LA politicians got $1000 worth of Hamilton tickets, over gift limit

Many politicians in Los Angeles were able to snag tickets to see Hamilton when it came to the city because they were gifted free ones from the hosting theater. 

The Pantages Theatre gifted numerous City Council members two tickets for opening night, going further for some who asked for more.

City Council President Herb Wesson came out with the most for the August show, receiving a whopping six tickets to the musical. His office books the gift at being worth close to $1000. 

The Pantages Theatre gifted numerous City Council members two tickets for opening night of Hamilton in Los Angeles

Gifts to elected officials are supposed to be capped at $470 annually for each giver, under state law. 

City Council Prsident Herb Wesson came out with the most for the August show, receiving a whopping six tickets to the musical. His office books the gift at being worth close to $1000

City Council Prsident Herb Wesson came out with the most for the August show, receiving a whopping six tickets to the musical. His office books the gift at being worth close to $1000

Los Angeles does have a $100 stricter limit applicable to ‘restricted sources,’ or city contractors or those who seek to influence officials. Politicians in LA are not allowed to ask for gifts.

City staffers have different rules since they aren’t elected. 

Wesson was said to have later reimbursed the theater for the tickets, spokeswoman Vanessa Rodriguez said to the LA Times. 

But state law requires a gift to be reimbursed to the giver within 30 days for it not to count as such. 

Wesson paid the tickets back in December and January, months later. 

Politicians are allowed to take gifts if they stay within the restraints of the laws surrounding gift limits. The point is to prevent larger gifts from being used to sway political decisions.   

Councilmen Curren Price, Marqueece Harris-Dawson and Mitch Englander took the entire gift allotment for their pair of tickets – a value of $390. 

Councilman Joe Buscaino took four tickets which went for more than $600. After being told the cost of the tickets, he paid $250 in December, according to spokesman Banimir Kvartuc.  

Another, Councilman Jose Huizar, asked for his wife and two daughters to go instead of him. He repaid the tickets in December, his spokesman, Rick Coca, asserted. 

Councilman Joe Buscaino took four tickets which went for more than $600. After being told the cost of the tickets, he paid $250 in December, according to spokesman Banimir Kvartuc

Councilman Joe Buscaino took four tickets which went for more than $600. After being told the cost of the tickets, he paid $250 in December, according to spokesman Banimir Kvartuc

Councilman Paul Koretz wrote a letter of thanks for the tickets, adding that he could only accept $100 of the gift because it was a restricted source. His wife, Gail, took two more tickets because she works as a staff member for Mayor Eric Garcetti. 

Some didn’t attend. Councilman Mike Bonin rejected the offer while Councilman Paul Krekorian, City Controller Ron Galperin and City Atty. Mike Feuer were unable to go as well. 

Councilman Bob Blumenfield claimed to have gone on a different night and paid directly for his tickets, according to district director Michael Owens. 

Fair Political Practices Commission spokesman Jay Wierenga added that gift limits are important because, ‘one of the expectations of public officials is that it’s not a job of being a rock star and royalty — it’s a job first and foremost to help the public.’

‘Reasonable people would understand there are some perks to these positions, but they shouldn’t be abused.’ 

Given the popularity of the show its imperative that politician be weary when taking tickets as gifts, according Kathay Feng, executive director of California Common Cause.

The Pantages is owned by Ned Pan Inc, who gave tickets to the politicians, according to attorney Andrew Kugler

The Pantages is owned by Ned Pan Inc, who gave tickets to the politicians, according to attorney Andrew Kugler

Sites like StubHub and SeatGeek were able to up charge tickets for up to $510, even though the theater was selling tickets for just $85 after the opening.

‘Everybody knew how popular opening night would be,’ Feng added. ‘Those tickets were in such high demand.’ 

The theater was selling tickets ranging from $85 to $650 on opening weekend and council members sat in ticket sections that cost approximately $195. 

The theater was selling tickets ranging from $85 to $650 on opening weekend and council members sat in ticket sections that cost approximately $195

The theater was selling tickets ranging from $85 to $650 on opening weekend and council members sat in ticket sections that cost approximately $195

 The Pantages is owned by Ned Pan Inc, who gave tickets to the politicians, according to attorney Andrew Kugler. 

David Green, and officer with the company, wrote the invitations ‘on behald if James Nederlander.’ Nederlander is the head of Ned Pan and other entertainment companies. 

Officials at the theaters added that 1,900 guests were invited to the show that night, including members of the media and celebrities. 

‘Hollywood Pantages Theatre management believed its message of diversity, inclusion and opportunity was perfect for civic and community leaders to be exposed to. … We wanted them and everyone in attendance to get excited about the birth of our nation, our system of government, and carry the political dialogue with civility, dignity and inclusion,’ the theater said in a statement.  

The company paid a lobbying firm $26,000 to sway the panning department for the latter half of last year. 

Ned Pan had not ‘met with, discussed or sought to influence any city council member’ on those issues, according to Kugler

 

 

 



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