Inside: John Erickson Used Taxpayer Dollars on Multiple Trips to Europe
SpendingAfter voting to reduce public safety funding at home, John Erickson took two separate trips to Italy and Paris on taxpayers’ dime.
In November 2023, Erickson traveled to Italy. Less than a year later, he went on a second taxpayer-funded trip, this time to Paris, for the 2024 Olympics.
“John loves Paris every moment, every moment of the year,” resident Mikie Friedman said. “John loves, why – oh why does John love Paris? Another freebie’s there.”
Councilwoman Lauren Meister on the issue found it an “unnecessary expense,” and athletic community leaders like Shamey Cramer protested: “As it stands now, none of our local … sports organizations are going to benefit.”
It’s hard to miss the apparent hypocrisy: After Erickson refused to maintain public safety funding, he turned around and voted for multiple taxpayer-funded Europe trips for himself.
You Might also like
Public SafetyErickson Voted to Slash Public Safety Funding While Crime Spiked 137%
While West Hollywood residents were living through the worst crime numbers in years, Erickson voted to cut public safety measures that protected them. It took a "rash of crime" and public outcry from residents before he backtracked and voted to restore public safety measures.
ConductCorruption Report: Erickson Threatened City Commissioner Over Endorsement
John Erickson told city commissioner Tod Hallman, "If you do this, you can no longer be my commissioner," after he endorsed who could have been the first Black city councilmember in West Hollywood history. Assemblymember Rick Zbur didn't mince words: "This conduct is textbook public corruption.”
Court RecordsErickson Was Sued Twice Over Unpaid Credit Card Debt
Records show Erickson was sued not once, but twice over unpaid credit card debt. A court ordered him to pay it back in 2021. It took until 2024, three years later, for him to finally settle up.
The record leaves an open question – if he couldn't manage $3,000, what makes him qualified to vote on the state budget of $349 billion?