The State Fair Political Practices Commission has been asked to investigate free “ethically compromised” tickets for Rose Bowl events, worth up to $157,000 each, given to city of Pasadena officials.
The complimentary tickets were for six UCLA home football games, a soccer game and concerts featuring Jay-Z, Rihanna, Beyonce, Eminem and One Direction. City officials usually received multiple tickets per event, the Los Angeles Times reported Saturday.
“My councilwoman voted to have Jay-Z and Beyonce come to Pasadena, and then she gets 12 tickets to the concert? To me that’s a problem,” said Lonnee Hamilton. The president of a homeowner’s association representing a street near the Rose Bowl mader that statement to The Times.
Hamilton the complaint alleging that the tickets represent a conflict of interest. She was referring to former Councilwoman Jacque Robinson, who stepped down this year, The Times reported.
Hamilton’s complaint names each member of last year’s city council, former Mayor Bill Bogaard and City Manager Michael Beck.
Jay Wierenga, an FPPC spokesman, told The Times that Hamilton’s complaint was “under review” and that the agency “takes all complaints seriously” but would not comment on whether it plans to investigate.
Hamilton noted the Rose Bowl’s recent renovation, which overran its costs estimates by about $30 million, as an example of city leaders representing the Rose Bowl’s interest over the public’s, The Times reported.
She told the newspaper that the City Council began to approve more events at the Rose Bowl to make up the difference — 18 this year, in comparison to 12 or fewer in previous years.
“The policy needs to be changed and there needs to be a limit on how many they (city leaders) can take,” Hamilton told The Times. “They don’t need to create a ceremonial reason to be at these concerts.”
—Staff and wire reports