Feuer Urges Stripping Mayor of Ethics Panel Appointees

Calling for a more independent ethics panel, Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Feuer on Wednesday proposed stripping the mayor of the power to appoint two of five members--including the president--to the city’s Ethics Commission.

The proposal comes a week after the commission, headed by Raquelle de la Rocha, a new appointee of Mayor Richard Riordan, fired controversial Director Benjamin Bycel, the hard-nosed founder of the city’s anti-corruption unit.

Feuer, a rookie councilman who has worked closely with Bycel on ethics reform laws, said the proposal was not an act of retribution against Riordan or De la Rocha, but an attempt to reduce the influence “any one elected official has over the commission.”

Speaking through spokeswoman Noelia Rodriguez, Riordan said, “I think the board is independent now and we don’t need this measure.”

Rodriguez also rejected speculation among many City Hall insiders that the mayor influenced De la Rocha and other members of the commission on the decision to fire Bycel.

Feuer’s motion was endorsed by Council President John Ferraro. Because the commission was created by a City Charter amendment adopted by voters, any change in the way the commission is appointed requires another vote.

Riordan appoints the president and one member of the panel. The three remaining positions are appointed by the president of the City Council, the city attorney and the city controller. All five must be confirmed by the entire City Council.

Feuer’s proposal would have the president elected by a vote of the entire ethics commission. Instead of appointing two members, the mayor would appoint one member, with the other being appointed by either the council’s president pro tem or the head of an independent organization, such as the League of Women Voters or the Los Angeles County Bar Assn.