Villaraigosa to pay $42,000 ethics fine over tickets

L.A.'s mayor admitted that he failed to report free tickets to 34 events during his first five years in office, including Lakers games and concerts, according to a deal worked out with the state Fair Political Practices Commission and the city Ethics Commission (here's the LAT story). He faced a maximum fine of more than $167,000 but investigators found that his violations were unintentional and that he made a "good faith" attempt to comply with the law. In a one-page statement, Villaraigosa said:

While appreciating that the Fair Political Practices Commission and city Ethics Commission concluded this was 'unintentional' and that I acted in 'good faith', I am fully accountable. It is my responsibility to make sure I act in strict compliance with the applicable rules. The FPPC and Ethics Commission recognized that supporting entertainment, sports, and other cultural events is an important governmental function, and something our city's Mayor should do. I will continue to attend these events and have taken the necessary steps to ensure full compliance in the future.

Here's the agreement:

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