Attorney announces government claim against Inglewood Mayor James Butts following student's misconduct allegation

The filing initiates a formal legal precursor required before a potential lawsuit can be brought against a public agency in California, while intensifying scrutiny over city transparency, police investigations, and public records releases.

• •An attorney for an Inglewood high school student is filing a government claim against Mayor James T. Butts Jr. and the city.
• •The allegation stems from a youth voter registration event named Votechella held at Inglewood City Hall on Sept. 15.
• •The student's attorney alleges the mayor touched her inappropriately during a group photo and that the incident was reported the same evening to school and city officials.
• •The attorney states the mayor visited the family's home that night along with City Clerk Aisha Thompson, an account disputed by the mayor.
• •A government claim is a necessary precursor before filing a lawsuit against a public agency in California.
• •The city has extended its response to a public records request for video footage of the incident to Nov. 6, three days after the election.
• •The student's attorney has asked the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department to handle the case instead of the Inglewood Police Department.
• •Mayor Butts denies the allegations, calling them false and describing the press release as political warfare prior to the election.
• •The Inglewood Police Department has an open investigation into the matter and stated video will be released when it concludes.
• •Tuesday's Inglewood City Council meeting was canceled, drawing frustration from residents and candidates scheduled to speak.