Corruption Investigations May Affect Outcome of Los Angeles Mayor Race

Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn faces a primary election on Tuesday, March 8, amidst significant publicity about federal and county corruption investigations involving possible bribery and kickbacks.  Federal prosecutors have issued subpoenas for office e-mail and have called witnesses to testify before the grand jury.  An executive at a public relations firm with ties to Hahn was indicted in January for allegedly overbilling the city's Department of Water & Power $250,000 (press release here), and several city officials have resigned, although those resignations have not been linked specifically to the corruption investigations.  With the election so close, it will be interesting to see if Hahn, who denies any knowledge or involvement in the alleged corruption, can survive the publicity. An AP story here discusses the investigations. (ph)