Firm Selected to Conduct Independent Investigation of County Contracts and Processes

Los Angeles County has selected a nationally-renowned law firm, Covington & Burling, to conduct an independent audit and investigation of the County’s contracting policies and processes as well as major service contracts in light of U.S. Department of Justice allegations against former Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas.

The independent investigation was ordered by the Board of Supervisors (Item 43-C) to ensure the County’s contracting policies and processes follow best practices and are most effectively serving the public’s interest. The investigation will begin immediately. The Board directed that the investigation review “all County service contracts in all supervisorial districts with a significant cumulative monetary value approved by this Board between the years 2008-2020, or such other timeframe that is consistent with best auditing practices” including “the County service contracts referenced in the Federal allegations, and the associated County processes and policies in place.”

Covington’s team will be led by Carolyn Kubota and Dan Shallman, two highly experienced former federal prosecutors in Los Angeles who work in the firm’s extensive investigative practice.  As part of their work, Covington has retained forensic auditing firm FTI Consulting.