Councilman Spicer Apologizes for Criminal Past

Interim Councilman Larry Spicer apologized Tuesday to the City Council and community for not being forthcoming about his criminal history and said he hoped to continue to serve on the council.

Spicer said a conviction for driving under the influence and a "credit card violation" had been expunged from his record.

"Some 30 years ago I made mistakes that I am not proud of," Spicer said, explaining that he did not disclose those convictions because they were expunged in 1992.

Spicer said he had turned his life around and completed a counseling program after a misdemeanor battery conviction 14 years ago. Spicer pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery in 1998 as part of a plea arrangement where prosecutors agreed to drop domestic abuse and child abuse charges, according to Los Angeles County Superior Court records.

"The incidents involving my daughter and spouse were reduced to a lesser charge," Spicer said. "My past has allowed me to become a better person, a better spouse, a better father, and it groomed me to be a mentor and a community servant."

Spicer said he hopes to continue to serve on the City Council.

"Yes, I made some poor choices but I have worked continuously to atone for those choices and hope this council and community will allow me to continue to serve."

Several community members spoke in defense of Spicer following his remarks, including former Mayor Bob Bartlett.

"I know him to be a good man and a good father," Bartlett said.

Bartlett asked Councilman Tom Adams if he still thought Spicer should resign following . Adams responded, "No I don't, actually."

"I appreciate Mr. Spicer's comments this evening, and I accept that apology," Adams said, adding that he believes Spicer should have acknowledged his past transgressions sooner.

Duarte Councilwoman Lois Gaston also praised Spicer's work in the community, saying that he's worked with neighbors to improve neighborhoods with little fanfare.

"I would not want to be on the front line in any battle more than I would want to be with Larry," Gaston said. "People can fall down and still get up and be productive."

Spicer's criminal history was first mentioned by comments made by neighbors at a May City Council meeting when they accused Spicer of . Spicer did not address those allegations in his remarks Tuesday.

After public comments, Councilman Joe Garcia credited Spicer for apologizing and said he hopes the city will move past the issue.

"Nobody’s perfect. I think we all understand that," Garcia said. "I do know that he has done a lot of good in this community."

Mayor Mary Ann Lutz echoed Garcia's sentiments.

"We all need to be forgiven," she said. "All of us need to forgive."