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The Los Angeles County Assessor, A Commonly Overlooked Role

Benjamin Dunn |
October 14, 2014 | 12:02 a.m. PDT

Web Producer/Staff Photographer

Prang (left) and Morris (right) are competing for one of the most crucial county posts. (Jeffrey Prang For Assessor 2014, John Morris for Assessor 2014)
Prang (left) and Morris (right) are competing for one of the most crucial county posts. (Jeffrey Prang For Assessor 2014, John Morris for Assessor 2014)
On Nov. 4, California voters will head to the polling stations in hopes of shaping what the future of their government looks like. And while officials such as the county supervisors and sheriffs are important, there is one commonly overlooked position: the county assessor. 

The assessor is responsible for establishing the taxable value of over 2.6 million parcels of land in Los Angeles County, whether it’s a small farm in the lower Central Valley or a city block in the financial district; in 2012, that value was over $1 trillion. He or she not only has a direct influence on how much each property is worth, but also in how much tax revenue the county receives. 

The current assessor, John Noguez, is under investigation for conspiracy, bribery and corruption. Noguez allegedly accepted bribes totaling around $180,000 from wealthy property owners and political allies in exchange for tax breaks on their property. 

In the wake of this scandal, which cost the county at least $1.16 million in tax revenue, two candidates are vying for control of the office. Jeffrey Prang, a West Hollywood city councilman and special assistant in the assessor’s office believes his skills as a public administrator and experience at the assessor’s office make him the best candidate. 

“My record as a public servant demonstrates I am a confident and professional administrator with a lot of integrity,” he said.

John Morris on the other hand, is a seasoned prosecutor in the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office and has campaigned on a promise to “clean up” the assessor’s office. If elected, he plans on establishing a policy that forfeits the assessor’s pay and benefits if he is found unfit to fulfill his job or convicted of a crime.

"A fish rots from its head. The problem is the leadership," Morris said earlier this year.

SEE ALSO: 7 Things You Need To Know About The California State Controller Race

If elected, Morris plans on posting annual audits of the office online and installing a hotline so residents can quickly report suspected incidents of fraud. He hopes these measures will increase transparency and reaffirm public trust in the office.

Despite the charges against him, Noguez was able to take a leave from office and he still receives his $200,000 annual salary, which comes from county taxpayers. Prang and other members in the assessor’s office helped organize this arrangement, which has drawn harsh criticism. 

Morris calls it “the good old boys network, where they all try to help one another even if there’s corruption going on.”

Some are worried that Prang may have too many insider ties to Noguez since he worked as a special deputy under his administration. While there is no evidence that Prang was directly involved with the Noguez scandal, Morris believes Prang is “just a continuation of John Noguez, the policies and crimes that he committed.”  

SEE ALSO: Supporters Of Proposition 45 Have A Message For Blue Shield Of California 

However, Prang argues his work in the assessor’s office has given him a unique perspective and unrivaled knowledge regarding the inner workings of the office.  

“This is probably the most important credential that anyone can have running for the office,” he said.

Prang was part of the reform committee with the assessor’s office that reestablished policies to prevent further scandals. These included affirming the need for more managerial oversight and checks on those inputting land and tax data at the office. He plans on expanding these practices if he wins the assessor seat.

“The work that I’ve done in the two and half years to restore integrity to that office and set a solid course for better operations is probably the best testament there is.”

Morris believes that an outsider would do a better job though. 

“The important thing is that we have honesty and leadership in that office. We have to make sure this kind of crime and corruption never happens again.”

While the two do not agree on who is the best fit for the office, they both say the assessor’s office is in desperate need for new information storage. According to Morris, the current systems were installed in the 1970s and are in desperate need of an overhaul.

Here’s a breakdown of each candidate: 

John Morris
  • Argues that an outsider is needed to “cleanse” out the assessor’s office and prevent further corruption.
  • Criminal prosecutor who has worked for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office since 1990. Currently serves as the head of the Head Deputy at the Antelope Valley Branch.
  • Spent nine years at the District Attorney’s Hardcore Gang Division where he prosecuted gang murders. Also worked with other crimes such as robbery, assault and drug dealing. 
  • Spent four years as an attorney at real estate law firms including Thorpe and Thorpe, APC. 
  • Studied law at Loyola Law School, graduated with the Am Jur Award in Advanced Trial Advocacy.
  • Spends free time coaching children’s basketball and soccer teams. Also helps educate children about the law.
Jeffrey Prang
  • Believes his two years at the assessor’s office have given him the experience to serve as the next assessor.
  • Calls himself an “outsider” and an “insider” since he’s worked in other public administrative roles before. 
  • Served as West Hollywood mayor in four, inconsecutive one-year terms. Currently is a West Hollywood councilmember and a special assistant at the assessor’s office.
  • Worked on reform committee that helped remove Noguez from his post. 
  • During his time in West Hollywood, he focused on improving animal welfare, quality of living and economic development.
  • Attended Michigan State University where he received his B.A. in international relations. 
  • Secured 18% of the vote compared to Morris’ 16% in a primary election earlier this year.

Reach Web Producer/Staff Photographer Benjamin Dunn here.



 

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