Appeals Court Refuses to Reinstate Councilwoman

The state Court of Appeal on Thursday denied a request by former Compton City Councilwoman Leslie Irving to return to her seat, which she lost in a recent trial over alleged election irregularities, a city spokesman said.

Irving was ousted from her council seat for allegedly registering noncitizens to vote and soliciting votes from absentee voters and lying about it in court.

Superior Court Judge Judith C. Chirlin also ruled Feb. 8 that Irving, along with Mayor Eric Perrodin, had received an unfair advantage when their names were illegally listed first on the election ballots. An appeals court judge eventually reinstated Perrodin.

When informed of the appellate court ruling, Melanie Andrews, who replaced Irving on the council, was “thrilled and relieved,” spokesman Frank Wheaton said.