Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced on April 11 that the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has selected Sergio Perez as the department’s first inspector general.

“Transparency and accountability are instrumental to running a utility that Angelenos can rely on and trust,” Garcetti said. “Sergio has the breadth and depth of experience to make certain that the department is always working to uphold the highest standards of integrity and improve customer confidence.”

As part of his LADWP reform agenda, Garcetti created the Office of the Inspector General in 2019. As the new inspector general, Perez will be part of the LADWP’s senior leadership team, providing continuous review and oversight of contracting, whistleblower complaints, ethics and internal policies. Perez will initiate investigations and oversee the department’s Internal Audit Division, Special Investigations Unit and ethics compliance staff.

“On behalf of the department, I am proud to welcome Sergio Perez as the first inspector general,” said Martin Adams, LADWP’s general manager and chief engineer. “With the new post, we will now have a dedicated individual with a wealth of experience whose sole focus is to uphold the integrity of the department by combating activities that may tarnish the reputation of our hardworking employees and furthering our mission of providing the highest level of service to our customers.”

Perez comes to LADWP from Orange County’s Office of Independent Review, where he served as executive director. Prior to working for Orange County, Perez served as director of enforcement for the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission, where he managed a team of attorneys and investigators that assessed allegations of misconduct relating to city employees, political appointees and elected officials. He will start the position on May 9.

“I have spearheaded accountability and transparency efforts effectively throughout my career in government by working to identify and correct individual instances of fraud, waste and abuse to get at their root, systemic causes, all with an eye on collaboration and problem solving,” Perez said. “As a recognized leader in oversight, systems reform and local government, I look forward to working with LADWP’s current leadership in its efforts to improve the agency’s practices and increase public trust and appreciation for the department’s work. For that reason, I am excited to serve as LADWP’s first inspector general.”

For information, visit lamayor.org and ladwp.com.