2 Workers Charged With Defrauding DWP

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Two Los Angeles Department of Water and Power employees face criminal charges stemming from a six-year scheme that defrauded the utility of millions of dollars.

LA City Controller Asked To Perform Audit of DWP's Purchasing Program In Wake Of Alleged Scandal, KNX 1070's Bill Cooper reports.

Deputy District Attorney Gary Nielsen told the Los Angeles Times Thursday that Anthony Carone and Akbar Farooni are charged with using DWP purchasing cards to buy $3 million in goods for the utility and resell them to the DWP at inflated prices through dummy companies Carone set up.

Nielsen said the men pocketed the difference from 2003 to 2009.

They were charged with four felonies: misappropriation of public funds, conflict of interest and two conspiracy counts.

Another man, Troy Holt, who allegedly sold $1.4 million worth of goods to the DWP through his company, was also charged.

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