Inglewood Mayor James Butts walked out of an interview with CBS Los Angeles, describing the reporter's questions as a "setup" and "ridiculous" while campaigning for reelection. The incident occurred as Butts faces a close race that may head to a runoff.
During the interview, the reporter asked Butts to respond to residents who had raised concerns about his character. Butts reacted defensively, stating he did not understand the question and that it was a "set-up." He accused the station of posing "no-win" questions and questioned if his opponent would face similar inquiries before ending the interview. While Butts initially walked out, he later returned to complete the interview off-camera.
The contentious exchange comes as Butts trails City Councilmember Gloria Gray in the race for his fifth term. As of Wednesday morning, Gray held 32.65% of the vote compared to Butts' 29.22%. If these results hold, neither candidate will secure over 50% of the vote, necessitating a runoff election in March.
Butts, who has served as mayor since 2011, has been the subject of controversy. In September, he was accused of inappropriately touching a teenage cheerleader while posing for a photograph at a City Hall event. A formal government claim was filed against Butts and the city by the student, alleging he touched and restrained her without consent, causing distress. This claim is a precursor to a potential lawsuit.
Butts has denied the allegations, characterizing them as politically motivated and stating he was holding his cellphone during the photo. The mayor has also faced past allegations from his career in law enforcement, including accusations from his former wife and a criminal referral in 1993 related to his daughter, though prosecutors declined to file charges due to insufficient evidence.