AQMD Chief Accused of Fostering Legal Battle
Los Angeles County supervisors this week accused the region’s top smog control official of trying to provoke a legal battle by seeking to fine the county for delays in starting its ride-sharing program.
But James Lents, executive officer of the South Coast Air Quality Management District, told the board the agency had to “draw the line” after the county failed even after four deadline extensions to implement the plan by Sept. 18. Supervisors have attributed the delays to resistant employee unions that were guaranteed free parking in their labor contracts.
Lents announced he would seek fines against the county of up to $25,000 per day from Sept. 18 through Oct. 1, when the county finally implemented the plan.
But Supervisors Ed Edelman, Mike Antonovich and Deane Dana charged the proceedings constituted a legal challenge by the AQMD, and County Counsel DeWitt Clinton said the agency would have to go court to collect the fine.
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