Opinion No. (2002)

BILL LOCKYER Attorney General MARJORIE E. COX Deputy Attorney General THE HONORABLE STEVE COOLEY, DISTRICT ATTORNEY, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, has requested an opinion on the following question: May public funds of a general law city or charter city be expended to reimburse city officials for their expenses in purchasing meals for third parties, such as constituents, legislators and private business owners, at meetings held to discuss legislation or other matters of benefit to the city? CONCLUSION Public funds of a general law city may not be expended to reimburse city officials for their expenses in purchasing meals for third parties, such as constituents, legislators and private business owners, at meetings held to discuss legislation or other matters of benefit to the city. If the charter so authorizes, public funds of a charter city may be expended for such purposes. ANALYSIS Recently, the Public Integrity Division of the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office has received several inquiries from members of the public concerning whether the funds of a general law city or a charter city may be used to reimburse city officials for their expenses in purchasing meals for…