LA CITY CONTROLLER - LAURA CHICK - ADDRESSES CORRUPTION WITHIN CITY HALL

Los Angeles, CA - Tuesday, October 31, 2006 - Laura Chick, Controller for the City of Los Angeles, speaks to Town Hall Los Angeles on November 9, 2006, at the Omni Los Angeles Hotel. Chick's Town Hall appearance offers citizens the opportunity to ask about recent scandals at City Hall.

After a January audit of the Department of Recreation and Parks, which revealed issues Chick described as "startling and disturbing," she stated: "In 2006, we cannot and should not be running any City department?by groping in the dark."

Chick was re-elected as City Controller in March 2005 with 82% of the vote. She is the 17^th controller for the City of Los Angeles. In a 2005 interview, Chick described the awarding of large city contracts as, "An atmosphere ripe for abuse and fraud, at least a perception of pay-to-play, that if you wanted to get a lucrative contract, you needed to be a campaign contributor."

Prior to becoming Controller, Chick served as Councilmember, Third District, in the west San Fernando Valley, from 1993-2001. Chick also chaired the City Council's Public Safety Committee.

Town Hall Los Angeles has convened events on local politics throughout its nearly 70-year history. After the 2005 special elections, Town Hall welcomed Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, this past spring, LAPD Chief William Bratton discussed the Policing of Los Angeles, and on October 11, we held a Town Hall Community Panel Discussion on Ending Long-Term Homelessness.

Since 1937, Town Hall Los Angeles has been dedicated to promoting civic participation and awareness. As a nonpartisan and nonprofit forum, we encourage a public discussion on issues of regional, national, and international significance. To become involved with your community and become informed on the City's most pressing concerns, join Town Hall Los Angeles.

All members of the media are invited to cover this event.

** Please credit Town Hall Los Angeles in your coverage.?

WHEN: Thursday, November 9, 2006, Noon Luncheon, 12:30 - 1:30 PM Address, Q & A

WHERE: Omni Los Angeles Hotel, 251 South Olive Street, Los Angeles, CA? 90071

Note to reporters and editors: The organization uses the full name: Town Hall Los Angeles. Please do not make generic as in 'town hall.'

Contact: Deborah Weinberg, Director, Media Relations, 213.312.9307,[email protected]