Another Chapter of Eminent Domain

Once again, politicians abuse Eminent Domain statutes to take away from the little guy and give to the more-connected and politically favored guy.

KTLA, an LA news source, reports that the city of Los Angeles seized the property of furniture manufacturer Vaughan Benz in South Los Angeles, supposedly to build a new animal shelter.

A year later, there is an effort by Councilman Bernard C. Parks to sell the property to a company called Cisco Bros., which oddly enough is also a FURNITURE MANUFACTURER.

Now, why would the government take property away from a furniture manufacturer, and when they decide they might not want an animal shelter after all, sell it to a different furniture manufacturer?

The possible key difference between Vaughan Benz and Cisco Bros.? Cisco Bros. executives have political connections and have made $17,500 in campaign contributions to city leaders... including $1,000 to Parks and $1,500 to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

If there has been a more blatant display of graft in these Eminent Domain suits, I have not yet seen it. That's just shameful.

And on that sad note, I'm off. Rock on, kids.