L.A.’s Interim City Clerk Named to Permanent Post

Mayor Richard Riordan has named J. Michael Carey as city clerk, a position he has held on an interim basis since Elias “Lee” Martinez retired from the post last year.

For the past 12 years Carey served as executive officer of the city clerk’s office, managing the day-to-day operations.

The appointment is subject to confirmation by the City Council. The office employs 400 workers and is responsible for keeping records for the city, overseeing all city elections and collecting all business taxes.

Carey has worked for the city since 1970, holding several positions with the offices of the city administrative officer, the chief legislative analyst and the city clerk. His father worked as a steam plant operating foremen at the Department of Water and Power and his grandfather was a senior city engineer in the harbor district.