State Sen. Roderick Wright, whose 35th Senate District includes the city of Gardena, was convicted Tuesday on eight counts of perjury and voter fraud charges in a trial that questioned the legitimacy of his stated residency between 2007 and 2009.
The Inglewood Democrat was convicted in downtown Los Angeles Superior Court for falsely stating in 2007 that he lived in the Inglewood property he owned, so he could run for the Senate 25th District in 2008.
State Sen. Roderick Wright, whose 35th Senate District includes the city of Gardena, was convicted Tuesday on eight counts of perjury and voter fraud charges in a trial that questioned the legitimacy of his stated residency between 2007 and 2009.
The Inglewood Democrat was convicted in downtown Los Angeles Superior Court for falsely stating in 2007 that he lived in the Inglewood property he owned, so he could run for the Senate 25th District in 2008.
Among the felony counts was filing a false declaration of candidacy on literature sent to voters.
California law requires elected officials to live in the district they represent. Wright, 61, was said to actually be living in his more upscale Baldwin Hills property, which is outside the district.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 12. Wright is facing up to eight years in prison and could be forced out of office.
Senate secretary Greg Schmidt said that Wright’s removal from his senate seat can only occur if the 40-member Senate casts a two-thirds vote for expulsion.
Wright, who pleaded not guilty to the charges, said he thought he had been within the law regarding residency. His attorney, Winston Kevin McKesson, said he plans to file an appeal.
The Democratic veteran lawmaker served the 25th Senate District from 2008 to 2012. From December 2012 to the present, after the state senate redistricting, Wright oversaw the 35th Senate District.
As reported in the Daily Breeze, Wright has four residencies: Los Angeles, Baldwin Hills, Inglewood and Sacramento. Only one residence can be claimed as a legal domicile, under state law.
Deputy District Attorney Bjorn Dodd told the jury Wright used the Inglewood property as a “storage unit,” as reported by the Breeze.
Dodd said that the majority of Wright’s possessions, including at least three cars, guns that he legally owned, and clothing were housed in his Baldwin Hills property.
Wright said he believed he was following the law when he registered to vote as an Inglewood resident, after arranging to establish the property as a “dwelling place.” He said his intent was not to deceive voters.
A graduate of Washington Prep High School in Los Angeles and Pepperdine University, Wright was first elected to the assembly in 1996. He was termed out in 2002. Before being elected to the senate, he stayed politically active by serving on several campaigns.
