Arvin Council Approves State Bar Complaint Over Billing

Arvin’s City Council voted 4-0, with one member abstaining, to submit a complaint to the California State Bar about former interim city attorney Nathan Hodges. A city-hired audit found more than $78,000 in alleged overbilling across 47 invoices, citing issues including incorrect rates, failure to apply the city’s retainer and unclear billing records; the city is also seeking to recover the money. The complaint follows a Kern County grand jury review that flagged billing discrepancies and noted that city officials, including the mayor who signed invoices, had oversight responsibilities. The council debate also exposed disagreements among members over who supported Hodges and how his invoices were reviewed. The State Bar will determine whether further action is warranted.