The following statement is from Compton Mayor Aja Brown on the arrest of a city employee on suspicion of embezzlement:
“On Wednesday, an employee from the City Treasurer’s Office allegedly admitted to illegally taking money from the city. The amount of money and the period of time this activity occurred are unknown at this time, but it is possible that both are extensive. The Sheriffs were notified and the employee has since been arrested.
Unfortunately, the actions of one employee can challenge the public’s trust that we strive daily to rebuild. The alleged embezzlement and theft of public funds is an egregious affront to the residents of Compton and our dedicated employees.
After learning of the potential misconduct, city officials took the appropriate action to notify law enforcement. We will fully cooperate with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office as they conduct their independent investigation. We are currently unsure of the magnitude of the alleged misconduct, however I will keep the Compton community fully abreast of the findings as they unfold.
As Mayor, I take any incidents of misconduct very seriously. I will work with my colleagues on the City Council to review current city hiring practices and internal financial controls to take the appropriate action necessary to prevent a similar situation in the future.”