Jill Replogle covers Orange County.
The Orange County Board of Supervisors have made multiple changes in the wake of the corruption scandal, but some say they haven't gone far enough.Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.
4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. If you're enjoying this article, you'll love our daily newsletter, The LA Report. Each weekday, catch up on the 5 most pressing stories to start your morning in 3 minutes or less."I expected more," said Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento, who asked county staff to look into strengthening the ethics code last year. Among other concerns, he said the code lacks any mechanism to bind county leaders and employees to adhere to the code — not just read and sign it.Law firm bills $1.8M to represent LA in a high-profile homelessness lawsuit, double what City Council approvedordered Do to pay roughly $878,000 in restitution to the county — a small fraction of the $10 million in taxpayer dollars county leaders say was stolen through Do's misdeeds.Last year, the board asked county officials to recommend ways to strengthen its ethics code in the wake of the Do corruption scandal. Heto five years in prison on a felony bribery charge for receiving kickbacks in exchange for lucrative county contracts, and has been ordered to turn himself in by Friday.A new section aimed at protecting whistleblowers. It states that no county official or employee will “discourage, restrain or interfere with, or effect a reprisal” against any person reporting a potential wrongdoing or"abuse of authority." A requirement that county supervisors review and sign a copy of the code of ethics upon taking office.Despite Sarmiento's criticism of the relatively minor changes, he and several other supervisors said the revisions were a step in the right direction. Supervisor Doug Chaffee praised the"explicit protection for whistleblowers," calling it a"meaningful enhancement to the policy." Supervisor Katrina Foley said it was"another step forward for accountability." She listed a number of other measures the county has taken to tighten controls over contracts and other spending of taxpayer dollars. She also noted the county is in the process of ordering a"massive forensic audit" of major contracts approved during Do's time on the board.The loss of federal funding for public media means audience support is more important than ever. Make a powerful statement to safeguard the future of LAist. Become a monthly sustaining member or increase your current support to keep independent local journalism strong.Climate and EnvironmentFederal agents detain people at a Westlake Home Depot after jumping out of rented Penske moving van The action, which a Border Patrol official called “Operation Trojan Horse,” comes after a federal appeals court upheld a restraining order halting indiscriminate sweeps in Southern California.Dozens of SoCal car washes have been raided by ICE. Why aren't employers the focus? Notably absent from those facing penalties during this era of stepped-up immigration enforcement are the employers themselves: LAist found just one instance since January in which an employer was penalized for hiring unauthorized workers.Housing and HomelessnessIn response to rising climate change-driven heat deaths, landlords will be required to maintain a maximum indoor temperature of 82°F in unincorporated parts of L.A. County.LA’s legal cannabis owners say multi-million dollar program to give them a hand up, instead left ‘complete debt and devastation’How to navigate LAUSD’s magnet point system
Aug. 12 Meeting Doug Chaffee Ethics Code Katrina Foley Orange County Board Of Supervisors Santa Ana Vicente Sarmiento Whistleblowers
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