George Esparza, 33 of East Los Angeles, served as a "special assistant" to council member Jose Huizar until 2017 and admitted to his role in a criminal enterprise from early 2013 through November 2018.
The chairman of a Chinese development firm "facilitated the payment of $600,000" to help the council member "confidentially resolve a sexual harassment lawsuit" filed by a former employee in 2014 when he was facing re-election, according to the documents.
In exchange for $600,000, the council member routinely assisted with the firm's chairman's requests, including pushing through a City Council resolution recognizing their achievements and contributions to the economy in the district, the plea agreement states
The ongoing corruption probe has already swept up a real estate consultant, a political fundraiser and former City Council member Mitchell Englander, who faces up to five years in federal prison after pleading guilty to obstructing a public corruption investigation related to his acceptance of gifts — including cash, hotel rooms and expensive meals — from a developer during trips to Las Vegas and Palm Springs in 2017