One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
LADWP to Likely Fire 2 Employees for Drinking and Visiting a Strip Club on the Job, Slams KCBS for Hindering Investigation
Detail of the LADWP Headquarters in downtown L.A. | Photo by Alberto Cueto via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr
Detail of the LADWP Headquarters in downtown L.A. | Photo by Alberto Cueto via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr
Remember a few weeks ago when KCBS' David Goldstein pulled out a gotcha moment with a handful of LADWP employes drinking on the job and going to a strip club? Today interim General Manager Austin Beutner said that the department intends to fire at least two employees. "They will now have the opportunity to respond to the allegations and the proposed action and we will consider their response before rendering a final decision," he said. "We expect this process to be concluded in the next two weeks."
The investigation is still ongoing, so more sacked employees could pile up. But that may only happen if KBCS steps up, says Beutner.
"After the story aired, we contacted KCBS and requested their assistance in providing additional information regarding their investigation. They declined our requests," Beutner explained. "To date, we have been denied even the most basic information and cooperation to assist in our investigation, including the dates their video footage was taped. While we respect the right of the press to protect their sources, we fail to see how the failure to provide us with basic information - dates, times, and unedited footage -serves the community at-large."
He then went into hyperbole bringing up the "Times Square hero who saved thousands of lives by reporting a suspicious vehicle," saying everyone should "See something, say something" in regards to nefarious activity.
If anyone in the public sees a LADWP employee doing something wrong, Beutner says the public can call the department's Office of Special Investigations directly (and anonymously) at 213-367-9111. Of course, if someone is drinking and driving, you should probably call 911, which KCBS did not.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
