ETHICS COMMISSION IMPOSES FINE OF $7,500 FOR MISUSE OF CITY POSITION

At its meeting yesterday, the Ethics Commission unanimously approved the stipulation of the parties and imposed an administrative penalty of $7,500 against Troy De Guzman (De Guzman) for misusing his City position to create and attempt to create a private advantage for himself.

The Governmental Ethics Ordinance (GEO) prohibits City officials and employees from misusing or attempting to misuse their City positions to create or attempt to create a private advantage or disadvantage, financial or otherwise, for any person. Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) § 49.5.5.

De Guzman is a former employee of the City’s Department of Building and Safety, Permit and Engineering Bureau. De Guzman admitted to violating the GEO by repeatedly urging Jaguar Land Rover Woodland Hills (JLRWH), owned by AutoNation, Inc., to discount repair services done on his personal vehicle by citing his City position and the fact that he had recently approved a City building permit for JLRWH.

All penalties levied by the Ethics Commission are paid to the City’s general fund. Enforcement orders can be viewed and searched through the Ethics Commission’s Public Data Portal.