Gentle reader,
We were back to Federal court this morning, for the sentencing of Jose Huizar’s sidekick and body man, driver and fixer, betrayer and antithesis George Esparza.
We weren’t sure we would attend. After our last trip to court, to witness co-conspirator lobbyist Morrie Goldman hear his sentence, we had the frightening experience of coming upon a person on the sidewalk, just moments after they fell or jumped to their death.
And that left us rattled.
But as seasoned Los Angeles corruption watchers and historians who study some of the courageous citizens who have risked everything by speaking out against the rackets that enrich the few at the expense of the rest of us, we felt we had to be there.
Especially so after reading George Esparza’s remarkable statement of responsibility, submitted on October 21 for Judge John W. Walter’s review as he weighed the appropriate sentence for a confessed felon who spent six years aiding the government in making multiple, complicated criminal cases stick.
You’ll find Esparza’s statement on pages 4-13 in the file below (Exhibit A), followed by letters of support from family and friends.
Every person who cares about the decline of our city and wants to see an end to the vicious cycle of political corruption and constituent rage should read—and share—this powerful document. It might be the most important thing written about politics in Los Angeles in this century, and it leaves us wanting more.
Esparza, who his boss Huizar attempted to blame for his own crimes before receiving a 13 year prison sentence, lays out just how a naive teenage intern who wanted to give something back to his Boyle Heights community and feel important was drawn into a web of bribery, sexual abuse and vote selling, as a key figure in Jose Huizar’s Downtown L.A. office, indicts the “city family” culture of soft corruption that normalizes increasingly brazen and felonious behavior, and presents an intriguing path by which young people entering public service can be empowered to recognize, avoid and to help put a stop to public corruption before they become the next generation of perpetrators—an evil alchemy that has been going on inside Los Angeles City Hall for a century.
George Esparza adopts a charged and very contemporary phrase for what happened to him and other young staffers in Jose Huizar’s office: grooming.
If Esparza’s self-analysis gives you a sense of déjà vu, that might be because you’ve read in our last newsletter about how Morrie Goldman’s attorney suggested that “daddy issues” were why Goldman perpetrated crimes with and for former councilmember Jose Huizar.
We found it bizarre that a highly successful lobbyist and City Hall insider would make this claim about his relationship with someone six years his junior. It seemed improbable, if not deceptive—and of course Goldman didn’t say this himself. Maybe Goldman’s attorney Steve Meister simply read George Esparza’s statement, found it a compelling argument and figured he’d give it a shot in the moments before his client’s sentence was read.
But in George Esparza’s case, the father figure loyalty justification has legs.
Esparza grew up without a dad, attached himself to Huizar in late adolescence, and was so lacking in healthy work/life boundaries that he essentially became Huizar’s servant, slipping easily between collecting $100,000 bribe payouts and delivering flowers to his boss’ mistress, picking up dry cleaning and organizing Night on Broadway festivities, ignoring his own family and earning a creepy sobriquet from the Huizars of “Jose’s firstborn son.”
When the FBI called him, he immediately broke confidentiality to warn Huizar, and was freed from the spell after his idol snapped, “Well, it looks like you have a problem!”
In court, Esparza had the support of his family, including the elderly grandparents who raised him and who he looks after today. Lead prosecutor Mack Jenkins was also present, telegraphing the DOJ’s recommendation of a light sentence reflecting extraordinary cooperation.
Indeed, when the FBI raided Esparza’s grandparents’ home, they overlooked several cell phones packed with incriminating material. Had he not turned them over voluntarily, then agreed to explain what he’d done to aid Huizar’s crimes, the six-year “Casino Loyale” prosecutions now wrapping up would have been much diminished.
Of course, there is a serious question in why the Feds choose to enact something of a surgical strike, taking out the termed out Huizar and retired Deputy Mayor / LADBS General Manager Ray Chan, minor league councilmember Mitch Englander and a smattering of overseas fugitive and small time local developers, but ignoring other politicians and developers who were running their own rackets or complicit in Huizar’s.
Which is why what George Esparza has to say is so significant. The Feds appear to be done, but Los Angeles still has a serious public corruption problem. Instead of giving citizens relief, the limited Huizar prosecutions have left us feeling more powerless.
If you should happen to go to work for a dirty politician as young person, commit multiple felonies, get busted and decide to cooperate with the government, simply taking responsibility and aiding the prosecution would probably be sufficient to get a modest sentence and fine and a chance to move on with your life.
That’s not the way George Esparza is playing it.
Today in court, he listened respectfully with acceptance as Judge Walter laid out a brief litany of his crimes and bad behavior, lingering on how much he appeared to enjoy the sleazy party lifestyle that was how dirty developers purchased Huizar’s land use votes.
Starting from a projected sentence of 108-135 months, the base level of 31 was whittled down to 10 to reflect how much the government had relied on Esparza’s specific knowledge of the players and what they were buying when they enabled Huizar to indulge his vices.
The judge remarked on how extraordinary in his experience was Esparza’s cooperation, and that he had fully accepted responsibility without excuses. The government expressed its hope their witness might remain at home with his grandparents, pay restitution and do community service. The judge called him up.
Attorney Terrence Jones spoke briefly, only to say he was proud of the man he stood beside today, and wanted to defer to Esparza in making his own case before the judge. He gave his client a half hug.
Then it was Esparza’s time. His voice cracking, he said he’d been waiting for this moment for six years. He apologized to his family for putting them through hell, years of living in fear and uncertainty, the shame of an FBI raid on their home and seeing their grandson in handcuffs. And before that, he was sorry for the years when he was so focused on looking after Jose Huizar that he had neglected them.
Reading their letters of support, he realized they saw him as a hero, but he had failed them as a big brother, son and grandson—and here he turned back to look at his family, gathered in a tight knot on the right side of the courtroom.
From the moment his grandparents’ home was raided, he decided to be honest with the government and with himself.
Judge Walter interjected, asking when he left his job at CD14, was that January 2018? Yes. And the FBI called you—? June 2017. And why did it take you so long to leave? Why did you lie twice to the FBI?
Breathing hard, Esparza tried to explain. It was more about protecting people I had relationships with. It was an opportunity to break away from Huizar’s mind control—
The Judge cut him off: You don’t expect me to believe going to Vegas, spending developer Shenzhen New World Group’s money, that Jose Huizar had you under mind control! I’ve watched you testify in four trials. You enjoyed that lifestyle and you benefited by trips to Vegas, cash from Andy Wang—you were a willing participant. You are smart and personable and knew exactly what you were doing!
Esparza agreed he did know. But he added that he had felt an emotional attachment to Jose Huizar, having gone to work for him at 19, admiring him while growing up and seeing him as a father figure. And they were very close, to the point that on the New Year, Huizar was the person he first wished happiness.
Yes, he rode in private jets and sucked on cigars, but he was not that person any longer. When listening to his voice on government wiretaps, he wanted to reach in and slap that guy!
“It wasn’t my responsibility to be Jose Huizar’s moral compass, but it’s my responsibility to be my moral compass!”
The judge suggested without a call from the FBI, Esparza would still be a dirty city staffer. Esparza agreed. His loyalty was skewed. He didn’t want to get his mentors in trouble. His mistake was in being loyal to people and not to values.
His first crime, at 24, was helping his boss settle a sexual harassment case with money from a Chinese developer. After five years in Huizar’s orbit, he didn’t realize it was illegal.
It had taken him six years of aiding the government to even be able to say the name Jose Huizar without shaking.
Being a man of truth was hard. But truth had been his way of freedom to a new life.
When he left CD 14, he went to work for Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo, and said he helped advise her on what not to do. (The pair got into trouble of their own in Sacramento, unmentioned in his remarks before the judge. We have no direct knowledge of the circumstances, but considering the timing, wouldn’t be surprised if it was a preemptive character attack related to the Huizar prosecution.)
Esparza’s testimony had been a bit raggedy to this point, but here he was very firm: he wanted to apologize to the City of Los Angeles and especially to his community of Boyle Heights.
He went into public service to make a difference, and instead he contributed to corruption. There were people in the room today who were doing things the right way. He wanted to continue being a man of truth and honor. He had been in situations most don’t get to experience. He was committed to helping other first generation professionals do good.
And then, this chilling observation: “Even though I have left City Hall, I still see corruption. I see the fear in staff members’ eyes. They are trained—a distorted view of what loyalty means.”
His desire was to use his “Transformation Table” rap sessions to show young political staffers what corruption looks like: how it starts with a free tie, a meal, the boss gives you his old golf clubs, and then you’re picking up wads of cash.
The judge broke in: Maybe I should impose a prison sentence to send a message?
Esparza said maybe he should do that.
The judge said he saw him as a little Jose Huizar.
Esparza agreed that’s what he was. And he was ready to accept responsibility, it was part of his growth. He looked forward to serving and giving back to his community and to the public.
We were reminded of Jose Huizar’s sentencing, when the councilmember turned his chair to stare at the judge, defiant, and Judge Walter made no remark about this insolence. George Esparza, however, was getting raked over the coals, and taking it like a man. In the benches, several women were quietly weeping. Was he going to prison?
Judge Walter noted he had committed crimes for which others had received lengthy custodial sentences. But unlike them, he had cooperated. The letters from those who love him were taken into account, as was his own statement, which the judge found sincere and persuasive. He had suffered from mental and emotional issues, but addressed them through therapy. He had previously suffered from substance abuse. but had tested clean while under trial supervision. His cooperation was extraordinary and remarkable.
Even reduced, the range of sentence seemed to not adequately take into account the particulars of this case. Probation (3 years) and home confinement (12 months) were sufficient, with community service (300 hours) and restitution ($130,459). You are to pay $500/month. The government interjected, how about making it $150/month? What, he’s employed and not serving prison time, he can pay that much—but okay, fine, his lawyer can submit a request to lower the amount.
And that was it—the keeper of the Huizar’s secrets was free to serve his time and get on with his life, which if his statement is truthful, will be one of service and shining a light on the dark corners where corruption takes hold of idealistic young people.
Dismissed by the judge, family, friends, lawyers and reporters poured out into the hall.
George Esparza thanked us for showing up for him, said it meant a lot that we had. Kim presented him with a copy of her mystery novel The Kept Girl, with its central character Thomas H. James, a City Hall and LAPD insider who blew the whistle on public corruption in the 1920s, suffered greatly for his courage, and inspired Raymond Chandler to create his detective hero Philip Marlowe.
We expressed appreciation for his written statement, and urged him to submit an open letter the Los Angeles Times, if they would have it.
While the inscription in the book was specifically for George Esparza, we’ll share it with all of you, since nobody can carry the weight of Los Angeles alone. In this incredibly challenging time, people of honor can and must come together to protect each other and our most precious possessions—our city, our freedom, our rights, the truth!
For George Esparza: There is no wealth greater than the love for Los Angeles. You are part of a process of transformation that is more than 100 years old. We may not live to see a clean and fair city, but we can all make a difference that matters. Thank you for changing course. Tom James is looking out for you.
Saturday’s special tour, Detective Mike Digby’s forensic history investigation of the 1910 Bombing of the Los Angeles Times, is now just $5 in recognition of the near death experience related in our last newsletter. Mike is amazing, and this is a rare opportunity to learn about the national investigation he uses while training FBI agents.
We hope you’ll join us on the tour, and bring a friend. Let’s have a lovely time in the heart of the city, exploring a crime that in one tragic instant forever sent Los Angeles on this rough course we’re now navigating. If you’ve got the funds, you can buy a copy of one of Mike’s books (Bombs, Bombers, Bombings of Los Angeles and Burn, Bomb, Destroy: the German Sabotage Campaign 1914-1917), and we’re happy to accept tips, but that’s not required. This is our gift to you.
New tours are now online through April, with something for everyone who is interested in this most interesting city. We can’t wait to share it with you, so join us, do!
Yours for Los Angeles,
Kim & Richard
Esotouric
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Our work—leading tours and historic preservation and cultural landmark advocacy—is about building a bridge between Los Angeles' past and its future, and not allowing the corrupt, greedy, inept and misguided players who hold present power to destroy the city's soul and body. If you’d like to support our efforts to be the voice of places worth preserving, we have a tip jar and a subscriber edition of our main newsletter, vintage Los Angeles webinars available to stream, in-person tours and a souvenir shop you can browse in. We’ve also got recommended reading bookshelves on Amazon and the Bookshop indie bookstore site. And did you know we offer private versions of our walking tours for groups big or small? Or just share this link with other people who care.
UPCOMING BUS & WALKING TOURS
• The 1910 Bombing of the Los Angeles Times Walking Tour with Detective Mike Digby (Sat. 11/9) • Hotel Horrors & Main Street Vice Downtown L.A. (Sat. 11/16) • Charles Bukowski’s Westlake (Sat. 11/23) • Angelino Heights & Carroll Avenue (Sat. 12/7) • Raymond Chandler’s Noir Downtown Los Angeles (Sat. 12/14) • Miracle Mile Marvels & Madness (Sun. 12/22) • Human Sacrifice: The Black Dahlia, Elisa Lam, Heidi Planck & Skid Row Slasher (Thurs. 12/26) • Angelino Heights & Carroll Avenue (Sat. 1/18) • Broadway (Sat. 1/25) • Evergreen Cemetery, 1877 (Sat. 2/1) • Film Noir / Real Noir (Sat. 2/8) • The Real Black Dahlia (Sat. 3/1) • Hotel Horrors & Main Street Vice Downtown L.A. (Sat. 3/8) • Bunker Hill, Dead and Alive (Sat. 3/15) • Raymond Chandler’s Noir Downtown Los Angeles (Sat. 3/22) • Franklin Village Old Hollywood (Sun. 3/30) • John Fante’s Downtown L.A. (Sat. 4/5) • Angelino Heights & Carroll Avenue (Sat. 4/12) • Leo Politi Loves Los Angeles (Sat. 4/19) • Downtown Los Angeles is for Book Lovers (Sat. 4/26)
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