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Ethics Officials Seek Restrictions On Free Tickets
The Los Angeles Ethics Commission has voted to ban the city’s elected officials from accepting free tickets to concerts, sporting contests and other events if the ticket donor has business pending before the city.
Tuesday’s vote comes weeks after Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said he accepted tickets to dozens of major entertainment and sporting events.
Ethics officials are investigating allegations he may have received reportable gifts and that some of those may have exceeded gift limits.
The mayor has said that under state law, the tickets were not considered gifts because he would perform an official city duty at the event, such as presenting a city proclamation.
The measure needs to be approved by the City Council before going into effect.