LA City Council’s Martinez taking leave of absence after audio leak

Demands for three Los Angeles City Council members to resign are intensifying after a leaked audio recording revealed racist remarks and disparaging comments. The political fallout was sparked by Sunday’s Los Angeles Times report. A leaked conversation involved Council President Nury Martinez and members Kevin de León and Gil Cedillo. Martinez was heard making racist statements, and the group disparaged other politicians.

In a statement on Monday, Martinez resigned her position as city council president and apologized saying she was “truly ashamed” and asked for “the opportunity to make amends.” De León and Cedillo have also apologized for their role in the controversial conversation. However, none of them have stepped down from the board.

Martinez announced today that she is taking a leave of absence. About an hour before the heated city council meeting Tuesday morning, Martinez issued a statement that said in part that she needs “to take some time to have an honest and heartfelt conversation with my family, my constituents, and community leaders.”