LOS ANGELES : Riordan’s Chief Press Aide Resigns in Latest Shake-Up
Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan’s director of communications was forced to resign Friday in the latest shake-up for the year-old Administration, which has struggled to stabilize its media operations.
Riordan’s office released a statement late in the day saying that David Novak was leaving after less than seven months “to return to the private sector.” But sources said that he had been asked to step down.
Two high-ranking Riordan Administration officials said that Novak’s skills as a speech writer are no longer needed as Riordan, a novice politician, is becoming more comfortable speaking in public.
Novak’s resignation is the fourth major departure from Riordan’s press office. Previous communications chief Annette Castro resigned and took a top staff job with Councilman Richard Alarcon.
Castro’s aides, Tom Kruesopon and Mike Monasmith, were pressured into finding new jobs.
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