The Los Angeles Ethics Commission Tuesday fined a former city employee $100,795, saying he acted as the city plumbing inspector for a Hollywood development while also serving as a plumbing subcontractor on the project.
According to the commission, Eugene Day worked in the Department of Building and Safety as the city plumbing inspector for a “large construction project” at 6500 Selma Ave.
“At the same time, Day’s company, All Day Plumbing, was the plumbing subcontractor for the Selma Avenue project,” according to a commission report. “As a result, Day was inspecting and approving his own company’s plumbing work on that project.”
In a letter to the commission, Day apologized for his actions and said he hoped he wouldn’t be further penalized, because he had already “lost so much.” He also said he did not do any work at the Selma Avenue project and never personally received any money from the development.
The commission found that Day did not seek or obtain written approval from his general manager to perform work outside his employment.
“This decision confirms that city officials taking advantage of their positions for private gain will not be tolerated,” said Ethics Commission President Melinda Murray. “The Ethics Commission will continue to take a strong stand against conduct that threatens the public’s trust in the integrity of city government.”