In a bid to enhance public trust, two members of the Los Angeles City Council introduced a motion on Wednesday to establish an Office of Compliance. This office will be equipped with staff and resources to proactively identify potential conflicts of interest before any votes take place.
This motion was introduced by Council members Katy Yaroslavsky and Nithya Raman and has received support from Council President Paul Krekorian and Councilwoman Traci Park. The objective is to conduct a study on the creation of an Office of Compliance.
The motion states, “To gain and maintain the trust of the public, elected officials must adhere to rigorous ethics standards and avoid conflicts of interest. However, there have been numerous violations in recent years.”
Council members are required to follow ethics rules and laws outlined in the City Charter, as well as state and federal laws. According to the Council members, these standards have become increasingly complex over the years, posing challenges for compliance.
The City Attorney’s Office currently offers legal advice on conflicts of interest and other matters, while the city’s Ethics Commission provides guidance on ethical issues. However, the motion highlights the need for additional assistance to help Council members identify agenda items that may raise conflict of interest concerns.
The proposed office would review financial disclosure forms, as well as council and committee agendas, to identify any potential conflicts of interest.
The motion suggests looking at the South Coast Air Quality Management District and LA Metro as examples. These organizations already have staff members who review agendas for conflicts of interest and offer specialized guidance to elected officials to avoid any issues. Council members can learn from these models and compare them to systems in other major cities or government agencies.
In recent years, the City Council has faced numerous ethics scandals and accusations. For instance, former Councilman José Huizar pleaded guilty to conspiracy and tax evasion charges following a six-year investigation into suspected corruption in City Hall politics. Additionally, former Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas was sentenced to federal prison for participating in a scheme involving benefits from USC while serving on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
By establishing an Office of Compliance, the Los Angeles City Council aims to address these ethical challenges and rebuild public trust in their operations.
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