CLA Ron Deaton tapped for LADWP Job

Los Angeles' Chief Legislative Analyst, Ron Deaton, whom some call the most powerful man in City Hall, will be generating a new buzz as head of the beleagured Los Angeles Department of Water and Power:

After a year of leaving the DWP's leadership in limbo, Mayor James Hahn suddenly announced Thursday that he was naming Chief Legislative Analyst Ron Deaton to run the beleaguered utility. The Hahn-appointed DWP commission plans to formally appoint Deaton on Tuesday.

The agency has been hit by criminal investigations, critical financial audits, threats of lawsuits over its massive rate increase for water and controversy over how it spends millions of dollars in public funds.

Hahn's decision to nominate Deaton, who amassed enormous power as the top adviser to the City Council for more than a decade, developed over the past several months in a bid to stabilize the agency amid increasing criticism and the long-term illness of General Manager David Wiggs.

Hahn and DWP officials were concerned about the continued pummeling of the agency and what that was doing to its reputation, credibility and morale. Hahn was urged at least three months ago to consider appointing Deaton, officials said in interviews.

The move could be voted on as soon as Tuesday.