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 – The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) quietly paid $800,000 in taxpayer and insurance funds to settle whistleblower claims alleging serious misconduct by its CEO, Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kellum—including nepotism, record destruction, and retaliation. This information comes to us from LAist, which pressured LAHSA to release the highly redacted allegations.
Two former top LAHSA officials, Kristina Dixon and Emily Vaughn Henry, filed claim letters through their attorney accusing Adams Kellum of misusing her authority by installing unqualified friends into high-level jobs, attempting to delete public records, and retaliating against staff who raised concerns. The letters say LAHSA wrongfully terminated them for refusing to stay silent.
LAHSA settled the claims in March, just before the allegations could proceed to court. Based on recent audit data, the settlement amount equals the cost to shelter up to 40 unhoused individuals for a year.
Initially, LAHSA refused to release the whistleblower letters, despite multiple legal rulings affirming public access to such complaints. Only after extensive questioning by LAist — and involvement from the county’s top legal counsel — were the redacted records disclosed. Public records experts say the redactions, including names of officials and misconduct details, likely violate state law.
The letters accuse Adams Kellum of manipulating data to shield Mayor Karen Bass’s Inside Safe homelessness initiative from criticism, deleting official emails to protect a personal associate, and engaging in unethical behavior at a Washington, D.C. conference. They also detail efforts to use public money for an open bar at a holiday party—a move internal staff rejected as inappropriate.
Despite the seriousness of the claims, LAHSA confirmed that they have not launched a formal investigation. A spokesperson denied wrongdoing and said the agency resolved the matter “based on business considerations.”
Legal experts argue the public is entitled to know the full scope of the allegations, especially when they involve taxpayer money. “The public has the right to assess whether settling these claims was a good deal,” said David Loy, legal director at the First Amendment Coalition.
Mayor Bass and LAHSA commissioner Wendy Greuel, both longtime allies of Adams Kellum, have continued to praise her leadership, even after the $800,000 payouts. Bass previously appointed Adams Kellum as a consultant on the Inside Safe program and supported her hiring as LAHSA’s CEO.
Adams Kellum has not responded to media requests. She will step down in August after the county cut LAHSA funding. U.S. District Judge David O. Carter recently criticized the agency for being “a perfect shield for political responsibility” in homelessness spending.
