LOS ANGELES -- Federal authorities are investigating a claim that the Los Angeles Police Department misused millions of dollars it was paid for security services at Los Angeles International Airport to pay for unrelated expenses.
The complaint was filed by the Los Angeles Airport Peace Officers Association, which represents more than 400 officers from the airport department. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the allegation that LAPD overcharged for providing dozens of officers at the airport and then used the money to bolster city coffers, according to the Los Angeles Times ( http://lat.ms/t1nSB5).
If the claim is true, the city could have to repay the money to the airport because it would be a violation of federal regulations.
Audits taken of LAPD show the amount charged for the services provided are fair, said police Commander Andy Smith.
The airport is guarded by the LAPD and a separate agency, the Los Angeles World Airports Police Department. City voters rejected a merger six years ago.
Ian Gregor, an FAA spokesman, said the federal agency is evaluating the allegation to determine if there is enough evidence to request further action by the inspector general for the U.S. Department of Transportation.
In 2008, the city's airport agency, Los Angeles World Airports, paid as much as $19.5 million for up to 90 LAPD officers, including some who worked part-time, according to the complaint. The agency also paid LAPD tens of millions of dollars a year in overtime, which amounted to more than $60 million in fiscal year 2009-2010, the newspaper reported.
The money diverted by LAPD could have gone to hire more airport police officers, replace aging patrol cars and improve LAX's police station, according to the complaint.
The city agreed to repay $21.2 million two years ago to the airport agency, including $18.1 million that was given to L.A. Inc., the city's visitor and convention bureau. The FAA ordered the city to return about $31 million in LAX funds in 1996 that had been allocated to balance the city budget.
Read more: http://www.sacbee.com
No comments:
Post a Comment