Leaders of the Los Angeles City Council today requested that the head of the Department of Water and Power recommend fulfilling a budgeted money transfer, which would save the city from bankruptcy on May 5th. Citing $1 billion in reserves, a letter to David Freeman said there was no need to withhold a transfer of $73.5 million. Freeman said the utility doesn't have sufficient funds to warrant a transfer without jeopardizing its bond rating. more ›

Furthering the ridiculousness of the David Nahai consulting contract, City Councilmembers are chiming in as well. "This is more than comical," City Councilman Dennis Zine was quoted saying in the Daily News. "Here we are putting city workers on furlough, talking about reducing cop hiring, asking people to conserve water, and then we're talking about squandering thousands of dollars on this man." more ›

What a hot mess. The Department of Water and Power's commission today voted to not only name and pay a Deputy Mayor as the interim General Manager of the utility, but also continue to pay retired General Manager David Nahai for three months for consulting services. Both will earn over $6,200 a week, equivalent to a salary of $325,000. more ›