The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) has adopted a formal conflict-of-interest policy to help protect against abuse, liability, and reputational harm.
Under the new rules, all LAHSA staff must be fully recused from contracting processes in which they have a potential conflict. Their names may no longer appear on signature lines. Additionally, contracts with real or perceived conflicts must be approved by the commission.
If you’re surprised that LAHSA didn’t already have these safeguards in place, you’re not alone. One LAHSA commissioner told LAist that even she was unaware there was no formal, written policy.
The commission adopted the new rules on Friday, nearly eight months after it was revealed that former LAHSA CEO Va Lecia Adams Kellum signed a $2.1 million contract with her husband’s employer. Subsequent reporting by LAist suggests Kellum’s conflicts potentially run even deeper.
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