L.A. City Council Spends Thousands of Your Money on Top Restaurants, Clubs, Hotels (Even for a 'Personal Fiesta')

By Dennis Romero Thu., Feb. 10 2011 at 9:28 AM

Tony Cardenas

Clarification: Cardenas spokeswoman Sybil MacDonald says the cash used for these excursions comes from donations to the council offices -- our boss says it's mostly leftover campaign contributions -- and does not constitute tax dollars (though we argued it's still your money if it's destined for public use) and was given only because these folks represent you.

Despite the budget crunch of the last few years, some L.A. City Council members have been ... let's say liberal with your tax dollars when it comes to restaurant and hotel spending. (And remember, these are the highest-paid elected city officials in the nation).

San Fernando Valley Councilman Tony Cardenas spent $10,000 in 15 visits to E3rd Steakhouse & Lounge a few blocks from City Hall, according to an expose of the spending in La Opinion newspaper Thursday. His total restaurant, hotel and travel spending was pegged at $81,500.

In one outing alone, documented as a "personal holiday" (or, in the awesome untranslated parlance, un fiesta personal ... indeed) Cardenas spent ...

... nearly $3,000.

Now, why the hell are you paying for a councilman's fiesta personal? Before we address that, wait, there's more:

Eastside Councilman Jose Huizar spent $2,845 for 13 visits to Pacific Dining Car, and $259 for a night at Elevate Lounge, a 21st-floor, DJ-driven club downtown.

In all La Opinion counts up $ 850,000 in spending by City Council members for hotels, trips and restaurants in the last decade.

The cash comes from council members' "discretionary funds," which allow them to spend lots of cash pretty much however they like.

Top spenders were identified as Ed Reyes, Cardenas , Greig Smith and Janice Hahn

Interestingly, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, known for his travel to Europe, Mexico and Washington, D.C., came off as one of the more conscientious spenders in City Hall. La Opinion added up $23,500 in recent discretionary hotel and travel spending for the mayor.

Westside Councilman Bill Rosendahl was one of the most miserly on the body, with only $1,116 in such spending.

For his part, Cardenas tells the paper:

"When I have a meeting with a member of the community I pay for everything."

Eh, make that we pay for everything, councilman.

Tags:

City Council, discretionary spending, Ed Reyes, La Opinion, Tony Cardenas, Villaraigosa

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Todd1962

Cardenas, "you pay for everything"? Really? REALLY? Why don't you just adopt the royal third person "We" because that is obviously the way you see yourself. Pal, your days on the city council are numbered.

Jamie Cordaro

Now this is just criminal with our tax dollars and we are to trust this Councilperson with the City's MONEY? Multimillion dollar budgets, maybe this is why we are in the shape we are in? I think not this time around! What about the rest of them? That is why they all fought the LA City Controller when auditing the discretionary accounts in each office holders account. They must think that this is their very own little PIGGY Bank, not going to happen on my watch. Go to www.LACD6.com and know that I am here to give to the Community not take from the Community, because this is our Community. James "Jamie" Cordaro ~ Cordaro for Los Angeles City Council 6, 2011 on facebook.

Antonio

Tony, I'm hungry, I'm single and you're kind of sexy in that way that rich guys are.

Call me.

Amy Alkon

Blame the sheeple who vote these scumbags in -- and that goes for our junketing mayor, Tony Teeth. I voted for Walter Moore. You?

Icsguy55

NO MORE VOLUNTEERING. NO MORE FREE DAYS OF SERVICE. Councilpeople can pay from their "Discretionary Fund" if they want something done in their own District.

Tamarakriner

ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!! What is Cardinas spending our money on! Do you know what I could get for $10,000 and he's spending it on steak! What is he spending $3000 on when it was his day off or something. We aren't getting what we are supposed to get out of Cardinas office and he's spending like a drunken sailor on anything but what he's supposed to spend it on. That's it he has to be thrown out. TJ

Nando

Another reason for us to re-evaluate our position when it's time to elect these "officials" as to who can actually do what's in our best interest. Adding to what Robert said, I wonder if the average Joe even gets to go on one of these "meetings". I'm sure if you don't have anything to bring to the table (no pun intended) on one of these meetings, you won't even get to speak to this official, let alone meet with him.

Robert

Gee it would be nice to be invited to one of those meeting Cardenas takes people to. I'm sure if the community member knew it was on the taxpayer dime they would rather eat at Taco Bell. I think LA Opinon figures have to be wrong on the Mayor spending. This is just out of discretionary funds not his other fund because I would guarantee the mayor's spening is probalby doubled Cardenas'. And these are the fools who think they should be re elected???? Cardenas' arrogance is frightening. He continues to react just like the gangster thug he is.