Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
Transparency push underway after LAist reveals secretive $2 million payout to LA County CEO
Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath.
(
Samanta Helou Hernandez
/
LAist
)
L.A. County residents could soon be getting more transparency about payouts to county executives after LAist revealed a secretive $2 million settlement with the county’s CEO.
Citing LAist’s coverage, Supervisor Lindsey Horvath is proposing to require the county to publicly post details of all future settlements with county executives. It’s scheduled for approval by the full Board of Supervisors on Dec. 2.
What Horvath says
Horvath’s motion says the settlement with CEO Fesia Davenport “was only disclosed in response” to LAist’s public records request, and that otherwise “it is not at all clear how the public generally would have any idea that a settlement was reached.”
Sponsored message
-
Police footage and court documents show officers injured protesters with less-lethal weapons. Those incidents have not been documented by LAPD, as required by state law. -
Jonathan Hale said the group had painted two of four total crosswalks in Westwood before officers arrested him. -
Immigration experts say people navigating complex immigration laws are especially vulnerable to misconduct. Here’s how to protect yourself.
The county supervisors “can do more to make the public aware of how the Board conducts business and how public funds are being spent,” she added.
The backstory
Last month, LAist brought to light that the county had quietly paid a $2 million settlement in August to Davenport. The settlement had been kept under wraps from the public and county workers.
The settlement was in response to her claims that the supervisors harmed her reputation and caused her distress by putting a measure before voters — which was approved — that will create an elected county executive position. It’s among multiple reforms to restructure county government under last year’s voter-approved proposition, known as Measure G.
-
USC found that 25% of those with food insecurity make more than 300% the federal poverty level. -
A state law extended mortgage forbearance for up to a year, but survivors say there’s far more to do. -
One of SoCal's most infamous roads has reopened, but locals don't want you to know — for good reason'The Snake,' a 2.4-mile stretch of Mulholland Drive, is known for its hairpin turns and the legions of motorists looking to tame it.
What Horvarth is proposing
Among other things, her motion would order county officials to report back in 60 days “on pathways to improve transparency for settlements with County executives” — including creating a public online dashboard showing “as much settlement-related information” as allowed by law.
Sponsored message
That would include details like the executive’s name, the dollar amount and when it was approved.
Multiple executive payouts
Davenport was one of several county executives who’ve gotten sizable settlement payouts over the past few years.
Her predecessor as county CEO, Sachi Hamai, was paid $1.5 million, plus full-time private security funded by taxpayers over her claims that she faced “brutal” harassment by the then-sheriff.
Four additional county executives received payouts, according to Davenport’s claims that led to her settlement.
How to reach me
If you have a tip, you can reach me on Signal. My username is ngerda.47.
- You can follow this link to reach me there or type my username in the search bar after starting a new chat.
- For instructions on getting started with Signal, see the app's support page.
- And if you're comfortable just reaching out my email I'm at ngerda@scpr.org
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
