumpy ride.

LADOT Gold Card access for Councilman Huizar's supporters?

The perks of becoming a Councilman Jose Huizar supporter for El Sereno's Michael Carreon.

Did favorable score on Councilman's Huizar's "Constituent Discrimination Lists" get you Gold Card access via CD 14 Chief of Staff Ana Cubas?

Backside of Gold Card given to CD 1 City Councilman Ed Reyes Office.

There was a time when El Sereno Resident Michael Carreon's appearances at City Hall would cause consternation for CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar and his staff. But as KCET's "SoCal Focus Blog" reports a little "Gold Card love" via Councilman Huizar's Chief of Staff Ana Cubas, may have been the key moment in flipping Carreon from antagonist to supporter.

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