L.A. Coliseum Commission CEO Patrick Lynch Resigns After he Let Manager Double Dip as Employee of Rave Promoter
Update: Late Tuesday afternoon the Coliseum Commission met behind closed doors and voted unanimously to accept the resignation of CEO/general manager Patrick Lynch; Ronald Lederkramer, the venue's director of finance, was named to take his place as acting general manager.
Matthieu Aubrey Ravers love lasers: We're guessing Patrick Lynch doesn't.
L.A. Coliseum CEO Patrick Lynch resigned today following revelations that he allowed a venue manager "double dip" as an employee for a controversial rave promoter who organized parties there, the Los Angeles Times reports
The public Coliseum Commission was set to meet behind closed doors late Tuesday to discuss Lynch's employment.
The Los Angeles Times reported that Lynch knew Coliseum events manager Todd DeStefano was working for rave promoter Insomniac Events even as the organizer was lobbying the commission to let his raves continue.
DeStefano even oversaw security and other aspects of Electric Daisy Carnival, Insomniac's criticized "massive" at the Coliseum in June that set off a series of events that essentially put raves on thin ice at the Coliseum and its sister venue, the Sports Arena.
EDC saw 60 arrests, more than 200 medical emergencies and the death of a 15-year-old ecstasy overdose victim.
After that the commission enacted a moratorium on raves and stated EDC would have to come before it for specific approval this year.
Insomniac then launched a lobbying campaign to ensure that is multi-million-dollar party -- city Councilman Bernard Parks' office states EDC generates $33 million in revenue -- was given a green light.
At times during this month's Coliseum Commission meeting to review plans for EDC, it appeared as if though some commissioners and staffers were there to argue for Insomniac.
DeStefano even hired a lobbyist to argue in favor of raves at City Hall.
Lynch knew DeStefano was double-dipping but did nothing about it. Now the L.A. District Attorney's office and the state Fair Political Practices Commission are looking at DeStefano's actions.
Following the revelations about DeStefano's dual role, Commissioner Rick Caruso says a ban on the events at the Coliseum and Sports Arena is back on the table.
Lynch, by the way, worked at the Coliseum for 17 years. The Times reported he resigned via an email to commissioners.
First posted at 2:28 p.m.
Email to Friend
Write to Editor
Print Article
