Former Los Angeles City Councilman José Huizar was sentenced to 13 years in prison on Friday in a corruption case involving at least $1.5 million in cash and benefits in exchange for help driving downtown real estate projects through the city’s approval process, and for cheating on his taxes.
Prosecutors also recommended Huizar pay more than $1.3 million in fines and restitution.
Huizar, 55, of Boyle Heights, pleaded guilty a year ago to federal counts of conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and tax evasion.
He was ordered to surrender to authorities to begin serving his sentence on April 30.
Earlier this year, the 54-year-old politician, who represented the downtown LA area for 15 years, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and one count of tax evasion. The Department of Justice said Huizar used his elected position to make himself and his friends richer.
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