Detectives in Los Angeles are looking into whether a recording of racist remarks made by city council members last year was done illegally, city’s police chief announced on October 25. The release of the recording earlier this month sparked a citywide uproar just weeks before Election Day. Nury Martinez, the council president, resigned in disgrace, while two other council members have resisted widespread calls for their resignations.

The uproar began nearly two weeks ago with the release of a previously unknown recording of a private 2021 meeting involving Martinez, Councilmembers Kevin de Leon and Gil Cedillo, as well as powerful labor leader Ron Hererra, head of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor. “The department has initiated a criminal investigation into an allegation of eavesdropping,” Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore said in response to a question during a press conference on October 25.

Also Read| St Louis high school shooting: Missouri Tigers to pay homage to victims against Kentucky Wildcats

During an hour-long conversation laced with bigoted comments, the group, all Latino Democrats, was captured on tape plotting to protect their political clout in redrawing council districts. The closed-door meeting was recorded, and racist language was used to mock colleagues as they planned to protect Latino political strength in council districts. It is unknown who created the tape or why.

Leon, Cedillo & Herrera approached LAPD to initiate investigation

Additionally, under California law, everyone involved must agree for a private phone call or conversation to be recorded. If not, the person who made the recording could be charged with both criminal and civil offences. Martinez, de Leon, Cedillo, and Herrera approached the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) on October 21 and requested that an investigation be initiated, according to Moore. Other questions remain regarding the scope of the investigation and whether additional recordings were made at the labor federation’s headquarters.

Also Read| New York Gov. Kathy Hochul squares off against Rep. Lee Zeldin in sole debate

Separately, the state is looking into how the council districts were drawn and whether or not the process was rigged. Meanwhile, City Hall is in disarray as a result of the fallout, and US President Joe Biden has called on de Leon and Cedillo to resign.