Jack Weiss
Encyclopedia
Jack Stephen Weiss is an American
politician
. He is a former member of the Los Angeles City Council
representing the 5th district from 2001 to 2009. He previously served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Central District of California from 1994 to 2000. He is a member of the Democratic Party
.
In 2009, Weiss lost to Carmen Trutanich in a bitterly fought election for Los Angeles City Attorney
.
Weiss currently heads the Los Angeles office of Kroll
, a global risk consulting company.
at Princeton University
in 1986. After graduation, Weiss moved to Washington D.C. where he worked as an arms control researcher and as a legislative assistant on Capitol Hill. He then attended UCLA Law School
and graduated in 1992. While at UCLA, Weiss was the Editor-in-Chief of the UCLA Law Review
. After UCLA, Weiss served as a law clerk to a federal judge in California. Weiss then briefly practiced as an attorney with the Los Angeles law firm, Irell & Manella LLP.
by 369 votes.
During his tenure on the Los Angeles City Council, Weiss chaired the Public Safety Committee; the Redistricting Committee; the Arts, Health and Humanities Committee; and, the Information Technology and General Services Committee. He also served on the Planning and Land Use Management Committee, and contributed to the unsuccessful bid to hold the 2016 Summer Olympics
in Los Angeles.
Weiss supported the efforts of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
and Police Chief William Bratton to increase the City's trash collection fees to raise funds to hire new police officers.
Weiss was active on issues involving homeland security and the police department. He was a frequent speaker and author on the topic of terrorism preparedness. During his tenure on the Council, Weiss wrote legislation that toughened the city’s gun laws, and he served as the founding chair of the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission. Weiss was also an outspoken supporter of the State of Israel.
Weiss won reelection in 2005 with 71.9% of the vote.
As a city councilman, Weiss was criticized for accepting campaign contributions from real estate developers and their representatives.
In particular, Weiss accepted 78 political contributions from subcontractors for developer Alan Casden. In violation of California election law, an executive affiliated with Casden made illegal contributions to the campaigns of Weiss, City Controller Wendy Greuel
, former City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo
, and mayoral candidate Kathleen Connell
. In 2006 and 2007, KNBC TV and the Los Angeles Times reported that Weiss and the other candidates had not returned these funds.
The Fair Political Political Practices Commission reported that there was no evidence that the recipients were aware of the source of the funds.
Weiss finished first with 36 percent of the vote in the primary election for City Attorney, but was forced into a runoff against Carmen Trutanich, an attorney in private practice. Several members of the Council threw their support behind Trutanich and Weiss was frequently criticized for his close relationship with Villaraigosa, whose popularity had fallen and who had won reelection in March by a much lower margin than expected. Weiss’ campaign also suffered missteps that garnered bad publicity. In one case, a city pension commissioner resigned after he allowed his name to be used on an invitation to a campaign fundraiser, a violation of city ethics law. In another, Weiss attended a fundraiser held a convicted felon. Weiss was also criticized for accepting money from Benjamin Reznik, a lobbyist with a long history of suing the city.
In a bitterly fought campaign, Weiss and Trutanich argued who was more ethically fit to better fight crime, protect the environment and act independently of Villaraigosa. Weiss eventually lost by a final tally of 56% to 44%. The loss was seen as a blow to L.A. mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
, a supporter of Weiss and a potential candidate for governor of California.
. In August 2010, Altegrity acquired Kroll
, a global risk consulting company, and on September 30, 2010 Weiss was chosen to head Kroll's Los Angeles office. Weiss oversees the company's effort to expand its due diligence and fraud investigative services in local corporate and legal communities.
Policy. He serves as a fellow for the Truman National Security Project. While serving as a Councilmember, Weiss was notified that he was a bone marrow match for a leukemia patient he did not know. Weiss donated bone marrow to the patient and later received the Legislative Award from the National Marrow Donor Program for expanding city medical leave for bone marrow donors. He is also a contributing editor to the Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles.
policy analyst who is a co-founder of an investment advisory firm. The couple have two young children, Jacob Wolf and Mollie
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. He is a former member of the Los Angeles City Council
Los Angeles City Council
The Los Angeles City Council is the governing body of the City of Los Angeles.The Council is composed of fifteen members elected from single-member districts for four-year terms. The president of the council and the president pro tempore are chosen by the Council at the first regular meeting after...
representing the 5th district from 2001 to 2009. He previously served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Central District of California from 1994 to 2000. He is a member of the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
.
In 2009, Weiss lost to Carmen Trutanich in a bitterly fought election for Los Angeles City Attorney
City attorney
A city attorney can be an elected or appointed position in city and municipal government in the United States. The city attorney is the attorney representing the city or municipality....
.
Weiss currently heads the Los Angeles office of Kroll
Kroll Inc.
Kroll is a risk consultancy firm based in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. and established in 1972.- History:Kroll was founded in 1972 by Jules B. Kroll as a consultant to corporate purchasing departments...
, a global risk consulting company.
Background and early career
Weiss graduated with honors from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International AffairsWoodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs
The Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs is a professional public policy school at Princeton University. The school has granted undergraduate A.B. degrees since 1930 and graduate degrees since 1948...
at Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
in 1986. After graduation, Weiss moved to Washington D.C. where he worked as an arms control researcher and as a legislative assistant on Capitol Hill. He then attended UCLA Law School
University of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
and graduated in 1992. While at UCLA, Weiss was the Editor-in-Chief of the UCLA Law Review
UCLA Law Review
The UCLA Law Review is a scholarly journal founded in 1953 and published by the students of the UCLA School of Law. Six issues are released every year....
. After UCLA, Weiss served as a law clerk to a federal judge in California. Weiss then briefly practiced as an attorney with the Los Angeles law firm, Irell & Manella LLP.
Legal career
Weiss joined the United States Attorney's Office for the Central District of California in 1994. He was assigned to the Public Corruption and Government Fraud Section and the Major Frauds Section, and he brought cases involving white collar crime, corruption, civil rights, and violent crimes. He initiated the government’s prosecution of a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge who had conducted an affair with a defendant in his court.Los Angeles City Council
In 2001, Weiss was elected to the Los Angeles City Council's 5th district. He defeated former state senator, assemblyman and gubernatorial candidate Tom HaydenTom Hayden
Thomas Emmet "Tom" Hayden is an American social and political activist and politician, known for his involvement in the animal rights, and the anti-war and civil rights movements of the 1960s. He is the former husband of actress Jane Fonda and the father of actor Troy Garity.-Life and...
by 369 votes.
During his tenure on the Los Angeles City Council, Weiss chaired the Public Safety Committee; the Redistricting Committee; the Arts, Health and Humanities Committee; and, the Information Technology and General Services Committee. He also served on the Planning and Land Use Management Committee, and contributed to the unsuccessful bid to hold the 2016 Summer Olympics
2016 Summer Olympics
The 2016 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXXI Olympiad, are a major international multi-sport event to be celebrated in the tradition of the Olympic Games, as governed by the International Olympic Committee...
in Los Angeles.
Weiss supported the efforts of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
Antonio Villaraigosa
Antonio Ramón Villaraigosa , born Antonio Ramón Villar, Jr., is the 41st and current Mayor of Los Angeles, California, the third Mexican American to have ever held office in the city of Los Angeles and the first in over 130 years. He is also the current president of the United States Conference of...
and Police Chief William Bratton to increase the City's trash collection fees to raise funds to hire new police officers.
Weiss was active on issues involving homeland security and the police department. He was a frequent speaker and author on the topic of terrorism preparedness. During his tenure on the Council, Weiss wrote legislation that toughened the city’s gun laws, and he served as the founding chair of the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission. Weiss was also an outspoken supporter of the State of Israel.
Weiss won reelection in 2005 with 71.9% of the vote.
As a city councilman, Weiss was criticized for accepting campaign contributions from real estate developers and their representatives.
In particular, Weiss accepted 78 political contributions from subcontractors for developer Alan Casden. In violation of California election law, an executive affiliated with Casden made illegal contributions to the campaigns of Weiss, City Controller Wendy Greuel
Wendy Greuel
Wendy Jane Greuel is a municipal American politician. She is the 18th and current Los Angeles City Controller and former President Pro Tempore of the Los Angeles City Council representing the 2nd District, which includes portions of the San Fernando Valley.-Early Life, Education, and Early...
, former City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo
Rocky Delgadillo
Rockard John "Rocky" Delgadillo is an American politician. He is the 6th and former City Attorney of Los Angeles, California.-Career:*Teacher / Coach, Los Angeles Unified School District, Franklin*Attorney, O’Melveny & Myers...
, and mayoral candidate Kathleen Connell
Kathleen Connell
Kathleen Connell was the California State Controller from 1995 until 2003. When she was Controller, she:* Ran for mayor of Los Angeles in 2001 but came in 6th in the April 10, 2001 primary getting 24,062 votes ....
. In 2006 and 2007, KNBC TV and the Los Angeles Times reported that Weiss and the other candidates had not returned these funds.
The Fair Political Political Practices Commission reported that there was no evidence that the recipients were aware of the source of the funds.
Campaign for Los Angeles City Attorney
In 2007, Weiss announced that he would run for Los Angeles City Attorney seat in 2009, when incumbent Rocky Delgadillo would be forced from office by term limits. That May a group of residents in his district launched a campaign to try to force a recall election of Weiss, accusing him of being too supportive of large development projects. Weiss said the developments were permitted under the city’s zoning laws and would bring needed jobs, housing, property taxes and other infrastructure improvements to the area. The group never turned in its petitions to the city, but claimed to have gathered 20,000 signatures. Their efforts attracted unflattering media attention to Weiss.Weiss finished first with 36 percent of the vote in the primary election for City Attorney, but was forced into a runoff against Carmen Trutanich, an attorney in private practice. Several members of the Council threw their support behind Trutanich and Weiss was frequently criticized for his close relationship with Villaraigosa, whose popularity had fallen and who had won reelection in March by a much lower margin than expected. Weiss’ campaign also suffered missteps that garnered bad publicity. In one case, a city pension commissioner resigned after he allowed his name to be used on an invitation to a campaign fundraiser, a violation of city ethics law. In another, Weiss attended a fundraiser held a convicted felon. Weiss was also criticized for accepting money from Benjamin Reznik, a lobbyist with a long history of suing the city.
In a bitterly fought campaign, Weiss and Trutanich argued who was more ethically fit to better fight crime, protect the environment and act independently of Villaraigosa. Weiss eventually lost by a final tally of 56% to 44%. The loss was seen as a blow to L.A. mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
Antonio Villaraigosa
Antonio Ramón Villaraigosa , born Antonio Ramón Villar, Jr., is the 41st and current Mayor of Los Angeles, California, the third Mexican American to have ever held office in the city of Los Angeles and the first in over 130 years. He is also the current president of the United States Conference of...
, a supporter of Weiss and a potential candidate for governor of California.
Business career
In 2010, Weiss joined Virginia-based security and global investigations firm, Altegrity Risk InternationalAltegrity Risk International
Altegrity Risk International is a New York City based global risk consulting and information services company. A subsidiary of Altegrity, Inc. of Falls Church, VA, ARI provides investigations, business intelligence, forensic accounting, compliance & monitoring and security services to businesses...
. In August 2010, Altegrity acquired Kroll
Kroll Inc.
Kroll is a risk consultancy firm based in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. and established in 1972.- History:Kroll was founded in 1972 by Jules B. Kroll as a consultant to corporate purchasing departments...
, a global risk consulting company, and on September 30, 2010 Weiss was chosen to head Kroll's Los Angeles office. Weiss oversees the company's effort to expand its due diligence and fraud investigative services in local corporate and legal communities.
Community involvement
He has served as a member of the UCLA School of Law Alumni Association Board of Directors, the Cesar Chavez Foundation, and the Pacific Council on InternationalPolicy. He serves as a fellow for the Truman National Security Project. While serving as a Councilmember, Weiss was notified that he was a bone marrow match for a leukemia patient he did not know. Weiss donated bone marrow to the patient and later received the Legislative Award from the National Marrow Donor Program for expanding city medical leave for bone marrow donors. He is also a contributing editor to the Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles.
Awards
During his career as a public servant, Weiss received numerous awards including:- 100 New Democrats to Watch by Democratic Leadership Council
- Humanitarian Award from the Los Angeles Commission on Assaults Against Women
- Environmentalist of the Year Award from the Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters
- Distinguished Community Leader Award by UCLA Center for Community Partnerships
- Civic Leadership Award by Santa Monica Baykeeper
- Civic Leadership Award, Peace Over Violence
Personal life
Weiss resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Leslie Kautz, a former PentagonThe Pentagon
The Pentagon is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, located in Arlington County, Virginia. As a symbol of the U.S. military, "the Pentagon" is often used metonymically to refer to the Department of Defense rather than the building itself.Designed by the American architect...
policy analyst who is a co-founder of an investment advisory firm. The couple have two young children, Jacob Wolf and Mollie
.