José Huizar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
José Huizar
|
|
|---|---|
Huizar in 2013
|
|
| Member of the Los Angeles City Council from the 14th district | |
| In office December 1, 2005 – October 15, 2020 |
|
| Preceded by | Antonio Villaraigosa |
| Succeeded by | Kevin de León |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 10, 1968 Zacatecas, Mexico |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Richelle Ríos |
| Children | 4 |
| Residences | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of California, Berkeley (BA) University of California, Los Angeles (JD) Princeton University (MPP) |
| Criminal information | |
| Criminal status |
|
| Conviction(s) | 13 years in federal prison |
| Criminal charge | 2 felony counts of racketeering and tax evasion |
José Luis Huizar (born September 10, 1968) is a Mexican-American former politician. He served on the Los Angeles City Council from 2005 to 2020. He was elected in a special election on November 8, 2005. This was to fill the seat left by Antonio Villaraigosa, who became the mayor.
Huizar was re-elected several times. In 2015, his term was extended due to new city rules. On June 23, 2020, he was arrested on federal charges. This led to his suspension from the council. In 2023, he admitted guilt to charges of misusing his power and not paying taxes. On January 26, 2024, he was sentenced to 13 years in prison. He was also ordered to pay back money to the City of Los Angeles and the IRS.
Contents
Early Life and Education
José Huizar was born in Los Morales, a village in Jerez, Zacatecas, Mexico. His father, Simón Huizar, was a farm worker and later a machinist. His mother, Isidra Serrano, worked in a meatpacking plant.
When he was three, his family moved to the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles. He went to Salesian High School. Later, he studied at the University of California, Berkeley. He earned a master's degree from Princeton University. He also received a law degree from the UCLA School of Law. In 2004, he became the first Latino to join the Princeton Board of Trustees.
Political Career
Los Angeles School Board
José Huizar began his political career on April 10, 2001. He won a seat on the board of the Los Angeles Unified School District. He was supported by Mayor Richard Riordan. Huizar won with 75% of the votes. He served as a member and president of the board until 2005.
Los Angeles City Council (2005–2020)
In November 2005, Huizar ran for a seat on the Los Angeles City Council. He won against Nick Pacheco. This seat was previously held by Antonio Villaraigosa. Huizar was re-elected for full four-year terms in 2007 and 2011. On March 3, 2015, he was re-elected for a fourth time. He was the first Mexican immigrant to be elected to the L.A. City Council.
On November 7, 2018, the FBI searched Huizar's City Hall office and home. They took computers and files. On November 15, 2018, Los Angeles City Council President Herb Wesson removed Huizar from all his committee roles. On May 28, 2020, Mayor Eric Garcetti and City Council President Nury Martinez asked Huizar to resign. He was arrested by federal agents on June 23, 2020. The City Council then suspended him from office.
Council Committees
Huizar served on several important committees:
- Planning & Land Use Management
- Rules, Elections & Intergovernmental Relations (he was once vice chair)
- Energy & Environment (he was chair in 2012–13)
- Economic Development
Environmental Efforts
Huizar led the Los Angeles City Council's Energy & Environment Committee from 2012 to 2013. Under his leadership, the committee worked on a ban for single-use plastic bags. They also expanded recycling efforts for businesses and apartment buildings. In 2013, Huizar received awards for his environmental work. He also worked to protect open spaces and improve parks in Los Angeles.
Complete Streets Initiative
Huizar supported the complete streets idea in city planning. This means designing streets to be safe for everyone. This includes people walking, biking, driving, and using public transport. In 2012, Huizar helped create a program for "parklets" in Los Angeles. Parklets are small public spaces that extend from the sidewalk into the street. They encourage walking and provide more open space. The city's first parklets were installed in 2013. Huizar also worked to add more bike lanes in Los Angeles.
Transportation Focus
In 2009, Huizar joined the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board. He pushed for longer Metro hours. He also focused on civil rights in transportation planning. He served on the board until 2013.
Housing Development
Huizar was involved in decisions about housing. He delayed the building of 49 affordable housing units in his own neighborhood for several years.
Historic Preservation
In 2011, Huizar worked to extend the Mills Act. This act helps preserve historic buildings by lowering property taxes for owners who restore them. He also helped expand a Historic Preservation Overlay Zone in Highland Park. Historic preservation was also a key part of his "Bringing Back Broadway" plan. Huizar was criticized for some land-use decisions. These decisions led to the loss of historic places like the Ambassador Hotel.
In 2008, Huizar started the Bringing Back Broadway initiative. This was a ten-year plan to bring life back to the historic Broadway Theater District in Downtown Los Angeles. He also worked to bring back the Historic Downtown Los Angeles Streetcar.
Scholarship Issues
A podcast called "Smoke Screen: The Sellout" reported on scholarships. These were called "Jose Huizar Excellence in Education Scholarship." They were for Latinx high school students. The podcast interviewed four students who said they never received the money. The scholarships were supposed to be between $500 and $1,000.
Legal Issues
Federal agents began investigating City Hall due to reports of wrongdoing. José Huizar was arrested on June 23, 2020. He was charged with misusing his power. On January 20, 2023, Huizar admitted guilt to charges of misusing his position and not paying taxes. He used his power to get at least $1.5 million from real estate developers. On January 26, 2024, he was sentenced to 13 years in federal prison. He began his prison sentence on October 7, 2024.
Awards and Recognition
In 2005, Hispanic Business Magazine named him one of the "100 most influential Hispanics" in the United States. The Los Angeles Business Journal also named him one of 25 people in Los Angeles with the potential to shape lives. In 2013, he received awards for his environmental leadership.
Personal Life
Huizar married Richelle Ríos in 1999. They have four children. He became a U.S. citizen while he was in college.
