There’s a line in the movie ‘Training Day’ where corrupt Los Angeles Police Detective Alonzo Harris is famously quoted as saying “It’s not what you know, it’s what you can prove”.
Wow!!!!
Is Inglewood City Hall redeemable at this point?
Let’s just say, as you are well aware, that I’m critical of Inglewood elected officials and I try to be critical accordingly and unbiasedly, but these current revelations made by the former mayor’s Executive Assistant Melanie McDade and her attorney after they released supporting documents, containing emails and text messages between her and the mayor that almost seemingly corroborate her allegations against the City of Inglewood and James Butts.
It is quite alarming, and I add disappointing because it’s obvious that not only the mayor and council but also the City’s administration and employees failed not only the residents of Inglewood but exposed the City and its taxpayers to another potentially expensive lawsuit caused by the mayor’s actions.
For example in one email text exchange in a prime example of a display of Mayor Butts’ well-known narcissism, he portrays himself as Melanie Mcdade’s savior, supporting the notion that her well-publicized highly inappropriate salary wasn’t a result of her experience or education but their inappropriate sexual relationship stating he “brought Melanie McDade’s career at a payscale few in public service ever reach” and that he built her “from a shattered, battered woman into an executive.”
Isn’t this a shining example of quid pro quo?
His own words are self-incriminating, to say the least, and it’s quite obvious that the mayor is just analyzing his mindset that Melanie McDade’s “good fortune”, so to speak, was due solely to him and implying she should be forever grateful.
Come on, we’ve all heard this language before.
Aren’t these terms and sayings that we associate with pimps or men who physically and emotionally abuse women (similar allegations made by one of the former Mrs. Butts).
If that wasn’t alarming enough the mayor’s own words tied him to a conspiracy in that he finished college coursework on Melanie McDade’s behalf which allowed her to receive her college degree and qualify for salary and benefits that she legally wouldn’t be entitled to.
What more proof do we need that the Mayor is a corrupt individual who is hell-bent on enriching himself and others as long as it ultimately benefits himself in the end and will gladly enlist co-conspirators to feed his narcissistic appetite for complete control?
I mean the man did say he was in dire financial straits behind paying for his then high-maintenance girlfriends every demand.
Make no mistake about it there are many actors in this conspiracy and from a legal disposition, Melanie McDade’s hands are equally as dirty despite her and her attorney’s best attempt to portray her as the victim but this case speaks to something deeper, an opportunity so to speak as a moment of reflection – does the Mayor, Council and administration, best serve the needs of its taxpayers and constituents?
Based on these current revelations should Inglewood taxpayers be held accountable for the Mayor’s current legal bills and any future settlements and or potential award for damages?
For far too long councilmembers – current and past – have claimed plausible deniability or ignorance of the veracity of these allegations and have used this plausible deniability or the public assassination of Melanie McDade’s character as a smoke screen or justification to continue to pay the Mayor’s legal bills.
But knowing what we know right now, based on the Mayor’s OWN WORDS the question will be with the council knowing that the public knows and THEY KNOW these torrid details, will they be compelled to ask for his resignation?
Weren’t Melanie McDade’s accusations that former City Manager Artie Fields knew?
Didn’t she also accuse Human Resource Director Jose Cortes of knowing?
How many QUALIFIED people were bypassed to become Assistant City Manager because Butts needed to ensure Cortes continued to believe he is a “valued” member of the mayor’s circle?
I would argue based on these new revelations I wouldn’t be surprised if these matters aren’t worthy of a criminal investigation at the bare minimum.
McDade and her legal team are demanding $65 million but are willing to settle for $35 million which they state is the maximum of the City’s insurance policy. Oh, and they also want it within 30 days or she’s releasing more of what’s in her arsenal.
Can the mayor’s health handle more public embarrassment?