Pasquale Rotella under investigation for corruption in dealings with L.A. ColiseumInsomniac Logo

Pasquale Rotella under investigation for corruption in dealings with L.A. Coliseum

Pasquale Rotella is best known for putting on awesome, gigantic raves for Insomniac Events (ever heard of Electric Daisy Carnival?) but it looks like he’s in a bit of hot water now concerning past business dealings with the LA Coliseum. LA Weekly reports that in addition to LA Coliseum officials Patrick Lynch, Todd DeStefano, and Reza Gerami, Pasquale may be arrested for unlawful business dealings with the venue. The paper alleges that stagehands were paid under the table (as opposed to through their union), and that the actual Coliseum officials received “hundreds of thousands of dollars to help them put on their electronic music shows” — causing significant losses to the Coliseum itself.

Truth be told, Insomniac’s dealings with the LA Coliseum have been iffy since a fifteen year-old girl died of an ecstasy overdose at EDC LA in 2010. Wendy Greuel, City controller for Los Angeles, discussed a “zero tolerance” policy for allegations of public corruption, and hopes that the city’s audit will help lead to more transparency with the venue. Insomniac has issued an official statement on the matter, which declares that Rotella has “always acted lawfully and appropriately” and that these allegations are “flat-out wrong.” The event production company goes on to say that the charges are “politically motivated and publicity driven,” and we have to admit that the timing — smack in the middle of Miami Music Week / Winter Music Conference — is suspect.

Luckily for the fans, however, it looks like these legal investigations will have no material impact on the shows themselves. According to the company, “it is business as usual” and “no events will be impacted.”

Via: LA Weekly

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