Los Angeles County's second-highest-ranking employee took numerous steps to secure a county job for her future son-in-law that paid nearly $1,000 more a month than the position called for, according to a confidential audit reviewed by The Times.
County auditors said that Sharon Harper, the top deputy to the county's chief executive, had a "clear conflict of interest" in the hiring of Ed'Ward Rhone and that the chief executive "should consider appropriate disciplinary action."
The Times had sought the audit for several weeks, submitting public information requests to supervisors' offices and the county auditor controller. County lawyers denied the request, saying that releasing the report would be an unwarranted intrusion into Harper's privacy. After The Times obtained the audit independently, county officials refused to comment on whether Harper had been disciplined.
The audit determined that Harper played an "instrumental" role in getting Rhone, 29, a job with the county's Fire Department and did so because of her personal relationship with him.
At the time of Rhone's hiring in November of last year, he was engaged to Harper's daughter. They have since married.
"Ms. Harper should be aware that earning and maintaining the public trust is essential to her position as chief deputy, CEO," said a seven-page report signed by County Auditor Controller Wendy Watanabe and dated Sept. 16. "Because her actions reflect upon the county government as a whole, Ms. Harper should have anticipated how important it is to keep her personal interest separate from her work duties."
The audit, conducted after an anonymous letter was sent to the county's fraud hotline office, details Harper's direct role in hiring Rhone. The audit says that, among other actions, Harper arranged for Rhone's transfer from a Department of Health Services position, for which he had reported for just one-half of a day of orientation, to a less demanding Fire Department job that should have paid 25% less.
Auditors said Rhone was "overcompensated" for his duties.
"Mr. Rhone is not 'technically' receiving a $1,000 per month bonus; however he does receive a monthly salary that is $955 more than he would have," according to the audit.
The Times was unable to reach Rhone for comment.
The recommendation that Harper face unspecified discipline was confidentially delivered Sept. 16 to William T Fujioka, the county's chief executive, and the five county supervisors. Harper has continued since then to appear at board meetings.
