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#  Who Knew That the LA City Attorney Is Responsible For LAHSA’S Woes?

December 08 2025

Written by Tony Butka.

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THE EASTSIDER - I guess it’s the start of the 2026 campaign for our wonderful politicians and wannabes in LA City, and the knives are out to blame it on the incumbent LA City Attorney! Really! You can read Mihran Kalaydjian’s CityWatch article [here.](https://mail.citywatchla.com/los-angeles/31895-the-city-attorney-blocked-homelessness-audits-critics-say-the-move-shielded-a-billion-dollar-system-from-scrutiny)

Personally, I don’t think that it’s so simple. And no fault to Kenneth Mejia.

Personally, I really like the LA City Auditor, Kenneth Mejia, and endorsed him during his successful run for office in 2022, I intend to do so again if he runs in 2026. At the GPIA (Glassell Park Improvement Association) meetings, he would he always give a straight up data rich talk. I also know that it drove him crazy to be unable able to see the innards of an out of control called LAHSA.

I’ve been writing articles for CityWatch since the beginnings, and when I looked, I’ve written well over 5 articles about LAHSA being a money pit run by politicians from the City and County.

However, it seems to me a huge reach to imply that somehow a legal opinion of the LA City Attorney which limits the City Controller’s ability to audit this mess, is the cause.

Let’s be real - the true cause lies within the LA City Council and the LA County Board of Supervisors, who screwed this whole homeless issue up, as I wrote in a number of CityWatch articles over the years.

Seems to me, if someone doesn’t agree with a legal opinion from the City Attorney, the remedy is to sue the City Attorney and see what the Courts say about reversing it. Since there is no indication that anyone sued over the opinion.

If they want to spin their wheels to no avail, that is. Better to take a close look at the elected officials in the City and the County during this time frame.

Do I smell a search for the truth, here, or the beginnings of one or more of the political attempts against the LA City Attorney to unseat an incumbent?

Time will tell

*(**Tony Butka** is a veteran Eastside community activist with decades of experience in Los Angeles civic life. He has served on a neighborhood council and worked extensively within local government, bringing deep knowledge of policy, budgeting, and urban planning to his advocacy. As a regular contributor to CityWatchLA, Butka offers sharp commentary on city politics, development, and grassroots issues. His writing reflects a commitment to transparency, accountability, and amplifying the voices of historically underserved communities.)*

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