Arthur K. Snyder
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Arthur K. Snyder was a lawyer and politician in Los Angeles, California. As a politician he was known as Art Snyder, but later in life he has taken to using his formal name.
Art Snyder became Los Angeles City Councilman from the 14th district in eastern Los Angeles in 1967,after the death of Councilman Holland, who he had served as Chief of Staff. Snyder was later elected and remained in office through re-election until resigning amid scandal in January 1985.
It is asserted that his constituent service and efforts to remain in contact with his changing district allowed him to survive politically as his district changed to become over 75% Hispanic, despite a number of challenges and two elections to recall him that failed. Snyder was known for his flamboyant ways, and his demeanor; His drunken accidents in city owned cars became a part of his legend, along with his learning Spanish and speaking it well to his constituents.
Snyder eventually resigned before the end of his term amid scandal that arose out of his messy divorce with his second of three wives, and claims of child molestation. During a hearing on those charges Snyder pleaded the Fifth Amendment dozens of times. Snyder's accuser later recanted her accusations. Snyder was the last of the swaggering over the top personality politicians of the kissing babies school in Los Angeles.
Snyder later became a lobbyist and in 1996 was found guilty of an elaborate money laundering scheme whereby he had various friends, relatives and associates make campaign donations to politicians and then used his clients money to repay his friends. The particular client involved in the money laundering Snyder was convicted around was Evergreen shipping, who were vieing for the contract to run the Port of Los Angeles. In spite of the scandal, they did win the contract for the port and control it today (2006).
At the time Snyder was convicted, the Los Angeles Times reported he had the largest fine ever levied in California against an individual for political money laundering ($216,000). In 2001 he was temporarily disciplined by the California State Bar Association, as a result of his 1996 conviction.
Snyder had during the late 1990s and early in the 2000s various interests in Nevada and Texas.
As of 2006, Snyder is retired and still living.
[edit] References
- Snyder, Ex-Wife Both Lose Custody of Their Daughter, Los Angeles Times, March 6, 1985
- Snyder Won't Be Charged With Alleged Molestation Deputy D.A. Calls Child a `Reluctant Witness,' Mother `Unstable' in Decision Not to Prosecute, Los Angeles Times, May 3, 1985