This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Politics & Government

Officials Call for L.A. County Assessor to Resign

Officials have called for John Noguez's resignation following allegations his office reduced property values in exchange for campaign contributions.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors confirmed Tuesday that it has the authority to appoint a new assessor if John Noguez resigns, is recalled or convicted of malfeasance. However, the board put off any action on a proposed ballot initiative that would gauge voter interest in making the job an appointed position, rather than an elected one.

District Attorney Steve Cooley and other officials have called on Noguez to resign in the face of allegations that his office reduced the assessed value of properties in exchange for campaign contributions.

Because Noguez is an elected official, the board has no authority to fire him. He has denied wrongdoing and shown no indication that he would resign.

Find out what's happening in West Hollywoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

An indictment without a conviction would not constitute a vacancy, but if Noguez were to stop fulfilling the duties of his office for three months, the board would have the right to appoint a replacement. The appointee would serve until a new assessor could be elected.

But Supervision Mike Antonovich said he would like to know what voters want. He suggested that county lawyers prepare a resolution for the November ballot, asking voters if they wanted to amend the state constitution and county charter to make the assessor's office an appointed post.

Find out what's happening in West Hollywoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

When the question was last put to voters in 1986, about 85 percent rejected it.

The board postponed discussion of Antonovich's recommendation for two weeks.

So far, just one arrest has been made. Scott Schenter, 49, an appraiser who worked in the Assessor's Office from 1988 to 2011, was arrested May 21 and charged with 60 felony counts of falsifying accounts and records.

He allegedly slashed property values by about $172 million to lower tax bills for owners of multimillion-dollar homes, condominiums and businesses in Beverly Hills, Brentwood and Pacific Palisades, in exchange for political contributions for Noguez.

If convicted, Schenter could face up to 33 years in prison.

West Hollywood Mayor Jeff Prang began working as a special assistant to Noguez in March. that he was "specifically hired to work as a liaison with the L.A. County Board of Supervisors and others agencies to enhance the public integrity and transparency of the office."

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?