LADWP official accused of ethics violations

A top official at the Department of Water and Power is being investigated for allegedly misusing her position for personal benefit, the Los Angeles Ethics Commission announced Wednesday.

Renette Anderson faces seven counts of misusing her city position on multiple occasions in 2022 and 2023. Anderson has worked with the DWP since 2002, and currently serves as the director of Equal Employment Opportunity Services under Chief People Officer Tracey Pierce.

During those two years, Anderson asked subordinates -- DWP employees Brian Johnson and Angenee Reygadas -- to conduct personal business for her such as making flight arrangements, scheduling physical therapy appointments, purchasing party supplies, purchasing and requesting refunds for concert tickets, and scheduling a car service appointment, the Ethics Commission stated.

Anderson has worked as an executive assistant to the DWP’s general manager since 2002.

Such personal business was conducted for Anderson, at her request, on city time or using city resources or both, according to the commission.

In March, the director of enforcement for the commission filed a probable cause report in the case. Staff served a copy of the report to Anderson via her attorney, John Harris of the Harris & Hayden law firm.

A probable cause conference was conducted in September. The following month, an officer found there was probable cause to believe Anderson committed the violations.

"Ms. Anderson has an unblemished record of service on behalf of DWP for over 23 years. The finding of probable cause doesn't constitute a finding that the alleged violations occurred," Harris said in a statement to City News Service via email. "However, these baseless accusations are coming primarily from a disgruntled former subordinate of Ms. Anderson, who apparently has some sort of grudge against her.

"We will vigorously defend this action and force Mr. Brian Johnson to come from the dark and testify, and be cross-examined before the commission," the statement continued.

The complaints allege that Anderson violated the government ethics ordinance -- which was adopted by the city to promote public trust and governs the conduct of city officials and other persons -- despite completing ethics training on multiple occasions since 2011.

"A finding of probable cause does not constitute a finding that a violation actually occurred," according to a statement from the Ethics Commission. "The members of the Ethics Commission board must now select a hearing officer for an administrative evidentiary hearing. Following the hearing, the commissions must determine whether the alleged violations occurred and, if so, what penalty should apply."

Commissioners may levy $5,000 fines per violation, or three times the amount of money that was improperly received or reported.

"A determination regarding whether a violation occurred may only be made by the commissioners," according to the commission. "The commissioners and staff may not comment on a pending enforcement matter."

The DWP said in a statement it would cooperate with the Ethics Commission if any assistance was requested.

"We are not able to comment on any personnel matters involving LADWP employees, but want to make it clear that we take any accusations of unethical conduct seriously, we will take appropriate action and cooperate fully with the Ethics Commission if they request our assistance in this matter."

Additional reporting by City News Service.