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ETHICS COMMISSION IMPOSES PENALTIES TOTALING $7,625 IN TWO ENFORCEMENT CASES

For Immediate Release: December 6, 2016

At its meeting today, the Ethics Commission unanimously imposed fines totaling $7,625 in two enforcement cases involving violations of the City’s Governmental Ethics Ordinance (GEO).

In one case, the Ethics Commission considered the proposed decision and order made by Administrative Law Judge Samuel D. Reyes following a two-day administrative hearing. Judge Reyes found that Lewis James Parker III, a former Los Angeles Police Department sergeant, violated the GEO by improperly disclosing confidential information obtained while on duty and by misusing his City position to make that disclosure. The Ethics Commission agreed with Judge Reyes that the GEO had been violated and, citing the extraordinary and unique circumstances of the case, imposed a $500 penalty for the two violations.

In the second case, the Ethics Commission approved a stipulated settlement and imposed a $7,125 penalty in a case involving violations of the City’s revolving door restrictions. The GEO prohibits City officials from attempting to influence their former City agencies for one year after leaving City service. If a former City official held a specific high-level position, the one-year ban applies to attempts to influence any City agency. Marie Rumsey is a former high-level City official who left City service and then, immediately after, became the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Central City Association (CCA). In her new position, Ms. Rumsey communicated with City officials, advocated on behalf of CCA’s membership, and attempted to influence the actions of various City agencies in violation of the one-year ban.

“The Ethics Commission takes seriously its mandate to enforce against violations of all the laws within its jurisdiction,” said Director of Enforcement Sergio Perez. “The orders issued today send a strong message that this agency is committed to promoting trust in our City’s government, whether it involves the safeguarding of confidential information obtained by City employees or in ensuring that former City officials respect revolving door laws.”

Fines imposed by the Ethics Commission are paid to the City’s general fund. Copies of enforcement actions and related decisions and orders are available at ethics.lacity.org.

To download PDF, click here.

The Ethics Commission was created by Los Angeles voters in 1990 to impartially administer and enforce the City’s governmental ethics, campaign financing, and lobbying laws.

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