In the world of politics, it ain’t about what you know, it’s about who you know, especially if money is involved. In the case of Los Angeles Councilman Herb Wesson, he has set his sons up for financial success, via his council votes. Well most of his sons benefit.
The Los Angeles Times (LAT) must have finally got the proverbial “green light” to assist with the derailing of the elder Wesson’s bid for Los Angeles County Supervisor for the 2nd District.
They have uncovered that one of his son’s, Herb Wesson III, was receiving rent breaks from a property owner with development plans before the city council.
Related: D.A. to review apartment rental involving L.A. councilman’s son
The LAT’s article used factual evidence, submitted by the property itself to the city, that determined the younger Wesson’s rent remained constant, while his neighbors increased every year. Now the District Attorney’s office is “investigating” and the property owner was sent a bill for legal services.
Today the LAT wrote about restaurateur Karim Webb, who has gone from slanging Big Mac’s and chicken wings to cannabis licenses through his company 4thMVMT.
In 2017, LA City Council President, Herb Wesson led the charge to create a social equity ordinance around cannabis. The ordinance passed unanimously.
Webb, who employs another of Wesson’s sons, is ushering entrepreneurs through the process to obtain a license. Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson nominated Webb as an Airport Commissioner.
The LAT article shared that in a presentation last year for potential investors, 4thMVMT included a slide touting that it was “uniquely positioned,” and featuring photos of council members. Company staffers said that presentation was outdated and was meant to tell venture capitalists unfamiliar with them that people knew about their “good work” and “reputation for doing the right thing.”
Harris-Dawson told the LAT, in a previous article, that his esteem for Webb, whom he has known a long time as a business owner and someone active with the California Community Foundation, would not give applicants linked to 4thMVMT a better shot at approval from his office.
When the latest round of licensing opened, 11 applicants, tied to 4thMVMT were selected. Many complaints surfaced about the application process, how people were able to apply before the official start time to accept the applications and the process was temporarily suspended.
The people of South Los Angeles will not be victimized again. The revolution will be televised. I’m a nonviolent person, 100%. But when you leave people in desperate situations … desperate things happen. If they don’t change it [the process], it will be burnt down
Donnie Anderson, California Minority Alliance
Related: L.A. City Council President Recommends Suspending Phase 3 of Cannabis Permitting
It’s clear that Wesson’s offspring, particularly his biological ones, are benefiting from their dad’s position. Did you not forget that if weren’t for the LAT investigation, Wesson wouldn’t have repaid the LAPD for guarding his son Justin’s wedding?
Related: Son of L.A. City Council President Herb Wesson says he’s repaid the LAPD for his wedding security
Wesson’s poor stepson Doug doesn’t benefit at all. He’s just used as a campaign prop.
Related: Skid Row activist sets record straight on campaign ad
2UrbanGirls wouldn’t be mad if Doug benefited from more services for the homeless and mentally ill, that would effect far more Angeleno’s than cannabis licenses or development of more properties regular folk can’t afford to live in.
