Ethics Commission Says No More Gifts for Politicos

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has admitted that he's attended dozens of concerts, sports events and award ceremonies for free, and without reference to whether the source of the tickets had business with the city. He says it's all about performing "ceremonial functions." Yesterday the City Ethic's Committee said that's a bad idea and recommended that the City Council impose a ban on the practice by all high-ranking officials. David Zahniser covers city government for the LA Times.