As Review of LA County Contracts Moves Into New Phase, Public Encouraged to Come Forward With Information Related to County Contracting

A law firm hired to conduct an independent investigation and audit of LA County contracts has established an online form for members of the public and the County workforce to share information that may be relevant to the review.

The law firm of Covington & Burling LLP, assisted by FTI Consulting, set up the online form as part of its continuing three-part review of Los Angeles County’s service contracts and contracting policies and procedures.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors authorized Covington’s work in October 2021 following the return of a federal indictment against a former Los Angeles County Supervisor. That case is still pending in federal court. The Board authorized the independent investigation and audit to increase transparency and accountability in Los Angeles County’s contracting processes and to determine potential process and policy enhancements based on Covington and FTI’s findings.

During Phase I, Covington and FTI identified and collected electronic data potentially relevant to the investigation; conducted interviews with County employees; and collected, analyzed, and  integrated available data for more than 23,000 County service contracts totaling more than $80 billion in value and spanning 12 years, from 2008-2020.

Phase II of the investigation will include the selection and review of a sample of County service contracts from 2008-2020, followed, where appropriate, by an in-depth review of contracts determined to warrant additional scrutiny. The second-level procedures will include a review of
relevant electronic data (including internal County emails) and additional witness interviews. Phase III will focus on synthesizing the firm’s findings and making recommendations for the Board’s consideration.

To ensure that Covington’s work takes into account any relevant information available from members of the public and the County workforce, Covington is providing access to a web-based form at www.lacountyinvestigation.com, which can be used to provide information directly to the Covington team.

The County encourages anyone with relevant information to access the link to the web form. Such information may include—but is not limited to—details related to potential corruption, bribery, or other irregularities in the award or payment of County service contracts.