Farrell Admits Residing Outside His District

Los Angeles City Councilman Robert Farrell said Friday that for some time he has been living with his sick mother outside his district, even though he lists as his residence the 8th District home now occupied by his former wife and daughter.

A council member is required to reside in the district he represents. Opponents trying to recall Farrell from office charge that he is in violation of that provision and thus not legally a city councilman.

“The issue of my residence is clear, and they (the recall backers) know it,” Farrell said.

Election officials on both the state and city level said the laws governing the residency requirement are vague and open to interpretation.

Assistant City Atty. Charles I. Goldberg said any questions about Farrell’s residency would be referred to the district attorney for investigation. The district attorney’s office is currently investigating the legality of Farrell’s use of campaign funds to aid his ex-wife’s social service agency.

According to Farrell, about two years ago when his marriage began to falter, he began living “from time to time” with his mother in the 4300 block of 3rd Avenue, two blocks outside the 8th Council District he represents.

“She is elderly. She is frail,” Farrell said.

He said that despite living at his mother’s home, he still considers the W. 78th Street home he once shared with his former wife, Essiebea, as his official residence. Essiebea Farrell still lives at the residence.

“I reside at 1900 W. 78th St.,” Farrell said. “It is my home of record; I pay the mortgages there.”

When reporters noted that the secretary of state’s office had defined residency as the principal place where an officeholder lives, Farrell said he would be willing to discuss the matter with election officials.

Melissa Warren, a spokeswoman for Secretary of State March Fong Eu, said the question of an officeholder’s residency can be “one of those things that is open to interpretation.”

The Los Angeles Election Code also is vague, stating that if a person lives outside his normal residence, but has the “intention” of returning, that intention would satisfy the legal requirements.

But Farrell, specifically asked whether he has any “intention” of returning to the 78th Street home, refused to respond directly.

“That’s personal business of me and Essiebea Farrell. It’s not appropriate to be discussed here,” Farrell said. “I resent the fact that, unfortunately, people who support the recall are moving into personal affairs that have nothing to do with my service as a member of the City Council. . . .

“I’m going to stay with my mother,” Farrell said. “I think the people of the 8th District respect that.”