City of Inglewood to Use General Fund Reserves for Ongoing Legal Fees

The Inglewood taxpayers continue to foot the bill for fraud allegations related to Mayor James Butts and the proposed Clippers arena. It is unclear why the city council continues to authorize the spending of general fund reserves, while simultaneously increasing fees for water, trash and business taxes related to rental property. It also appears that City Manager Artie Fields continues to allow his signature to be forged on certain staff reports.

This week’s agenda asks for $500,000 to be moved from the general fund reserves to fund additional contracts with Harris & Associates, for $100,000 and pay off past due invoices of $65,000. Harris & Associates typically handles employment investigations.

Olivarez Madruga Lemieux O’Neill (OMLO) will also receive $100,000 contract. Residents in nearby Lennox are crying foul over contracts for OMLO.

Related: Letter to the Editor: Will Lennox School District be Taken Over like Inglewood Unified School District

Both legal teams will join in on the multi million dollar lawsuit with Madison Square Garden (MSG) over the mayor’s documented lies surrounding his keeping the agreement with the Clippers to allegedly defraud MSG out of a parking lease.

Related: Inglewood Mayor Refused to tell the truth under oath

City Manager Artie Fields signature is either an obvious forgery or he was exhausted from having to sign such staff reports but with his nearly $400,000 annual compensation package, perhaps the thought of being a criminal co-conspirator slips his mind.

Related: Is the Inglewood City Manager’s Signature Being Forged

Here are some examples.

City Manager Artie Fields is also requesting to apply for grant funds, under SB 2 Planning Grant in the amount of $310,000 which is eerily close in the amount the city expended to pay for a home for a city employee during an emergency council meeting.

Related: Inglewood to Giveaway Homes at Today’s Special City Council Meeting

If awarded the funds, the city will use them to pay for certain CEQA related studies to update the housing element.

It is becoming more clear that the City Manager is signing documents under duress, as to not be walked out the front door, like many other city employees, including Mayor Butts former girlfriend Melanie McDade.