Afternoon Briefs according to Orlov on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Monday

The Daily News Longtime City Hall Beat Writer Rick Orlov (light blue shirt) working County supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky. Photo via Neon Tommy and ** taken by now LA Weekly Freelance Writer Hillel Aron.

While the Los Angeles Times has gone to 24/7 Occupy L.A. coverage, the Daily News City Hall Beat Writer Rick Orlov continues his decades-long endeavor to uncover the scoops within City Hall. In honor of his due diligence over the decades and the fact that everybody else in media is fixated on the "Occupy L.A. endgame" (coming no time soon) , we bring you Orlov's Briefs on Monday.

** Orlov reports on City Controller Wendy "The Valley" Greuel's latest "Press Release Audit" that highlights some "missing money" ($1.7 Million) at the "welfare agency" to the connected elites and corporations in Los Angeles known as CRA/LA. We took the time to browse through the actual report and found this little CD 14 nugget which highlights how CRA money goes PUFF!

The March 14, 2011 AB 1290 fund status report reported a $15,000 commitment and $15,000 expenditure for the Adelante Eastside RPA for the El Sereno Farmer’s Market.  Both transactions reference the same Council authorization (CF10-1881).  However, the Council only authorized $15,000 to be transferred to the City to help fund the El Sereno Farmer’s Market.  The transfer was made in February 2011 and is appropriately reported  as an expenditure for the RPA.  However, there is no other Council authorization to commit an additional $15,000 for the Farmer’s Market.  While the commitment did not impact the cash transfer from the CRA to the City on March  15, 2011, the additional commitment overstates what the Council approved as a designated use of the AB 1290 funds. 

We should note that both proprietors are close Councilman Huizar supporters for the record.


** Orlov's "Tipoff Column" has these tidbits that could become big stories in the near future.

First, recently elected City Council President Herb Wesson may face a challenge to his presidency in the weeks ahead and lets make no mistake that the backroom dealings of  his staffer Andrew Westall will be the root cause.

Second, how much in lost permit fees are be lost as movie firms stay away from filming at City Hall during the "Red Rabble Occupation"?

Third, Los Encinos State Park on Ventura Blvd. faces closing and Valley politicos are fighting to secure funding.

Fourth, is the "Hamlet" of Los Angeles Politics Developer Rick Caruso, sniffing around via telephone polling, to gauge whether there is support for a mayoral campaign? Talking to local activists, the answer is YES.

Your thoughts ..............
Scott Johnson in CD 14