The Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday approved a candidate for a spot on the Ethics Commission, following several weeks of intense public scrutiny over how the council handles nominees to the city panel.

The council voted 10-2 to approve Alex Johnson, vice president at Bryson Gillette, a consulting firm that has also done campaign work. The company has handled more than $2 million worth of work for various campaigns since May 2020, according to city records.

In his remarks before the vote, Johnson appeared to highlight public distrust of City Hall, which has been rocked by a series of recent corruption scandals.

“I do not take this nomination lightly,” Johnson said. “I fully recognize the inflection point we are in, the gravity of this moment and the unique and critical role the Ethics Committee plays in ensuring accountability and transparency.

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and trust in government.”

The city commission proposes policies and issues sanctions for campaign finance violations, among other things. The five-member panel, whose members are nominated by city officials, has not been able to meet because it does not have enough commissioners.

Johnson’s nomination, put forward by Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson, was closely watched at City Hall after the City Council torpedoed the city comptroller last month. Kenneth Mejia’s appointment to the city’s ethics commission.

The council voted to censure Reseda Neighborhood Council member Jamie York but did not engage in discussion during the vote, leading to a backlash.

Some councilors later said they were concerned about York’s fundraising background. Some also said they didn’t know enough about York and their opinions.

Wednesday’s hearing on Johnson was markedly different from the vote on York, with several council members asking questions of the candidate. That’s why Johnson was called before the council to answer questions.

Councilwoman Imelda Padilla praised Johnson’s background, which includes work at the California Wellness Foundation, Californians for Safety and Justice and Childrens Defense Fund-California.

“So it’s an extensive resume,” Padilla said, adding that she appreciated Johnson meeting privately with council members before the vote.

Councilman Curren Price, who is fighting criminal charges related to health insurance payments and votes he cast

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in council, also voted for Johnson.

He asked Johnson to reassure those who might have doubts about Johnson’s ability to carry out his committee work with “integrity” and “seriously.”

Council members Tim McOsker and Nithya Raman voted against Johnson’s appointment, with McOsker citing Johnson’s work at the consulting and campaign firm.

“I worry about perception, public perception in a role where public perception is probably the biggest concern,” McOsker said.

Some speakers at Wednesday’s meeting also raised concerns about potential conflicts Johnson could face in his role as commissioner.

Rob Quan, an organizer with Unrig LA, a City Hall watchdog group, said at Wednesday’s meeting that it is his opinion

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that a commissioner with some campaign experience is “really important.”

But he questioned whether Johnson would vote in the public’s best interests.

“We have to be realistic. No matter what firewalls you put in place, it is difficult for an employee to knowingly vote against the easily decipherable interests of their employer,” Quan said.