(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — While the Mountain View City Council members play hardball with Shoreline Amphitheater and its owner, Clear Channel Entertainment, for shortchanging the town out of millions of dollars in rent, new criticism has surfaced regarding the members themselves.
Only days after a new audit showed that the amphitheater was delinquent by millions of dollars, details showing that many council members have accepted luxury box seats worth $8,750 each per year have come to light.
Members claim that the perk is part of the lease deal with CCE.
“It seems like two different issues,” Councilwoman Laura Macias told the San Jose Mercury News. “If Clear Channel had their way, we couldn’t have concert tickets, but it’s part of the contract.”
“The tickets have no impact on how the council operates,” Councilman Mike Kasperzak agreed at a recent council meeting, according to the paper. “Anyone who thinks we have been soft on Clear Channel hasn’t been paying attention.”
The owners of Shoreline Amphitheatre have denied the claim that they shorted the city of Mountain View $3.6 million in gross receipts over a five-year period. Shoreline and Mountain View are also embroiled in a legal battle over related payments. –by CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
