MAYOR EXPANDS L.A. ETHICS RULES REVIEW FINDS JUST 16 OF 42 DEPARTMENTS FULLY COMPLY.

Byline: RICK ORLOV Staff Writer

With fewer than half of the city's departments in compliance with ethics laws, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa signed an executive order Wednesday broadening the scope of regulations and mandating training for key workers.

The new order expands on a directive the mayor issued after taking office last year requiring department heads and other top decision-makers to comply with all ethics laws and disclosure requirements.

But Villaraigosa said a review this year found only 16 out of 42 city departments were in full compliance.

``Since taking office over a year ago, restoring the public's faith in city government has been my priority,'' Villaraigosa said at a City Hall news conference. ``Accountability and transparency are fundamental to good government.''

Under the new directive, each department will be given until July 31 to name an ethics liaison to ensure each department abides by the city's ethics laws, including financial disclosure statements.

He also is requiring each department to update its ethics code, reaffirm full cooperation with the city Ethics Commission and participate in an online ethics training program that is being developed.

Council President Eric Garcetti said the expanded program is needed to reassure the public that city government is open and above board.

``Ethics is not just a once-in-four-years program,'' Garcetti said. ``It has to be emphasized all the time to be effective.''

Councilwoman Wendy Greuel also joined in support and cited lobbyist-contribution scandals in Washington, D.C., as an example of a system that has gone bad.

``When you look at Washington and the lack of changes they have made, it's laughable,'' Greuel said. ``We are trying to do something here in Los Angeles. People expect their government to perform services for them in a fair and open and ethical manner.''

Garcetti and Greuel have called for a review of the city Ethics Commission and whether it is adequately informing department heads of past violations of those seeking to do business with the city.

rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com

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