Los Angeles County has selected a nationally-renowned law firm, Covington and Burling, to conduct an independent audit and investigation of the county’s contracting policies and processes,    as well as major service contracts in light of U.S. Department of Justice allegations against former Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas.

The independent investigation was ordered by the board of supervisors to ensure the county’s contracting policies and processes follow best practices and are most effectively serving the public’s interest. The investigation will begin immediately.

Covington’s team will be led by Carolyn Kubota and Dan Shallman, two experienced former federal prosecutors in Los Angeles who work in the firm’s extensive investigative practice. As part of their work, Covington has retained forensic auditing firm FTI Consulting.