Karen Price swore into her third term on the Los Angeles City Council last fall, promising to fix the cracks.

After leaked recordings exposed Latino city council members plotting to gain power with conversations studded with anti-black tropes, Price became a counterpoint — in a majority Latino neighborhood. A veteran black leader who built unity.

“He embodies everything I need in this moment,” said City Councilman Monica Rodriguez.

Seven months later, Price was found guilty of perjury for not disclosing his wife’s business dealings with the developers of the projects he voted for, and of receiving spousal health benefits for his now-wife, who was legally unmarried. He was charged with embezzling city funds. Price said the charges were “unreasonable.”

Among Price’s constituency and black community leaders in Los Angeles, the accusation has become a political upheaval, following the recent conviction of Mark Ridley Thomas, a longtime power broker in the black community. It was further intensified by the downfall and the deep-seated and bitter criticism of Mr. Ridley Thomas’ methods. He was ousted and his voters were not represented for months.

“The impact is very clear. The black electorate is plummeting. We have no representative, no voice, no mouthpiece to speak for us,” said South Mission Baptist Church on West Adams Boulevard. Pastor Xavier Thompson said.

“It’s definitely a blow. It’s definitely heartbreaking to see it,” said Rep. Reggie Jones Sawyer, whose constituency surrounds Price.

Jones-Sawyer recalled feeling “depressed” and unable to get out of bed after Ridley-Thomas was indicted, and now sees other officials being charged. “What you’re looking at are individuals who have dedicated their lives to public service. Given their line of work and contributions, it’s a shame it has come to this,” he said. .

Claudia Oliveira, chief executive of the DTLA Chamber of Commerce, describes herself as “African Indigenous white” and said, “In a city as diverse as Los Angeles, there are only two African Americans left on the city council. I’m worried that it’s not there, and it’s going to break my heart,” he said. ”

Mr. Price’s third term, representing the 9th constituency, expires in 2026, but Mr. Oliveira and others were quick to recognize that criminal charges could quickly rob him of his seat. If convicted, Price could resign or be removed from office, a special election could be held, or the city council could appoint an interim administrator or temporary voters.

“This is a big turning point,” Oliveira said.

Corruption charges have been filed against a Los Angeles City Council member, with a sign on a telephone pole near Karen Price’s 9th District office.

(Jason Almond/Los Angeles Times)

Stretching south from the LA Live and Convention Center along 110 Freeway toward 95th Street, the 9th District has been represented by black politicians since the 1960s.

It’s the historic center of the city’s black community on Central Avenue, but the area’s demographics have changed significantly. Today, the constituency is four-fifths Latino and just 13% black, but the share of black voters has nearly doubled to 25% due to the large number of disenfranchised youth and immigrants.

“There’s a sense that black people are lost or eliminated,” said Manuel Pastor, director of the University of Southern California Dornsaife Equity Research Institute and co-author of the book.South Central Dreams”

Price, who was first elected in 2013 and won a third term last year after defeating Latino Dulce Vazquez by a 2-1 margin, was aware of this shift in power. He has a strong following among organized workers, a predominantly Latino staff, and programs such as Día de los Muertos events and immigration clinics.

Still, many expected Mr. Price to be the last black politician to win the 9th congressional district. In the leaked audio, City Councilman Kevin De Leon mentions a “future Latino” leading the district as if it were a demographic necessity, the earliest to do so. The year is 2026 as well.

Now, the selection of a successor could happen sooner.

“It’s too soon,” the pastor said of Mr. Price’s indictment. “This is fueling conversations that we wish we had more time for,” he added, adding, “Who will be leading the district, who is local, who is the bond between black and brown communities.” strengthened?” he added.

Mr. Price has resigned from his commission seats, including his position as President Paul Krekorian’s deputy commander-in-chief, but not entirely. Mr. Krekorian has initiated the process of suspending Mr. Price, which will take him further out of the job while the interim appointee is still able to carry out his duties.

Marilyn Greene, an activist and president of the Zapata King Neighborhood Council, believed that Price was responsible for helping rebuild a nearby park and increasing the number of police officers, and told Price to “wait and see.” ‘ should be taken.

“He should be given a chance to prove himself…and we will support him,” Green said.

A sign telling the history of Central Avenue stands in front of City Councilman Karen Price’s 9th District Office.

(Jason Almond/Los Angeles Times)

But looking ahead to an interim successor or re-election, Green said bluntly, “Personally, I’m going to fight for an African-American replacement.”

Jones Sawyer, who is running for the next city council seat in the neighboring 10th Ward, declined to say whether Price should step down. But he urged city councilors to listen to Mr. Price’s voters as he looks ahead to the process by which city councilors take office in his place.

“We should start from the bottom up, not the top down, and talk to the people who live in the neighborhood and have an honest conversation about what they want and what they believe is best,” Jones said. Mr Sawyer said.

This is a process that highlights the challenges for black politicians in this historically black neighborhood and beyond.

“The ability to cross the border will be key to the strength and future success of African Americans,” said Jones Sawyer, who said he was one of the few officials representing the district where the majority of voters live. pointed out that he was alone. Not his race or ethnicity.

“Our numbers are not what they used to be, so we must represent all of Los Angeles and become elected officials who truly understand the needs of the voters they serve.” He said.

The indictment against Mr. Price has caused alarm, sadness and skepticism among Mr. Price’s voters, allies and supporters.

Albert Tratoa, who is active in the neighborhood association of the 9th district, objected to this and called for a prompt exit. “I think Karen Price should definitely resign because he sold out our community. It’s unfair for us to pay the price.”

Khalid A. Al-Alim, chairman of the Park Mesa Heights Community Council, is working to announce the charges against councilor Karen Price.

(Jason Almond/Los Angeles Times)

Khaled A. Al-Alim, a parent activist for Students Deserve, said he believed it was “most important” for the city council to have black seats in Ward 9, given the leaked audio.

“This opens the door for black leadership. People will lose faith in black leadership in highly diverse congressional districts,” Al-Alim said.

Reverend Norman Johnson, convener of the South Los Angeles Clergy and Public Responsibility Conference, said he was “extremely concerned” about Mr. Price and those who appointed him to three terms “how the council decides to give representation.” I am concerned about,” he said.

Many questioned the lawsuit against Price, and the accusations against Price, including Jose Huisar, who was indicted by a federal grand jury over an elaborate pay-to-play scheme involving developers and cash bribes. distinguished from other council members.

Mr Johnson called the timing of the charges “strange”.

Reverend Thompson said, “I can’t speak to Karen Price’s innocence or guilt. But it feels fishy. It feels targeted. It feels petty.”

“We’re a little skeptical about the whole situation,” said Edward Galen, a South Los Angeles resident since 2011, who said he and his neighbors “incredibly respect” Mr. Price. rice field.

“Just like when you find out that someone in your family has a problem, you don’t really care if the allegations are true … it makes you sick,” said Garren, director of the Voice District Council. says.

Many framed the charges against Price as a blow to the community and trust in government.

“It’s not just Karen Price personally coming into the fall, it’s people in our community,” said Union del Barrio organizer Ronald Gotches, who was part of a crowded field against Price in 2013. said. I sincerely hope the allegations are false. ”

Azucena Favela, a lifelong resident of the district and a philanthropist, said that for many residents the sentiment was simply ‘it’s happening again’ and that the district won’t have a long-term representation in city hall. He said he was also worried that it might become a problem.

Favela was also concerned about what would happen to neighborhood groups and residents who had built strong ties with Price, and whether anyone could maintain or rebuild those deep ties.

“How can we go back to these people and really emphasize that they need to remain active in their communities and actively participate in voting?” she said.

Times staff writer Emily Alpert Reyes contributed to this report.