Summary: Traffic Paint Sign Poster

Findings:

There is sufficient evidence to conclude that Traffic Paint Sign Poster (TPSP) I Christopher Torres failed to disclose an existing close personal association on his Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) “Close Personal Association Notification” form.

Complaint:

On Friday, September 9, 2016, the Department of Transportation received a complaint alleging an existing close personal association between Mr. Torres and Acting Division Manager, Traffic Mark/Sign Superintendent III, Manuel Viramontes. The allegation alleged that Mr. Torres was Mr. Viramontes’ stepson or nephew.

Background:

 On December 5, 2014, Mr. Torres was interviewed for Traffic Post and Sign Painter positions. When Mr. Torres arrived for his interview
Viramontes submitted a Close Personal Association Notification form listing Christopher Torres as his “Wife’s nephew.” (Attachment 4)

Investigation:

Christopher Torres, Traffic Paint Sign Poster I: On October 18, 2016, Mr. Torres was interviewed regarding the aforementioned complaint. He was not aware of the complaint alleging a close personal association between him and Mr. Manuel Viramontes prior to his interview.

Mr. Torres was questioned about a possible relationship with Mr. Viramontes based on information contained on a subsequent Close Personal Association Notification form he had completed on September 9, 2016, which identifies Manuel Viramontes as being married to his Aunt. This form contained information not contained on Torres’ original Close Personal Association Notification which he submitted on December 5, 2014 when he interviewed for his current position at LADOT.

When Torres was asked how long Viramontes had been married to his aunt, he replied, “20 plus years.” He confirmed that Viramontes is still married to his aunt. When questioned if he had ever lived with Viramontes or his family, Torres replied he had for a short while, although several years ago. He also indicated that he would see Viramontes occasionally throughout the year. When pressed for more specificity, he agreed to the statement “Was it only at holidays, say family get-togethers to celebrate special occasions?” as being
None was provided.

Caryl Miller, Senior Personnel Analyst I: Senior Personnel Analyst I Caryl Miller was interviewed to obtain information and insight about the interview processes in place in HR at the time of the Torres interview. Ms. Miller has been a Senior Personnel Analyst I with LADOT for approximately 15 years and was the HR analyst who signed off on the selection package from which Mr. Torres was hired. In the past 15 years, Ms. Miller observed various minor process changes with regard to the overseeing the interview portion of selection