MacDonald Leaving As Head of FilmLA

Steve MacDonald, who stepped in after an embezzlement scandal to head the not for profit on-location permitting agency for the city and county of Los Angeles, will leave as president next month. MacDonald leaves FilmLA Inc. for a position with Strategic Development Solutions, a firm creating business and investment strategies in low-income communities. MacDonald became president of the Entertainment Industry Development Corp. in April 2004 and initiated accounting and governance reforms to set the company on solid financial footing. The EIDC changed its name to FilmLA in 2005. The agency, which coordinates on-location filming for feature films, television and commercials, had been struck by scandal when its former president Cody Cluff was charged with embezzling more than $150,000. Cluff later pleaded no contest to the charge and was sentenced to three years probation in 2004. The FilmLA executive committee have met to discuss an interim plan and to form a search committee for a replacement.