The Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday rammed through a controversial $177 million tenant-rights legal services package, dramatically expanding the city’s eviction-defense system even as serious questions swirl about oversight, missing paperwork and the role of advocacy groups that have repeatedly dragged the city into court. The vote, 12–1, came after more than 90 minutes behind closed doors with the City Attorney. When the council returned to open session, members said they had been briefed on troubling issues tied to the contracts, including allegations that some organizations failed to submit receipts or provide basic reports showing how taxpayer money was spent or what results the programs actually delivered. Councilmember John Lee the only Independent on council cast the lone dissenting vote, raising concerns about the size of the deal and the lack of clear accountability tied to the funding.