City of Los Angeles Seal
An Official Website of
the City of L.A.
City ServicesCity Directory

FWA ANNUAL REPORT

2024 Annual Report of the City Controller’s Fraud, Waste, & Abuse Unit

The Office of the City Controller’s Fraud, Waste, and Abuse (FWA) Unit was established to identify and stop losses of City resources and to act as a deterrent to fraud, waste, and abuse in City government.

2024 HIGHLIGHTS

  • 708 cases received, up 61% from 441 cases in 2023
  • 26 investigations were completed — 4 were substantiated and 22 were unsubstantiated
  • The 61% spike in cases received mainly related to matters outside FWA's jurisdiction, e.g., personal financial fraud
  • For the entire City of LA (40+ departments and 40,000+ employees), we only have 5 FWA investigators
Bar chart showing FWA cases received from 2014 to 2024.

CASES RECEIVED BY
FRAUD, WASTE, ABUSE UNIT
(2014–2024)

    CASE EXAMPLE

    A traffic officer was investigated for allegations of issuing fraudulent $93 red zone parking citations to vehicles parked at curbs that were not painted red. The investigation found the officer issued 163 citations that were unenforceable — either for curbs not clearly painted red or issued at incorrect locations.

    The total amount recovered for motorists was $22,571 through refunds and cancellation of unpaid citations.

    A public report detailing the findings and recommendations was released in May 2025:
    bit.ly/fwa-redcurb

    These vehicles ALL got parking tickets for red curb zones.

    Red curb citation example

    We didn’t think so either – and we got the City to refund $22,571 for these kinds of tickets.

    REPORT:

    • Waste
    • Theft
    • Fraud

    LA City Controller's Fraud Hotline:

    FWA corgi mascot

    Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Reports may be made discretely and anonymously.