Atlantic Square Vote Draws Complaint Against Councilman

A conflict of interest complaint has been filed against Councilman Chris Houseman by a group of residents, who say he should have disqualified himself from voting on the Atlantic Square Mall project.

On Aug. 29, the City Council voted 4 to 1 to approve the multimillion-dollar shopping center on South Atlantic Boulevard at Floral Drive. Houseman cast the dissenting vote.

Irv Gilman, one of five residents who filed a complaint with the California Fair Political Practices Commission, said Houseman should have disqualified himself from voting because of a loan the councilman received from MPR Auto and Truck Repair. The repair shop is partly owned by Stephen Tan, a Planning Commission member who owns offices across the street from the proposed shopping center.

Because Tan’s property could be affected by the proposed shopping center, Assistant City Atty. Stephanie Scher had recommended that Houseman participate in Atlantic Square discussions only as a private citizen. Tan has excused himself from all Atlantic Square discussions on the commission.

But Houseman chose to vote, saying the Fair Political Practices Commission had advised him that only a strained interpretation of state law would prohibit his participation.

Houseman was on vacation earlier this week and could not be reached for comment.

Gilman and other residents first complained to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office. After reviewing the case, Deputy Dist. Atty. James Hickey chose not to prosecute for criminal violations of the Political Reform Act, because he said Houseman had consulted the state commission before voting on the shopping center project.