Inglewood Mayor James Butts is publicly denying allegations that he inappropriately touched a high school student while posing for a photograph at a recent community event, calling the accusation part of a political "smear campaign."
Mayor rejects allegations, cites political motive
Butts has told local media and supporters that the claim is false and politically motivated. He said there is no formal complaint on file with city officials and asserted those making the allegations are leveraging the incident as part of a broader political dispute in the city.
"It is part of a political 'smear campaign,'" the mayor said in response to the allegations.
Organizers of the event, the student named in the allegation and her family have not issued public statements, and activists and political candidates who have raised the matter publicly say they did not witness the alleged touching. The details of exactly what occurred remain unclear based on available public information.
Investigations and official responses
A request has been made to the Los Angeles County district attorney's office to look into the matter, according to reports. As of now, no police report has been filed and city officials say there is no documented complaint against the mayor or any other city employee related to the incident.
Because no formal law enforcement report exists, the potential for a criminal investigation appears to rest on whether law enforcement or the district attorney's office decides to open an inquiry based on the request for review.
- Mayor's stance: Denies wrongdoing; calls allegations a political smear.
- Accusers: Activists and political candidates raised the allegation publicly but did not witness the incident, and the student and her family have not spoken publicly.
- Legal status: Los Angeles County DA has been asked to investigate; no police report has been filed.
Political context cited by the mayor
Butts has linked the controversy to ongoing political disputes in Inglewood, including tensions involving the city and operators of its major entertainment venues. He has suggested those broader disputes may be motivating actors who are publicizing the allegation.
The public airing of the allegation has drawn attention from local activists and political rivals, though it remains unclear whether additional evidence will be produced or whether formal complaints will be filed with law enforcement or city authorities.
| Item | Current status |
|---|---|
| Public allegation | Raised by activists and political candidates; details unclear |
| Mayor's response | Denial; calls it a smear campaign |
| Official complaints | No documented complaint filed with the city |
| Law enforcement | DA's office asked to investigate; no police report filed |
The unfolding situation raises questions about next steps at the local level. If a formal complaint is filed, Inglewood Police would typically document the allegation and may forward evidence to the district attorney for review. In the absence of a police report, however, the DA's office would need to determine whether it has sufficient basis to open an independent inquiry.
For residents, the case is likely to sharpen focus on accountability and transparency in local government, particularly given Inglewood's high-profile development and governance issues tied to major entertainment venues. How the mayor, city officials and potential complainants proceed in the coming days will determine whether the matter moves from political dispute into a formal investigation.
WE NEWS will continue to monitor developments and report any new filings, official statements or actions from the district attorney or law enforcement agencies.
