EDITORIAL REDEVELOPING THE CRA A JOB FOR STEVE COOLEY.SOMETIMES it takes a study to re-enforce the obvious. Allegations of incompetence, corruption and abuse have long surrounded the Community Redevelopment Agency. Still, city leaders have been slow to enact meaningful reforms - after all, it's only taxpayer money that's being wasted. But the release this week of City Controller Rick Tuttle's audit of the agency is a hopeful sign that the CRA See Community Reinvestment Act. may finally be held to a new level of public accountability. The key lies in reforming the CRA's future practices and in disciplining those responsible for the lapses and malfeasance The commission of an act that is unequivocally illegal or completely wrongful. Malfeasance is a comprehensive term used in both civil and Criminal Law to describe any act that is wrongful. of the past. Tuttle's audit strongly suggests that the CRA illegally overpaid o·ver·pay v. o·ver·paid , o·ver·pay·ing, o·ver·pays v.tr. 1. To pay (a party) too much. 2. To pay an amount in excess of (a sum due). v.intr. To pay too much. for numerous redevelopment properties. It cites five specific projects - including one around Hollywood's landmark Capitol Records Capitol Records is a major United States-based record label, owned by EMI, located in Hollywood, California. Its headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine. building - in which the CRA overspent initial appraisals by a total of nearly $1.3 million. Tuttle has charged that agency staffers often obtained outside appraisals without informing the agency's director or city officials. With such out-of-control appraisal practices, it's no surprise that the CRA fell prey to mismanagement mis·man·age tr.v. mis·man·aged, mis·man·ag·ing, mis·man·ag·es To manage badly or carelessly. mis·man  age·ment n. and abuse. Its acting administrator, Jerry Scharlin, has vowed to immediately implement a number of Tuttle's recommendations for reforming the agency's appraisal process. That's a good step, but Scharlin can't be expected to turn the CRA around by himself. He'll need the help of the new district attorney. Tuttle has forwarded all allegations of criminal misconduct to the D.A.'s Office, which will soon be occupied by Steve Cooley Stephen Lawrence ("Steve") Cooley (born May 1, 1947 in Los Angeles, California) is a veteran prosecutor who was elected as Los Angeles County's 36th District Attorney on November 7, 2000. He was sworn in for his second term on December 6, 2004. . Cooley can prove his campaign pledge and commitment to cleaning up Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. city government by vigorously prosecuting any violations he uncovers. That means not letting any demonstrable crimes slide by - and not letting anyone off the hook with slap-on-the-wrist plea bargains. Swift discipline for those responsible for the CRA's transgressions will set the precedent that employees won't get away with violating the public's sacred trust. Cooley was elected to bring change and toughness to the District Attorney's Office. Here's his chance to deliver. |
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