Richard Walch to Head Ethics Commission
Richard Walch, the executive director of the 23,000 member Los Angeles County Bar Assn., was unanimously voted president of the Los Angeles Ethics Commission on Thursday.
The city commission, created by voters in 1990, regulates city ethics, lobbying and campaign finance laws. Walch has served on the commission since 199 and was named vice president in July 1997.
“I intend to lead the commission in the tradition of openness and public service established by my predecessors,” Walch said. “The commission will continue to vigorously enforce the city’s ethics and campaign laws and ensure that the public has full information about those who make and influence government decisions.”
The five-member commission has the authority to investigate and penalize city officials who have violated ethics laws. In its eight years, the commission has levied about $850,000 in fines.
Walch succeeds USC journalism professor Edwin Guthman, whose term expired last month.
Raquelle de la Rocha was elected vice president. Both terms end July 31.
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