Use of County Computer for Private Firm Acknowledged

A veteran Los Angeles County Health Services administrator has acknowledged that he used a county computer to write letters and maintain records for a company owned by his wife and himself, county officials say.

The administrator, Frank Fabregas Jr., faces possible suspension without pay as a result of a monthlong investigation, a senior Health Services official familiar with the case said Friday.

Fabregas is an assistant supervisor in the Reseda-based office that oversees private and nonprofit nursing homes and hospitals in north Los Angeles County.

Fabregas’ supervisor, Michael McSkane, who was aware of Fabregas’ actions at least part of the time, faces similar punishment, said the official, who asked not to be named. Disciplinary action is expected within 10 days.

Fabregas, a 17-year Health Services employee, said Thursday, “I have nothing to hide.” But he declined to comment on the investigation or the allegations. McSkane, who was reportedly on jury duty, could not be reached.

Inspired by Complaints

The investigation by the Health Services Inspection and Audit Division was sparked by a complaint to county officials about Fabregas in late April from two secretaries who worked in the Reseda office, officials said. The secretaries have since resigned. The inquiry reportedly involved a review of computer and other records, and interviews with the secretaries, Fabregas, McSkane and other employees.

When questioned by investigators, Fabregas said he had used the computer to write letters and do bookkeeping for the private firm but insisted he had done nothing wrong, the senior Health Services official said. Fabregas said he had been told by McSkane to learn to use a new computer system and had practiced with the private firm’s work.

“The investigator’s opinion was that this was a rather weak defense or explanation,” said the senior Health Services administrator. “We had plenty of county business to ‘practice’ on.”

The official said, “We expect county employees to be doing county business when they are on county time.”

Fabregas did the private work on the computer for as long as 11 months but had stopped by April 30, four days before the investigation began, the official said. McSkane “at some point in time, though not the entire time, did have knowledge” of Fabregas’ actions, the official added.

Cost to Taxpayers

Neither the amount of county time Fabregas spent on the private work nor the cost to taxpayers in his time or computer use has been determined. Inspection and other records required by the state are maintained on the computer.

Fabregas’ wife, Norma, is president and treasurer of Cisco Ann Chris Inc., a 3-year-old corporation that owns five boarding homes for the elderly in the northern San Fernando Valley, according to state Community Care Licensing records. Fabregas is listed as the company’s vice president and secretary.

“They are fairly well-run facilities,” said Ephraim Mochson, a Community Care licensing program supervisor. Each home has six or fewer beds, he said, and includes the words “Bright Eyes” in its name.

The Health Services official familiar with the inquiry said investigators have explored a possible conflict of interest if hospitals or nursing homes overseen by the county department referred people to the Fabregas-owned boarding homes.

“There is no direct conflict of interest,” the official said. “We have not found any evidence of impropriety in that regard. But we are making some discreet inquiries.”