To the editor: Urban Alchemy, a homeless services provider for the city of Los Angeles, received $2.3 million for providing 88 beds, but in an inspection in June, the special master saw only 44 in use (“The city of Los Angeles told the court that there were 88 beds in a homeless shelter, but 44 of them were missing.” November 14). However, the supplier was paid in full because, while the city verifies invoices against contracts (what accountants call a “two-way match”), does not bother to compare the invoice with the actual services provided (a necessary “three-way comparison”).
Worse yet, a Gibson Dunn city attorney insisted before U.S. District Judge David O. Carter that the appointed special judge “has no authority” to review the city's compliance with the law.
Every part of this process has to change. Where are Mayor Karen Bass and our City Council in this?
Denis Cagna, Los Angeles
