Law professor appointed to Mayor's ethics commission

Robert Saltzman, associate dean of USC Gould School of Law, has been appointed to the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

As one of five commissioners, Saltzman is charged with administering and enforcing the laws on governmental ethics, campaign finance and lobbyist activities.

The commissioners also are responsible for overseeing mandated programs, introducing new ethics reforms, conducting investigations, auditing campaigns, summarizing disclosure reports, providing advice about the law, and meeting with community groups.

“I am honored that Mayor Villaraigosa has chosen me to help him in his efforts to enforce strict ethical standards for those in his administration,” said Saltzman. “I look forward to the challenges ahead.”

Villaraigosa said Saltzman brings solid credentials and decades of experience to the appointment. His “experience and judgment will undoubtedly serve our city well as we work to restore public trust and ensure greater fiscal accountability," Villaraigosa said.

Saltzman has a rich background in both government and academics. He has been on faculty at the USC Law for 17 years, specializing in legislation, the political process, and legal and professional ethics. As associate dean, he oversees the academic support program.

In the 1980s, before joining USC Law, Saltzman served as special counsel to the director of health services of Los Angeles County and as senior deputy to then-Los Angeles County Supervisor Edmund D. Edelman. In 1987, he took a job as director of AIDS programs for Los Angeles County.

Saltzman will continue in his teaching and associated deanship roles at the USC Law. Matthew Spitzer, dean of USC Law, said Saltzman is a gifted scholar and a well-respected practitioner.

“Rob will bring his experience both in law and in government to this important position,” Spitzer says. “We are honored that Mayor Villaraigosa recognized one of our top faculty for this role.”