April 20, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Judge to L.A. Leaders: ‘I Am Your Worst Nightmare’ in Scathing Homeless Spending Rebuke

Carter Warns of Court Intervention if City and County Fail to Fix Broken Systems

U.S. District Judge David O. Carter, famous for his rulings against the West Los Angeles VA and UCLA in favor of veterans, on Thursday sharply criticized Los Angeles city and county officials over long-standing failures to properly track and manage billions of dollars in homeless services funding. He called the system broken and urged immediate reforms to ensure accountability.

The judge, who was out of patience, said, “We pay your bills. Figure this out.” to a group that included Mayor Karen Bass, City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, L.A. County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger and City Controller Kenneth Mejia. Carter added, “I am your worst nightmare. I can make your lives miserable.”

The rebuke came during a hearing convened by Judge Carter following the release of a scathing independent audit that found the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) lacked adequate data systems and financial oversight despite handling more than $2.5 billion in public funds aimed at addressing the region’s homelessness crisis.

“Nobody is asking our providers what they did or what services they performed,” Carter said. “We may have providers who committed fraud, and we may never know. We may also have providers who did excellent work, and we’ll never know that either.”

Judge Carter questioned why city officials had not pursued legal action against underperforming or potentially fraudulent service providers. “If we’re so short on money, why aren’t these providers being sued? Are they waiting for us to get senile or die?” he asked.

While the judge stopped short of imposing a court-appointed receiver to oversee the city’s homeless response — citing the city’s fragile financial condition — he strongly criticized the lack of transparency and oversight, particularly at LAHSA, which has been the subject of multiple audits since 2007 highlighting similar failings.

“This is a slow train wreck,” Carter said, noting that the situation has persisted across multiple administrations and oversight efforts.

Mayor Karen Bass, L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, and representatives from LAHSA attended the hearing and raised concerns about the audit’s methodology and said it failed to offer clear recommendations for resolving the issues.

“I felt there was a lack of understanding of how they came to some of the conclusions,” said Barger, chair of the L.A. County Board of Supervisors.

Mayor Bass echoed the need for systemic change, emphasizing that addressing homelessness goes beyond housing alone.

“Of course, people need to be housed, but that’s not enough,” Bass said. “There needs to be comprehensive services, and those services need to be based on outcomes — how well did that person do?”

Bass, however, rejected Carter’s suggestion that she allow L.A. City Controller Kenneth Mejia to conduct a performance audit of her signature Inside Safe homelessness initiative. City attorneys argued that the city charter requires the mayor’s consent for such an audit — a position disputed by Mejia and the co-author of the charter language.

Attorney Matthew Umhofer, representing the LA Alliance for Human Rights — the group that initiated the legal case against the city and county — urged the court to consider appointing a receiver with budgetary control, comparing the current crisis to the one that led to federal oversight of California’s prison healthcare system.

“The judge’s patience has worn thin. Our patience has worn thin,” Umhofer said. “If the city and county aren’t going to act, the court must.”

Despite resistance from city leadership, Carter ordered Bass to coordinate directly with the controller to find a way forward on oversight. Whether that audit will proceed remains uncertain.

Carter concluded the hearing by underscoring the urgency of the moment. “Folks, you’ve got to solve this — or else the court is going to step in.”

in News
Related Posts

(Video) Malibu Discovery Party at Santa Monica Place

April 18, 2025

April 18, 2025

Desserts by Copenhagen Bakery. North Italia Restaurant. Rosenthal Winery. Bristol Farms. Beautiful Sea Creatures. Chrysalis. Desserts by Copenhagen Bakery. North...

Ten Years on Wheels: Skateside Fest Rolls Back Into Culver City with the Third Year of Festival

April 18, 2025

April 18, 2025

Annual Skate Festival Returns May 17 With Pro Demos, Live Entertainment The Skateside is set to host its third annual...

UCLA Community Protests Detention of International Grad Student at Border

April 18, 2025

April 18, 2025

Professor Says Student Has Been Denied Access to Her Lawyer Today, an international graduate student from UCLA was taken into...

Courtroom Fireworks Amid Delay Next Phase in Menendez Case on Thursday

April 18, 2025

April 18, 2025

Prosecutors, Defense Trade Barbs as Menendez Resentencing Hits Snag Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic has postponed a...

Experience Poetry Like Never Before at the Getty Center’s Central Garden

April 18, 2025

April 18, 2025

The Series Invites Visitors to Explore Art, Nature, and Sound in Harmony The Getty Center will host a new outdoor...

Newsom, Bonta Seek Court Ruling to Void Trump’s Tariffs and Economic Crisis

April 17, 2025

April 17, 2025

Economic Fallout Prompts California Lawsuit Against Trump’s Tariffs California Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit...

Culver City Police Department Report Details Week of Arrests in Ongoing Safety Push

April 17, 2025

April 17, 2025

Police make arrests tied to parole violations, drug trafficking, burglaries, and assaults. The Culver City Police Department released a summary...

Film Review: The Shrouds

April 17, 2025

April 17, 2025

By Dolores Quintana Canada’s cinematic maestro of body horror’s newest film is The Shrouds. While it is not a traditional...

The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood Pours on the Charm with New Afternoon Tea

April 17, 2025

April 17, 2025

Organic Teas, Sweet Treats, Artisan Touches to Relax in Style  A block south of Sunset Boulevard, The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood...

(Video) Matū Kai Brentwood Friends and Family Dinner

April 16, 2025

April 16, 2025

Matü Old Fashioned: Bourbon, Maple Syrup, Bitters, and a Burnt Orange Peel. Amazing 24-Hour Bone Broth. Look at that steam....

Global Ramen Restaurant Expands in LA with New Culver City and Vegan West Hollywood Outposts

April 16, 2025

April 16, 2025

From Tonkotsu to Tofu: Restaurant’s Dual Openings Cater to Every Ramen Craving International ramen powerhouse Ippudo has opened its newest...

Brazilian Steakhouse Fogo de Chão Opens in Santa Monica With Ocean Views

April 16, 2025

April 16, 2025

Santa Monica’s Newest Restaurant Serves Steak With a Side of Charity Fogo de Chão, the Brazilian steakhouse known for its...

Mental Health Workers Conclude Hunger Strike Amid Six-Month Labor Dispute

April 16, 2025

April 16, 2025

Strikers Receive Support from Rock Star and WeHo City Councilmember Eight mental health care workers ended their five-day hunger strike...

Two Arrested in Culver City for Drug Possession and Outstanding Warrants

April 16, 2025

April 16, 2025

Wanted Fugitive and Drug Suspect Caught in Separate Incidents Culver City Police arrested two individuals in separate incidents late Saturday...

Malibu Discovery Celebrates 15 Years With Seaside Wonderland Bash in Santa Monica

April 16, 2025

April 16, 2025

Cocktails, Community, and a Cause: Seaside Wonderland Arrives April 17 Malibu Discovery will celebrate its 15th anniversary with a community-focused...