Former Traffic Officer Charged With Misuse of Position
The Los Angeles City Ethics Commission accused Heloise Mitchell of using paid leave while working a second job.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Corruption
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The Los Angeles City Ethics Commission has officially charged Heloise Mitchell with one count of misusing her government position. Mitchell allegedly collected paid leave from the city while simultaneously working for the U.S. Postal Service.
Why it matters
Ethics charges serve to hold public employees accountable for the integrity of their city roles. These accusations highlight the oversight processes used to monitor how municipal staff utilize benefits while employed elsewhere.
The Los Angeles City Ethics Commission filed one count of misusing a city position against Mitchell on September 30, 2026. The officer faces a potential penalty of $5,000 or three times the amount of money improperly received.
The players
Heloise Mitchell
She is a former traffic officer for the Los Angeles Department of Transportation who faces ethics charges.
Los Angeles City Ethics Commission
This agency is responsible for investigating and prosecuting allegations of misconduct by city employees.
Los Angeles Department of Transportation
This department manages traffic and transportation infrastructure for the city of Los Angeles.
U.S. Postal Service
This federal agency is the national mail delivery service for the United States.
Civil Service Commission
This body oversees personnel matters and employment appeals within the city government.
The details
Mitchell, who served at the Los Angeles Department of Transportation from 2019 to 2023, is accused of using city sick leave and other paid time off 45 times to cover shifts at the U.S. Postal Service. Authorities allege that she falsified documentation to justify her absences while drawing pay from the city.
Timeline
2013: Heloise Mitchell began working for the Postal Service.
October 2019: Mitchell began her employment at the Los Angeles Department of Transportation.
August 2021 to May 2022: Mitchell allegedly misused sick leave 45 times.
March 2023: Mitchell was fired from the Los Angeles Department of Transportation.
December 2025: The Civil Service Commission upheld the termination of Mitchell.
Legal Context
This case follows a documented trend of municipal investigations into the potential abuse of the Family and Medical Leave Act by public employees. The proceedings highlight how oversight bodies monitor the intersection of dual employment and government leave policies.
The charges highlight how city agencies monitor the use of taxpayer-funded benefits by employees. Residents can expect continued scrutiny of internal leave documentation to prevent the misuse of municipal resources.
The takeaway
Maintaining clear separation between dual employment and government-provided leave is a core expectation for public service. Employees must ensure all documentation for absences is accurate to avoid legal repercussions and potential fines.
What happens next
A hearing officer will be selected to review the ethics allegations against Mitchell.
Further reading
Learn more about local oversight in our Los Angeles Corruption section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KTLA 5.
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