In a 14-0 vote, the L.A. City Council approved the appointment of former councilman Herb Wesson Jr. to take over the 10th district council seat Tuesday.

The seat was left vacant by councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas, who was suspended by the council in October after allegations of being involved in a bribery scheme.

The vote came after councilman Mike Bonin called for a new motion to push Wesson’s possible appointment for another week, allowing reports and briefings from the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office to be received by the council before voting. The new motion failed in a 7-7 vote, clearing the way for the council to vote on Wesson’s appointment.

Now Wesson may serve on the council and represent the 10th district until December 31, or until Ridley-Thomas is cleared of all charges.

When council president Nury Martinez presented the motion to appoint Wesson last week, she said, “The constituents of Council District 10 need a voting member who understands their community to represent them within Council Chambers.”

Before Ridley-Thomas took over the seat, Wesson served on the council from 2005-2020.

“I’ve truly been blessed, and most of my blessings come from people in this district,” Wesson said on Wednesday. “My neighbors have once again called on me to serve and it is my responsibility to answer that call. I hope to do the residents of the 10th proud.”

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