Vernon city atty leaves job amid salary scandal

The Associated Press

VERNON, Calif.—The Vernon city attorney is leaving his job at the end of the month amid a probe into the lavish salaries and compensation of top city officials.

The Los Angeles Times reports Monday 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, among other things.

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.