Consultant contract for ex-aide

After leaving the Mayor's Office to start his own firm and partner with two lobbyists in a public- affairs consulting venture, Marcus Allen is returning to the city to serve as Controller Laura Chick's special consultant. Kerry Cavanaugh in the Daily News.

Chick has offered Allen a one-year contract for up to $85,000 to advise her on auditing plans and how to improve audits.

Allen was Chick's chief deputy before becoming Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's deputy mayor.

"Marcus Allen is one of the brightest and most experienced minds in Los Angeles city government," Chick said. "His work for the mayor (chief legislative analyst) and controller gives him a wealth of knowledge that will be put to good use not only for myself and city government as a whole, but also for the taxpayers of Los Angeles."