West Hollywood councilman's meal expenses invite scrutiny

Receipts show that over a three-year period, City Councilman John Duran spent more than $7,000 at local restaurants. Los Angeles County prosecutors are examining whether those meals violated California law.

May 05, 2012|By Hailey Branson-Potts and Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times

Many of Duran's meals are with his deputy. A discussion about historic preservation cost $86.42 at Melrose Bar and Grill. Another, about the City Council agenda, cost $75.86. There also are numerous lunches at such restaurants as Basix Cafe and Joey's Cafe, with a tab of about $35 for two.

"The question is what is being accomplished for the public at the meal," said JoAnne Speers of the Institute for Local Government in Sacramento, which offers ethics guidelines and training to elected officials.

"The analysis for Mr. Demerjian is where it is legal," she said. "For the community, it is a question of whether the community feels it is best use of their resources." She calls it the "taxpayer test."

George Bird, an attorney for Duran, said he's puzzled by all the fuss.

"This case has me scratching my head," Bird said. "I didn't think the world worked this way. I didn't think public officials were prosecuted for eating a sandwich that the city paid for while they were conducting city business."

hailey.branson@latimes.com

richard.winton@latimes.com

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