City Attorney presses charges in million-dollar wage theft case



One of the dogs at a recent vaccination fair held at the LA Animal Service Center. | Anita Kelso Edson/ASPCA

One of the dogs at a recent vaccination fair held at the South L.A. Animal Care Center. | Anita Kelso Edson/ASPCA

The City Attorney’s office announced last week that work on an almost $10 million contract awarded to Mackone Construction and its subcontractors had been done with underpaid workers. The city alleges that “almost fifty” workers building the South L.A. Animal Care Center were denied overtime, underrepresented in workman’s compensation claims and paid lump sums of cash that added up to below city-mandated prevailing wage.

Learn more in an audio story from Annenberg Radio News:

City Attorney announces task force to combat illegal dumping



South L.A. alleys have been plagued by illegal dumping. | Daina Beth Solomon

South L.A. alleys have been plagued by illegal dumping. | Daina Beth Solomon

Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer announced last week a new task force that will focus on removing waste that is illegally dumped on streets, in alleys and in the L.A. River. The task force will also prosecute offenders.

Along with ten other agencies, the L.A. city attorney’s office is identifying nine chronic dumping spots around the city, including South Los Angeles. They hope to clean up the sites and help communities develop enforcement strategies such as putting cameras in alleyways and encouraging residents to call when they see illegal dumping.

Listen to Feuer’s announcement in a story for Annenberg Radio News