Lancaster Councilman to Seek Reelection

Lancaster Councilman William Pursley said Wednesday he will run for a second term in next April’s election even though he is the subject of continuing conflict-of-interest investigations by the state Fair Political Practices Commission and Los Angeles County district attorney.

Pursley, 63, a real estate broker who was elected in a 1989 special election, said he had no indication county prosecutors are seriously pursuing a criminal case against him, and added that he expects no serious problem with the FPPC, which typically fines violators.

Pursley also said he plans to leave Lancaster-based Mid-Valley Real Estate soon and cease working as a real estate agent. The controversies surrounding Pursley arose when he failed to publicly disclose some of his real estate activities and voted in two cases on issues affecting his sources of income.