Controller auditing Los Angeles Coliseum books

The district attorney's office is already conducting a criminal investigation into the finances of the Coliseum's governing commission, a joint authority of the state and the city and county.

City Controller Wendy Greuel was ready to launch an audit in July, but criminal probe investigators feared it would hinder their investigation.

The two agencies have since found a way to cooperate. Gruel's auditors will examine the Coliseum's overall finances and the district attorney's investigators will focus on possible criminal actions by former or current Coliseum managers.

Records show two private firms set up by a former Coliseum events manager collected at least $1.8 million from rave concert promoters and other companies that did business at the stadium and companion Sports Arena, the Los Angeles Times reported.

A second manager directed Coliseum business to a firm he founded, according to stadium invoices and interviews. At the same time, the money-losing Coliseum spent thousands of dollars on luxury cars and other perks for managers.