A 5th Hahn Deputy Might Move On

Los Angeles Mayor James K. Hahn, whose office has been depleted by the resignations of four deputy mayors since February, may lose another.

Roberta Yang, a deputy mayor who has overseen public safety issues since Hahn took office three years ago, is in the running for a job as Los Angeles County counsel. She is among five finalists the county Board of Supervisors plans to interview in the next month.

Yang said Wednesday that she had not decided if she would take the job if it was offered.

“It seemed like an opportunity worth exploring,” said Yang, who said her interest in the county job does not reflect any unhappiness with working in the mayor’s office.

Yang began working with Hahn in 1999 when he was city attorney. As deputy mayor for public safety, she has been responsible for an issue that Hahn has made a centerpiece of his administration.

“She’s a very talented individual,” the mayor said Wednesday, adding that he is not surprised that Yang is being considered for the most senior civil attorney post in county government.

The county is looking to replace former County Counsel Lloyd W. Pellman, who retired in March. Other finalists include Metropolitan Transportation Authority General Counsel Steven J. Carnevale, Anthony Ching, Deputy County Counsel Donovan Matthews Main and Chief Deputy County Counsel Raymond G. Fortner Jr.

Hahn credited Yang with helping obtain additional grant funding for law enforcement initiatives and to improve operations at the Los Angeles Police Department.

Yang’s departure would leave the mayor’s office with six deputy mayors, down from 11 two years ago.

In February and March, four of Hahn’s deputy mayors resigned, including Troy Edwards, a former Hahn fundraiser whose role overseeing the airport, port and Department of Water and Power stirred controversy amid criminal probes into alleged corrupt contracting at the agencies. He testified before a county grand jury earlier this year.

Hahn dismissed the notion that the departures indicate problems in his administration.

“It’s a good team. We’re getting the job done,” the mayor said. “It’s not an unusual thing ... that people come and go.”