Former Mayor Riordan endorses Galperin for L.A. controller

Attorney Ron Galperin picked up a key endorsement Tuesday in his bid to become the city’s next controller, winning the backing of former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan.

Riordan praised Galperin as someone who will do a good job ferreting out waste, fraud and abuse, the primary job of the city controller. He faces City Councilman Dennis Zine for the controller’s seat in the May 21 runoff.

“The fact that Ron is very well qualified for this important job is something on which Democrats, Republicans and Independents can all agree,” the former mayor said in a prepared statement.

Galperin said Riordan’s nod shows that he is capturing bipartisan support. He’s backed not only by Riordan, one of the city’s highest-profile Republicans, but also by the Los Angeles County Democratic Party.

Galperin came out ahead of Zine in the March primary election despite being outspent by the three-term councilman. He said that shows that voters trust he will do a better job as controller. He’s served on two city commissions that identify ways to improve efficiency and save dollars.

Zine served in the Los Angeles Police Department for 33 years before retiring and running for City Council.

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