Month: May 2021

Judge Shuts Down Gascon “Special Prosecutor” – Will DA Double Dipping Dugdale’s L.A. Metro Criminal Warrants Join the Party?

Last week, D.A. George Gascon’s newly appointed Special Prosecutor, Lawrence Middleton, got an old-school legal schooling by the presiding judge in a criminal case where Middleton appeared to represent his client, the defendant.

On May 26th, 2021, the Honorable David J. Fields, informed Middleton his appearance in the criminal case, given his new relationship with the District Attorney’s office, is “prohibited by law” and “presents an appearance of impropriety and that the dual representation as it relates to his Special Prosecutor position is precluded by law”.

A big double-dipping no-no.

Attorney Lawrence Middleton

Middleton’s strategically created position with the D.A.’s office, specifically to prosecute police officers, was designed to appeal the pro-law enforcement defunding voter base. However, a large portion of that base, are also victims of violent crime and have since abandoned him because of his pro-criminals-anti-victims-rights directives.

It seems that Gascon forgot, victims of violent crime, if given a choice, will pick a side when it comes to seeking justice.

Recently, Gascon proved that while he is focusing special attention on members of law enforcement, in the end, those police officers will get the same pro-criminal treatment – including drastically reduced sentences, or no sentencing at all. Additionally, Gascon showed voters he is willing to go the extra mile to push his directives, including filing a brief in Appellate court in support of an appeal filed by a former Torrance Police Officer.

This highly controversial move by the D.A. appointing Middleton a Special Prosecutor, was also put in place to bypass his own Deputy District Attorneys who are suing him in court for … refusing to follow the law.

The lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, aims to end his mandate to stop seeking prior felony conviction enhancements — including for gun possession, gang membership and violating the “three strikes” law — that lengthen sentences when suspects are convicted. The ADDA argues in the lawsuit that deputy district attorneys cannot follow the directives without violating state penal code.

“The directives violate California law, which imposes a mandatory duty on prosecutors to plead and prove strike priors,” the union said in a statement. “Dismissals of those priors can only be based on individual circumstances, not a blanket policy.”

Veteran Child Prosecutor Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Hatami, the first to come out against his boss on December 15th, 2021, made this statement in support of Judge Field’s ruling:

“Months ago, the L.A. D.A. said hiring a defense attorney to prosecute only police officers would “promote public confidence” in the criminal justice system.

Yesterday – the Court said WRONG! It would “erode public confidence in the legal system.” This is what happens when a person with absolutely no prosecutorial experience becomes the D.A.

Reforms don’t mean the mass release of criminals, not following the law, or operating without transparency. The DA’s job is to follow the law. Not pick and chose which laws to follow. The DA’s job is to protect our communities and make them safer. Not release as many inmates as he can.”

“You cannot be a prosecutor and a defense attorney at the same time.” Hatami continued. ” Any experienced D.A. would know this. Also, giving someone $1.5 million dollars to do a job where we already have prosecutors assigned to do that same job is a slap in the face to all the hardworking Angelenos who are struggling during this pandemic. This whole thing lacks complete transparency and is not right.”

DUGDALE’S DOUBLE DIP DILEMMA

I’m not one to police the guacamole but, I’m pretty sure all this double-dipping at the D.A.’s office started back in February – and at least one month before the Board of Supervisors approved the funding for the Special Prosecutor’s position on March 23rd.

Robert Dugdale, who has been representing Gascon in the civil suit against the Deputy District Attorneys since last December and appeared in court on behalf of Gascon on Tuesday May 25th in that case, is also representing L.A. Metro in the motion to quash the criminal warrants case served on L.A. Metro, Supervisor Sheila Kuehl and Chair of the Citizen’s Oversight Committee and Peace Over Violence CEO, Patti Giggans, on February 19th.

Pretty spicy stuff, huh?

As reported by ABC7 Los Angeles.

And the chronology of this double-dipping has a definite corruption sounding crunch to it, so grab a few Doritos and dig in…

December 2020: District Attorney Gascon is sworn in on December 7th, three weeks later is sued by his Deputy District Attorneys and hires attorney Robert Dugdale to represent him in the civil suit with the Association of Deputy District Attorneys.

February 2020: Attorney Dugdale, is hired by L.A. Metro to quash the warrants in a criminal case against his own client, D.A. Gascon’s office. The highly charged political case also includes a member of the Board of Supervisors, Sheila Kuehl (and her BFF, Citizen’s Oversight Commission chair Patti Giggans) who approved the funding for the Special Prosecutors position at the request of DA Gascon. The warrants were signed on February 19th.

February 27th, 2021: The D.A. Gascon official recall is launched in front of the Hall of Justice.

March 2021: L.A. Metro warrants were revised and re-served on March 3rd.

March 23rd: D.A. Gascon, steps up his strategy by going to the Board of Supervisors and asks them for $1.5 million to fund a Special Prosecutor to prosecute police officers – sending a message to his voters, specifically the groups pro-defunding of law enforcement – while also delivering a clear message to his own deputy district attorneys (who’re suing him for not following the law and intimidating them to do the same).

May 2021: After successfully funding the Special Prosecutor position (again, specifically to *prosecute cops*), DA Gascon, files a brief in support of an appeal filed by the defendant, a former Torrance police officer, after the judge refused to dismiss firearms enhancements and allegations.

In layman’s terms, Gascon proved this case was about his agenda and pushing for his directives. Not prosecuting police officers.

On May 26th, Middleton appears in court after his appointment as Special Prosecutor for the D.A.’s office and the Judge in the case promptly informed him it is “unlawful” to play both sides of the fence. You’re either a Defense attorney or Prosecutor. You can’t be both. Pick a side.

HOLY GUACAMOLE

For more than two years, the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department and the LA County District Attorney’s Office has been reviewing criminal allegations against LA Metro CEO, Phillip Washington, for public corruption with various political leaders in Los Angeles including LA Mayor Eric Garcetti, LA County Supervisor Shiela Kuehl and LA City Councilman Gill Cedillo (who according to Law Enforcement officials was arrested last year by the FBI in connection with the Huizar and Englander Pay-to-Play arrests).

Given embattled Sheriff Alex Villanueva’s on-going beef with the Board of Supervisors, he recused himself from the investigation, with the intention of leaving no room for accusations of improprieties on his part.

However, you know how it goes… the second you’re not looking, someone will try ty to stick their fingers in the guacamole.

Sources inside of LASD tell The Current Report there has been quite the drama internally at the Sheriff’s Department involving the L.A. Metro case. None that involves the Sheriff personally (that we know of), but we can confirm he has been in behind-the-scenes damage control because of it.

Top brass at LASD, against the advice of County Counsel and the judge who signed the warrants, has refused to execute the warrants and seize the items requested.

After more than two months of missed opportunities and who knows what with all that time on their hands, Dugdale filed a writ in the California Court of Appeals and the warrant is stayed until August due to the filing.

Letter to Jack London From Robert Dugdale Confirming the Metro Motions to Quash

The question of Dugdale’s highly inappropriate conflict of interest representing the prosecution and the accused still has yet to be addressed.

As does the reason why top brass at LASD did not execute the warrants.

Head spinning legal improprieties everywhere and yet another clear example of dirty double-dipping as D.A. Gascon gleefully watching that chip going in for another dip.

There goes the guacamole.

*Additional research for this article by Jack London.

May 27, 2021
LASD Headquarters Denies Malibu Missing Persons Cases Additional Resources as the Sheriff’s “Victims Matters” Campaign Loses Steam and DA Recall Heats Up

The families of three high profile cases that occurred in the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department jurisdiction, were recently denied additional assistance to get answers in their unsolved cases.

The families of Mitrice Richardson, Elaine Park and Matthew Weaver Jr. personally contacted Sheriff Alex Villanueva on April 1st, 2021 requesting a lateral investigation. Five days later, they received a response from Headquarters denying their request. The email was not sent by Sheriff Villanueva, but by the Captain of the Sheriff’s Information Bureau, John Satterfield.

It is unclear why Sheriff Villanueva thought it was appropriate to have the Captain of the Sheriff’s Information Bureau, who fields questions from reporters, directly communicate with the victims families regarding such an important request, or why he would overlook the insensitive nature of sending a subordinate to respond to a highly sensitive email – especially one that includes high profile cases that have attracted global attention.

When Colleen Weaver, the sister of Matthew Weaver Jr. received the response from Captain Satterfield, she was furious – and rightfully so.

Colleen and I met in the summer of 2018, when I broke the story shortly after her brother went missing during the Malibu Creek State Park Shootings.

At the time, Matthew’s father, Matthew Sr., was devastated and desperate to find his son. He reached out to me as Matthew’s story was not getting traction with local news media.

I looked at the information, connected all three cases, Richardson, Park and Weaver as going missing in the same general vicinity in the Dark Canyon area and wrote about it. After the connections were mapped out, the media took notice right away and the story went national almost immediately.

The Weaver family and I became close as a result of my efforts and on-going investigation in the case.

In the fall of 2020, Weaver Sr. who was distraught over the lack of effort by law enforcement to help him find closure in the case, had a mental breakdown which led to a confrontation – and eventually a shootout with CHP officers in Simi Valley. Weaver is currently being held at Men’s Central Jail awaiting trial for attempted murder of police officers.

PROMISES, PROMISES

In 2018, during his campaign for Sheriff of L.A. County, Sheriff Villanueva made a personal promise to “put additional eyes” on the Mitrice Richardson case, if elected. Fast forward 10 months, to the 10th anniversary of Richardson’s disappearance and the press conference at the Lost Hills Station, where Villanueva did a slight back pedal…

“That information…again…that’s 10 years ago, I can’t account for something that happened when I was literally a Sgt. on the department… If there was something I could do with that administratively and I had the legs to do it , I could… act on that. Most of the people involved at that level have since retired, I don’t have the teeth to do it…” -Sheriff Alex Villanueva, September 17th, 2019

Sheriff Alex Villanueva addresses the press in front of the Lost Hills Station on September 17th, 2019, the tenth anniversary of the disappearance of Mitrice Richardson.

However, in all fairness, he made good on his promise and assigned a detective to the case a few days later.

THE BACK STORY

On September 17th 2009, Mitrice Richardson was released under suspicious circumstances from the Lost Hills Station after being arrested at Geoffrey’s restaurant for failure to pay her bill (legal term is “defrauding an innkeeper”) and possession of under an ounce of marijuana.

Despite communication between the station and her mother to ensure Mitrice’s safety while in custody, she was released shortly after midnight, with no cell phone, no money and no transportation.

Off she went into the night, only a few miles from Malibu Creek State Park, never to be seen again. Her partially mummified body was found 10 months later just 1.5 miles from where she was last seen in Dark Canyon and six miles from the station.

Richardson’s case was originally under LAPD’s jurisdiction due to her place of residence, as is the Weaver case currently.

Elaine Park’s case is currently under Glendale Police Department’s jurisdiction.

All three, Richardson, Park and Weaver have had no resolution to their cases and Weaver and Park have had little to no movement at all in almost three years, including multiple changes in detectives assigned to their respective cases.

And another reason why, in total frustration, the families reached out to Sheriff Villanueva for help.

Due to the geographical location where these incidents occurred, under the jurisdiction of the Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station, it makes all the difference to have LASD involved in a lateral investigation, as they are in the Richardson investigation.

While all three cases have had serious issues the past with investigation protocols, search criteria, cover-ups and intentionally misleading the public and the media, under the previous administration (former Sheriff Jim McDonnell), knowing Sheriff Villanueva has had an open door policy, they expected more than a boiler plate response regarding their request.

THE ULTIMATE 180 DEGREE TURNAROUND

There is no question the Lost Hills Station has seen a drastic transformation under Sheriff Villanueva’s leadership.

Multiple scandals later, including the dissemination of the Kobe Bryant crash photos and the failure to issue a Public Safety alert for a sexual predator who broke into a Pepperdine student’s condo, lead to removal of former station Captain, Matthew Vander Horck.

Enter Captain Chuck Becerra who was placed in charge of the station in February 2020, shortly before the COVID lockdown.

Captain Becerra and members of the Lost Hills station preparing for potential civil uprising in areas served by the station, during the rioting after George Floyd’s death.

Captain Becerra, who was Acting Captain before Vander Horck, has become an integral part of the communities served by the Lost Hills, winning the hearts of many, including a family who endured “challenges” with the station (under former Sheriff Jim McDonnell) and eventually went to litigation (and won).

Over the past year, Becerra has made a huge difference building a trusting relationship between the community and local law enforcement.

Additionally, key changes in the command staff at Lost Hills, including changes in transparency and social media protocols, has made the station a stellar example of community policing, a platform Sheriff Villanueva campaigned on in 2018.

One of the major successes of Villanueva’s administration.

VICTIMS MATTER

Sheriff Villanueva started 2021 with a powerful stance against the pro-criminal directives District Attorney George Gascon put into effect immediately after being sworn in on December 7th.

Although the Sheriff was a little hesitant coming out against the new D.A. at first, stating he did not have “enough information”, shortly after multiple Deputy District Attorneys came out publicly against their boss, Villanueva then stepped up six days later launching the L.A. County Sheriff’s “Victims Matter” campaign.

Shortly after, Villanueva joined forces publicly with maverick DDA Jonathan Hatami, the first deputy District Attorney to come out against Gascon on December 15th, 2020. Hatami, a veteran child abuse prosecutor, went on ABC News to speak out for victims of L.A. County on December 15th, 2020, his 50th birthday and the same day he was in court for the torture and murder of a four year old girl.

Over the last five months, Hatami has gained national attention for speaking out for victim’s rights and the rights of their families while District Attorney George Gascon continues to singlehandedly dismantle our legal system in favor of violent criminals.

Sheriff Alex Villanueva and DDA Jonathan Hatami in February at Gabriel’s Tree in honor of Gabriel Fernandez.

On February 27th, Sheriff Villanueva made his first public appearance supporting victims rights at the victim’s vigil and recall kick-off against D.A. Gascon.

He stood in front of the Hall of Justice making a very convincing speech about how Gascon lied to voters. It was a proud moment for public safety in L.A. County.

However, in the last three weeks, since the announcement D.A. Gascon would not be seeking the death penalty in the Anthony Avalo case, Sheriff Villanueva has gone dark on victims.

This is especially alarming as the top cop of the largest Sheriff’s Department in the country is dealing with massive defunding and violent crime growing at at alarming rate.

Instead, this past Wednesday, Sheriff Villanueva announced he would be focusing his attention on the homeless situation.

So, the obvious question would be, did he abandon victims for a different campaign strategy?

I mean, homeless… that’s a hot topic (like… forever?)

A definite mic drop.

And, we get it, it’s election season. Good idea stepping in and trying to fix L.A. City Council member Mike Bonin’s epic failure because homeless is a big bad problem in L.A. County.

But.. violent crime has become way bigger – and is on it’s way to becoming overwhelming – especially with the defunding of law enforcement (which we hear is going to continue to increase per the Board of Supervisors).

As the leader of public safety in L.A. County, we expect the Sheriff to put that first – not picking the flavor of the week that might win an election.

Oh and by the way, election season has become a cautionary tale for many politicians.

It’s the difference between winning and losing.

The incumbent turns his focus to his campaign for re-election and fundraising takes the front seat.

Advisors, old and new, are chirping loudly in his ear, at times so overwhelming, he suddenly loses focus of what is most important.

Even when it’s right in front of him.

(Mic drop).

May 25, 2021
CALL TO ACTION: Six More Cities to Vote on “No Confidence” Resolutions Against D.A. Gascon Next Week

A total of eight L.a. County cities have passed “No Confidence” resolutions regarding D.A. George Gascon’s directives and criminal justice reform efforts.

Gascon’s most recent jaw-dropping pro-criminal efforts included filing a brief in Appellate Court in support of the defendant after the judge refused to dismiss firearms enhancements and allegations.

On May 6th, 2021, the District Attorney’s office, at the direction of D.A. Gascon dropped its bid for the death penalty against a Lancaster woman, Heather Maxine Barron and her boyfriend, Kareem Ernesto Leiva, who are charged with murder and torture in connection with her 10-year-old son’s death. “This is not based upon new evidence. This is not based upon new mitigation or new law. I stand by the special-circumstances committee decision that I announced to the court on the record two years ago,” said Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Hatami.

The Anthony Avalos case is the second high-profile case in which the assigned prosecutors have publicly objected to the death penalty being dropped as a potential punishment. Deputy District Attorney Garrett Dameron said that he and fellow prosecutor Geoff Lewin had been “ordered to remove the death penalty as punishment consideration” in the case of Michael Christopher Mejia, who is awaiting trial on charges stemming from the 2017 killings of Whittier Police Officer Keith Boyer and Mejia’s own cousin.

D.A. Gascon’s dangerous directives

damaging directives and very public pro-criminal platform has inspired pro-victims rights and pro-law-enforcement groups to join forces launching a recall against D.A. Gascon. Official petitions are expected to be circulated in the next couple of weeks.

D.A. Gascon dropped the bid for the death penalty against accused child murderers Heather Barron and Kareem Leiva.

Anthony Avalos was just 10 years old when he was tortured and murdered by his mother and her boyfriend. D.A. Gascon dropped the death penalty against the two accused child murderers.

CALL TO ACTION!!

The following Cities have placed “No Confidence” resolutions in Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon for meetings the week of May 17^th.

Votes will take place on Monday 5/17 in Azusa, and on Tuesday 5/18 in Arcadia, Diamond Bar and Manhattan Beach.

It is critical the People turn out to support their City Council’s to vote No Confidence in D.A. Gascon’s dangerous directives and fight for the rights of victims and public safety.

Each city is inviting the public to participate during public comment; even if you don’t live in that city. It is that important to the future of public safety in L.A. County.

Here is how you can speak in support of “No Confidence” in George Gascon resolutions next week:

AZUSA – MONDAY 5/17: To make a comment in support of the “No Confidence” resolution during the 7:30 P.M. council meeting call (669) 900-6833 – meeting ID # 964-4491-3395 – between 6:30 P.M. – 7:30 P.M. **No calls will be accepted after 7:30 P.M. You will be placed in a waiting room up until your turn to speak.**

Please also submit a written comment by emailing 250 words or less to PublicComment@azusaca.gov by 5:30pm on Monday. Emailed public comments will be provided to the City Council and will be part of the record but will not be read aloud during the meeting.

View the agenda and resolution here: https://www.ci.azusa.ca.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/5363

ARCADIA – TUESDAY 5/18: To comment for the 6 P.M. meeting via the website use the online public comment form at ArcadiaCA.gov/comment at least 30 minutes prior to the posted meeting time. Your comments should be 300 words or less.

You may also submit your comments via email to cityclerk@ArcadiaCA.gov. Make sure that it is received at least 30 minutes prior to the posted meeting time. Your email must be 300 words or less.

To call into the meeting, a conference line has been established for public comment. Your call will be recognized in the order it was received. Please keep your phone on MUTE until you are recognized for public comment. Conference Line: (669) 224-3412 Access Code: 604-838-893#

View the agenda and resolution here: http://laserfiche.ci.arcadia.ca.us/WebLink/0/edoc/818087/Agenda – May 18, 2021.pdf

DIAMOND BAR – TUESDAY 5/18: Members of the public may provide public comment by sending written comments to the City Clerk by email at cityclerk@DiamondBarCA.govby 5:30 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Please indicate in the Subject Line “FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.” Written comments will be distributed to the Council Members and read into the record at the meeting, up to a maximum of five minutes.

Alternatively, public comment may be submitted by logging onto the meeting through this link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3887335869587854349. Members of the public will be called upon one at a time during the Public Comment portion of the agenda. Speakers are limited to five minutes per agenda item, unless the Mayor determines otherwise.

View the agenda and resolution here: http://diamondbarca.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=14&ID=1599&Inline=True

MANHATTAN BEACH – TUESDAY 5/18: The City Council encourages the public to participate by submitting comments in advance of the meeting, no later than 5:30 PM, on the day of the meeting. All of your comments provided by the deadlines above will be available to the City Council and the public prior to the meeting. 3 MINUTES PER PERSON

An eComment can be made at: http://www.citymb.info/ecomment

Comments can be emailed to cityclerk@citymb.info

You can record a message at (310) 802-5030.

You may participate by joining Zoom during the meeting.

If you wish to speak on any item on the agenda, please register in advance at https://citymb.seamlessdocs.com/f/publiccomment

Direct URL: https://citymb-info.zoom.us/j/93376200363, Meeting ID: 933-7620-0363

During the meeting you will need to use the “raise hand” button through Zoom at the time the Mayor invites the public to provide comments.

To join Zoom Meeting via Phone Conference (Voice Only): Call: (669) 900-6833, Meeting ID: 933 7620 0363. During the meeting you will need to enter *9 on the phone’s dial pad at the time the Mayor invites the public to provide comments.

View the agenda and resolution here: https://manhattanbeach.granicus.com/DocumentViewer.php?file=manhattanbeach_de612f52819af6609fdfeb6e5c062434.pdf&view=1

SAN GABRIEL – TUESDAY 5/18 Please email all public comments to mailto:cityclerk@sgch.org and in the subject please include the section (Public Comment, Consent, Public Hearing, Continued Business or New Business) and Item Number you are commenting on.

Email Subject Example: PUBLIC COMMENT: New Business A. Consideration of Resolution No. 21-19 George Gascon.

The Clerk will read public comments into the record for up to the three-minute limit.

View the agenda and resolution here: https://www.sangabrielcity.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/524?html=true

SANTA FE SPRINGS – TUESDAY 5/18 You may attend the City Council meeting via Zoom.us by clicking on “Join A Meeting” or use the following link:

https://zoom.us/j/521620472?pwd=U3cyK1RuKzY1ekVGZFdKQXNZVzh4Zz09

Zoom Meeting ID: 521620472 Password: 659847

You pay participate by calling 888-475-4499 Meeting ID: 521620472

You may submit public comments in writing by sending them to the City Clerk at cityclerk@santafesprings.org.

If you attend the meeting by telephone, you must submit a public comment in writing to be heard. To ensure that they are received for the meeting, please submit your written comments prior to 12:00 p.m. on the day of the City Council meeting. You may also contact the City Clerk’s Office at (562) 868-0511 ext. 7314.

View the agenda and resolution here: https://www.santafesprings.org/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=15315

May 15, 2021
LASD PIO Fumbles Answers to Question of Allegations of Racism at the Department
With years of investigative research behind me, I thought I had heard every excuse in the book from Public Information Officers (known as PIO’s), trying to cover up misconduct by government officials.

This week, LASD Undersheriff Timothy Murakami had a hearing scheduled in the Superior Court of California on allegations of engaging in racism, intimidation and retaliation against an African American deputy, Tracy Stewart. As a court hearing regarding accusation of racism by the second in command at the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department is most certainly newsworthy, and wanting to give all sides a voice, I reached out to LASD PIO, Captain John Satterfield for a comment. I included the following questions:

This Wednesday May 12, 2021 Undersheriff Murakami is scheduled to appear before the Superior Court of California an allegation that he discriminated against, retaliated against, harassed black female deputies and refused to promote black members of the department. The complaint by Tracy Steward specifically states the following:

“2. When interviewing for the Operations Lieutenant position at Industry Sheriff’s Station,
Plaintiff interviewed with then-Captain, now Undersheriff, Timothy Murakami. Murakami refused to
make eye contact with Plaintiff and later denied her for the position, even though Plaintiff was the best
and most qualified candidate for the position. Murakami refused to hire Plaintiff as Operations
Lieutenant because of her race, African American.
1. Later, Murakami admitted to his Operations Lieutenant Carlos Parga that he did not hire
  Plaintiff solely based upon her race (African American), referring to Plaintiff with a racial epithet and
  further informing Lieutenant Parga that he refused to hire or promote African Americans based solely
  upon their race.
2. Plaintiff was later denied promotions and transfers by Murakami solely based upon her
  race, as there was no merit-based basis for Murakami’s intentional blocking of Plaintiff’s promotions
  and transfers in Murakami’s present capacity as Undersheriff.”
Can you Answer the Following:
1. Will Undersheriff Murakami be personally appearing at the Court House
2. Does Sheriff Villanueva support Undersheriff Murakami’s retaliation against members of the black community?
3. Is Sheriff Villanueva concerned that the LASD Undersheriff may be a racist?
4. Is LASD concerned that other black deputies are going to file suit against the Department as a result of racial discrimination by Undersheriff Murikami?
5. Has the LASD done an investigation into allegation of racial discrimination by Undersheriff Murakami? (if so, can you email the report)
6. Has the LASD investigated multiple allegations of retaliation by Undersheriff Murikami?
7. In the Parga Care the Complaint alleges that Chief Vera that Murikami would retaliate against Parga’s son. (was there an investigation at LASD regarding that allegation)
8. Has the LASD responded to request for information from LA County OIG Max Huntsman regarding Undersheriff Murakami. (if so, what was given to OIG Huntsman, regarding Murakami)?
9. Does the LASD have any statement as to why Undersheriff Murakami has not been put on administrative leave until investigation into racial discrimination have been thoroughly investigated.
10. If allegations of racial discrimination come to light will Sheriff Villanueva put Undersheriff Murakami unpaid administrative leave.
Rather that answering my Questions I received the following response:

RE: Regarding Undersheriff Timothy Murakami Appearance in court on 05/12/2021 on allegations of Racial discrimination against Black Employees

From: Satterfield, John L <JLSatter@lasd.org>

To: jacklondon.malibudailynews@gmail.com

cc: SIB Media24 <sibmedia24@lasd.org>; Rodriguez, Lorena <l4rodrig@lasd.org>; tkmuraka@lasd.com

Good Afternoon Mr. London,

After reading your request, I must remind you the allegations made against Undersheriff Murakami are by persons who have current civil suits against the Department and stand to significantly benefit financially from those allegations. Unproven allegations are not facts. You are presenting these allegations as facts, and as a result the questions you authored are extremely biased and sensationalized. As you are aware, under advice of counsel the department is unable to comment on pending civil litigation, what can be said is Sheriff Alex Villanueva and his senior executives have promoted more persons of color and women than any other sheriff’s administration in the history of Los Angeles County. It is ironic you formulated questions so explicitly bias against Undersheriff Murakami during Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The logical conclusion one can surmise from biased questions of this nature is a strong intention to author an article with a narrative designed to commit an unsubstantiated character assassination on a person who has dedicated over 40 years of honorable and faithful service to the community. I would ask you self-reflect on the motivation behind your inquiry and find the neutrality Edward R. Murrow once stood for.

Regards,

John Satterfield, Ed.D, MPA
Captain
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
Sheriff’s Information Bureau

Hall of Justice – 1st Floor

211 W. Temple Street

Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 229-1670 Office

(323) 415-2934 Fax

“Do What Is Right and Just, No Matter What the Personal Cost”

Colonel Donald G. Cook, USMC (ret), Medal of Honor Recipient

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This communication with its contents may contain confidential and/or legally privileged information. It is solely for the use of the intended recipient(s). Unauthorized interception, review, use or disclosure is prohibited and may violate applicable laws including the Electronic Communications Privacy Act. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender and destroy all copies of the communication.

Clearly Captain Satterfield was none too pleased about being asked these questions.

Currently Undersheriff Murakami is a defendant two lawsuits alleging Racism, Intimidation and Retaliation. The Appellate Court just upheld a $8.1 million dollar judgement against L.A. County that heavily involved Undersheriff Murakami, not to mention there is the high-profile Banditos Lawsuit still looming, alleging Undersheriff Murakami is a tattooed member of the LA County Sheriffs Deputy Clique, The Cavemen.

Tracy Steward RACISM ALLEGATIONS against Undersheriff Murakami

Banditos Lawsuit Alleging Undersheriff Murakami Is A member of the Cavemen Deputy Clique

More importantly and most disturbing is how the head of communications is empowered to defend – and define – 40 years of “honorable” service by Undersheriff Murakami when there are a significant number of allegations, including those involving Sheriff Candidate Eli Vera, suggesting Undersheriff Murakami is a member of a deputy clique and basically a “street thug with a badge”.

Satterfield’s remarks are not only highly unprofessional, they exploit AAPI hate in a manner that excuses allegations of Racism against Black and Brown members of LASD. I can not imagine any member of the AAPI community excusing Racism by a member of the community. Satterfield remarks are crass and insensitive to the AAPI Community who have been experiencing hate crimes exponentially.

A simple “no comment” or “we are looking into this” from PIO Satterfield would have been the response from a seasoned and experience PIO with command of his craft. Instead, Captain Satterfield, the person in charge of communicating with the press, hoping effectively as to not facilitate even more bad press than the Department already naturally attracts, would have been trained/cautioned to count to ten before attacking a member of the press – in writing – accusing them of being racist for questioning allegations of racism.

Did I mention our publications are huge supporters of Sheriff Villanueva?

Unfortunately, (depending on who you talk to) that doesn’t carry much weight at the Hall of Justice.
May 13, 2021
DA Gascon Filing Briefs in Appellate Court Supporting Violent Criminal Defendants – Judge Refuses to Dismiss Allegations and Enhancements – Gascon Supporting Criminal’s Appeal

LA District Attorney George Gascon’s abuse of power has hit yet another milestone.

The newly elected pro-criminal District Attorney filed a brief in Appellate Court in support of … wait for it…The DEFENDANT.

That is not a typo.

Gascon, clearly confused as to what his true role is as District Attorney of Los Angeles, who swore to protect the rights of the citizens, particularly those who are victims of violent crimes, filed a response, in support of an appeal filed by the defendant after the judge refused to dismiss firearms enhancements and allegations.

You can’t make this stuff up people!

D.A. Gascon ordered the prosecutor assigned to the case against Rehan Nazir, a former Torrance Police officer, to dismiss all the firearm allegations and enhancements. After reviewing the evidence, the judge refused the prosecutor’s request. Gascon then ordered the prosecutor to file an amended complaint with all the firearm allegations and enhancements removed, attempting to end around the judges order. The judge refused to accept the amended complaint because it wasn’t based on evidence and facts and there was no reasonable justification to allow the dismissal of all the firearm allegations.

Defendant Nazir appealed that decision to the court of appeals. And, in what is probably one of the most head-spinning moves we have seen yet by the pro-criminal D.A., Gascon joined the defendant and filed a motion to side with the defendant stating the firearms enhancements should be dismissed.

“…elected prosecutors cannot effectively carry out their constitutional responsibilities if they are forced to charge enhancements and seek penalties, that, in the elected prosecutor’s judgment, do not advance public safety or serve the interests of justice.” D.A. Gascon in his brief.

The District Attorney of Los Angeles, elected by the people and expected to prosecute criminals to the highest extent of the law in the name of public safety, takes serious issue with being “forced” to charge enhancements and seek penalties – and skyrocketing gun violence isn’t enough to get this embarrassment to the office of the District Attorney, to change his mind.

Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Hatami has been a champion for victims rights openly opposing his boss D.A. Gascon’s dangerous pro-criminal directives. Twitter: @jonathanhatami

Gascon’s damaging directives and very public pro-criminal platform has inspired pro-victims rights and pro-law-enforcement groups to join forces launching a recall against D.A. Gascon. Additionally, city officials from eight cities around L.A. County have voted “NO CONFIDENCE” in Gascon further fueling recall efforts. Official petitions are expected to be circulated in the next couple of weeks.

The Nazir case is due to be heard on May 12th, 2021

May 13, 2021
LA County Sheriff’s Candidate Eli Vera A No-Show in Court – Is This the “Reflection” of Leadership He Intends to Bring to LASD?

You know it’s officially campaign season when the first candidate out of the gate in the 2022 Sheriff’s election delivers not one, but two “holy sh*t, this is what we get to look forward to?” moments just days after announcing his candidacy.

On May 1st, in our Sunday Evening Edition of The Current Report, we reported (after doing just a few minutes of homework), that Candidate Vera has an interesting collection of uh-oh-factor civil suits playing both sides of the fence, defendant and plaintiff.

HOW MUCH CLOSET SPACE YOU GOT?

When one considers running for political office, especially a position steeped in controversy with the Defund the Police movement and Black Lives Matter breathing down your neck, one might think twice about 1.) running against your current boss, and 2.) skeletons in your closet.

As we uncovered in civil suit #1, Vera has maxed out at least one closet and might want to consider a bigger house at this point – or perhaps, a different career path.

In 2015, Candidate Vera was named as a defendant, along with his former, no-shortage-of-scandals boss, Sheriff Jim McDonnell, whom we hear is also gearing up to join the 2022 race for Sheriff (FYI – there are skeletons for days with that guy, requiring at minimum, a mansion with lots of walk-in-closet space ).

The allegations were nothing short of what you expect, corruption on the highest level, you know, the usual for this type of environment, yet most certainly not ideal for someone you want running the largest Sheriff’s Department in the country.

Shortly after civil suit #1, chock full of troubling allegations with Candidate Vera as the defendant, in a sort of switcheroo, he filed a civil suit. This time as the plaintiff claiming “political retaliation”. That suit has been mulling around for a minute in the court system.

Then, in perfectly timed election-fodder (or perhaps a twist of fate), Vera and his attorney, due in court just days after Vera was on the news announcing he was running in the 2022 Sheriff’s race, were a no-show at the hearing for their own civil suit.

On Monday, May 3rd, 2021 when 8 a.m. rolled around at the Alhambra Court house, the silence was deafening. In quite possibly one of the most unprofessional first moves you can make as a candidate, Vera and his lawyer just simply… skipped the proceeding.

That’s like being a bride, planning your wedding and forgetting to show up!

Who does that?!

Did someone hand Vera a bag of ice suggesting some pre-planned cold feet?

While the judge was none too pleased, L.A. County Council Jennifer Mira Hashmall and Emily A. R. Sanchirico, who are compensated by the taxpayers of L.A. County, were front and center attending the proceedings.

Judge Maureen Duff-Lewis promptly ordered Candidate Vera to show up at the next hearing and attend mediation.

It should be troubling to taxpayers that a candidate for L.A. County Sheriff, who is fresh off of making that stunning announcement he is running against his boss for the top spot at LASD, that he not only filed a frivolous lawsuit after being the defendant (with some pretty impressive allegations) in a previous lawsuit, but he didn’t have the integrity to show up to a hearing for his own civil law suit against the people who sign his paycheck?

Minute Order LASD Chief Eli Vera – Plaintiff

May 3 2021 Minute Order Plaintiff Eli Vera

PUT A BOW ON IT

So, to wrap this up, LASD Sheriff Candidate Vera announced he was running for Sheriff of the largest county in California (the size and population of some states mind you), his advisors said “don’t worry about the skeletons on your closet, no one will notice” (hoping the Gascon recall drama would suck up that energy) and followed that up by not showing up in court to his own civil lawsuit for “political retaliation” while he is running for an political office.

Head spinning.

You can’t make this stuff up. Not even during election season.

The question remains, what’s behind his litigation strategy? Is Candidate Vera just looking for an easy payday, or is his involvement in Racketeering and Extortion what truly prevented Vera’s career advancement?

THE APPLE AND THE TREE

So far, if you’re comparing apples to apples, Vera is an orange – and definitely not the ripe and juicy kind.

What L.A. County residents (and the large majority of people worldwide) experienced in 2020, few leaders can claim they lived through, let alone stepped up to lead.

Sheriff Alex Villanueva navigated a global health crisis, civil uprising during a highly charged political atmosphere, destroyed economy and a jaw-dropping spike in crime.

No other Sheriff before him has had to lead the people during combined chaos of this kind and survived to tell about it when the smoke cleared.

Not to mention, Villanueva transitioned seamlessly from the pandemic to a high profile advocate for victims when District Attorney George Gascon flipped the script on voters, promising reform and instead, delivered directives meant to dismantle the justice system supporting criminals rights over the rights of victims and their families.

Villanueva came out swinging in December 2020, along with another super hero, Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Hatami, the first DDA to speak up against his boss, DA Gascon. With the recall looming against the newly elected DA and the popularity of Hatami with victims and voters who feel duped by Gascon, Villanueva and Hatami stand to be the future Dynamic Duo to work hand in hand leading – and re-structuring – public safety in L.A. County.

Sheriff Alex Villanueva and Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Hatami at a celebration for child abuse victim Gabriel Fernandez. DDA Hatami and the Sheriff have been working together supporting victims rights and fighting for justice as DA Gascon has been simultaneously dismantling our legal system in favor of criminals, putting our public safety in great jeopardy.

The relationship between the DA and the Sheriff’s Department in the past has been either strained or corrupt – or both – depending on which era, but now, with this high profile batman-and-robin-style political partnership, it looks the Villanueva-Hatami combo could be the best thing that has happened to LA County in a long time.

In the 2018 race, Villanueva was a relative unknown, with virtually no funding, pulling off the biggest upset in department history beating incumbent Jim McDonnell – who dug a huge hole for himself not even his political war chest could buy him out of.

While Villanueva may not be perfect in the eyes of some (after all, who is?), he is the best Sheriff this county has ever seen, with a history of leading during a time no other candidate will see in our lifetime.

May 6, 2021
Controversial Sheriff Candidate Eli Vera Involved in Civil Suits Alleging Political Retaliation and Lied About Mandoyan (Hoping We Wouldn’t Notice)

Last week, L.A. County Sheriff’s Department Chief Eli Vera, announced his candidacy for the top spot at LASD, running against incumbent Sheriff Alex Villanueva in the 2022 Sheriff’s election.

“I believe an organization is as a reflection of its leader.” Vera told reporters. ” The community looks to law enforcement to be the voice of reason during its worst of times. Unfortunately, at the present time, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has developed a reputation for contributing to contention during trying times,” Vera said in a statement to NBC.

An interesting observation for a candidate who is involved in multiple civil litigation suits including political retaliation and other bad behavior.

Equally troubling Vera would enter a highly-charged political race knowing the voting public (at least the ones doing their homework), are just one click away from a database of dark secrets. A pretty risky move.

Did anyone talk this through with him before he filed his candidacy papers?

Lawsuit #1, a State lawsuit, was filed September 15th, 2015, naming candidate Vera as both as an individual and a member of LASD, along with co-conspirator, former Sheriff Jim McDonnell – who we hear might be throwing his hat in the ring again too.

The laundry list of allegations includes Extortion, RICO violations, Intimidation, Wrongful Termination and a few more FEHA complaints. The suit transferred to Central District court in May 2016.

Simultaneously, Vera filed as the plaintiff in the second suit (that we have found so far), against the county for political retaliation.

In the 2014 race for Sheriff, Vera was a vocal supporter of candidate Jim Hellmond, the same race his co-conspirator in civil case #1, Jim McDonnell ran for (and won).

Apparently, Vera’s support for Hellmond didn’t go over well with the guys at the office prompting him to file his suit October 10th, 2017 and believe it or not, is scheduled to go court Monday, May 3rd, 2021.

How’s that for timing?

In layman’s terms, Vera is the first candidate to announce he is running for Sheriff in 2022, with at least one active political retaliation case currently being litigated in court and one under his belt as a defendant with some pretty impressive allegations.

So, when Candidate Vera told the press “I believe an organization is as a reflection of its leader.”, is potential Political Extortion, RICO Violations, Intimidation and Wrongful Termination part of the package?

It wouldn’t be surprising since Vera is already notorious for clearing a previously disciplined officer and igniting the fuse that has caused the explosion of tension between Sheriff Villanueva and the Board of Supervisors. Not to mention, within minutes of announcing his candidacy, Vera attempted to manipulate voters by completely disassociating himself with the final decision made by the Truth and Reconciliation Panel and contradicted sworn statement on behalf of Sheriff Villanueva.

In a nutshell, the very first words out of Vera’s mouth, as a candidate running for Sheriff of L.A. County, were deceptive and untrue.

Imagine that.

Candidate Eli Vera at his press conference last week.

In this L.A. Times article candidate Vera stated he wanted more discipline for Mandoyan.

How much more discipline can you get being stripped of your badge, service pistol and your job?

Yet, in his sworn testimony, he said quite the opposite.

Court documents show that in a memo to Sheriff Villanueva, Vera and Undersheriff Murakami jointly concluded, the employee should not have been terminated.

“On December 21, 2018, the panel members met and discussed the allegations contained in the Department’s Letter of Imposition. The committee members reached a consensus that the Imposed discipline had been excessive for Mr. Mondoyan’s actions…..”

Did he think we wouldn’t notice?

Mandoyan’s case has become a serious bone of contention for Sheriff Villanueva since The Times revealed that Villanueva reinstated the deputy shortly after taking office.

The move set off an unprecedented legal battle between the Sheriff and the L.A. County Board of Supervisors, escalating to a court battle to stop Villanueva from reinstating Mandoyan.

After Sheriff Villanueva recused himself to avoid any appearance of conflict-of-interest, Vera and Murakami lead the Truth and Reconciliation Panel, in which, they overlooked threats of retaliation by Deputy Gangs and reversed the termination of the deputy.

Candidate Vera has risen through the ranks of the LASD, serving at the Men’s Central Jail, the Lynwood, Lennox, Compton, Century and South Los Angeles stations, the Detective Division’s Cargo Theft Criminal Apprehension Team, as an executive aide in the Office of the Sheriff, in the Reserve Forces Bureau and the Communications and Fleet Management Bureau. Basically, every station that has a history of Deputy Cliques the Sheriff Villanueva has been trying to clean up.

Murakami, separately up to his ears in litigation has earned the moniker “$8 million-dollar man” due to an $8.1 million judgement against the county for – you guessed it – retaliation.

Two additional workplace retaliation suits have also been filed by direct reports of Murakami (these boys never learn!).

As a result of Murakami’s poor decision and support of deputy cliques, the Civilian Oversight Commission, OIG Max Huntsman and Holly Mitchell have continued to attack Sheriff V like rabid dogs devouring a fresh piece of meat.

Vera told NBC that if elected, he would make it his mission to “restore confidence in the office of the sheriff by partnering with the Board of Supervisors, collaborating with oversight, creating clear channels of communication with all whom we serve, and setting aside differences for the fulfillment of one common purpose — serving the residents of Los Angeles County.”

It will be interesting to see if Vera takes the Sachi Hamai approach and trades political endorsements in lieu of dismissing his case against the county.

SOUND THE ALARM?

Vera’s announcement came as a surprise to many, not because of the lawsuits, but more so because of Vera’s rumored close relationship with Undersheriff Murakami. Which, as you can imagine, poses a serious conflict of interest for the Undersheriff.

The friendship between Murakami and Vera is not just close sources say, it’s really close.

You know, the go-to-the-same-church, go-to-each-others-house-for-dinner, family-counseling, cover-up-misconduct, kind of close. Which can be expected when you work closely together over the last two plus decades…but not expected when you decide to oppose your BFF’s boss in one of the most important political races in L.A. County.

For those of you in need of a back story, once Villanueva took office in January, 2019, Murakami jumped initially three ranks, then a total of four to the #2 spot at LASD.

In baseball terms that’s similar to plucking a pitcher from Single A (first level of minor league baseball) and promoting him in the starting line-up in the World Series. Risky business, to say the least.

I’m still at a loss as to who supported – and convinced – Sheriff Villanueva the four-level promotion was a good move for the department as Villanueva, who has a PHD in Public Administration, absolutely knows better. The move even goes against the basic principles of business 101 – I don’t care how good of friends you are.

Speaking of friendship – and surprise moves – Vera’s candidacy literally came out of left field. Over the past year there have been many names thrown around regarding potential candidates running against Villanueva. I can assure you, based on my intel both inside and outside of the department, Vera was not one of them.

Given the rumors of the close nature of the relationship between candidate Vera and Undersheriff Murakami, you have to believe Murakami had pervious knowledge before Vera’s final decision – and his announcement – to run for Sheriff.

So, did Murakami in good faith have a pow wow with Sheriff V about his Vera’s decision to run for the top spot at LASD?

You know, a respectful heads-up to his boss/colleague/friend that his longtime friend/co-worker was going to run against him for Sheriff? Or were there crickets around the water cooler?

In light of Vera’s announcement, and the Undersheriff’s personal relationship with the candidate running for Sheriff, will Murakami recuse himself – like, perhaps take early retirement?

Or will Sheriff V let him stick around playing both sides of the fence?

As it is, Murakami has created massive financial liability for an already cash-strapped department as the rank and file continue to file workplace harassment suits related to his inability to follow Sheriff V’s directives.

The Murakami/Vera combo could be deadly to the department potentially inflicting more damage and chaos for rank and file deputies before the 2022 primary,

In the end, the real question is, who will Murakami actually take the bullet for?

His friend/colleague opposing his boss? Or, his boss opposing his friend/colleague?

Only time will tell.

VILLANUEVA FOR VICTIMS

The last two and a half years have been a road paved with potholes for Sheriff Villanueva, however, 2021 is turning out to be a smoother ride for (so far).

Sheriff V’s “Victims Matter” campaign was a political game-changer for the embattled Sheriff as Villanueva flexed some serious public safety muscle after newly sworn in DA George Gascon attempted to strip every legal right afforded to victims and their families, while single handedly dismantling the justice system.

Villanueva is the first – and so far, the only leader in law enforcement – to stand up for publicly for victims.

Villanueva’s historical actions standing up to the political powers that be – including District Attorney Gascon – in the spirit of the law and in the name of justice, is quite simply, unprecedented.

No other candidate in the 2022 race for Sheriff can lay claim to Villanueva’s strength and determination navigating through two states of emergency (the pandemic and civil uprising), massive defunding, skyrocketing violent crime all the while taking a political pounding from the Board of Supervisors – not to mention make it out in one piece with a new and improved public persona – in spite of the political chaos Angelenos are currently witnessing.

Since “reflection” seems to be the theme of Vera’s campaign, maybe it’s time for him to look in the mirror.

*Additional research for this article by Jack London

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May 1, 2021
CEO Phillip A Washington Refuses to Comply Criminal Warrant – Is Law Enforcement Getting Ready to Raid LA Metro?

CEO Phillip Washington is currently refusing to comply with criminal warrants as he steps down from his position at L.A.Metro, the ninth largest transportation agency in the country.

The situation at LA Metro sounds eerily familiar to the the way Washington, left his former employer, Denver Regional Transit District.

Washington left his post as Denver RTD’s General Manager to join L.A. Metro as CEO in May of 2015, however, back at Denver RTD “Mile High” consequences of Phillip Washington’s public corruption were leading to the imprisonment of one of Denver RTD’s Senior Leadership Team and a direct report of Washington.

Kenneth Hardin, Director of the Denver RTD Civil Rights Division, was convicted in February of 2015 on three counts related to accepting bribes in connection with his official duties as a senior manager at RTD and was sentenced to 18 Months in Federal Prison.

Federal Investigators were able to prove in Federal Court that that under Phillip Washington’s leadership at Denver RTD, Hardin had exchanged contracts for cash and Hardin had lobbied RTD to renew Access-a-Ride contracts in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

According to the indictment, Hardin was an employee of the Regional Transportation District in Colorado (“RTD”), holding the position of Senior Manager of RTD’s Civil Rights Division. In that position, Hardin’s duties at RTD included directing and managing the operations of RTD’s Civil Rights Division, which was responsible for furthering civil rights goals through regulatory compliance, complaint investigation, community outreach, and programmatic strategy development. The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program is one of the programs that fell under the umbrella of RTD’s Civil Rights Division. As the Senior Manager of the Civil Rights Division, Hardin also served as RTD’s Diversity Officer, and his duties included taking a leadership role in developing diversity initiatives. RTD receives money from federal grants.

“The charges against Hardin illustrate the FBI’s commitment to investigate officials who use their positions of trust for personal gain,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Thomas P. Ravenelle. “This type of criminal activity undermines the public’s confidence in government activities that should be fair and transparent. To ensure these matters are fully addressed, we strongly encourage anyone who has information about corrupt activities at any level of government to call the FBI at 888-232-3270.”

IF IT LOOKS LIKE A DUCK

On February 19, 2021, The Los County Sheriff’s Department, after a two year investigation, served criminal warrants to LA Metro, the LA Metro Office of Inspector General and Peace Over Violence over allegations of Fraud, Waste and Abuse, Public Corruption and Pay to Play between Peace Over Violence CEO Patti Giggans, LA Metro CEO Phillip Washington, Washington’s Chief of Staff Nadine Lee, former New Orleans RTA CEO Alex Wiggins and LA Metro Executive Officer Aston Greene III.

If all of this sounds familiar, it should. Over the last 6 years LA. Metro CEO Phillip Washington has brought his recipe for public corruption, pay-to-play, and fraud waste and abuse of public funds to Los Angeles. Washington spiced things up little by adding Gender Discrimination as a member of the Chicken Bone, topping it off with Employee Intimidation and LBGTQ harassment.

LA Metro CEO Phillip Washington admitted openly to investigators that he belongs to a Business Networking group that excludes women.

Metro Employee Lawsuit filed against LA Metro by a member of the LBGTQ community for Harassment

It appears that criminal activity is the family business as LA Metro CEO Phillip Washington’s son Phillip II a Supervisor at Denver RTD seams to be active in the sale of federally controlled substances as Marijuana remains illegal under federal law, specifically, the Controlled Substances Act. Found at Title 21, Section 811 of the United States Code (U.S.C.), the law makes illegal to use, possess, grow and sell marijuana.

Greeting from LA Metro CEO Washington’s son Denver RTD Supervisor Phillip Washington II

Phillip Washington II

ERIC SAYS ENOUGH

Sources close to LA Mayor and LA Metro Board Chairman Eric Garcetti told The Current Report that Garcetti is privately furious about the havoc that Phillip Washington has created in LA. The source told The Current Report that “during a conversation about Phillip Washington, Mayor Garcetti said “I’m sick of this guy, he won’t listen and he won’t clean up his act.”

It looks like Mayor Garcetti has had enough as Phillip Washington announced on February 3^rd that he would be stepping down from his post as CEO of LA Metro without securing another job. Sixteen days later L.A. Metro, the L.A. Metro Board Office of Inspector general and Peace of Violence CEO Patti Giggans were served with criminal warrants by the LA County Sherriff’s Public Corruption task force.

For more than a year the FBI, Homeland Security, the FDA, LAPD, the LA County District Attorney, and the LA County Sheriffs have been combing over nearly 20,000 pages of documents in connection Pay- to-Play, Public Corruption and Fraud Waste and Abuse of Public Funds by Patti Giggans, Sheila Kuehl, Phillip Washington, Gilbert Cedillo and Hilda Solis.

“There are millions of taxpayer dollars missing or being miss appropriated at LA Metro.” According to a source close to the investigation, “You have 1.2 million dollars missing from Gilbert Cedillo and Hilda Solis’s Westlake MacArthur Park vendor market, Sheila Kuehl has arranged for her ex-girlfriend Patti Giggans to get no-bid contracts totaling more than $800,000 for a hotline that Metro doesn’t even use, but continues to pay Purchase Orders to Peace Over Violence and LA Metro Executive Officer Aston Greene III gave a $187,000 no-bid contract to included $33000.00 in travel expenses to a women named Kendra Taylor from Atlanta, a former associate of Greene’s from Atlanta.”

1.2 million in unpaid invoices from LA Metro to LA City Councilman Gil Cedillo

A $187,000 No-Bid-Contract to LA Metro Executive Officer Aston Green “Business Colleague” Kendra Taylor from Atlanta where Greene III wife and family live.

TRICKLE DOWN EFFECT

The Current Report has reviewed nearly all 20,000 pieces of evidence that was turned over to law enforcement. After reviewing the evidence, it is hard to believe that once the investigation into corruption at LA Metro and Peace Over Violence is turned over to prosecutors, that charges will not be filed against LA Metro CEO Phillip Washington, Chief of Staff Nadine Lee, Peace Over Violence CEO Patti Giggans, LA County Supervisors Solis and Kuehl, City Council Member Gill Cedillo and Former Deputy Chief of LAPD Robert Green.

In reviewing the evidence, it appears that several LA County and LA City staff as well as Transportation Deputies that serve the elected official on the LA Metro Board, were aware of the public corruption and may also be facing criminal charges. According to the documents reviewed by The Current Report, Sheila Kuehl’s Chief of Staff Lisa Mandel, Katheryn Barger’s Chief of Staff Anna Mouradian and Hilda Solis’s Chief of Staff Cindy Chen may be facing criminal charges related to Criminal Conspiracy subject to California Penal Code 182 PC.

The aftermath of criminal charges against LA County and LA City’s elected official and senior management at LA Metro may also trickle down to line level employees.

“There is plenty of evidence that may lead to incitements of Transportation Deputies and LA Metro Employees who colluded with Washington” according to several sources. “If I were Doug Mensman and Dan Rodman from the Mayors transportation department office, Transportation Deputy Dave Perry from Barger’s office, Transportation Deputy Madeline Moore from Kuehl’s office, and Transportation Deputy Martin Reyes form Solis’s offices, I would definitely be wondering whether LA County is going to provide defense council if charges are filed.”

The LA Metro employees that have been aiding CEO Phillip Washington engage in corruption should be actively speaking to defense counsel in anticipation of charges being filed. These people know that they were doing something illegal and just let LA Metro CEO Phillip Washington, Mayor Garcetti and the LA County Board of Supervisors steal millions of dollars from the citizens of LA County.”

BYE BYE FELONY PHIL

On May 30^th LA Metro CEO Phillip Washington will leave LA Metro in the same condition he left Denver RTD under Criminal Investigation.

Washington is leaving LA Metro employees to face potential criminal prosecuting, and incarceration in the same way he left Kenneth Hardin to spend 18 months in Federal Prison. Who will be the next Kenneth Hardin? Which LA Metro Employees, LA County Board of Supervisor Staff and LA City Staff will end up facing prison time just like Hardin? Will Mensman, Perry, Moore, Rodman, Mandel or Mouradian be the ones enjoying the new jail reforms advocated for by Sheila Kuehl and Hilda Solis or will Mensman, Perry, Moore, Rodman, Mandel or Mouradian turn over evidence that implicates Washington, Lee, Barger, Solis, and Kuehl, for defrauding the Citizens of LA County.

The clock is ticking as Law Enforcement is aggressively pursuing answers.

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May 1, 2021