Read about how a pro-communist, ultra radical "MEChista" named Tony Villar cut his hair, changed his name, put on a tie, and became the mayor of America's second largest city.
Posted on 11/08/2005 10:02:32 AM PST by NormsRevenge
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa faced criticism Monday for requesting the use of a jet owned by Ameriquest, a mortgage firm that has a City Hall lobbyist assigned to press its interests with the mayor.
Villaraigosa, who once worked for the firm, flew last week on the private jet to Detroit with an aide and his security detail after receiving a last-minute invitation to speak at the funeral of civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks.
"Because of the short notice and the need to fulfill his official duties, the mayor needed the services of a private jet," spokeswoman Janelle Erickson said.
Ethics watchdogs said the mayor should not accept the use of private jets provided by corporations doing business affected by the city.
"It's very troubling. It doesn't set a good standard for the new administration," said Robert Stern, president of the nonpartisan Center for Governmental Studies in Los Angeles. "It's one of those perks the mayor should do without."
City ethics laws bar officials from accepting gifts worth more than $100 from restricted sources, which include firms that employ City Hall lobbyists.
Erickson said the mayor planned to tap a political account, not taxpayer money, to reimburse the company $438 each for himself and the aide, the amount it would cost to fly a commercial carrier to Detroit.
Ameriquest, which is based in Orange, writes higher-cost "sub-prime" mortgage for borrowers with credit problems.
The firm is in negotiations to settle an inquiry into its lending practices by California, 32 other states and the District of Columbia. The company, which has been accused of bait-and-switch tactics that inflated costs for borrowers, has set aside $325 million for penalties and restitution to settle the case.
The mayor has long-standing ties to the company.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
As if 7 hours and 22 speakers wasn't enough, they needed a boy from the barrio to be there as well.
Read about how a pro-communist, ultra radical "MEChista" named Tony Villar cut his hair, changed his name, put on a tie, and became the mayor of America's second largest city.
This is the start - at a higher level - of a continuation and the voters of LA knew exactly what they were voting for when they elected him.
That is a sad commentary on these voters and Los Angeles, indeed.
This guy will try and run for President in 2012. At the rate they are coming across the border, he'll probably win.
How is speaking at Rosa Parks' funeral part of his official duties? How about he pays for it out of his own private pocket?
It would be different if the president or other national leader went, but he's just a lousy mayor! Of a truly crappy city (I was there last year and hated the place - it's dirty, smoggy, and you can't even find anyone in a gas station or convenience store that speaks English - in fact, now that I think about it, it's basically just like some 3rd world nation).
I think he's looking at the California Governor's office as his next stepping stone. By then Mexico will have taken over California. He's such a media whore.
Why doesn't the Mayor have to reimburse the full amount it would cost to use a private jet?
Lonesharks allied with far-left Democrats? I bet Ameriquest doesn't give out "social" loans.
Why doesn't the Mayor have to reimburse the full amount it would cost to use a private jet?
----
Damn good question.
Politicians are special, yaknow.
The Head of Ameriquest gives large amounts of money to BOTH parties.
It's just the price it has to pay to 'give the business' to poor folks in search of loans that have hidden costs.
Let me write a more likely scenario:
...after realizing at the last-minute that he wasn't going to be given the opportunity to be in front of a camera, the mayor went to MacArthur Park and purchased an invitation to the funeral of civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks.
In what way is this one of his official duties?
That is because AmeriQuest is itching to refinance California.
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