Legal News

Chick to insist Rocky has met his match in ongoing performance audit battle

By Richard Binder

Los Angeles Controller Laura Chick and City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo have been fighting since 2005 over whether or not she has the right to conduct performance audits of city programs, specifically Delgadillo's workers? compensation program and its use of private attorneys.  Four weeks ago Delgadillo filed a lawsuit against the controller to block the audit and scuttle her attempt to subpoena members of his staff, saying she had no authority to do so under the city charter.  This only served to spur on Chick's efforts to "go in and look even more."

Yesterday Chick received a bit of a setback when the Los Angeles City Council turned down her request for $100,000 to hire a private attorney to represent her in this ongoing struggle.  Or, rather, they put a decision on hold for 30 days and essentially told the parties to work it out amongst themselves.  Delgadillo's chief deputy, Rich Llewellyn, said his boss would agree to the council's request for a delay. Chick refused, warning that her lawyer would work pro bono and then sue the city to recoup his legal fees.  Laura Chick leaves office June 30.

See these stories and this opinion piece for more.

Full post as published by Legal Pad | LA on December 11, 2008 (boomark / email).