She’s been by his side for years. Now an L.A. councilman’s wife figures in FBI probe

Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar trades a glance with his wife, Richelle, at an election night party in 2015 at Bishop Mora Salesian High School. Those same filings show that investigators have been documenting Richelle Huizar’s activities, including her bank deposits and her attendance at a meeting to discuss a consulting agreement that prosecutors later characterized in a plea agreement as an “indirect bribe.” Federal investigators have not said whether they think Richelle Huizar knew that the alleged arrangement was a bribe. Prosecutors allege that the councilman and his associates repeatedly pressured developers to give to a political action committee supporting Richelle Huizar’s council bid in exchange for “favorable treatment” of their projects at City Hall. When she was appointed, Councilwoman Nury Martinez praised her as a “fighter, a champion and a warrior” on behalf of children, calling her a “good friend.” “I can’t think of anyone that has ever said anything bad about Richelle,” said Samuel Robles, former principal of Bishop Mora Salesian High School, where Richelle Huizar worked from 2012 to 2016.