Inglewood Mayor James Butts is fighting back against allegations that he inappropriately touched a high school student at a city event — calling the accusations a politically motivated smear campaign.
The allegations stem from Inglewood’s “Votechella” event last Tuesday. Butts is accused of groping the backside of a high school cheerleader.
Three people who attended told the Los Angeles Times they saw the student appear uncomfortable as Butts pulled her close during a group photo. None agreed to be identified.
The student and her family have not spoken publicly. A family representative says they’ve been advised by an attorney to let an investigation run its course.
Butts strongly denies wrongdoing.
At an emotional news conference Monday, the longtime mayor accused political opponents and local activists of spreading what he called a libelous and racist smear.
Butts pointed out that no complaint from the student or her family has been publicly identified. Inglewood’s city attorney also says his office has received no complaint or referral.
But activists are now asking Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman’s office to open a criminal investigation.
Butts says he’s sending cease-and-desist letters to four activists who have circulated the allegations.
And there’s another political layer: two of those activists are currently running for Inglewood City Council.
Butts has served as mayor since 2010 and has overseen Inglewood’s transformation into a major sports and entertainment hub, including SoFi Stadium and the Intuit Dome.
AI helped compile this story.
