Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
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.
DOT Workers Averaging $48,000 In Overtime Is Definitely Suspicious
Signs, signs, everywhere signs (Photo by Luigi Anzivino via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr)
()
Workers in L.A.'s Department of Transportation collected an astounding $3.3 million in overtime pay last year, according to a new audit that suspects fraud. A new report from the City Controller shows that workers in the DOT's traffic paint and sign division billed an average of $48,100 in overtime, quite a bit more than the $8,377 that went to workers for overtime in many other city departments, according to theL.A. Times.
From 2013 to 2014, 30 DOT employees claimed on average over 1,000 hours in OT, and seven of them claimed 2,000 hours. That would be the equivalent of working 38 hours of overtime every week, according to the City Controller. That sounds like a lot of extra time devoted to paint and signs if you ask us.
Four supervisor's in the division pulled in over $70, 000 in overtime pay, while one superintendent claimed $155,319 in overtime on top of his $78,000 annual salary, according to the audit.
To add to the suspicion of fraud, the audit says department officials couldn't show that the overtime had been pre-approved or point to what work might have been done during all those extra hours. Plus, all of that overtime mysteriously dropped off by 44% after the audit began.
Support for LAist comes from
There isn't enough evidence yet to begin a criminal investigation, but the audit does recommend updating the department's record-keeping methods and creating an annual overtime usage plan.
"It certainly raises a lot of very serious questions," City Controller Ron Galperin told the L.A. Times. It certainly does.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist