CHICK OFFERING U.S. ARMY ADVICE.

Byline: Daily News

With the U.S. Army looking to determine how money is being spent in the war in Iraq, it announced on Monday it is seeking advice from city Controller Laura Chick.

Chick said she is providing information to the Army on how she runs her office and how it relates to an inspector general's office the military is creating.

``Though Los Angeles and Baghdad are a world apart, I believe the public in any city deserves a clean and efficient government,'' Chick said.

``My mandate as controller is to serve as the city's watchdog, improve city services, open up city processes to greater public understanding and eliminate waste and fraud.''

The controller said she was asked to provide information on how she organized the office after her election in 2001 and the systems and technology used in conducting audits.

Chick has been at the center of several high-profile audits since taking office. Among these was one into whether a ``pay-to-play'' system is in operation for contractors to make donations to win city business.

As a result, federal and county grand juries are investigating city contracting procedures at the Airport, Harbor, and Water and Power agencies.