Blog Reader Weighs In on Tamar Galatzan's Un-Ethical LAUSD (Campaign?) Mailers

[Don't they look good together? And she's endorsed by City Councilmember Tom LaBong. So that means she's on the list of "approved political insiders" who will play the game and keep everything covered up. PLUS, she LOVES Jack Weiss. JUST ASK HER!]

Here is a comment someone posted on Mayor Sam's blog in response to the LAUSD mailers Tamar Galatzan just happened to be sent out right as absentee ballots are being sent out in the City Council CD2 Election. I LIKE THIS even though it all may actually be legal in the long run:

"Is Tamar Galatzan Using LAUSD Taxpayer Money to Campaign for City Council?"

A city official and an elected official using her position and taxpayer dollars to promote herself 4 weeks before an election and right when absentee voters are getting ballots is not only stupid, it is illegal and the definition of political corruption.

She will have to prove that the mailer went out to every single resident of her School Board district--rather than just the portion that overlaps CD2. If she, in any way, targeted the mailer she will probably go to jail.

This is pretty simple, black and white and easy for investigators to prove.

Politicians make decisions like this--sometimes out of ignorance and sometimes out of desperation. But almost always out of some sense of entitlement and arrogance.

LAUSD Parents will not respond well to this. There's no question she's out of the race. Probably will need to resign--creating another special election.

[I don't know about having to resign and all that...but this don't look good for Tamar. That's why you should always wait a little bit to see how things shake out before you jump on a lame horse who stumbles right out of the gate. Oh well...I FEEL GREAT ABOUT MY MOMENTUM!!!

I was GOING to offer Tamar a job as legislative deputy if I win for her support, but after today...I don't think I can touch her. Sorry.]

Way To Go DUMB L.A. County Board of Loservisors: YOU MADE REUTERS National News Over Your Chronic Waste

L.A. county paying for 8,000 abandoned phone lines

from Reuters: U.S.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Auditors poring over Los Angeles County's books to reduce a deep budget deficit have found 8,000 abandoned or unused phone lines costing taxpayers $1.5 million a year, the Los Angeles Times reported on Friday.

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http://ZumaTube.com
Once again is back the incredible! - Chuck D.

LA Daily Blog Reader Weighs-in on Villaraigosa

HEY ANTONIO VILLARAIGOSA...ARE YOU GOING TO LEAVE THE S.E.C. ZERO CHOICE IN THE MATTER?!?!?

Dear Antonio, Please clean up your FIRE & POLICE PENSION BOARD. It's bad enough your own city experts call what you do "packing" the pension board. Speaking of packing, that's what the people will be sending you to do. But not the board, your bags. See you in Dubai!
Love, Zuma Dogg

LOS ANGELES FIRE AND POLICE PENSION STAFF SHOW GRATITUDE TO COMMISIONER SAMMY “THE CHEAT-O” DIANNITO IN VIOLATION OF ETHIC LAWS AND EXPLOIT THE PENION FUND TO ASSIST DIANNITO AND FAMILY IN MAKING MILLIONS.

Information has recently surfaced that Commissioner Sammy Diannito has sold the company he and his family owned known as Public Safety Employees Pension and Benefits Conference (the “Diannito Company”). For many years, while Commissioner Diannito sat on the Board of LAF&P, he and his family owned and were employed at the Diannito Company. The Diannito Company made money when people sponsored the conferences and paid attendance fees. A review of the attendees during the period that Commissioner Diannito sat on the LAF&P Board shows that an extremely high percentage of sponsors and attendees were law firms, accountants, investment managers and research firms doing business with or seeking to do business with LAF&P. What an incredible irreconcilable conflict. Diannito would be voting on people and entities that were paying large sums of money to the Diannito Company. Not only was staff and specifically Chief Investment Officer Tom Lopez and Mike Perez aware of this, they even attended the conferences at the expense of LAF&P.

Once the Diannito Company did a large enough volume, Diannito sold the Diannito Company for a significant profit. Let’s make sure we are clear on the events. Can you say PAY-TO-PLAY? Can you say that staff’s involvement in making their friend significant money at the expense of LAF&P is yet another tawdry violation of the trust that our fire and police officers put in the system?

MAYOR VILLARAIGOSA –PLEASE CLEAN UP OUR PENSION PLANS OR STEP ASIDE AND LET SOMEONE WITH THE DESIRE TO SERVE TAKE OVER. IT IS TIME THAT THE MAYOR OF LOS ANGELES NO LONGER BE CONSIDERED A “FAILURE!!!!” GET RID OF THE ENTIRE BOARD!! GET RID OF THE ENTIRE STAFF!! CLEAN HOUSE!!!

SAM DIANNITO

ANOTHER PAY-TO-PLAY SCHEME

AT A PENSION FUND

Long time Los Angeles Fire and Police Pension Plan board commissioner Sam Diannitto is founder and president of the Public Safety Employees Pension and Benefits Conference, which he founded in 1985. This Conference bills itself as the premier forum bringing together pension administrators, trustees, union leaders and representatives of the financial community to discuss issues related exclusively to retirement and other benefits for public safety employees. The Conference is

affiliated with the National Conference on Public Employee Retirement Systems (NCPERS), which hosts seminars and conferences around the country throughout the year.

Mr. Diannitto used his power and influence as a commissioner to pressure fund managers, attorneys, lobbyists, placement agents, and others to financially support his conferences. A review of the agenda for the 2008 NCPERS Public Safety Employees Pension & Benefits Conference indicates that the corporate sponsors and speakers are a who’s who of those seeking business from the pension fund. This includes law firms, accountants, investment managers and research firms. How many of these sponsors received business from the pension fund? Probably most of them.

Moreover, in a blatant violation of not-for-profit laws, Los Angeles City ethics, and a breach of his fiduciary responsibilities, Diannitto lined his and his family members’ pockets to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years. Through the years Diannitto, who has served on the LAF&P Board for over twenty-five years, has used his position and power as a commissioner to influence entities and fund managers doing business with the City of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles pension funds.

This influence pending was all done with the knowledge and complicity of the former general manager Gary Mattingly, current General Manager Michael Perez, Assistant General Manager Laura Guglielmo, and CIO Tom Lopez.

How much money has Commissioner Diannitto and his family profited from his position on the LAF&P Board? Commissioner Diannitto needs to answer this critical question and give the money back to the people he was put there to serve!!!!!!!!!!!!!

City Council Wants To Levy A NEW TAX For Grand Avenue Project

IF THIS DOESN'T MAKE YOU STAND UP AND RUN DOWN TO CITY HALL FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AND CALL FOR EVERY CITIZEN IN LOS ANGELES TO VOTE OUT EACH AND EVERY CITY COUNCILMEMBER...I DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL!!!

AFTER ALL THE SUBSIDIES AND TAX BREAKS VILLARAIGOSA AND CITY COUNCIL HAVE GIVEN BILLIONAIRE ELI BROAD, RELATED CO (ONE OF THE BIGGEST DEVELOPERS IN THE WORLD) AND THE ROYAL ARAB EMIRATE FAMILY OF DUBAI...

NOW THEY WANT TO LEVY TAXES FOR THE GRAND AVENUE PROJECT BONDOGGLE-BAMBOOZLE!!!

I HOPE LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCIL COLLECTS THE $250,000 PER MONTH LATE FEES THAT RELATED CO AND THE ROYAL ARAB FAMILY OF DUBAI OWE STARTING IN DECEMBER!!!

It's bad enough this Grand Avenue Project is getting money earmarked for Emergency Housing and Shelter for Battered Women and their children...YES, FIRST PROP 1C MONEY FOR BATTERED WOMEN AND SHELTER GOES TO GRAND AVENUE PROJECT...NOW A NEW TAX BEING LEVIED...AND ALL THE OTHER TAX BREAKS AND INCREMENT MONEY FROM THE CRA.

I KNOW A BUNCH OF PEOPLE GOING STRAIGHT TO HELL IN THE AFTER-LIFE...

VILLARAIGOSA (that criminal-behaving, home-wrecking, reporter-screwing douchebag of a dummy city wrecker) and the Uber-Dummy LA City Council A-holes who voted YES. (Bill Rosendahl the only "NO!")

ITEM NO. (8)

07-0332
CD 9
EXEMPTION, HOUSING, COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
REPORT and ORDINANCE FIRST CONSIDERATION, relative to the formation of City of Los
Angeles Community Taxing District No. 2 (Grand Avenue Project) and authorizing the levy of special tax within the District.

Recommendations for Council action, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE MAYOR:

In its report dated October 8, 2008, the City Attorney recommends that Council approve the recommendations listed above relative to the formation of City of Los Angeles Community Taxing District No. 2 (Grand Avenue Project) and authorizing the levy of a special tax within the District. If adopted, the Ordinance would enable but not require the City to authorize additional actions in the future, which could assist in the development of the Grand Avenue Project.

MAYOR ANTONIO VILLARAIGOSA...GOING DOWN IN HISTORY AS A DISGRACED CLOWN OF A DESPERATE MAN WHO BROKE UP HIS FAMILY, BROKE UP MIRTHALA'S CAREER AND BROKE UP THE CITY WITH HIS EGO, GREED AND STUPIDITY. AND THE SAD THING IS THE DAMAGE HAS BEEN DONE TO LOS ANGELES. I THINK KARMA FORCES ARE GOING TO DAMAGE ANTONIO!

LA Residents Ask Los Angeles City Council to RESPECT THE CHARTER Regarding DWP Rate Increases

Subject: Respect the Charter
March 11, 2008

Respect the Charter

You would have thought that Antonio Villaraigosa, of all people, would respect the City Charter. But unfortunately, the Mayor, along with DWP, is pressuring the City Council Members to approve the Power Reliability pass thru and the multi year Rate Increase without the benefit of the Charter mandated IEA Survey.

According to the City Charter, this strategic Survey was due in October, in time for the Mayor, City Council, Controller, DWP and the public to reap the benefits of this $1 million survey by independent utility experts ahead of any proposed rate increases.

There are many questions that will be addressed by this Survey that cannot be answered by glib comments in a large public forum. Real analysis based on good information is a must, especially when we are dealing with such large amounts of money.

What is the impact on the Rate Payers of the Power Rate Increases? While described by DWP as ”fairly modest,” a “$1.60 a month,” rates are going up 20% over the two year period. Base rates are up over 15%. Pass thru rates are up over 40%. Modest?

Why have the June 5, 2007 projected Energy Cost Adjustment Factor revenues increased 80%, or $550 million, over the December 9, 2006 projections? Was this rate of increase anticipated when the City Council approved this “pass thru?”

Power System profits were $70 million over budget in the first quarter? What impact will this have on the need for the multi year Rate Increase and the Power Reliability pass thru??

What is the status of the many money saving recommendations of the Huron Consulting Group? Work force management? Project management? Shared Services? Customer Service? Information Technology? Others?

What is the impact of the Rate Restructuring Plan on single family residences? An additional 2 to 4% a year?

While DWP is clamoring for the immediate approval of the “desperately needed” Rate Increase, why did DWP recently agree to fund the Mayor’s $270 million Solar Initiative? And why is there talk of using some of DWP’s $600 million unrestricted cash to help balance the City’s budget?

How do DWP compensation levels compare to City workers and other regional utility workers, especially since DWP is considered the gold standard?

Respect the Charter. Do not rush hed into a major decision without good information and analysis. Respect the 1,400,000 electric and 640,000 water customers. And respect the 80% of the certified DWP MOU Neighborhood Councils which support the completion of the IEA Survey before action is taken.

BLOGGER'S COMMENT: At the time this was written the Metropolitan pass throughs were not included.

We were right. The Mayor plans to incorporate the DWP Rate Increase into his budget!!!!

Who says Nahai is truthful? The increase would be used for the City, not infrastructure. The bond ratings would not be affected up or down with/out the rate increases. Their indebtedness already on the books in unfunded pensions, health benefits, etc. would and do. The lack of increase is not the culprit. What kind of a legacy is Nahai leaving for the next General Manager and Community?

DWP is paying for all of Villaraigosas plans for green power and alternative resources. How much will be left for infrastructure?

CLICK HERE FOR RECENT LA DAILY BLOG STORIES.

Los Angeles may be in a financial crisis, but that sure ain't the case for LA County Board of Supervisors Executive Offices!

Bonanza for county CEOs
Costs swell for deputy officials, raising ire of taxpayer advocates
By Troy Anderson, Staff Writer
03/09/2008



Nearly a year after Los Angeles County supervisors restructured the county's top executive office, vowing to boost accountability and efficiency, taxpayer advocates are decrying a swollen budget and hefty salary hikes for a host of new deputy CEOs and staff.

The office budget surged nearly 50 percent from $27.7 million in 2006-07 to $41.2 million this year, and five new deputy CEOs draw annual salaries of more than $200,000 each. Meanwhile, each deputy's executive secretary makes $73,000 a year or more.

Harper said the actual costs of the restructuring plan for CEO Bill Fujioka's office totaled $1.7 million - to pay for the salaries and benefits of the new CEO, chief deputy CEO, five deputy CEOs and five executive secretaries.

Fujioka said there has been an initial investment in the deputy CEOs and their staffs, but he has efficiency teams looking at ways to ensure the plan has a "zero net county cost impact."

Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky said the plan is a work in progress.

"I hope there will be a benefit for the amount of money we're spending on this," Yaroslavsky said. "To do this and not have any benefit and spend that kind of money would be disappointing. [Yes, Zev...yes, it would be disappointing. I'm sure some folks can think of some other words to describe it, too.]

LA Daily Blogger "Zuma Dogg" Address LA County BOS


Fujioka is paid $310,000 a year, up 28 percent from his predecessor's salary of $242,116. He is one of a string of top county officials recently granted salaries of about $300,000 annually, including the district attorney, health director and public health director.

Taxpayer advocates have expressed concerns that the higher salaries would put pressure on the supervisors to grant similar increases to lower-level employees.

Harper's salary under the restructuring was increased 42 percent - from $179,721 to $255,064. Among the deputy CEOs, Sheila Eaton saw her salary rise 43 percent from $146,553 to $209,214.

Meanwhile, Doyle Campbell makes $247,635, up 12 percent from the $220,167 annual salary he collected as assistant sheriff.

But because he's "on loan" from the Sheriff's Department, Campbell still collects his Peace Officer Standards and Training and longevity bonuses and will be eligible for the more lucrative public safety retirement, officials said.

And critics have cited Campbell's role as the new deputy CEO overseeing public safety, questioning how fair a top official "on loan" from the Sheriff's Department will be in drafting the sheriff's budget.

Harper said she doesn't see a problem.

Click here for much, much, much, much more...it's an f-ing nightmare!

DWP Lawsuit Preview: Line Item 36 & 185 (See Empire Contract)

You've read exclusively on LA Daily Blog about the lawsuit against DWP that a judge refused to allow a settlement over, so that it can be heard, publicly, by a jury...

One of the big issues that is going to come out regarding the massive fraud, waste and abuse alleged in this lawsuit is over "line item 36" and line item 185".

As a way of circumventing the contract process, when DWP needs to make a purchase and doesn't want to have to stick to contract requirements...just stick it on line item 185. (Also Item 36 on another contract/See Empire.)

185 and 36 are for miscellaneous expenses, but are supposed to be limited in expense and miscellaneousness. However, these miscellaneous lines on the expense sheet are being used for massive purchases that are supposed to go through a contract process.

That's how you drive up the price of fraud, waste and abuse in the price of your DWP utilities.

LAURA CHICK IS WELL AWARE OF THIS BUT REFUSES TO AUDIT.
LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCIL CONTINUES TO GIVE THIS MASSIVE PROBLEM THE HELEN KELLER TREATMENT.

WHY WON'T LAURA CHICK OR LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCIL DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE MASSIVE FRAUD, WASTE AND ABUSE THAT IS GOING TO COME OUT IN THIS LAWSUIT???

All the while they are asking for rate hikes?

Some of you may not be sure what I am talking about. Just wanted to post this little message about "Line Item 36 and 185" so the powers that be know that Zuma Dogg has that story and the dogg is out of the bag. More to come. DO SOMETHING! And, WOW...Laura Chick must have nothing to worry about, which is why she does nothing. Maybe if she DID do something...then she would have something to worry about. And that's the problem!

CLICK HERE For Previous DWP Fraud/Lawsuit stories on LA Daily Blog.

YouTube: DWP Whistleblower Attorney Speaks on Fraud, Waste and Abuse (But DWP Wants You To Give Them A Rate Hike!)

Read these blog posts first about DWP massive fraud, waste and abuse allegations according to eight former employees who have filed a Superior Court lawsuit scheduled to begin on April 15, 2008. That's when these details will be coming out publicly and on the record:

DWP Part Two

DWP Part One: (Read Part Two first)

Attorney Who Filed Lawsuit vs DWP Speaks


More at LACityUpdate.com

zumadogg@gmail.com