Acting Los Angeles City Council President Mitch O’Farrell said on Monday, Oct. 17, that he has removed Councilmen Kevin de León and Gil Cedillo from their committee assignments. Meanwhile, Councilman Paul Krekorian has COVID, the second councilmember in recent days to get the virus.
O’Farrell says there is no news on whether either of the councilmen will resign their seats over their participation in a racially charged, secretly recorded conversation from October 2021 that has already led to the resignation of former City Council President Nury Martinez.
De León and Cedillo have been under mounting pressure to resign since the release of the tape more than a week ago.
O’Farrell says he hasn’t spoken to Councilman Kevin de León since last Tuesday “despite my best efforts,” but he is urging him again today to resign, and has passed along the message that he should not attend any future council meetings. Councilman Gil Cedillo will not be attending tomorrow’s planned virtual City Council meeting, O’Farrell says.
O’Farrell has removed them from committees ranging from housing to homelessness to development.
O’Farrell is defending his decision to hold virtual City Council meetings this week due to possible COVID-19 exposure following Councilman Mike Bonin’s positive test for the virus after attending an in-person meeting last Tuesday. The Los Angeles Times is reporting that Councilman Paul Krekorian tested positive for the virus in recent days.
Krekorian is one of a number of councilmembers interesting in becoming the next president of the city council. O’Farrell has made clear he does not want the job.