November 10, 2005

AVWatch: Villaraigosa rides on Ameriquest jet, pays 10% of cost

"Mayor Reconquista", aka Antonio Villaraigosa, was recently given short notice that he could appear at Rosa Parks' funeral. Now, if he were an average citizen, about the only thing he could do is try to get a last-minute flight from LAX or BUR. Needless to say, the former MEChA member is not an ordinary citizen:

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is under fire from some ethics watchdogs for using a private jet owned by a company that has a lobbyist assigned to City Hall.

Villaraigosa used the plane owned by Orange-based Ameriquest last week to fly to Detroit with an aide, his two-member security detail and another person after he received a last-minute invitation to speak at the funeral of civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks.

Villaraigosa was paid $20,000 for doing consulting work for Ameriquest in 2001 and 2002, and the company has contributed nearly $200,000 to his two mayoral campaigns, his inaugural gala and a political committee he controlled while he was speaker of the Assembly.

"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."

AV is paying them back out of a "political account" and not city money. But, he's only paying them $438 each for him and an aide. In the article, the owner of a private jet company says he would have charged $3900 per person for the same flight.

Previously: he got involved in the L.A. Zoo's elephant controversy and, by the way, the Los Angeles Times is still covering up Villaraigosa's past.

Posted to Los_Angeles at November 10, 2005 05:49 AM

Comments

I will watch to see how many people post something about this, likely only me! this guy villaraigosa stated that bin laden was mexico best friend, why is he in the political place he is? he has stated on mexican TV,Radio that mexico will get its lost lands back and more!..so what is the problem? after all he will become EL.P..Of the new lands of mexico! and don't come crying to me when you and yours are in camps for reeducation!..you know like the jews were put into camps, after has father loved hitler!..fight or die its up to you!..death to the enemies of our bill of rights!..death to all who hate our freedoms! long live the usa and i shit on the flag of mexico!

Posted by: Fred Dawes at November 10, 2005 10:16 AM

so it appears people are afraid to say one thing about this L.A. Drug gang member who calls himself the mayor Of L.A. SO WHAT IF HE CAME HERE ILLEGALLY He will someday make a find EL.Pesident for the new lands of mexico. and i got news for you that is not a joke.

Posted by: Fred Dawes at November 12, 2005 01:37 AM