The Times editorial page today follows the Daily News in wagging the finger of shame at the politicos and local leaders who lined up to throw money at disgraced ex-councilman and ex-labor leader Martin Ludlow's legal defense fund. Excerpt:

It's legal. But that doesn't make it right.

That's because of the collective smirk sent to the people of Los Angeles not just by Ludlow but by their representatives, people such as Assembly members Karen Bass and Mark Ridley-Thomas, Rep. Diane Watson and Councilman Herb Wesson. They, by being the main draws at a fundraising event to funnel money to Ludlow, send the message that election laws are no big deal. If you get caught, we understand. We'll help you get back on your feet. Hey, it could have happened to any of us.

Of course, Ludlow is different. He didn't just cheat a little. He cheated a lot.

Not that the anonymous editorial writer (though I have my suspicions) could rely on the Times for information about the party. A search of the archives shows that the paper's news pages have yet to mention last week's event. Not to crow, but this is the fourth time it has come up on LA Observed since David Zahniser broke the story in the LA Weekly. Because people are talking about it.