Ron Galperin, L.A.’s new city controller, wants to be right on the money
Ron Galperin has taken on union heavyweight Brian D’Arcy over $40 million in ratepayer money. And he’s putting others on notice.
Two opposing forces squared off last week in the latest round of a long-running battle over a $40-million mystery.
In one corner was one of the most powerful heavyweights in the history of local politics: Brian D’Arcy of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 18.
On the other side was a wonkish, nerdy newcomer on the political scene: City Controller Ron Galperin.
And the pipsqueak knocked out the bully.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge James Chalfant ruled that Galperin has every right to issue subpoenas and audit two nonprofit trusts under the joint control of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and D’Arcy, who has refused to comply with requests for more information on how $40 million of ratepayer money that went to the trusts was spent.
“This is a victory for ratepayers to bring transparency to the Department of Water and Power,” Galperin said of the judge’s ruling. (Continue reading at LA Times)
