Two L.A. pols fighting sexual harassment allegations

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L.A. City Councilman Jose Huizar is being sued by a former staffer for sexual harassment. Francine Godoy was hired by Huizar in 2006, a year after he was elected to represent an area stretching from downtown to Eagle Rock. She says Huizar retaliated against her after she refused his sexual advances. Huizar has admitted to having an affair, but says the claims are false and malicious…Things are likely to get a little tense when the L.A. School Board meets October 29th. The Board is scheduled to vote on a motion to censure its president, Richard, Vladovic, for bringing dishonor on himself and the school district. The motion was introduced by Board Member Tamar Galatzin in response to accusations by two women of harassment and intimidation by Vladovic. He denies the charges…A federal jury has found L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca personally liable in a jailhouse abuse case. The Sheriff could be required to pay $100,000 out of his own pocket in restitution. The case stems from a 2009 incident in which an inmate claims he was tasered multiple times and punched and kicked by deputies. The Sheriff’s Department says it will appeal…marijuanaLt. Governor Gavin Newsom says its time for California to think seriously about legalizing marijuana statewide – both for medical and recreational uses. Newsom is forming a panel with the goal of producing a legalization initiative for the 2016 ballot…Sister Antonia Brenner was 50 when she gave up a life of privilege to care for inmates in a notorious Tijuana prison. Brenner, a Beverly Hills native, died yesterday in the Mexican border city at the age of 86. Brenner was known as “Prison Angel.” She slept in a prison cell, ate prison food and counseled inmates, helping them to obtain medical treatment, serving as a peacekeeper and even providing bail money…

annenbergcenterAnd finally, there’s a new stage in Beverly Hills. After 10 years of construction, the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. opened last night with a black-tie gala co-hosted by Robert Redford and Brad Pitt. Kevin Spacey, Jodie Foster, Demi Moore, Amy Adams and John Lithgow attended the fete.