Harold Hicks, who is homeless, rests at the Barton Springs Pool spillway on Tuesday April 30, 2024, with his only remaining belongings - a bicycle, blankets and two backpacks - the day after a police officer took almost all of his belongings.
Los Angeles, California – Officials at the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) are facing scrutiny for refusing to release public records related to allegations of significant wrongdoing that led to $800,000 in taxpayer-funded settlements. LAist, a local news outlet, has been denied access to documents detailing wrongful termination and whistleblower retaliation claims filed by two former executives who departed the agency in 2024.
The two executives are Kristina Dixon, former chief financial and administration officer, and Emily Vaughn Henry, former data and IT director. Their terminations occurred during Va Lecia Adams Kellum’s first year as LAHSA’s chief executive. LAist initiated its request for these public records over a month ago, following an agenda item at LAHSA’s March 11 governing commission meeting that indicated the claims would be discussed. Meeting minutes subsequently revealed that the commission had settled the claims and stated that information would be “available upon request.”
However, LAHSA has since declined to provide LAist with the claims documents outlining the allegations. This decision is being challenged by public records attorneys who assert that withholding these records is a clear violation of the California Public Records Act. David Loy, a public records attorney at the First Amendment Coalition, stated that courts have consistently ruled that such records must be disclosed to the public. He emphasized that the fact that settlements were reached and taxpayer money was used further strengthens the public’s right to access this information. Loy described LAHSA officials’ refusal as “unlawful,” asserting that the records “clearly should be available to the public.”
Kelly Aviles, another public records attorney, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of transparency in such matters. “Imagine if it were otherwise,” Aviles said. “Just imagine, employees could make allegations and claims about wrongdoing by an agency…and an agency could pay out hundreds of thousands of dollars — sometimes even millions of dollars — and nobody would ever know why?” She stressed that this scenario directly contradicts the intent and established legal interpretations of the Public Records Act.
Despite initially withholding the claims documents, LAHSA ultimately released the settlement agreements to LAist after multiple requests. These agreements, which took effect last month, show that LAHSA agreed to pay Dixon $450,000 and Vaughn Henry $350,000 to resolve their claims. While the agreements list the categories of allegations, they do not provide specific details.
According to the settlement agreements, Dixon alleged whistleblower retaliation, wrongful termination, defamation, libel, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Vaughn Henry’s agreement states she alleged race, gender, and age discrimination, harassment, failure to prevent harassment, whistleblower retaliation, wrongful termination, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
The settlement agreements explicitly state that LAHSA does not admit to any wrongdoing. They also include non-disparagement clauses that prevent Dixon and Vaughn Henry from making false and disparaging remarks about the agency. The ongoing refusal to release the underlying claims documents, however, continues to raise questions about transparency and accountability at the public agency, which is funded by Los Angeles city and county tax dollars and overseen by a commission that includes Mayor Karen Bass and other appointed officials.
