LN Hearts LA City Atty.
Political contributions made by Live Nation execs and their families to Los Angeles City Atty. Carmen Trutanich could provide an appearance of a conflict of interest for the official who recently announced a civil injunction against prolific scalpers.
Trutanich, who has also been a thorn in the side of AEG in its plans to build a football stadium in downtown L.A., filed an injunction Aug. 6 seeking approval to prevent scalpers from working the streets within 100 yards of
According to records acquired by the Los Angeles Times, Trutanich received $15,000 in 2009 and 2010 from 13 Live Nation execs, including executive chairman Irving Azoff, CEO Michael Rapino, general counsel Michael Rowles, CFO Kathy Willard and Ticketmaster CEO Nathan Hubbard. Azoff’s wife reportedly kicked in some cash as well.
Trutanich campaign officials told the Times that there is no link between the contributions and the court action targeting scalpers. Staples Center is owned by AEG, but Ticketmaster is the authorized ticket seller. Secondary ticketer StubHub has a deal with Major League Baseball that covers resales at Dodger Stadium.
But Bob Stern, former president of defunct watchdog group Center for Governmental Studies told the Times the appearance of conflict exists.
“The appearance looks like [Trutanich] is catering to campaign contributors,” Stern told the paper. “But it happens a lot. Campaign contributors give to people who are their friends. Live Nation has a very strong interest in what they are doing, so I am sure they applauding” the anti-scalping initiative.
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