On April 11, LADWP hired Sergio Perez, its first Inspector General, an oversight position created by Mayor Eric Garcetti in 2019.
“Transparency and accountability are instrumental to running a utility that Angelenos can rely on and trust,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “Sergio has the breadth and depth of experience to make certain that the department is always working to uphold the highest standards of integrity and improve customer confidence.”
Perez joins the LADWP’s senior leadership team, providing continuous review and oversight of contracting matters, whistleblower complaints, ethics and other internal policies. Perez and his team are empowered to initiate investigations and oversee the Department’s Internal Audit Division, Special Investigations Unit and ethics compliance staff.
Perez comes to LADWP from Orange County’s Office of Independent Review, where he served as Executive Director. Prior to working for Orange County, Perez served as Director of Enforcement for the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission, where he managed a team of attorneys and investigators who assessed allegations of misconduct relating to city employees, political appointees, and elected officials. Perez has also worked as a trial attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and as a Deputy Attorney General for the California Department of Justice.
He began in the new position May 9.
“I look forward to working with LADWP’s current leadership in its efforts to improve the agency’s practices and increase public trust and appreciation for the Department’s work. For that reason, I am excited to serve as LADWP’s first Inspector General.”
Welcome back to the City of LA, Sergio
