CBS Los Angeles reported on Monday that even though former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has left office, Villaraigosa will maintain a taxpayer-funded security contingent for six months. Villaraigosa’s first outside job will be as advisor to the Banc of California; after the conference at which he announced that job in Century City, an unmarked police vehicle and plainclothes officer ushered him to his car. “Beautiful thing is I don’t have to answer to you anymore,” Villaraigosa said to CBS investigative reporter David Goldstein. He refused to answer why taxpayers are still paying for his car and security. “Why don’t you ask Chief [Charlie] Beck about that?” Villaraigosa shot back.
Commander Andrew Smith of the LAPD explained, “Public figures often gather threats as a result of their public service to the city.” The LAPD refused to release informationa bout any specific threats.
Former Mayor Jim Hahn said he got taxpayer security after leaving office, although former Mayor Richard Riordan didn’t.