Welcome to L.A. TACO’s daily news briefs, where we bring our loyal members, readers, and supporters the latest headlines about Los Angeles politics and culture. Stay informed and remember to always look at it closely.
—Hollywood: Cory Palka, a former veteran-LAPD Commander, revealed the identity of an alleged sexual assault victim to Les Moonves, a CBS executive that was the subject of the investigation, according to the Attorney General's office. "Somebody walked in the station about a couple hours ago and made allegations against your boss regarding a sexual assault,” Palka said in a voice message before acknowledging that the information was confidential. The insider information allowed Moonves and CBS to attempt to cover up the allegations and sell millions in stock before the news broke. Palka, a captain at LAPD Hollywood Division at the time, subsequently provided secret updates to Moonves and other executives at CBS over the next several weeks, the Attorney General said. [LAT]
—Los Angeles: Is $500 enough to convince you to snitch on someone "manufacturing and trafficking ghost guns?" The LAPD is offering a new reward for people to do just that. [Twitter]
—DTLA: A Chinese company is on trial for allegedly paying former Councilmember Jose Huizar more than a million dollars in bribes and other incentives in exchange for helping them convert a DTLA hotel into the tallest skyscraper west of the Mississippi. George Esparza, a former aid to Huizar, testified that the former CD14 rep and the chairman of the Chinese company shared a common love for gambling and prostitutes. One of the more disturbing details that Esparza's testimony revealed: A sex worker fled a hotel room shouting "water, water, water," after spending ample time with the council member. Afterward, Huizar proudly emerged from the room dressed in a robe, according to Esparza. [Courthouse News]
—Hollywood: A former personal assistant is suing a prominent Hollywood producer for race discrimination and a hostile work environment. The lawsuit alleges that Randal Emmett allegedly called rapper/producer 50 Cent the N-word and regularly accused the assistant of stealing from them, among other allegations. [LAT]
—Topanga Canyon: Twenty-nine years ago a wildfire burned near Topanga for 10 days, destroying more than 300 homes. A stark reminder that parts of Southern California have a greater risk of devastating wild fires than parts of Northern California. [LAFD]
—The polls show that former Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luna holds a "solid lead" over LA Sheriff Alex Villanueva. [LAT]
—Hollywood: The WWE announces shows in Hollywood coming next year in addition to Wrestlemania at SoFi stadium. [LAT]
—A Delta Airlines plane headed for LAX was forced to land in New Mexico after "smoke" filled the cabin. [KTLA]
