LA Councilman Curren Price Ordered to Stand Trial on Corruption Charges

Judge rules there is sufficient evidence for Price to face 12 felony counts, including embezzlement and conflict of interest.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 11:47am

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A Los Angeles city council member will stand trial on felony public corruption charges after a judge ruled that prosecutors presented enough evidence to proceed. Curren Price, a Democrat representing the city's 9th District, is accused of improperly voting on city projects that financially benefited his wife, failing to disclose conflicts of interest, and embezzling approximately $33,800 in city funds.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing concerns about corruption and lack of transparency among elected officials in Los Angeles. The charges against Price raise questions about the integrity of the city's political process and the need for stronger ethics oversight and enforcement.

The details

Prosecutors allege that Price used his position to award city lease agreements and over $2 million in federal COVID-19 grants to a nonprofit where he served as CEO. They also say he failed to disclose these conflicts of interest on required state forms.

  • Price was initially charged in 2023 with 5 felony counts.
  • An amended complaint filed in August 2025 added 2 more felony conflict of interest counts.
  • Price's arraignment is scheduled for March 13, 2026.

The players

Curren Price

A Democratic Los Angeles city council member representing the 9th District, who has been ordered to stand trial on 12 felony corruption charges.

Nathan Hochman

The Los Angeles County District Attorney, who said the charges against Price are a "significant step toward holding L.A. Councilmember Curren Price accountable for years of alleged corruption."

Shelly Torrealba

The Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge who ruled that prosecutors presented sufficient evidence for Price to stand trial.

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What they’re saying

“This is a significant step toward holding L.A. Councilmember Curren Price accountable for years of alleged corruption. Our Public Integrity Division has been prepared to go to trial since the charges were originally filed. The rules are clear: elected officials cannot enrich themselves at the expense of their constituents, cannot lie on disclosure forms, and cannot vote on matters in which they have a conflict of interest.”

— Nathan Hochman, Los Angeles County District Attorney (1010wcsi.com)

What’s next

Price's arraignment is scheduled for March 13, 2026, where he will formally enter a plea to the charges. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 11 years and 4 months in prison.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges of rooting out corruption among elected officials in Los Angeles, underscoring the need for stronger ethics laws, disclosure requirements, and accountability measures to ensure public trust in the city's political process.