LOS ANGELES, June 25 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is being investigated for receiving free tickets to about 100 sporting events, concerts and shows, officials say.
District Attorney Steve Cooley and the Los Angeles Ethics Commission is investigating the mayor's practice of accepting free entry to events, the Los Angeles Times reported Friday.
Villaraigosa's lawyers identified the Los Angeles Dodgers as the biggest donor of free tickets.
The mayor alleges his acceptance of free tickets was connected to the performance of official and/or ceremonial duties therefore relieving him from having to report the tickets as gifts under state law, the Times said.
California's ethics law requires elected officials to report any gift of more than $50 along with the name of the donor. It also bars officials from accepting gifts of more than $420.
Officials with the Fair Political Practices Commission say that rule does not apply when the official performs a ceremonial duty.
Villaraigosa contends his mere appearance at a event constituted an official duty as mayor, whether he presented an proclamation or was an invited guest, the Times said.
"He is all over the city, and sometimes he spends 5 minutes at a location and sometimes he spends 45 minutes," said Deputy Chief of Staff Matt Szabo. "And so it is entirely reasonable that he may or may not remember every detail."
"The record-keeping, frankly, could have been better" on the donors of the tickets, said Brian Currey, the mayor's in-house counsel.
