---

 [ LA WATCHDOG ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=12)

#  DWP Bribery Scandal May Tank Garcetti’s Ambassadorship

December 06 2021

Written by Jack Humphreville.

<a class="a2a_button_facebook"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter"></a><a class="a2a_button_email"></a><a class="a2a_button_print"></a>[](https://www.addtoany.com/share)

LA WATCHDOG - The odds that Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti will be America’s next ambassador to India are getting slimmer by the day as new revelations of corruption and sexual harassment surface, leaving many to speculate what else is hiding in the closet.

On November 29th, Paul Paradis, a New York City lawyer representing the Department of Water and Power, [agreed to plead guilty](https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/ex-la-special-counsel-agrees-plead-guilty-accepting-nearly-22-million-kickback) to one count of bribery for accepting an undisclosed $2.2 million payment from the class action attorney who was suing DWP over its botched roll out of its customer billing system in 2013.

Paradis also admitted to bribing then DWP General Manager David Wright and other department officials in connection with the utility’s approval of a $30 million no bid contract for cyber security services with a startup company controlled by Paradis.

Paradis is also cooperating with the federal government on its ongoing criminal investigation.

While Garcetti has not been implicated directly in these scams, they happened on his watch. He appointed Wright to be the General Manager in August of 2016 despite his limited experience at DWP and the five members of the Board of Commissioners.

If DWP was an investor-owned utility like PG&amp;E or SoCal Edison, the Public Utility Commission, the Mayor, and the City Council would all be demanding the firing of the Chief Executive Officer, in this case, Garcetti.

Garcetti’s credibility has also been questioned in connection with a lawsuit filed against the City by LAPD officer Matthew Garza, a former member of Garcetti’s security detail. Garza alleged that he was sexually harassed by Rick Jacobs, a former deputy mayor, a Garcetti confidant, and a prolific fundraiser for Garcetti. Garza also said that Garcetti witnessed Jacobs’ inappropriate behavior and did nothing to stop it.

While Garcetti claimed under oath that he did not witness any harassing behavior, a December 1st article in New York Magazine, [*The Mayor Knew*](https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2021/12/mayor-eric-garcetti-accused-of-protecting-rick-jacobs.html), by Alissa Walker claims that Jacobs was a “serial harasser according to multiple sources” and that Garcetti ignored it. One of the credible sources was Naomi Seligman, Garcetti’s former director of communications, who has a lot to lose by going public with her experiences.

Again, if this harassment occurred in the private sector or for anybody else in City Hall or Sacramento, people would demand that Garcetti be held accountable and resign.

While the DWP bribery scandal and the failure to call out a serial harasser are enough to doom Garcetti’s ambassadorship, these are in addition to the pay-to-play corruption that is plaguing City Hall, again under Garcetti’s watch. And Garcetti is no stranger to pay-to-play shenanigans as witnessed by the Mayor’s Fund and his role with the Hollywood Millennium when he was the Councilman representing Hollywood.

While there is the possibility that Garcetti would be an excellent ambassador to India, especially since he would not have any operational or financial responsibilities, there is too much baggage associated with Garcetti. It is time for either the Biden administration or Garcetti to withdraw the nomination.

 *(Jack Humphreville writes LA Watchdog for CityWatch. He is the President of the DWP Advocacy Committee and is the Budget and DWP representative for the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council. He is a Neighborhood Council Budget Advocate. He can be reached at: lajack@gmail.com.)*

 [ ![save up to 4000 on used evs](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20ev%20ad2.png) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/107 "LA DWP | Save $4K, Green | Priority Ad")

 [ ![Donna Tryfman](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/ADS%20FOR%202026/Donna-Tryfman-Ad-Final-Complete-Border-White-Margin.png) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/98 "Donna Tryfman - HS1-1")

 [ ![LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20level%20pay%205-7-25.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/82 "LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)")

 [ ![David DeJute Campaign](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/ADS%20FOR%202026/DejuteAd.png) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/111 "David DeJute Campaign")

 [ ![Pay Water Bill Help](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20-%20cares-ad.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/97 "Home - LA DWP #2 (Pay Water Bill Help)")

 [ ![Anna Reitano Vertical R. Col](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/ADS%20FOR%202026/reitano%20vertical%20rework.png) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/112 "Anna Reitano Vertical R. Col")

 ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/banners/signup-for-cw.png)

## Get The News In Your Email Inbox Mondays &amp; Thursdays

 Phone

 ---

##  Featured CityWatch Stories

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/8c/074h-8ccaaf79.png) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33349:l-a-county-faces-a-government-shake-up&catid=312)

### [L.A. County Faces a Government Shake-Up](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33349:l-a-county-faces-a-government-shake-up&catid=312)

WESTSIDE - Currently larger than 40 states in terms of population with roughly 10 million residents, Los Angeles County…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/4d/073e-4dc54bff.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33336:may-day-international-workers-day-a-major-us-holiday-ignored-by-the-media&catid=398)

### [May Day/International Workers Day, a Major US Holiday Ignored By The Media](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33336:may-day-international-workers-day-a-major-us-holiday-ignored-by-the-media&catid=398)

PLANNING WATCH - Monday, September 7, 2026, was Labor Day, a holiday only celebrated in the United States and Canada as…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/17/074g-17fdff1c.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33346:before-we-ask-god-to-judge-us-the-jewish-people-must-judge-ourselves&catid=375)

### [Before We Ask God to Judge Us, the Jewish People Must Judge Ourselves](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33346:before-we-ask-god-to-judge-us-the-jewish-people-must-judge-ourselves&catid=375)

Yom Kippur demands more than personal repentance. At a defining moment for Jews everywhere, it asks whether we have tru…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/12/073d-1253ced3.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33338:quid-pro-no&catid=378)

### [QUID PRO NO](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33338:quid-pro-no&catid=378)

MY VIEW - Quid pro quo: Latin for “this for that.” English for “bribe.” In Assemblymember Schiavo-speak: quid pro no—“N…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/09/073i-0998df2d.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33330:cd3-doesnt-need-another-promise-it-needs-a-councilmember-who-can-deliver&catid=401)

### [CD3 Doesn’t Need Another Promise It Needs a Councilmember Who Can Deliver](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33330:cd3-doesnt-need-another-promise-it-needs-a-councilmember-who-can-deliver&catid=401)

THE BOTTOM LINE - Los Angeles voters have heard the promises before: safer streets, cleaner neighborhoods, more housing…

---

##  [ LA WATCHDOG ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=12)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Sept-2026/071o.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33299:vote-no-on-charter-amendment-la&catid=12)### [Vote NO on Charter Amendment LA](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33299:vote-no-on-charter-amendment-la&catid=12)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/070j.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33280:vote-no-on-the-highly-regressive-10-3-4-sales-tax&catid=12)### [Vote NO on the Highly Regressive 10¾% Sales Tax](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33280:vote-no-on-the-highly-regressive-10-3-4-sales-tax&catid=12)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/067j.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33246:refund-rec-parks-vote-yes-on-charter-amendment-prk&catid=12)### [Refund Rec &amp; Parks: Vote Yes on Charter Amendment PRK](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33246:refund-rec-parks-vote-yes-on-charter-amendment-prk&catid=12)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/064h.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33202:proposition-38-should-taxpayers-finance-medical-research&catid=12)### [Proposition 38: Should Taxpayers Finance Medical Research?](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33202:proposition-38-should-taxpayers-finance-medical-research&catid=12)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2026/059m.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33110:citys-assessed-value-increases-to-926-billion-despite-the-palisades-fire&catid=12)### [City’s Assessed Value Increases to $926 Billion Despite the Palisades Fire](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33110:citys-assessed-value-increases-to-926-billion-despite-the-palisades-fire&catid=12)
<div data-id="1" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-emailform eb-1 eboxContentLocker"
	data-options='{"trigger":"onPageLoad","trigger_selector":"","delay":3000,"early_trigger":true,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":1,"reverse_scroll_close":true,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":10000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"slideInDown","animation_close":"fadeOutDown","animation_duration":400,"disable_page_scroll":true,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #1 - Global Email Signup Form","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog eb-formVer" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog1" aria-label="dialog1">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<form action="https://citywatchla.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=34d69f33624fd058ee9b56516&amp;id=4bfa422f51&amp;f_id=00d6c2e1f0" class="eb" method="post" id="mcform-1" name="mcform-1" target="_blank">
			<div class="eb-form-header"><p><img src="/images/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png" alt="be a city watcher" width="350" height="97" loading="lazy" data-path="local-images:/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png"></p>
<p>Sign up to receive our special e-news blasts on Monday and Thursday evenings!</p></div>
	
					<div class="eb-field-row">

			
			
			
			<input class="eb-input" type="email" name="EMAIL"  placeholder="Email address"  id="EMAIL" value="" required>

			
		</div>
										
	<div class="eb-footer">
    	<button class="eb-btn" type="submit" name="subscribe" style="background-color:rgba(93, 183, 93, 1);color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 1)">
    		Sign up    	</button>
    </div>
</form>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>
<div data-id="3" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-yesno eb-3 "
	data-options='{"trigger":"onScrollDepth","trigger_selector":"","delay":0,"early_trigger":false,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":2,"reverse_scroll_close":false,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":1000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"fadeInUp","animation_close":"fadeOut","animation_duration":300,"disable_page_scroll":false,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #3 - Yes \/ No Donation Popup Box","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog " role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog3" aria-label="dialog3">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<div class="ebox-yes-no">
	<div class="ebox-yn-text">
		
		
		<div class="ebox-yn-headline" style="font-size:22px;color:#888888">
			<p>If you only give once a month, would you consider giving to CityWatch?</p>
<p>Your support fuels our mission to promote and facilitate civic engagement and neighborhood empowerment, and to hold area government and its politicians accountable.</p>
<p>Would you like to help? Even if you can only give $5, it will make a difference.</p>		</div>
			</div>
	
	<div class="ebox-ys-buttons" style="font-size: 16px;">
		
<a
					data-ebox-prevent="0"
		data-ebox-cmd="close"
				target="_self"
		href="https://www.citywatchla.com/donate"
		rel="noopener"
	
	
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#2ec664;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Yes
	</a>
<a
	
	
			data-ebox-cmd="close"
		href="#"
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#ef2345;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Not Right Now
	</a>	</div>

	</div>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>