Los Angeles County Assessor John Noguez informed the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors late last week that he intends to take a leave of absence from his position as County Assessor. The leave follows the call for him to step down two weeks ago from District Attorney Steve Cooley after a corruption probe against Noguez ensued.
Last year, Supervising Appraiser Owen Harris noticed a strange case: a Beverly Hills home lost millions of dollars in value by a recent appraiser. Even worse, no work backing up the lowered values was provided and more cases began to show up with the same issue; all these appraisals were done by Scott Schenter.
According to Schenter, he was directed to do this by Noguez in the hopes that by slashing the values, the beneficiaries would contribute to Noguez’s campaign. At the end of his 2010 campaign, Noguez raised some $1 million in comparison to his opponent’s measly $40,000. This accusation stirred up a firestorm of controversy and a formal investigation is under way.
Supervisor Don Knabe told media, “Over the last several weeks, the Los Angeles District Attorney has been investigating very serious allegations made against the County’s Assessor, John Noguez, and other department officials. While this investigation is underway, it is critical that stability is maintained for the Assessor’s office and operations. As such, I am pleased that Mr. Noguez is stepping aside while the DA completes this investigation.”
During the absence of the County Assessor, a Chief Deputy Assessor will be in charge. However, because the position is currently vacant, Noguez has asked the Supervisors to recommend an individual for the post. Noguez has asked the Supervisors to make that recommendation without his input. Once designated, Noguez’s leave will commence.
The full text of Noguez’s letter to the Board follows:
Dear Honorable Members of the Board:
As you know, the District Attorney’s office is investigating allegations of misconduct in the Assessor’s Office. I have consistently offered my cooperation with this investigation as well as the full cooperation of the Assessor’s Office. My interest has been, and continues to be, the health and well-being of the Office, which I am proud to have served for over twenty-seven years.
In the interest of restoring public confidence in the professionalism, integrity, and impartiality of the Assessor’s Office, I intend to take a leave of absence from my duties as Assessor. I do not take this decision lightly. Rather, I do this with the solemn hope that my leave of absence will allow the professionals at the Assessor’s Office to continue to serve the taxpayers and citizens of this County.
During this absence, the Chief Deputy Assessor will be in charge of the Office; however, that position is currently vacant. To remove any possible concerns relating to my selection of a Chief Deputy Assessor to run the Assessor’s Office in my absence, I ask that the Board of Supervisors recommend a highly qualified person to serve as Chief Deputy Assessor. I ask that the Board select that individual without my input. As soon as the Board designates that person, I will appoint him or her as Chief Deputy Assessor, and I will immediately commence my leave of absence.
During my leave of absence, the Chief Deputy Assessor will manage and oversee all of the operations of the Assessor’s Office, including all personnel decisions.
It is my sincere hope that the leave of absence will allow the Assessor’s Office to adhere to its mission during this important time. The leave will also allow me to address certain personal medical and bereavement issues.
Thank you for your consideration. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN R. NOGUEZ