City to Pay $12,000 for DWP Charter Flights
Without debate, the Los Angeles City Council on Friday voted to spend more than $12,000 to pay for three charter flights taken by Department of Water and Power officials earlier this year.
Last week, the council approved payment for a $2,794 charter flight to Sacramento taken by former DWP General Manager Norman Nichols.
The council, along with City Controller Rick Tuttle, had expressed outrage at the cost of the charter flights, since the four trips would have cost only $2,300 if a commercial airline had been used.
Tuttle argued that those who authorized the charters should be forced to reimburse the city. Some council members had considered filing legal action against Nichols, who resigned earlier this year after highly publicized disputes with Mayor Tom Bradley over the need for water rationing.
Councilwoman Joan Milke Flores said the city has no choice but to pay for the flights, since legal action could result if the city defaults on the bill.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
