Ethics Commission looks at 'gifts'

Even as it investigates Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's acceptance of free tickets to scores of high-profile events, the Los Angeles Ethics Commission began looking Tuesday at whether public officials should be required to disclose such activities.

Over the last five years, Villaraigosa has attended at least 85 events - including Lakers and Dodgers games, concerts and celebrity-studded awards ceremonies - without disclosing the free tickets on his financial reporting forms. He has argued that his appearance is part of his official duties as mayor so the tickets should not be considered gifts subject to public disclosure.