Riordan Lambastes Ally for Work Against Arena

The turbulent saga of the proposed downtown sports arena took a strange, personal turn Wednesday when sources revealed that a lawyer assisting Councilman Joel Wachs, chief critic of arena plans, is none other that Michael Keeley, whose mentor and friend is Mayor Richard Riordan, a vehement opponent of the councilman’s efforts.

The disclosure of Keeley’s involvement in the controversial issue took Riordan by surprise and infuriated him, according to sources close to the mayor. Late Wednesday, Riordan wrote to Keeley expressing his dismay.

“I was shocked and disappointed to hear that you are the attorney assisting Joel Wachs in his efforts to place an initiative on the ballot which would be detrimental to the economic interest and vitality of Los Angeles,” Riordan said in his letter. “News of your involvement is especially perplexing to me since you played an important role in discussions about the urgency of revitalizing downtown as part of our efforts to invigorate the economy of our entire city.”

Asked to comment on the letter, Keeley responded: “When Dick Riordan was asked years ago how he could belong to the California Club, which discriminates against everybody . . . Dick Riordan said he believed in fighting for change from the inside.”

Although Riordan has removed himself from official actions involving the project because of his ownership of a nearby restaurant, the mayor publicly hailed the plan when it was announced and his office helped serve as a catalyst for the development. Riordan also has opposed Wachs’ plans for a ballot measure requiring voter approval of proposed sports stadiums that rely on public subsidies.

Wachs stressed that Keeley was one of several lawyers he had consulted, and added that Keeley was doing the work for free. “I just called and asked if he could help,” Wachs said. “He said he would give it a try, and he did.”

“Mike is certainly one of the smartest lawyers I’ve ever met,” Wachs added. “I did ask him to assist me.”

Keeley and Riordan are old friends; Keeley was a member of Riordan’s law firm, and after the mayor’s election in 1993, he joined the administration as its budget director. He resigned after a blowup with the City Council, but even then, Riordan accepted Keeley’s decision to leave only after long and public anguish.

That issue erupted when it was disclosed that Keeley had sent an internal city memo to an outside firm. Many council members demanded that Keeley step down; Wachs supported Keeley.

Since leaving City Hall, Keeley has remained an important behind-the-scenes advisor to Riordan, helping him on such key issues as charter reform.

“Mike,” the letter concluded, “I am troubled that you have turned your back on this effort to make Los Angeles an economically vibrant city.”

Times staff writer Ted Rohrlich contributed to this story.