{{Short description|American businessman and philanthropist (born 1959)}} {{for|the founder and chairman of Integra LifeSciences|Richard Caruso}} {{Pp-extended|small=yes}} {{use mdy dates|date=March 2019}} {{Infobox person | name = Rick Caruso | image = Rick Caruso, 2015.jpg | caption = Caruso in 2015 | birth_name = Rick Joseph Caruso | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1959|1|7}} | birth_place = [[Los Angeles]], California, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | political_party = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] (before 2011, 2016–2019)<br>[[Independent politician|Independent]] (2011–2016, 2019–2022)<ref>{{cite web |title=News Analysis: Rick Caruso was a Republican 3 years ago. Will voters care? |last=Wick |first=Julia |date=June 2, 2022 |work=The Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-06-02/rick-caruso-2022-mayoral-election-republican-transformation |access-date=June 2, 2022}}</ref><br>[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] (2022–present)<ref>{{cite web |title=Rick Caruso Changes Registration to Democrat as He Weighs a Run for L.A. Mayor |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |last=Oreskes |first=Benjamin |date=January 24, 2022 |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-01-24/prospective-la-mayoral-candidate-rick-caruso-registers-as-democract |accessdate=January 24, 2022}}</ref> | spouse = Tina Caruso | children = 4, including [[Gigi Caruso|Gigi]] and [[Justin Caruso|Justin]] | relatives = [[Henry Caruso]] (father) | education = [[University of Southern California]] ([[Bachelor of Science|BS]])<br>[[Pepperdine University]] ([[Juris Doctor|JD]]) | website = {{URL|carusocan.com|Campaign website}} }} '''Rick Joseph Caruso''' (born January 7, 1959)<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-jan-11-me-caruso11-story.html|title=Developer gets recognition for aid to children|last=Uribarri|first=Adrian G.|date=2007-01-11|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035|access-date=2016-10-06}}</ref> is an American billionaire businessman.<ref name="latimesbillionaire">{{cite news |last=Clendenin |first=Jay L. |date=September 20, 2015 |title=Billionaire developer Rick Caruso, who owns -- among other things -- the Encino Marketplace, the Americana at Brand in Glendale, the Grove and Burton Place Retail Center in Los Angeles, may be one of the candidates in L.A.'s next mayoral election.|url=https://www.latimes.com/la-oew-photo-rick-caruso-photo.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307212009/http://www.latimes.com/la-oew-photo-rick-caruso-photo.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 7, 2016|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|access-date=September 20, 2015}}</ref> The founder and former CEO of the real estate company [[Caruso Affiliated|Caruso]],<ref name="SBonline">{{cite web|url=http://www.sbnonline.com/2012/07/rick-j-caruso-founder-and-ceo-caruso-affiliated/|title=Rick J. Caruso, founder and CEO, Caruso Affiliated|publisher=Smart Business|date=July 1, 2012|access-date=May 11, 2013|archive-date=April 20, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130420125811/http://www.sbnonline.com/2012/07/rick-j-caruso-founder-and-ceo-caruso-affiliated/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="moodie">{{cite web|url=http://www.moodiereport.com/print.php?c_id=&doc_id=31072|title=Shilla/ARI bid for LAX duty free gets Rick Caruso endorsement|author=Martin Moodie|publisher=The Moodie Report|access-date=May 11, 2013}}</ref> he previously served as the chair of the board of trustees of the [[University of Southern California]]. Caruso was previously the president of the [[Los Angeles Police Commission]], a member of the [[Los Angeles Department of Water and Power|Board of Water and Power Commissioners]], and was the runner-up to [[Karen Bass]] in the [[2022 Los Angeles mayoral election]].

== Early life and education == Caruso, an [[Italian American]], was born in [[Los Angeles]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/oct/13/rick-caruso-italian-white-republican-la-mayor-debate | title='I'm Italian': Los Angeles mayoral contender says he's not white | website=[[TheGuardian.com]] | date=October 13, 2022 }}</ref> His father, [[Henry Caruso]], was the founder of [[Dollar Rent A Car|Dollar Rent-A-Car]] and owner of many car dealerships in the Los Angeles area. His mother Gloria was a billboard model in her youth.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.pressreader.com/usa/los-angeles-times/20171203/283012580066156|title=Gloria and Hank Caruso Had A Romance That Began Like A Scene From A Hollywood Movie |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=3 December 2017 |access-date=2019-03-14}}</ref> Caruso earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the [[University of Southern California]] in 1980 (where he was a member of the [[Sigma Alpha Epsilon]] fraternity and the [[Trojan Knights]]); and a [[Juris Doctor|J.D.]] from the [[Pepperdine University School of Law]] in 1983 as a Margaret Martin Brock Scholar.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://priceschool.usc.edu/alumni/guardian/2007-honorees/caruso|title=Rick J. Caruso|publisher=USC Price|access-date=May 11, 2013|archive-date=August 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807040733/https://priceschool.usc.edu/alumni/guardian/2007-honorees/caruso/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pepperdine.edu/pr/releases/2009/april/rick-caruso-pa-dinner.htm|title=Distinguished Alumnus Rick J. Caruso Addresses Audience at 33rd Annual Associates Dinner|publisher=[[Pepperdine University]]|access-date=May 11, 2013|archive-date=June 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120625203726/http://www.pepperdine.edu/pr/releases/2009/april/rick-caruso-pa-dinner.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://law.pepperdine.edu/financial-assistance/scholarships-grants/|title=Admissions|publisher=[[Pepperdine University]]|access-date=11 May 2013|archive-date=April 20, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130420110535/http://law.pepperdine.edu/financial-assistance/scholarships-grants/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Career==

===Real estate development=== Caruso was a real-estate lawyer in the corporate finance department at [[Finley, Kumble, Wagner, Underberg, Manley, Myerson & Casey|Finley Kumble]].<ref name=labusinessjournal>{{cite news|last=Meinert|first=Maya|title=Early Developer|url=http://labusinessjournal.com/accounts/login/?next=/news/2009/mar/16/early-developer|work=LA Business Journal|access-date=May 12, 2013}}</ref> In 1987, he founded Caruso, a company that develops, owns and manages properties. He initially purchased parking lots that his father agreed to lease for Dollar Rent-A-Car which he sold when the property rose in value.<ref name="LAT 2022-06-04">{{Cite news |last1=Vincent |first1=Roger |last2=Hiltzik |first2=Michael |date=2022-06-04 |title=The business of Rick Caruso: How a mayoral candidate amassed his fortune |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2022-06-04/how-rick-caruso-made-his-fortune |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> In 1990, he quit law to develop his retail and residential properties full-time.<ref name="mooreUSC"/><ref name="MorrisN">{{cite news|title=Commercial Real Estate: Developer Turns Shopping Malls Into Center of Attention|author=Morris Newman|date=November 10, 1998|work= [[Los Angeles Times]]|id = {{ProQuest|421342867}}}}</ref>

His projects include [[The Grove at Farmers Market]] in Los Angeles, the [[Americana at Brand]] in Glendale, [[the Commons at Calabasas]], the Promenade at Westlake, The Lakes at Thousands Oaks (leased from the [[Thousand Oaks, California|City of Thousand Oaks]]),<ref>{{Cite news|last=Harris|first=Mike|date=December 1, 2021|title=Divided Thousand Oaks City Council approves planned six-story apartment complex|url=https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/communities/conejo-valley/2021/12/01/thousand-oaks-city-council-approves-planned-apartment-complex/8793608002/|access-date=2022-02-17|newspaper=Ventura County Star|language=en-US}}</ref> Waterside Marina del Rey, Palisades Village in Pacific Palisades and the Rosewood Miramar Beach in Santa Barbara.<ref name=SBonline/><ref name=labusinessjournal/><ref name="LAT 2019-03-03">{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-rosewood-miramar-hotel-20190303-story.html |title= Grove builder Rick Caruso reimagines Miramar resort with splashes of seaside splendor |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |first=Roger|last=Vincent|date=March 3, 2019|access-date=March 3, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-caruso-palisades-village-20180922-story.html|title=Developer Rick Caruso goes small with new Pacific Palisades shopping district|date=September 22, 2018|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|access-date=October 10, 2019}}</ref>

In 2015, Caruso funded a voter initiative to bypass local planning laws and the [[California Environmental Quality Act]] (CEQA) in order to build an outdoor mall in [[Carlsbad, California]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Showley |first=Roger |date=August 30, 2015 |title=Caruso project: A model for speedy development? |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/growth-development/sdut-initiative-caruso-carlsbad-planning-2015aug30-htmlstory.html |access-date=March 18, 2019 |website=[[San Diego Union Tribune]] |df=mdy-all}}</ref> Although the initiative passed, a subsequent referendum overturned it and a public vote was required. This initiative, Measure A, failed and the mall construction was ultimately blocked.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Diehl |first=Phil |date=August 11, 2016 |title=New documents show more Caruso spending |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/politics/sdut-documents-show-caruso-spent-12m-2016aug11-story.html |access-date=March 18, 2019 |website=[[San Diego Union Tribune]] |df=mdy-all}}</ref> All together, Caruso spent $12&nbsp;million in less than a year on getting the project approved.<ref name=":2" /> This spending included television ads, mailers, and consulting services.<ref name=":2" /> Despite his prior criticism of CEQA, one of his malls filed a CEQA suit in 2025, seeking to block the $1 billion [[Television City]] project in the [[Fairfax District, Los Angeles|Fairfax District]] of Los Angeles.<ref>David Zahniser, [https://www.latimes.com/california/newsletter/2025-02-15/la-me-rick-carusos-the-grove-sues-to-block-television-city-l-a-on-the-record Rick Caruso's mall sues to stop the $1-billion Television City project], ''Los Angeles Times'' (February 15, 2025).</ref>

In 2016, the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' reported that Caruso, his affiliates and family, had given more than $476,000 to L.A. city officials over the past five years; during this time [[Los Angeles City Hall]] approved numerous building projects.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zahniser |first=David |date=December 28, 2016 |title=Political donations flow as Rick Caruso seeks approval for a 20-story tower near the Beverly Center |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-caruso-developer-donations-20161115-story.html |access-date=March 18, 2019 |website=[[L.A. Times]] |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

=== Public service === In 1985, at the age of 26, Caruso was named by Mayor [[Tom Bradley (American politician)|Tom Bradley]] to serve as a commissioner for the [[Los Angeles Department of Water and Power]],<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.caesars.com/thelinq/pdf/Linq-Bios.pdf|title=The Linq: Retail Advisors |publisher=[[Caesars Palace]]|access-date=May 6, 2013|df= mdy-all }}</ref> becoming the youngest commissioner in the history of the city.<ref name="MetNews">{{cite web |url= http://www.metnews.com/articles/comm0822.htm|title=Attorney Rick Caruso Unanimously Elected to Head Police Commission |publisher=Metnews.com|date=2001-08-22|access-date=2011-09-03 |df= mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="Factor">{{cite news|url= http://labusinessjournal.com/news/2012/may/11/caruso-named-ernst-young-llp-master-entrepreneur-y|title=The Caruso Factor |first=Matthew |last=Fleischer|date=December 31, 2008|work= [[Los Angeles Business Journal]] |df= mdy-all }}</ref>

In August 2001, Caruso was appointed by Mayor [[James K. Hahn]] to the [[Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners]]<ref name="Hahn">{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-oct-03-me-chief3-story.html |title=Hahn Picks Bratton to Lead Police Force |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=2002-10-03 |access-date=2011-09-03 |df= mdy-all }}</ref> and was elected its president.<ref name="MetNews"/> In this role, he led the selection process that resulted in the hiring of former [[New York City Police Commissioner]] [[William Bratton]] as the [[Los Angeles Chief of Police]].<ref name="Hahn"/>

In 2008, Caruso was elected to serve as a member of the [[Los Angeles Coliseum Commission]],<ref name="Factor"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lacoliseumlive.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=59&Itemid=71|title=Coliseum Commission|publisher=Lacoliseumlive.com|date=1945-09-25|access-date=2011-09-03 |df= mdy-all }}</ref> which oversees the operations of the [[Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum]] and nearby [[Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena]]. During his tenure on the commission, Caruso advocated for its reform, including the resignation of its general manager,<ref>{{cite news|url= http://blogs.laweekly.com/informer/2011/02/caruso_coliseum_resign_raves.php|title=Raves: Rick Caruso Calls for Resignation of Coliseum G.M. Patrick Lynch|first=Dennis |last=Romero|date=February 9, 2011|work=[[LA Weekly]] |df= mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110209007108/en/Caruso-Calls-Resignation-Coliseum-Executive-Director|title=Caruso Calls for Resignation of Coliseum Executive Director|date=February 9, 2011|work=[[Business Wire]] |df= mdy-all }}</ref> and the replacement of the commission itself with a new governing body.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.latimes.com/local/la-xpm-2011-sep-29-la-me-coliseum-caruso-20110929-story.html|title=Developer Rick Caruso resigns from Coliseum Commission|author=Paul Pringle and Andrew Blankstein|date=September 29, 2011|work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |df= mdy-all }}</ref> He advocated a ban on [[rave parties]] at the two venues.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://blogs.laweekly.com/informer/2011/02/rave_ban_caruso_coliseum.php|title=Raves: Coliseum Commissioner Rick Caruso Says Rave Ban Back on the Table, Electric Daisy Carnival Still up in the Air|first=Dennis|last=Romero|date=February 10, 2011|work=[[LA Weekly]]|df=mdy-all|access-date=June 8, 2013|archive-date=September 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130913063652/http://blogs.laweekly.com/informer/2011/02/rave_ban_caruso_coliseum.php|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url= http://blogs.laweekly.com/informer/2011/01/la_coliseum_commissioner_rick.php|title=L.A. Coliseum Commissioner Rick Caruso Likely To Ask For Ban On Raves|first=Dennis |last=Romero|date=January 5, 2011|work=[[LA Weekly]] |df= mdy-all }}</ref>

=== 2022 Los Angeles mayoral race=== {{See also|2022 Los Angeles mayoral election}} Caruso floated the idea of running for mayor of Los Angeles for the [[2009 Los Angeles mayoral election|2009]] and [[2013 Los Angeles mayoral election|2013]] elections,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Billionaire Rick Caruso announces run for L.A. mayor |url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2022/02/12/Rick-Caruso-campaign-LA-mayor/4641644704981/ |access-date=2022-06-08 |work=UPI |language=en}}</ref> though he ultimately did not run.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 22, 2010 |title=Developer Rick Caruso says he might run for L.A. mayor |url=https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/09/developer-rick-caruso-said-he-would-consider-running-for-la-mayor-once-villaraigosa-leaves-office-.html |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Linthicum |first1=Kate |last2=Zahniser |first2=David |date=2012-10-12 |title=Developer Caruso again decides to bow out of L.A. mayoral race |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/la-xpm-2012-oct-12-la-me-1012-caruso-20121012-story.html |access-date=2022-02-12 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2019, he expressed interest in running in the [[2022 Los Angeles mayoral election|2022]] election. He announced his candidacy on February 11, 2022, the day before the filing deadline.<ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.politico.com/news/2022/02/11/caruso-enters-los-angeles-mayors-race-00008420|title = Billionaire developer Caruso enters Los Angeles mayor's race|work = [[Politico]]|date = February 11, 2022|accessdate = February 12, 2022|last = Nieves|first = Alexander}}</ref> During the campaign, Caruso said he supported more housing in L.A., but opposed changing [[Zoning in the United States|zoning regulations]] to allow denser housing in neighborhoods that mandate single-family housing. At the time, three-quarters of residentially zoned land in Los Angeles permitted only single-family housing.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-11-01 |title=To fix overcrowding in L.A., build more housing, mayoral candidates say |url=https://www.latimes.com/homeless-housing/story/2022-11-01/overcrowding-housing-la-bass-caruso |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

Caruso spent more than $41 million on his primary campaign, including $39 million of his own money on digital, radio, and television advertising.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rainey|first=James|title=With unprecedented spending, Caruso is everywhere. Can the billionaire become overexposed? |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-06-06/rick-caruso-record-spending-la-mayor |access-date=2022-06-08 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=June 6, 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref> Caruso finished second in the June election to [[Karen Bass]], and faced her in a runoff election on November 8, which Bass won.<ref>{{Cite news |title=L.A. mayoral primary turnout rises as Bass widens lead over Caruso|url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-06-21/los-angeles-mayoral-primary-turnout-rises-bass-leads-caruso|access-date=2022-07-16 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url = https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-mayor-karen-bass-02f20ef45e3cbbfc94e2eb073e1e860d|title = LA elects US Rep Karen Bass mayor, first Black woman in post|work = [[Associated Press]]|last = Blood|first = Michael R.|date = November 16, 2022|accessdate = November 16, 2022}}</ref>

== Philanthropy== === Caruso Family Foundation === Caruso founded the Caruso Family Foundation, which focuses on organizations that improve the lives of children in need of healthcare and education.<ref name=EYMEOY2012R>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUS266098+10-May-2012+BW20120510|title=Rick Caruso to Receive the 2012 Ernst & Young LLP Master Entrepreneur Of The Year® Award for Greater Los Angeles|date= May 11, 2012|work=[[Reuters]]|df=mdy-all}}{{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref name=EYMEOY2012LABJ/>

In addition to USC and Pepperdine, Caruso has made significant donations to Los Angeles academic institutions including [[Loyola High School (Los Angeles)|Loyola High School]] and [[Brentwood School (Los Angeles)|Brentwood School]], which 3 of his children attended.<ref>{{cite web |title=Caruso Family Foundation |url=https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/954317077/202023219349105797/full |website=ProPublica.org |date=May 9, 2013 |publisher=ProPublica}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Pepperdine School of Law Announces Historic $50 Million Commitment by Alumnus Rick J. Caruso |url=https://www.pepperdine.edu/newsroom/2019/10/pepperdine-school-law-announces-historic-50-million-commitment-alumnus-rick-j/ |website=Pepperdine.edu |publisher=Pepperdine University}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=LaFuente |first1=Cat |title=The Untold Truth Of Gigi Caruso |url=https://www.thelist.com/148492/the-untold-truth-of-gigi-caruso/ |website=TheList.com |date=March 22, 2019 }}</ref>

=== Law schools === Caruso and his wife, Tina, established the Caruso Loan Forgiveness Fund which covers the law school loan payments for ten years for low-income and other underserved students.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-10-23/billionaire-rick-caruso-gives-50-million-to-pepperdine-law-school-to-expand-access-for-underserved-students|title=Billionaire Rick Caruso gives $50 million to Pepperdine law school to expand access for underserved students|last=Watanabe|first=Teresa|date=2019-10-23|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-23|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

In October 2019, he donated $50 million to Pepperdine School of Law, which was renamed in his honor. The gift is directed to historically underrepresented students as well as to students pursuing public interest law.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pepperdine.edu/newsroom/2019/10/pepperdine-school-law-announces-historic-50-million-commitment-alumnus-rick-j/|title=Pepperdine School of Law Announces Historic $50 Million Commitment by Alumnus Rick J. Caruso {{!}} Pepperdine University|website=www.pepperdine.edu|access-date=2020-02-23}}</ref>

=== University of Southern California === Caruso's daughter, [[Gigi Caruso|Gianna "Gigi" Caruso]], was born with [[hearing loss]] and was treated at USC's [[Keck School of Medicine]]. In 2015, Caruso and his wife Tina donated a further $25&nbsp;million to USC, to endow and name the USC Tina and Rick Caruso Department of [[Otolaryngology]] – Head and Neck Surgery.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.usc.edu/82320/25-million-gift-from-tina-and-rick-caruso-to-endow-head-and-neck-department/|title=$25 million gift from Tina and Rick Caruso to endow head and neck department |work=USC News |date=June 5, 2015 |publisher=[[University of Southern California]] |access-date=22 March 2018}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lori-laughlins-daughter-vacationed-rick-carusos-yacht-1194688|title=Lori Loughlin's Daughter Vacationed on Billionaire USC Official's Yacht|last=Schmidt|first=Ingrid|date=13 March 2019|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=14 March 2019|quote=Born with hearing loss, Gigi Caruso was treated by doctors at USC’s Keck School of Medicine. In 2015, Rick and Tina Caruso donated $25 million to the school to endow and name it the USC Tina and Rick Caruso Department of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery, known for research and treatment of ear, nose and throat diseases.|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

The Caruso Catholic Center and Our Savior Parish Church on the USC campus was endowed by and named after Caruso following his contribution of $9&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://la.curbed.com/archives/2008/12/ground_blessing_takes_place_for_new_usc_caruso_catholic_center.php |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090201002702/http://la.curbed.com/archives/2008/12/ground_blessing_takes_place_for_new_usc_caruso_catholic_center.php |url-status= dead |archive-date= February 1, 2009 |title=Ground Blessing Takes Place for New USC Caruso Catholic Center |first=Dakota |last=Smith |date=December 16, 2008|work=[[Curbed LA]] |df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/local/la-xpm-2012-dec-09-la-me-usc-church-20121209-story.html|title=Lavish new church, meeting center to serve USC Catholics|first=Larry |last=Gordon|date=December 9, 2012|work= [[Los Angeles Times]]|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

In 2018, Caruso was elected chairman of USC's board of trustees; he resigned from the position in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2022-02-15|title=2/15- A Message from USC Board of Trustees Chair Rick J. Caruso|url=https://we-are.usc.edu/2022/02/15/2-15-a-message-from-usc-board-of-trustees-chair-rick-j-caruso/|access-date=2022-02-18|website=2022|language=en-US}}</ref> As of May 2026, he remains a voting member of the board.<ref>{{cite web |title=Trustees |url=https://boardoftrustees.usc.edu/trustees/ |website=USC Board of Trustees}}</ref>

As the chairman of USC's board of trustees, Caruso was criticized for his handling of the [[George Tyndall]] USC sexual abuse scandal, in which a USC gynecologist spent 30 years molesting hundreds of patients, despite complaints dating back to 1991.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Ryan |first1=Harriet |last2=Hamilton |first2=Matt |date=April 1, 2019 |title=How much of USC's sweeping sexual abuse investigation will stay secret? |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-usc-sexual-abuse-investigation-secret-20190401-story.html |access-date=February 17, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Chi |first1=Lucy |last2=Nafziger |first2=Audrey |last3=Rowland |first3=Allison |date=October 18, 2021 |title=USC and prosecutors owe the public a full account of sex abuse inquiries |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2021-10-18/usc-and-prosecutors-owe-the-public-a-full-account-of-sex-abuse-inquiries |access-date=February 17, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-08-19 |title=USC Promised Transparency, So Why Is It Acting 'Like The Kremlin'? |url=https://laist.com/news/usc-transparency |access-date=2022-02-18 |website=LAist |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Hamilton |first1=Matt |last2=Ryan |first2=Harriet |date=December 19, 2018 |title=Must Reads: How George Tyndall went from USC gynecologist to the center of LAPD's largest-ever sex abuse investigation |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-george-tyndall-profile-usc-sexual-assault-allegations-20181219-story.html |access-date=February 17, 2022}}</ref> In May 2018, Caruso promised an independent investigation and an accompanying public report, but no report on the investigation has been made public.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-10-06 |title=Former USC campus gynecologist's accusers call for investigation of top university officials |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-10-06/usc-tyndall-gynecologist-sex-abuse-investigation |access-date=2022-02-18 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Hamilton |first1=Matt |last2=Harriet |first2=Ryan |date=March 25, 2021 |title=USC to pay $1.1 billion to settle decades of sex abuse claims against gynecologist |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-03-25/usc-payout-gynecologist-sex-abuse-claims-to-top-1-billion |access-date=February 17, 2022 |website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref>

=== January 2025 Southern California wildfires === In the wake of the [[January 2025 Southern California wildfires]], Caruso became a prominent critic of his former mayoral opponent [[Karen Bass]]'s response to the [[Palisades Fire]] and advocated for greater firefighting resources.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Saul |first=Derek |title='There's No Water Coming Out Of The Fire Hydrants': Billionaire Caruso Becomes Top L.A. Fires Critic |work=[[Forbes]] |date=January 8, 2025 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/dereksaul/2025/01/08/theres-no-water-coming-out-of-the-fire-hydrants-billionaire-caruso-becomes-top-la-fires-critic/ |access-date=January 10, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Arango |first1=Tim |last2=Baker |first2=Mike |last3=Bogel-Burroughs |first3=Nicholas |title='Completely Dry': How Los Angeles Firefighters Ran Out of Water |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=January 9, 2025 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/09/us/los-angeles-fire-water-hydrant-failure.html |access-date=January 10, 2025}}</ref> On January 12, 2025, Caruso and his wife pledged $5&nbsp;million to the [[Los Angeles Fire Department]] Foundation.<ref>{{Cite tweet|author=[[Elex Michaelson]] |user=Elex_Michaelson |number=1878605286925369373 |date=January 12, 2025 |title=.@RickCarusoLA announces $5 million donation to the L.A. Fire Dept. Foundation. |language=en-US |access-date=January 12, 2025}}</ref>

== Recognition == In 1995, Caruso was named Alumnus of the Year by Pepperdine School of Law.<ref name="mooreUSC">{{cite news|url=http://www.usc.edu/uscnews/stories/13534.html|title=Inside the world's biggest airline merger|first=Annette|last=Moore|work=USC News|publisher=[[University of Southern California]]|date=March 8, 2007|df=mdy-all|access-date=August 11, 2011|archive-date=August 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110826190533/http://www.usc.edu/uscnews/stories/13534.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was named by the ''[[Los Angeles Business Journal]]'' as "Developer of the Year" and its 2012 [[Ernst & Young]] LLP Master Entrepreneur of the Year.<ref name=EYMEOY2012LABJ>{{cite news|url= http://labusinessjournal.com/news/2012/may/11/caruso-named-ernst-young-llp-master-entrepreneur-y/|title=Caruso Named Ernst & Young LLP Master Entrepreneur of the Year|first=Deborah |last=Crowe|date=May 11, 2012|work=[[Los Angeles Business Journal]] |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

Caruso has lectured on real estate issues at the Kennedy School of Public Administration at [[Harvard University]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Caruso! Not the singing one. The talking one. Rick Caruso talks more LA. |url=http://opinion.latimes.com/opinionla/2010/01/caruso-not-the-singing-one-the-talking-one-rick-caruso-talks-more-la.html|newspaper=Los Angeles Times |access-date=May 12, 2013}}</ref> the [[USC Price School of Public Policy]]<ref>{{cite press release|title=USC 125th Commencement: Speakers at Satellite Ceremonies|url=http://www.usc.edu/uscnews/newsroom/news_release.php?id=408|publisher=University of Southern California|access-date=May 12, 2013}}{{Dead link|date=January 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> and the [[Milken Institute]] Global Conference.<ref name="Milken">{{cite web|title=Global Conference 2013 – Rick Caruso|url=https://www.milkeninstitute.org/events/gcprogram.taf?function=bio&EventID=gc13&SPID=10827|publisher=[[Milken Institute]]|access-date=May 12, 2013}}</ref> He has also been a guest panelist for the [[International Council of Shopping Centers]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newstjohns.org/saint_johns_foundation_leadership.aspx|title=Saint John's Health Center|publisher=Newstjohns.org|access-date=May 12, 2013}}</ref>

== Personal life == Caruso and his wife, Tina, have four children: Alex, Gregory, [[Justin Caruso|Justin]], and [[Gigi Caruso|Gianna]].<ref name=":0"/> They live in the [[Brentwood, Los Angeles|Brentwood]] neighborhood of Los Angeles.<ref name=forbes>{{cite web|title=Forbes profile: Rick Caruso |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/rick-caruso |website=Forbes |access-date=May 17, 2020}}</ref> Caruso is a devout [[Catholic Church|Catholic]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rick Caruso's USC Mission Has Family Roots |url=https://caruso.com/newsroom/in-the-news/2019/rick-carusos-usc-mission-family-roots/ |access-date=2022-05-14 |website=Caruso |date=April 2019 |language=en}}</ref>

==References == {{Reflist}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Caruso, Rick}} [[Category:1959 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:20th-century American businesspeople]] [[Category:20th-century American lawyers]] [[Category:21st-century American businesspeople]] [[Category:21st-century Roman Catholics]] [[Category:American billionaires]] [[Category:American chief executives]] [[Category:American real estate and property developers]] [[Category:Catholics from California]] [[Category:Businesspeople from Los Angeles]] [[Category:Philanthropists from Los Angeles]] [[Category:California Democrats]] [[Category:California lawyers]] [[Category:Candidates in the 2022 United States elections]] [[Category:Caruso family|Rick]] [[Category:Pepperdine University School of Law alumni]] [[Category:USC Sol Price School of Public Policy alumni]] [[Category:University of Southern California people]] [[Category:USC Trojan Knights]] [[Category:American people of Italian descent]] [[Category:Sigma Alpha Epsilon members]]