Salary Scandal Forces Out Vernon City Attorney

VERNON (CBS/AP) — An attorney for the city of Vernon will resign at the end of October amid a probe into the lavish salaries and compensation of top city officials.

The Los Angeles Times reports that City Attorney Laurence S. Wiener is leaving office as the state attorney general and Los Angeles County prosecutor dig into reports that some Vernon
officials were paid more than $1 million a year.

Neither Wiener nor City Administrator Mark C. Whitworth would explain his departure to the Times.

Vernon officials had previously praised Wiener's efforts toward greater transparency.

During Wiener's time as city attorney, Vernon eliminated a salary structure that had allowed top officials to bill for overtime, which is unusual for salaried workers, particularly in the public sector.

The city of Vernon, which has smallest population of any incorporated city in Southern California, is located approximately three miles south of downtown Los Angeles.

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