LOS ANGELES : 2 Aides to Mayor Riordan Forced Out of Their Jobs

Two aides to Mayor Richard Riordan were forced out this week, bringing to five the number of mayoral assistants to leave in the last six months.

“As we go along there will be people coming and going,” said chief of staff William McCarley. “Organizations change over time. That happens in a healthy dynamic organization.”

McCarley disputed suggestions among some workers in City Hall that the mayor’s office was losing its ethnic diversity with the loss of Asian, African American and Latino aides.

Geoffrey Garfield, assistant deputy mayor for public safety, submitted his letter of resignation Thursday, effective Feb. 24, after being told to seek another position. Assistant press secretary Tom Kruesopon was also forced out.

Others who have left include Deputy Mayor Jadine Nielson, who was Riordan’s campaign manager; Deputy Mayor Al Villalobos, who faced questions about his business dealings, and Janice Berman, director of intergovernmental affairs.