Big change at L.A. City Hall

L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is poised to announce Marcus Allen to become the city’s new CAO. Allen served as the Mayor’s Deputy Chief of Staff until last July when he left to join prominent lobbying/public affairs firm Berghoff/Englander & Associates. An African American former UCLA Track star with an MBA previously served in City Hall as Chief of Staff to Controller Laura Chick and also spent 10 years in the Chief Legislative Analyst’s Office. Respected by everyone, and feared by many, Allen brings a no-nonsense approach to running City government. He will be the first African American to hold this position and he is expected to shake up City Hall with his approach and his intellect.

Speaking of Berghoff/Englander, on Thursday night they will be co-hosting their 11th Annual Political Roast with proceeds going to the American Diabetes Association. The event has become the Annual political gathering in the region and has raised more than $5 million since its inception. Noted City Hall lobbyist Arnie Berghoff and public relations/public affairs guru Harvey Englander chose County Supervisor Gloria Molina as the target of the barbs which will be injected by Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, Councilman Herb Wesson and State Demo Party Chair Art Torres.  Molina is short, stout and mean.  Coupled with a thin skin, it should be hilarious to see who has the guts to really go after her.