Laura Chick’s mission: Root out waste and fraud
The gig: As California’s inspector general for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds, Laura Chick is the watchdog making sure that the state’s $85 billion in stimulus dollars are spent wisely. Appointed last year by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Chick defines her mission as the 3 Ds: deter, detect and disclose any waste or fraud. California was the first state to create such an oversight position for federal stimulus funds. (Chick’s position shouldn’t be confused with that of California’s other inspector general, David Shaw, who oversees the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.)
Chick, 66, served previously as Los Angeles city controller, auditing the city’s finances and tackling problems in its governance.
Off the rack: After raising her children, Chick worked for nine years running Ruth Faye, a women’s clothing store her father founded in Glendale. “Running a struggling small business really gives you an appreciation for the troubles business owners face,” she said. “It’s made me more empathetic.”
Starting at the bottom: Chick worked as a stock and delivery girl for a stationery store near Beverly Hills. She peddled tickets and popcorn at the Picfair Theater at Pico Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue. And she worked as a baby sitter — for 50 cents an hour. Chick said those jobs taught her a strong work ethic and to be punctual.
Moving up: Chick’s parents didn’t want her to pursue a career, even though she earned a bachelor’s in history from UCLA in 1966. “I was the last of the ‘just-in-case generation’ — young women who were sent to college to get a good education, just in case your husband dropped dead.” But she decided to go to USC to get her master’s degree in social work at age 41. She received that degree in 1987.
Turning to politics: When she was in her 40s, Chick became a Los Angeles City Council deputy and then district director for Councilwoman Joy Picus. She eventually ran against her boss — and won. Chick was elected to the post of city controller in 2001.
The drive: “I love going after things that need fixing,” Chick says. “I like to ask, ‘How are we doing? How can we do it better?’ ”
Making government respond: One of Chick’s best-known audits for Los Angeles revealed a backlog of thousands of untested DNA rape kits at the Los Angeles Police Department. Hundreds could not be used as evidence because the statute of limitations had expired. Last year, the LAPD announced that it had cut the backlog in half. “It is one of my biggest accomplishments, but it was a coalition effort,” she said.
Respecting the team: Chick relies on others to do a lot of auditing for her, but she’s the public figure accountable for the results. She’s found that rousing employees’ enthusiasm is essential. “Showing that the work at hand has value and is impactful is extremely important in motivating a team. Once they see that they can make a difference, you unleash their passion, interest and energy,” she said.
No minced words: Chick is known for her direct, outspoken style. Los Angeles magazine referred to her as “Ms. Blunt.” She considers it a compliment. “There’s a lot of taboos, a lot of sacred cows, a lot of things that people don’t talk about,” she said. “But I’ve always taken seriously that I have to look myself in the eye every morning.” Detractors have accused her of media grandstanding. But she said criticism came with the territory. “I never set out to make an enemy. But when push comes to shove and you are in the middle of an issue, it’s all about achieving the outcome. Sometimes you just can’t avoid making an enemy.”
Personal: Chick is divorced and has two grown daughters. She speaks French and Spanish, loves bagpipe music and collects African art. She remembers being deeply influenced by the book “Man’s Search for Meaning,” in which a concentration camp survivor discusses how he found reasons to live in the bleakest of settings.
