benefactors

The grandson of Hollywood mogul Lew Wasserman and owner of a prestigious talent agency, he is seen as critical to wooing benefactors and corporate sponsors.

“I doubt very much of it will be there in 10 years' time, other than it might be in the hands of some very, very rich benefactors, and won't be available for everybody at an affordable price,” he added.

The mayor had "put the interests of his benefactors, including a foreign official, above those of his constituents," Williams said.

Last year, ProPublica and other news outlets reported that Justice Clarence Thomas secretly accepted millions of dollars in gifts and luxury travel from rich, conservative benefactors with business before the court.

Steady profits enabled East West to become one of Los Angeles’ top civic benefactors.