The Los Angeles City Ethics Commission is expected Wednesday to issue a $17,500 fine against Jose Ugarte, a candidate running for a seat on the City Council, for failing to disclose income he made from his lobbying and consulting firm while serving as a city employee.
Ugarte served as an aide for City Councilman Curren Price from 2013 to 2019. He left city service and later returned to the councilman’s office as a top aide in 2021, according to a report from the commission.
In 2018, he registered a consulting firm he co-owns with his sister, Ugarte and Associates, with the Secretary of State’s Office. The company bills itself as a “lobbying, and political consulting firm based out of Southern California.”
The business began services that year and continues to do so, according to the commission.
An investigation found that he did not disclose the clients who paid his company $10,000 or more during the reporting periods in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
For example, his business was paid $128,050 by the reelection campaign for Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Los Angeles, as well as $222,000 by Equality California to bolster the reelection of former City Councilman Mitch O’Farrell, and $40,000 by the Laborers International Union of North America Local 300 to support Mayor Karen Bass’ campaign in 2022.
Commission members are expected to finalize a proposed settlement on the alleged ethics violations Wednesday.
Ugarte is seeking to succeed Price in representing Council District 9. Price, who is barred from running for reelection because of term limits, has endorsed Ugarte.