Judge Clears Hernandez’s Drug Record

Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Hernandez was cleared of a felony cocaine possession charge Friday after a Superior Court judge determined that the lawmaker has successfully completed a drug and alcohol recovery program.

But although Hernandez said he was pleased to have the legal proceedings behind him, he plans to continue a recovery program that involves up to seven meetings a week.

“I’m very thankful that I had the opportunity to deal with this,” Hernandez said after his brief court appearance. “But it doesn’t change my program any. . . . My program of recovery is part of my life.”

Hernandez was arrested in August 1997 after a secret police unit watched and videotaped the councilman buying and using cocaine. Hernandez, who entered a residential drug treatment facility immediately after his arrest, was charged with felony cocaine possession.

Because it was his first offense, the councilman was placed in a diversion program that allowed him to maintain his clean record if he successfully completed court-ordered drug rehabilitation.

Hernandez also has been voluntarily involved in a drug testing program for the city. Results of those tests, which all have been negative for drug use, are maintained by the city clerk’s office. Hernandez said he will discuss with Council President John Ferraro whether to continue that drug testing.

After his arrest, many of Hernandez’s council colleagues and Mayor Richard Riordan publicly asked for his resignation. Two recall attempts have failed and a third has been revived.

But Hernandez has maintained that he should keep his job, saying he is an even more effective council member. On Friday, Hernandez said he has several projects to complete before he leaves office, including building libraries and ensuring that a light rail system scheduled to run through most of his district is successful.

Hernandez’s council colleagues, including those who called for his resignation, say he is a changed man since the arrest. They say he is more focused, and less angry and edgy than he was previously.

Hernandez has admitted to using cocaine in the mornings before council meetings and to long nights of drinking and drug use. Police who arrested him said that he had a $150-a-day drug habit and that he was living out of his car and office.

Searches of his City Hall office turned up drug paraphernalia and cocaine residue on his desk, police said.

After leaving the residential treatment center, Hernandez returned home but kept attending recovery programs and meetings. He often speaks at these meetings and has become a sponsor for some addicts who are attempting recovery.

“Today is day 617” of sobriety, Hernandez said Friday. “I think we are proving recovery works.”