Supervisor Molina endorses Nick Patsaouras for city controller

Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina this morning endorsed former DWP board President Nick Patsaouras for city controller at a downtown press conference, saying he will “maximize every penny possible for taxpayer-funded projects.”

“You will not find a more tenacious fiscal watchdog than Nick,” Molina said, citing Patsaouras’ experience on county advisory boards for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and County-USC Medical Center. Patsaouras has also overseen construction at Harbor-UCLA Hospital and the new LAPD headquarters about to open downtown.

"Nick has a proven track record of scrutinizing large-scale projects," Molina said.

The two developed a mutual respect when Patsaouras served on the MTA board, and they believe in the same causes, they said.

Patsaouras called the supervisor’s endorsement “an important vote of confidence” and promised “to ensure that public money is spent honestly, efficiently, effectively, transparently and with accountability.”

Patsaouras, an electrical engineer and developer, lives in the San Fernando Valley. He is challenging two-term Los Angeles City Councilwoman Wendy Greuel and business owner Kathleen “Suzy” Evans in the March 3 election. They are vying to replace City Controller Laura Chick, who will be forced out after eight years by term limits June 30.

Patsaouras has also been endorsed by Supervisor Michael Antonovich and former Supervisor Yvonne B. Burke.

-- Molly Hennessy-Fiske