LA's Unlicensed Driver Policy Debate Heats Up
LA's Unlicensed Driver Policy Debate Heats Up
The debate over the impounding of cars of unlicensed drivers heated up as a national lawyers group has called for the recusal of an LA City Councilman who they accuse of having a conflict of interest.
The National Lawyers Guild charged in a letter this week that LA City Councilman Mitchell Englander has a conflict because his uncle, Michael Englander, and his public relations firm, Englander, Knabe & Allen represent the Los Angeles Police Protective League, which has lobbied LA City Council members to block a change in policy that would bar officers from towing the cars of unlicensed drivers.
The letter also says Englander received campaign contributions from the Official Police Garage Association between 2009 and 2011.
It is unlikely that Councilman Englander can objectively analyze the Chief's proposed policy change given the financial windfall that 30-day impounds have created for those close to him in the towing industry, National Lawyers Guild member Colleen Flynn wrote in a Jan. 18 letter to Council President Herb Wesson. Councilman Englanders close financial and familial ties to the Police Protective League and the Official Police Garage Association completely compromise his ability to make decisions that are in the best interest of the City of Los Angeles and its residents.
http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Unlicensed-Driver-Illegal-Immigrant-Debate-Heats-Up-137787933.html