Former Vernon Administrator Admits To Hiring Wife For City Contract

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A former official of the city of Vernon has been sentenced to probation after pleading guilty to a conflict-of-interest charge for hiring his wife to work for the small industrial Los Angeles suburb.

Donal O'Callaghan entered his plea Friday and was immediately sentenced by Superior Court Judge Craig Veals, who also ordered the defendant to perform 200 hours of community service.

Prosecutors said the 55-year-old O'Callaghan secured a city contract for his wife in 2009.

His wife, Kimberly McBride, no longer works for Vernon.

O'Callaghan was director of the city's Light and Power department at the time. He eventually became city administrator.

The tiny city of Vernon, which is home to less than 100 residents, has been plagued by scandal and is at the center of a disincorporation effort by state Assembly Speaker John Perez.

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