At this point, you almost have to wonder: what is going on in Los Angeles? Is it the water? The ocean breeze? Or just decades of Democrat leadership rotting the place from the inside out? The City of Angels has transformed into the City of Endless Scandals — fires erupting while the mayor vacations in Ghana (because apparently Los Angeles doesn’t have enough problems at home), homeless encampments swallowing entire neighborhoods, crime exploding… and now, yet another massive fraud scheme.

This time, 11 more Los Angeles County employees have been charged with felony grand theft for brazenly stealing unemployment benefits during the COVID era — all while holding full-time county jobs. Because nothing says “public service” like double-dipping into taxpayer funds during a national crisis.

And this isn’t even the first wave.
Back in October, 13 other county employees were charged with similar crimes. Altogether, prosecutors say 24 employees scammed a combined $741,518 from 2020 to 2023. That’s nearly three-quarters of a million dollars stolen from the public — all by people who were supposed to serve it.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman says he’s going after them aggressively, declaring that his office will continue “relentlessly rooting out fraud and prosecuting government employees who steal from the public they serve.” Great. Truly. But maybe — just maybe — the DA could show that same level of energy toward prosecuting smash-and-grab mobs or the geniuses organizing illegal street takeovers? Just a thought.

Some of the accused roles stand out like neon signs:

• Elizabeth Jacinto, a Public Social Service eligibility worker, allegedly pocketed $11,700.
  Yes, someone responsible for determining who qualifies for public assistance… helping herself to public assistance. If that doesn't scream “audit everything she’s touched,” nothing does.

• Terry Beasely II, a Probation Department detention services officer, is also accused. That’s right — someone tasked with supervising criminals may have been committing crimes himself. What a shining example for the community.

These people were placed in positions of trust by taxpayers. And if they’re convicted, they didn’t just betray that trust — they brazenly spat on it. They showed themselves to be nothing more than parasites feeding off the system they were supposed to uphold.

But here’s the silver lining: at least someone is finally being held accountable in Los Angeles. And with enough pressure, maybe — just maybe — the city can start clawing its way back to the greatness it once knew.