The Independent ran an article May 13,...

The Independent ran an article May 13, “Houchen under investigation,”

that contained a series of errors. The story correctly reported that

the Huntington Beach Police Department and Planning Department are

investigating whether 40 apartments in the city were converted

illegally into condominiums without acquiring the necessary city

permits or paying the required $7,000 fee.

However, the article should not have stated that City Councilwoman

Pam Julien Houchen is being investigated. Police Chief Kenneth Small

said his department is not investigating Houchen, but is reviewing

whether the conversions of apartment buildings citywide, including

one on Green Street owned by Houchen, were done illegally. The story

also improperly described the conversions as “scams” and a “scandal”

when there only have been allegations of wrongdoing. The police and

planning departments have issued no findings or charges from their

investigations.

The Independent regrets the errors.