More than two years after L.A.’s embattled homeless services agency acknowledged it was required to make more of its officials file state-mandated disclosures, the agency remains far less transparent than other local governments about its leaders’ potential conflicts of interest, an LAist review has found.
State law requires local government officials to disclose their personal financial interests — including gifts they’ve received, outside income to them and their spouses, and other interests — for public transparency and to ensure officials avoid conflicts of interest. Agencies are required to make officials whose decisions could affect “any financial interest” file the disclosures, according to state law.
Local governments often require many of their staff to file these disclosures. In contrast, only one employee of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority — its CEO — files the annual forms, called form 700s, according to an LAist review of public documents.
In September 2022, LAHSA’s then-chief executive officially notified county staff that the agency was required to add more positions to its list of mandated reporters. Those changes were due within 90 days.
But more than two years later, no additional staff have been required to file the forms, according to documents LAist obtained from LAHSA through a public records request.
Among those not on the mandated disclosure list are officials who oversee finance and contractor compliance.
Also not currently required to disclose financial ties on form 700s: LAHSA’s newly hired chief executive strategist who, according to state business filings, owns a consulting business with the…
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