Complaint claims mayor uses mute button on speakers

[February 10, 2010]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Los Angeles County prosecutors are looking into a complaint that the mayor of Carson cuts off public speakers at City Council meetings if he doesn't like what they're saying.

David Demerjian of the district attorney's office said the complaint claims that Mayor Jim Dear hits the mute button on speakers before the three-minute time limit is up.

Demerjian called it a unique complaint and said he's started an inquiry -- not a criminal investigation.

However, if the mayor is found to have violated the state's open meetings law, Demerjian said his office will write the mayor and ask him to stop of seek a court order.

Dear denied any wrongdoing and said the complaint comes from a political gadfly.

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Information from: Los Angeles Times, http://www.latimes.com/

[Associated Press]

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