Paul Richards (politician)

Paul Richards (born 1955/1956) is an American politician who is a former mayor of Lynwood, California. He was sentenced to federal prison in 2006 on federal bribery and kickback charges.

Paul Richards
Mayor of Lynwood
In office
December 1986 – December 1993
Preceded byRobert Henning
City Council of Lynwood
In office
December 1, 1986 – October 2003
Succeeded byMaria Teresa Santillan
Personal details
Born1955/1956 (age 65–66)[1]
California
EducationB.A. California State University

Early life and education

Born in California, Richards attended Compton High School, where he was ASB President. He also served an internship with the Model Cities Program. He attended California State University, Dominguez Hills, earning his bachelor's degree in Economics and Business Administration with honors. By age 21, Richards had earned a master's degree in Public Administration with emphases in Economics and Public Policy from the University of Southern California. Richards received his doctorate from the UCLA School of Law where he was honored as a Chancellor Marshall of his graduating Class. He was then admitted to practice law in California.

Public service

After earning his degree, Richards went to work for the City of Carson, California where he administered a crime prevention program. He later organized the Career Development Institute, which assisted over 2000 youth prepare for professional careers. After completing law school, Richards took a position at the City of Compton, California as an executive level administrator and special legal counsel. Richards drafted the Developer Relations Guidelines that helped to resolve issues within the City and its Redevelopment Agency. In 1995, Richards left Compton.

In November 1986, Richards was elected to a 4-year term on the Lynwood City Council[2] and in December 1986, he was appointed by the 5-member City Council as mayor of Lynwood, the second African-American to hold the position, succeeding Robert Henning, the city's first African-American mayor.[3][4] At the time, he was the youngest mayor in California. He would be reelected as mayor for seven consecutive terms. In March 1996, he was defeated in the Democratic primary for the 37th U.S. congressional district.[2] In the November 1997 election, he became the sole African-American on the Lynwood City Council after Robert Henning was defeated in his re-election bid.[5] This marked the beginning of a shift in political power from the declining African-American population to the growing Latino population (then 83% Latino and 17% Black) who now controlled the four remaining seats on the City Council.[5] In November 2001, he was re-elected to the City Council.[2]

Conviction

In October 2003, Richards was voted out as City Counselor in Lynwood in a recall election.[6][7] Maria Teresa Santillan was elected as his successor to finish out the remainder of his term (through December 2005) on the City Council.[7] On March 20, 2006, Richards was sentenced to 16 years in prison. This is the longest sentence in history for a political corruption case. He filed an appeal after being sentenced; however, the conviction was upheld.[8][9][10]

Honorary offices

Certificates
  • Certificate in Management, Harvard University
  • Certificate in Budget Analysis and Fiscal Problem Solving, University of Southern California
  • Certificate of Public Program Management, Harvard University

Awards
  • NAACP Civil Rights Award and NAACP Role Model of the Year Award
  • USC Outstanding Alumni Award and UCLA Outstanding Leadership Award
  • United States Conference of Mayors Outstanding Achievement Award.

References
  1. Addy, Jason (March 16, 2021). "Mayor Gets Longest Sentence Ever In Political Corruption Case". North Country Gazette. Richards, 50, was remanded into custody at the conclusion of Tuesday...
  2. "Richards, Paul H." ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
  3. Marosi, Richard (September 24, 2003). "Lynwood Voters Recall Councilman". The Los Angeles Times.
  4. "Lynwood : First Black Mayor Selected". The Los Angeles Times. December 12, 1985.
  5. Leeds, Jeff (November 10, 1997). "A LOOK AHEAD * Latinos in Lynwood recently seized power from another ethnic group, blacks. The change may be a forerunner of votes in Compton and elsewhere, because . . . : After Shift in Demographics Comes Change in City Leaders". The Los Angeles Times.
  6. Ofgang, Kenneth (January 13, 2009). "Ex-Lynwood Mayor is Target of 'Vendetta', Lawyer Tells Ninth Circuit". Metropolitan News-Enterprise. Retrieved May 27, 2018.
  7. "Lynwood Voters Recall Councilman Richards". Los Angeles Sentinel. August 10, 2003. Archived from the original on March 23, 2015. Retrieved February 27, 2013.
  8. "Ex-Lynwood Mayor Re-Sentenced To 15 Years". Losangeles.cbslocal.com. 28 September 2010. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  9. Guccione, Jean (21 March 2006). "Former Mayor Gets 16 Years in Scam". Articles.latimes.com. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  10. "Mayor Gets Longest Sentence Ever In Political Corruption Case". North Country Gazette. March 21, 2006. Archived from the original on April 15, 2013. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
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