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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.”
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Caltrans said its project will rehabilitate the roadway, minimize the need for future maintenance and add a series of road features that will make cyclists and pedestrians safer and more mobile.
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.
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More than 13 inches of rain fell in the Santa Ynez Mountains over the weekend. And another, colder storm is on the way.
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.
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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.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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