A former high-ranking Los Angeles Building and Safety official who claimed he was fired after alleging fraudulent billing and other wrongdoing will receive a $3-million settlement from the city.

Steve Ongele had sued the city, alleging whistleblower retaliation after he was terminated from his job in 2019. For the prior six years, he had raised concerns about allegedly illegal and unethical practices at the Department of Building and Safety, according to the lawsuit.

In response, city officials repeatedly scaled back his duties and ultimately fired him, the suit claims.

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The City Council voted 12 to 0 on Wednesday to approve the $3-million settlement. Councilmembers Monica Rodriguez, Kevin de León and Curren Price were absent.

California

Former L.A. building official alleges he was ousted after blowing whistle on fraud

July 3, 2020

Ongele’s attorney, Greg Smith, declined to comment. A representative for City Atty. Hydee Feldstein Soto didn’t immediately provide comment.

The $3-million settlement follows a string of scandals at the Department of Building and Safety. A onetime building inspector was sentenced to 2 years in prison in 2014 following a federal investigation into bribe-taking.

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In 2018, several employees in the department’s technology services bureau resigned amid an internal investigation into unauthorized purchases and falsified invoices. That investigation also revealed that some employees were subjected to unusual forms of...

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