Report: Former Los Angeles County AIDS director violated state law

An audit by the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services found that former Office of AIDS director Charles Henry violated state laws and created an appearance of bias by soliciting campaign contributions from county contractors for mayoral candidate Antonio Villaraigosa, who was elected mayor in May, the Los Angeles Times reports. The confidential audit, obtained by the newspaper, says Henry violated a state law prohibiting government employees from asking colleagues for campaign contributions. The audit shows Henry solicited funds from at least five AIDS groups that received county funds through his office. The audit recommends that Henry and two other employees, who were found to have lied to auditors during the investigation, be disciplined. Henry was removed from his position in May but continues to remain a county employee. His attorney says his fund-raising efforts were legal. Los Angeles County supervisor Mike Antonovich has asked county prosecutors to review the allegations against Henry to determine if criminal charges should be filed.