Annual Report - Chief Executive Office - Los Angeles County

County of Los Angeles Annual Report 2006-2007
Consumer Affairs
The Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) provides consumer protection,
counseling, complaint investigation, and mediation services to consumers and businesses
in Los Angeles County through advocacy, empowerment and education. Staff investigates
and mediates complaints of unethical and deceptive business practices between
consumers and merchants. The department also conducts special investigations that are
presented to prosecuting agencies for civil and criminal prosecution. DCA serves as the
central reporting agency for real estate fraud and works closely with private industry
groups, government agencies, and law enforcement agencies to detect and investigate
real estate fraud.
The Small Claims Advisor Program helps litigants prepare and present their cases in
Small Claims Court. The Dispute Settlement Service program provides mediation services
to consumers, businesses, and neighbors to resolve disputes informally and divert cases
from the courts. DCA’s Adult Protective Services program provides consumer protection
and holds educational forums for at-risk senior citizens. The department’s Volunteer and
Internship Program enhances consumer services and provides meaningful volunteer and
internship opportunities for students and community members. DCA’s Public Outreach
section educates consumers and businesses through print publications, Internet
resources, and community events. The department administers seven self-help legal
access centers that operate at the Van Nuys, Inglewood, Pomona, Antelope Valley, Long
Beach, San Fernando, and Santa Monica courthouses.
Major Accomplishments 2005-2006
Named “Agency of the Year” by the National Association of Consumer Agency
Administrators and received awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo)
and the Quality and Productivity Commission recognizing the success of the
JusticeCorps (AmeriCorps) program and the department’s Plain Language Initiative.
Developed and distributed an identity theft protection brochure to County employees
and consumers.
Secured more than $39 million in restitutions for County residents through consumer
protection and real estate fraud investigations.
Investigated fraudulent payday lenders that had been victimizing consumers and
assisted prosecuting agencies in filing a $2 million lawsuit against one lender.
Utilized volunteers and interns for consumer counseling and mediation services, which
provided services valued at more than $475,000.
Counseled more than 160,000 small claims litigants through the Small Claims Advisor
Program.
Launched new website with a more user-friendly design and enhanced online
consumer information and resources.
Major Objectives 2006-2007
Provide more online information and enhanced services for consumers.
Create new identity theft unit to identify trends in consumer fraud and develop methods
for consumers to protect themselves.
Expand the Small Claims Advisory Program to provide more assistance at branch
offices, using increased revenue from court filing fees.
Translate consumer information brochures into Spanish to increase the public’s
accessibility to consumer information.
Implement staff training initiative to ensure that staff members continue to be national
leaders in the area of consumer protection.
Enhance the department’s Performance Counts! measures to develop new methods of
evaluating the impact of various programs and measuring their success.
General Government Services
Pastor Herrera, Jr.,
Director
(Appointed 03/19/91)
Fiscal Year 2006-2007 Budget
Gross Total
Less Intrafund
$6,547,000
Transfer $430,000
Net Total $6,117,000
Revenue $1,756,000
Net County Cost $4,361,000
Positions 54.0
Department participates in
Take Our Daughters and Sons
to Work Day.
Director Pastor Herrera, Jr., and
Chief Deputy Director Tim Bissell
motivate staff and volunteers at a
staff training event.
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