LADWP Suspends Shutoffs as Payroll Data Fuels Audit Demands
The Los Angeles Board of Water and Power suspended residential shutoffs for nonpayment through 2026 following a surge in customer complaints about exorbitant utility bills. This relief measure coincides with new reporting revealing that the utility’s top five employees earned nearly $3.84 million in 2025, with overtime accounting for the majority of their compensation. While the board approved measures to prevent disconnections and improve bill transparency, it declined to immediately order an independent audit, a move criticized by residents and mayoral candidates who argue that the utility’s spending lacks accountability.