the current

Month: April 2025

  • Voters Beware: Malibu’s Failed Politicians Rally Behind Sheriff Luna—And Expose Their Own Track Record of Incompetence

    Voters Beware: Malibu’s Failed Politicians Rally Behind Sheriff Luna—And Expose Their Own Track Record of Incompetence

    On May 10, the same politicians who fumbled Malibu into chaos – Mayor Doug Stewart, Mikke Pierson, Karen Farrer, Paul Grisanti, and Lou La Monte—will gather at a private estate to raise money for Sheriff Robert Luna, a man whose tenure has been defined by disaster, deflection, and death. It’s a perfect match. Failed leaders endorsing a failed sheriff.

    But this isn’t just another tone-deaf Malibu cocktail party. It’s a twisted celebration of incompetence, corruption, and systemic collapse. Because while these washed-up politicos pour wine and rewrite history, the LASD, under Robert Luna’s leadership, is rotting at its core—and taxpayers are paying the price for it.

    Ironically, the invite itself violates election code. Under California law and Los Angeles County regulations, it is generally prohibited for a sheriff or any peace officer to engage in political activities, including soliciting campaign funds, while in uniform.

    Did anyone notice? I did.

    According to multiple sources, including the FPPC, Sheriff Luna and Malibu/List Hills Captain Jennifer Seetoo are violating the following election codes by appearing in uniform on an invite to a political fundraiser:

    1. California Elections Code § 18320 prohibits any officer or employee of a local agency from engaging in political activities during working hours or while in uniform.

    2. California Elections Code § 18544 makes it unlawful for any person wearing a peace officer’s uniform to be stationed at or near a polling place without written authorization from the appropriate elections official.

    3. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Policy explicitly states that department members are prohibited from participating in political activities while in uniform.

    If a sheriff includes an image of themselves in uniform on a campaign fundraiser invitation or appears in uniform at such an event, it may be considered a violation of the above statutes and policies. Such actions could be interpreted as using the authority of the office to influence political outcomes, which is expressly prohibited.

    MIA MORE TIMES THAN YOU CAN COUNT

    When the January wildfires exploded across the foothills in January, devouring entire neighborhoods and killing 22 people, Luna was once again missing in action. According to extensive reporting by The Current Report, the Sheriff’s Department failed to deploy evacuation personnel in time during the Eaton fire which led to 18 deaths, despite five days of advance warnings and field intelligence. Deputies weren’t mobilized. Evacuation orders were delayed. Resources were misallocated. And the result was one of the deadliest fire tragedies in L.A. County history. Luna never accepted responsibility. He never offered a public plan to fix what went wrong. He simply disappeared – again. But Eaton wasn’t an anomaly. It was the consequence of a department unraveling under weak, performative leadership.

    When President Trump toured the Palisades fire devastation and spoke to LA City and County leaders was in town to survey the devastation just days after his inauguration, it was a rare opportunity for the head of the largest Sheriff’s Department in the country to engage with the President about LA County’s disaster response needs, and the President’s main objective was to assess the damage firsthand and how the federal government could expedite help to the area.

    While a significant portion of LA County was still in chaos, Sheriff Luna skipped the meeting with the president and instead attended the annual Peace Officers Professional Association (PPOA) retreat in Carlsbad with the intention securing financial backing for his re-election campaign.

    With another potentially dangerous weather event approaching that could trigger mudslides in burn scar areas, this left many, especially those who noticed his absence at the meeting with the president, to question his commitment to managing the county’s disaster response.

    Former Sheriff Alex Villanueva took to X (formerly Twitter) to publicly criticize Luna, accusing him of disrespecting the President and failing to adequately represent the largest sheriff’s department in the nation during such a critical time.

    Villanueva also condemned Luna’s decision to send the Assistant Sheriff of Custody Operations in his place, calling it an unacceptable move given the stakes.

    “Luna’s absence at the meeting with President Trump shows a lack of leadership during a crisis,” Villanueva wrote. “The citizens of LA County deserve better representation, especially in moments of disaster.”

    In 2020, as Chief of the Long Beach Police Department, Luna earned the nickname “Bunker Bob” for his absence of leadership and gross mismanagement of officers in the field during the “George Floyd” protests and rioting. It was then-Sheriff Alex Villanueva who saw what was happening on the news and deployed with 50 deputies to take control of the city. The population of the city of Long Beach is equivalent to roughly two to three of LASD’s patrol stations jurisdictions. Although it was obvious Luna took on more than he could handle when he took office in 2022, Luna’s handling of every aspect of the Eaton fire specifically, shows he is way out of his league.

    Since taking office, Luna has overseen an unprecedented staffing collapse within the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. By 2025, LASD had lost more than 2,400 sworn and civilian personnel, crippling the department’s ability to respond to emergencies, patrol communities, and maintain even basic public safety. Response times have surged. Morale has cratered. Luna’s response? Denial, PR spin… and the latest attempt to quietly bury the most recent scandal unfolding at the Malibu/Lost Hills Station.

    Most recently, a high-level cover-up involving retired Lieutenant Jim Braden—once considered a pillar of the community and the department’s Malibu liaison—has been dragged into the spotlight. On March 28th, Braden was reportedly stabbed after allegedly refusing to pay a sex worker for services.

    But the scandal didn’t stop there. The incident cracked open a vault of corruption at Malibu/Lost Hills Station, revealing even more cover-ups tied to Braden. Sources say deputies once responded to a DUI involving Braden, only to be allegedly ordered by OPS Lieutenant Dustin Carr to shut off their body-worn cameras after realizing who was behind the wheel. Braden’s vehicle was quietly hauled back to the station and scrubbed clean—literally and figuratively.

    Adding insult to injury, Braden’s disturbing criminal behavior over the past three years was documented in an internal bulletin issued by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department—raising serious questions about just how many incidents were buried under Captain Jennifer Seetoo’s command.

    Multiple sources familiar with internal operations say tensions erupted between agencies during the Palisades and Eaton fire incidents. Friction emerged between Cal Fire’s “red hats” and LASD personnel, particularly over who had incident command authority. The Rose Bowl Incident Management Team (IMT), an elite LASD unit, had to step in and assert jurisdiction -citing the potential criminal nature of the fires and the likelihood of murder charges should arson be confirmed.

    According to the source, Malibu/Lost Hills Captain Jennifer Seetoo inserted herself into the fire response – even though IMTs are explicitly designed to act independently from local station captains. Her involvement reportedly caused significant disruption and blurred the chain of command.

    As a result of the confusion, Cal Fire reportedly “drove right over her and the Palisades IMT,” forcing the Rose Bowl IMT to intervene and “clear things up.” The source described the situation as driven by ego clashes and a lack of understanding of IMT protocols—a costly distraction during a critical incident.

    Ironically, Sheriff Robert Luna, equally incapable of managing emergency operations as evidenced during the failed Eaton Fire evacuations that lead to 17 deaths, Luna proudly presented an award for Captain Seetoo’s “bravery” during the Palisades Fire.

    It should be noted that Seetoo and her husband were big donors to Luna’s campaign in 2022.

    Shortly after four Pepperdine students were tragically killed by a speeding motorist on PCH, Captain Jennifer Seetoo made a high-profile push for road safety. But behind the scenes, under her supervision, Malibu Search and Rescue—a nonprofit operating under the LASD—was busy launching a beer collaboration with a local brewery. The cans were emblazoned with the silhouette of Air 5, the Sheriff’s Department rescue helicopter, turning a symbol of emergency response into a marketing gimmick.

    For a grieving community, it was a slap in the face. Even worse, the decision to partner with an alcohol company was especially tone-deaf, considering the majority of Malibu Search and Rescue missions involve alcohol-related accidents on canyon roads. The limited-edition beer was even scheduled to be served at an event in Malibu Creek State Park—raising the very real possibility that attendees could end up needing rescue from the very team promoting the product. It was a reckless move, and a stunning lapse in judgment by Seetoo and the agency she commands.

    In May 2022, council members from multiple cities contacted the Malibu Daily News stating they were blindsided by the decision made by their City Managers and unaware that Jennifer Seetoo “was even being interviewed or they would have spoken up”. City managers from at least 4 out of the 5 cities intimated to their council members and Acting Captain Joe Fender that he was their choice for Captain at the station.

    Sources inside the department told Malibu Daily News it is rumored that at the time, then Lt. Seetoo brazenly sued the department alleging discrimination even after having been promoted (but clearly not fast enough to her liking) to the Captain’s position.

    City and department sources told Malibu Daily News that Malibu City Council member Mikke Pierson and Karen Farrer, orchestrated a coup, pressuring city managers from the four other cities to change their choice from Acting Captain Fender to Lt. Seetoo without discussing the change with council members (who oversee the city manager). Most council members were unaware she was interviewing for the position and/or made aware at the last minute, or after the fact.

    The station, under the command of Captain Seetoo, is mired in internal turmoil and mounting complaints. Under her watch, Malibu is less safe.

    Yet the May 10th invite shamelessly describes Seetoo as “Malibu’s most powerful community leader”—a laughable claim that ignores the department’s implosion, internal rebellion, and the community’s growing disappointment in LASD’s leadership.

    The Walking Dead of Malibu Politics

    Doug Stewart, Malibu’s current mayor, was handed a golden opportunity to strengthen the city’s wildfire prevention strategy—complete with a private jet and a VIP tour of one of the nation’s top fire response companies. Instead? He ghosted the CEO and blew it off entirely, just months before the Palisades Fire incinerated our coastline. And that’s just the latest act in Stewart’s public safety sabotage tour. He also voted against giving Malibu more authority to implement safety measures on PCH—even after four Pepperdine students were killed by a speeding driver. So of course he’s headlining a fundraiser for Robert Luna—the most incompetent sheriff in LASD’s 175-year history. Makes perfect sense, right?

    Enter Karen Farrer, Mikke Pierson, and Paul Grisanti – the first two who chose not to not seek re-election for obvious reasons (a guaranteed loss), or booted from office for selling out residents to special interests, are also shamelessly plugging this fundraiser to support Luna’s re-election despite the well-documented, historic failures during his tenure.

    And let’s not forget Farrer and Pierson’s efforts manipulate the system to install a political puppet, and the most incompetent Captain in charge of public safety for the Malibu/Lost Hills region.

    These current and former council members—who failed to protect Malibu’s coastline, economy, and public safety infrastructure—are now clinging to Sheriff Luna’s sinking ship in a desperate attempt to salvage what’s left of their political relevance.

    You watched them ignore critical disaster preparedness and go after those who dared to sound the alarm. You saw their smear campaigns against reformers like Steve Uhring and Bruce Silverstein. And now, here they are again—backing a sheriff who skips disaster briefings, presides over metastasizing scandals, and brushes off a full-blown staffing crisis like it’s business as usual.

    These aren’t endorsements – they’re insurance policies. A last-ditch attempt by irrelevant politicians to stay tethered to power, no matter how toxic, incompetent, or destructive it’s become. Now, the same people who helped gut the soul of Malibu want to hand Sheriff Luna another term – despite his abuse of power, the mass exodus of deputies under his watch, and his refusal to lead when lives were on the line. These aren’t isolated missteps. They’re the trademarks of a department in crisis – and a man who has no business wearing the badge.

    The May 10 fundraiser isn’t just out of touch—it’s a tone-deaf celebration of political decay.

    But the truth is out. The receipts are public. And this time, Malibu is watching.

  • Fudging The Numbers

    Fudging The Numbers

    “Don’t shop alone.”

    LASD Public Service Announcement – Christmas – 2024

    One of the few positive claims made by the current sheriff is the “fact” that a number of violent crime categories have reduced under his administration.  Digging deeper into the numbers and what they truly mean is a major factor that needs to be addressed when discussing the sheriff’s claims.  Afterall, with the well-known critical personnel issues affecting how many people are available to patrol our station areas, it seemed odd that crime would go down without the department being able to field as many cars and personnel as required. Did having fewer cops in the field equate to a reduction in crime?

    One of the first things we need to immediately address is what exactly has been going on over the past few years. The first thought that comes to mind is the COVID pandemic that swept the nation in late 2019.  I’m sure it’s something that none of us who lived during that time will ever forget, with the social disruption and loss of freedom of movement. We were effectively locked in our homes until well into 2022.

    A quick review of a few crime figures shows what happened after people were finally allowed to leave their homes again.  The numbers below represent a comparison of the years 2022 and 2023.  Since the current sheriff entered office in December of 2022, these numbers represent his first full year in office.  They are not encouraging.

    Homicides UP 8.9%

    Strong Arm Robbery UP 11.3%

    Daytime Residential Burglary UP 9.7%

    Nighttime Residential Burglary UP 6.7%

    Petty Theft UP 11.8%

    Auto Theft UP 7.6%

    Arson UP .2%

    The second period I reviewed was a comparison of 2023 and 2024 crime statistics.  These numbers represent the sheriff’s second full year at the helm of the department.

    Homicides DOWN .5%

    Strong Arm Robbery UP 8.0%

    Daytime Residential Burglary UP 10.0%

    Nighttime Residential Burglary UP 2.0%

    Residential Burglary (Unk Time) UP 6.7%

    Petty Theft UP 13.6%

    Arson UP 3.8%

    Again, not the stellar numbers we would like to have seen.

    The third timeframe reviewed is a comparison between early 2024 and 2025.  It’s a short period, but it gives us a look at what we can expect in the upcoming months.

    Homicides 0% (24 murders for each year at this point)

    Strong Arm Robbery UP 6.1%

    Daytime Residential Burglary UP 45%

    Nighttime Residential Burglary UP 29.6%

    Residential Burglary (Unk Time) UP 44.5%

    Petty Theft DOWN 4.1%

    Auto Theft DOWN 16.0%

    Arson UP 32.9%

    As you can see, residential burglaries have gone through the ceiling.  What is not shown in these numbers is the fact that many nighttime residential burglaries are defined as being “home invasions”, since people are generally home during this period.  Home invasions are inherently extremely dangerous and likely to result in violent encounters between the burglars and residents.  The fact that they went up nearly 30% should be concerning to all of us.

    Additionally, the rise in reported arson crimes of nearly 33% is an eye-opening reminder that there those among us who would do life-threatening, horrible things to either settle a grudge or extort others for financial gain.

    The last set of numbers represents a comparison of calendar years 2023/2024, and 2024/2025.  These numbers appear to be the most significant and relevant to our review of the claims being made by the sheriff.

    Homicides DOWN 11.2%

    Strong Armed Robbery UP 6.9%

    Daytime Residential Burglary UP 17.0%

    Nighttime Residential Burglary UP 5.2%

    Residential Burglary (Un Time) UP 13.5%

    Petty Theft UP 10.8%

    Arson UP 7.2%

    Okay, so what does this all mean?  As you may have all realized by this point, the numbers (statistics) are only part of the story.

      

    Now let’s look at the reality of today’s world.  Over the past few years, thanks in part to Proposition 47, people have been subjected to being accosted by a record number of wandering drug addicts, alcoholics, petty thieves, gangs of thugs, and those suffering from mental health issues, who wander our streets, seemingly at will. People are having their jewelry ripped from their bodies and being followed home by those who rob and assault them.

    As a result of these unsettling social issues, it’s no surprise that people are choosing to stay indoors and at home more than before, only choosing to wander into public when accompanied by protective groups of friends and family.  This is keeping in line with the LASD Public Service Announcement (PSA) issued during the Christmas season last year, when we were warned not to shop alone when venturing out to buy our gifts.  This was the first time I can ever recall being told “Don’t shop alone.”

    How did we come to this?

    I believe this debacle is the result of the proverbial “perfect storm” of events.  Using the passage of Proposition 47 in 2014 as the starting point, we can point to a continuing onslaught of negative social issues, including the COVID pandemic, the liberal policies of the sheriff’s career-long BFF and mentor, D.A. George Gascon, the inability to hold petty crime suspects accountable, poor/non-existent leadership of the department, crumbling morale among the rank and file, degrading of the department CAD (computer assisted dispatch) and 911 systems, chronic personnel shortages, anti-cop, anti-law enforcement activists and anarchists, worn out radio cars and buses, exhausted personnel being forced to work soul-sucking amounts of overtime, and fiscal mismanagement.  It’s a long list of failures on the part of this sheriff.

    In the final analysis, it appears to me that the sheriff’s “facts” surrounding the apparent reduction in crime amounts to an artificial reduction only.  In short, I believe that this illusion of crime reduction is the simple fact that people are hiding in their homes out of fear of the culture of criminality that has gained a foothold in LA County.

    I can’t help but have faith in the voters of LA County that they are finally awake and paying attention to what is going on.  Afterall, Proposition 36 passed statewide this past election.  As enacted, this proposition rectifies several problematic issues presented by Proposition 47.  Another positive development, at least in my eyes, is the fact that the voters overwhelmingly rejected the insane super-progressive policies of Gascon and sent him packing.  It was clear that he was more concerned about the feelings of the criminals who entered the criminal justice system than the victims of their crimes.

    I firmly believe that the Sheriff’s Department is in dire need of sweeping reform and a change in leadership.  I think the voting public sees this as well.

    Only time will tell.

  • Luna’s Legacy of Lunacy: How Sheriff Robert “Bunker Bob” Luna is Fast-Tracking the Fall of Public Safety in L.A. County

    Luna’s Legacy of Lunacy: How Sheriff Robert “Bunker Bob” Luna is Fast-Tracking the Fall of Public Safety in L.A. County

    Voters, be aware—or better yet, BEWARE.

    L.A. County Sheriff Robert “Bunker Bob” Luna is asking for another shot to finish what he started: wrecking the largest sheriff’s department in the nation like it’s his personal demolition project.

    Since November of 2022, under the guise of reform, Luna has presided over one of the most chaotic and demoralized eras in department history—marked by a surge in violent crime, collapsing morale among deputies, and a shocking lack of leadership when it’s needed most.

    So, if you’re dreaming of a future where home invasions, carjackings, and smash-and-grabs are a part of your morning routine like they are today – great news. Luna’s your man!

    For those who’ve been paying attention, the sheriff’s race unofficially kicked off last November – when Luna was forced to launch his re-election campaign earlier than planned.

    The expedited announcement happened after I dropped a little truth bomb on X about the swirling rumors of Luna’s health—specifically, word from my trusted sources in both the Long Beach PD and LASD pointing to the possible onset of Parkinson’s. The whispers had grown louder, and insiders believed it was affecting his capacity to lead – and then, things got real, real fast.

    Sources say that the moment Luna caught wind of the post, his team went straight into DEFCON 1 damage control. According to insiders, Democratic political strategist Jeffrey Millman—a key player from Luna’s 2022 campaign—was quickly deployed to spin the situation into a shiny PR moment. The result? A conveniently timed Los Angeles Times article announcing Luna’s re-election bid for 2026, complete with a casual wave at the growing health rumors and a bold “nothing to see here, folks.”

    Sources from inside the Long Beach Police Department say the real panic button wasn’t about optics – it was about donor confidence. Fundraising, they say, is Luna’s lifeblood. And a rumor like this? Enough to make money dry up faster than public trust at a sheriff’s town hall.

    So the campaign went nuclear.

    Thirty days after the Times article dropped, Luna’s personal attorney—whose firm just so happens to employ his daughter—sent a cease-and-desist letter to the author of the post (me). The letter, filled with the usual “defamation” buzzwords and heavy legal breathing, demanded not only the post’s removal, but also a public apology.

    Because when you’re a so-called reformer with thin skin and shaky approval ratings, what better way to handle criticism than to lawyer up, cry foul, and threaten free speech?

    Nothing screams “transparency and accountability” quite like trying to gag your critics through your daughter’s law office.

    Now that a second candidate has officially jumped into the race (don’t worry, that’s not important right now), and a few others are flirting with the idea of running, it feels like the perfect moment to revisit why Robert “Bunker Bob” Luna isn’t just a bad option for sheriff—he’s already cemented his legacy as the worst to ever wear the badge in the 174-year history of the department. A title, mind you, that takes real effort to earn.

    Pepper Spray is Now a Federal Offense

    In a verdict that’s sending shockwaves through law enforcement agencies nationwide, Deputy Trevor Kirk was convicted by a federal jury on February 6, 2025, of deprivation of rights under color of law for—wait for it—using pepper spray during a robbery in progress call at the WinCo market in June of 2023.

    Yes, you read that right. Pepper spray. A Category 1 use of force, the lowest on the department’s scale.

    The verdict, which could land Kirk in federal prison for 10 years, is being called “unprecedented” by former Sheriff Alex Villanueva, who showed up in court just to watch this dystopian mess unfold in real time.

    “Declaring pepper spray a dangerous weapon is unprecedented… The chilling effect on deputies unwilling to engage resisting suspects will breed hesitation and increase the potential for injury on all sides,” Villanueva told The Current Report.

    Translation? Deputies are now wondering if standard-issue equipment comes with a side of federal indictment.

    The Real Crime? Luna’s Leadership.

    While Kirk’s conviction set a terrifying new standard for what counts as “excessive force,” the real story brewing behind the scenes is even more disturbing: Sheriff Luna allegedly handed the case to federal prosecutors himself.

    That’s right — instead of allowing the Internal Criminal Investigations Bureau (ICIB) to do its job and complete a proper internal review, Sheriff Luna allegedly skipped the process entirely and fast-tracked the case straight to the feds. No subpoena. No formal request. Just a quiet directive from the eighth floor command staff  telling ICIB to hand the case over to the DOJ.

    No due process. No departmental closure. Just cold-blooded political sacrifice – wrapped in silence and shoved under the rug. All to protect Luna’s image, not his people.

    And now, with sentencing set for April 21, the fallout is already rippling through a department that was already smoldering like a political dumpster fire.

    Morale? What Morale?

    Sources inside LASD report a mass exodus—deputies resigning, transferring, or retiring in droves. The department is hemorrhaging sworn personnel who no longer trust leadership not to sacrifice them when the political winds shift.

    The once-proud LASD is becoming a ghost town of demoralized deputies waiting for the next headline that paints them as villains—and for many, Deputy Kirk’s conviction was the final straw.

    One source summed it up bluntly:

    “They’re not just quitting the department. They’re quitting a system that sees them as disposable.”

    And Then Came the Memo: Baker to Vegas, Deputy Gangs, and Olympic-Level Gaslighting

    Just when you thought it couldn’t get more absurd, enter Luna’s March 5th memo, where he tried to quell unrest over the Baker to Vegas race by essentially accusing protesting deputies of forming gangs.

    Because apparently, boycotting a run in the desert to protest wrongful prosecution = gang affiliation.

    In the memo, Luna reminded his staff of department policies against hate groups and harassment—an interesting choice, considering the event in question was a silent, peaceful refusal to participate in a symbolic team-building race.

    So now, if you don’t participate, you’re a liability. If you speak up, you’re a threat. And if you enforce the law with the tools you were trained to use, well… hope you like federal court

    Welcome to Luna Land: Where Station Pride = Probable Cause

    Instead of tackling crime or, you know, leading the nation’s largest sheriff’s department, Luna has directed his now-infamous Internal Affairs Bureau — lovingly referred to by deputies as the “Rat Squad” — to launch an all-out assault on any deputy who dares to show a little station pride in ink.

    And this isn’t your average Human Resources slap-on-the-wrist operation. This is a county-wide witch hunt dressed up as reform, with the subtlety of a bull in a china shop and the logic of a drunk magician pulling policy out of a hat.

    Here’s the plot twist that would make Netflix jealous:

    The very people leading this “investigation” — including Undersheriff April Tardy, Luna’s #2 — are also rocking the same tattoos they’re now pretending are signs of criminal conspiracy.

    Apparently, it’s only gang-related when you’re not in the inner circle. Funny how that works.

    Let’s not forget IAB investigators Ivan Brenes-Mendez (Palmdale), Walter Arcos (Norwalk), and Chad Vanden Berg (Lakewood) — all proudly inked up with station tats. But don’t worry, they’ve assured us they’re the good tattoo guys.

    Think you escaped the Luna purge by moving to another agency? NOPE. The Rat Squad has reportedly been dialing up former deputies now serving elsewhere, asking them to snitch — sorry, “provide witness interviews.” And if you politely decline?

    They’ll allegedly call your new boss.

    And just to sweeten the intimidation, they’re reportedly emailing anti-law enforcement propaganda to your new agency to get the ball rolling. Because nothing says “we support law enforcement” like smearing a cop in another county because of a tattoo they got in 2012.

    Is this a gang investigation or a reality show called “Ink Shaming with Bunker Bob”?

    Meanwhile, Back in the Real World…

    Crime? Rising.
    Deputy morale? Trashed.
    Recruitment? On life support.
    Public safety? LOL.

    But sure, let’s spend taxpayer dollars chasing down deputies with tattoos like they’re part of some secret Illuminati.

    Spoiler alert: they’re not. These tattoos have been symbolic of station pride for decades — not criminal intent. But in Luna’s version of LASD, symbolism is dangerous, loyalty is suspicious, and common sense is contraband.

    This Isn’t Reform. It’s a PR-Driven Purge.

    Make no mistake — this isn’t about rooting out “deputy gangs.” It’s about optics.
    It’s about appeasing political donors, woke watchdogs, and the L.A. Times editorial board who wouldn’t last five minutes on a midnight shift in Compton.

    While Luna is trying to score points with activists by branding his own people as criminals — he quietly surrounds himself with the very same folks he claims to be investigating.

    Fallout and 2026 Implications

    And let’s not forget the smoking gun that will surely come back to bite: a now-infamous video obtained by The Current Report, originally posted to the L.A. County District Attorney’s social media shortly after Luna took office. In it, Luna isn’t just acknowledging DA George Gascón – he’s fawning over him like a rookie cadet meeting his idol.

    This isn’t just garden-variety praise, it’s an unfiltered moment that exposes the dangerous ideological bromance between (at the time) L.A. County’s top two law enforcement officials. And now that clip is resurfacing with fresh scrutiny, serving as undeniable proof that what was driving our public safety crisis isn’t just bad policy — it was a mutual admiration between two men who think coddling criminals is good governance.

    In the video, Luna doesn’t merely thank Gascón — he canonizes him. It’s not collaboration. It’s collusion in plain sight. A toxic alliance that actively undermined law enforcement, neutered accountability, and sent L.A. County into a tailspin of unchecked violence, smash-and-grabs, and political theater disguised as reform.

    But the real gut punch? Sources say Luna knew about Gascón’s decision not to pursue the death penalty in the cold-blooded ambush of one of his own deputies, Ryan Clinkunbroomer, — before it was announced at the press conference. And instead of stepping up, Luna zipped his lips, and let the grieving family find out like the rest of us — in front of live cameras with the world watching.

    That’s not professionalism.
    That’s cowardice dressed in uniform.
    That’s betrayal wrapped in campaign strategy.

    And it tells you everything you need to know: when given the choice between standing with his fallen deputy’s family or protecting his political meal ticket, Luna chose the latter. Loud and clear.

    Now, as we head toward 2026, that glossy, pre-packaged image of Luna as a “moderate reformer” is cracking under the weight of receipts. Voters aren’t buying it.

    Families of fallen deputies? Furious.

    Frontline deputies? Done.

    And the public? Waking up.

    This isn’t about justice anymore – it’s about survival. For Luna, the cost of loyalty to Gascón, and ultimately to George Soros who funded the opposition campaign in 2022 against former Sheriff Alex Villanueva, might not just be credibility or public trust.

    It might be his job.
    Or better yet – his legacy.

    And it makes one thing chillingly clear: when forced to choose between protecting his political patrons or standing with his own deputies, Luna showed us exactly where his loyalties lie — and it wasn’t with the badge.

  • Leadership in Crisis: Alleged Stabbing, Cover-Up, and Internal Scandals Rock LASD’s Malibu/Lost Hills Station

    Leadership in Crisis: Alleged Stabbing, Cover-Up, and Internal Scandals Rock LASD’s Malibu/Lost Hills Station

    A disturbing series of internal communications and leaked documents suggest an alleged stabbing incident involving a retired Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) Lieutenant may have been covered up by ranking officials at the Lost Hills Station.

    At the center of the controversy is the retired Lieutenant (referred to as “R.L.” going forward to protect his family), a figure well-known and respected in Malibu, and once described as supportive of line personnel — until, as one insider put it, “he lost his shit.”

    According to multiple sources R.L. has been experiencing a series of mental health crises since 2022, which has escalated to alleged involvement in criminal and dangerous behavior, including car-jacking, burglary, assault and now being stabbed due to alleged non-payment of services performed by sex workers.

    It has recently come to light that multiple incidents occurring over the last three years, some of which were while he was still employed by LASD, are being covered up by command staff at the Lost Hills Station under the command of Captain Jennifer Seetoo.

    The concerning behavior displayed by R.L. first came to the attention of the station’s command staff shortly after Seetoo was assigned to the Captain’s spot at Lost Hills in May of 2022. Seetoo was on vacation the first three weeks of her new assignment when the first known incident of bizarre and erratic behavior by R.L. occurred in Lost Hills jurisdiction. At the time, R.L. was still employed by LASD, however, was out Injured on Duty.

    The most recent incident occurred on March 28th, where R.L. was forced off the freeway by three men in a black SUV and got into an altercation reportedly stemming from R.L’s alleged refusal to pay for services rendered by sex workers.

    An incident report from the same day corroborates a portion of the account. Filed at 13:39 on March 28, the log documents that R.L. arrived at the West Hills Hospital ER stating he had been stabbed on the exit to Lost Hills Road from the 101 Freeway. California Highway Patrol was on the scene and stood by until LASD deputies arrived.

     

    Multiple messages allege that Lieutenant Dustin Carr, who is the current Lost Hills Operations Lieutenant and formerly worked at Internal Affairs, attempted to suppress the incident. Carr reportedly instructed deputies to turn off body cameras during a previous DUI crash involving R.L., then had the vehicle transported to the station where trustees were ordered to scrub and repair the damage.

    Carr is rumored to be in line for promotion, making the alleged cover-up all the more politically charged.

    Further accounts claim that when R.L. sought medical aid at a local firehouse (Station 125), he abruptly left after personnel began “asking too many questions,” eventually driving himself to the hospital.

    “This whole thing reeks of a hush operation,” said one source. “They even handed off the stabbing report to a deputy unfamiliar with R.L., and told him to keep it quiet.”

    One message sums up the internal sentiment: “Dustin Carr shouldn’t be trying to cover this up either.” Another adds, “R.L. is a lost cause at this point, unless he gets into rehab nothing is gonna change.”

    The allegations point to a troubling culture of silence and protectionism within LASD leadership. With multiple scandals already plaguing the department in recent years, questions now mount about whether internal affairs or external oversight will investigate these new claims.

    The Current Report reached out to Assistant Sheriff Jason Skeen, Commander Mark Reyes, Captain Jennifer Seetoo, and Lt. Dustin Carr regarding the incident, however, did not receive a response.

    A Captain Installed Without Consensus

    In May 2022, council members from multiple cities contacted the Malibu Daily News stating they were blindsided by the decision made by their City Managers and unaware that Jennifer Seetoo “was even being interviewed or they would have spoken up”. City managers from at least 4 out of the 5 cities intimated to their council members and Acting Captain Joe Fender that he was their choice for Captain at the station.

    Sources inside the department told Malibu Daily News it is rumored that at the time, then Lt. Seetoo settled her lawsuit with the department alleging discrimination just in time to be considered for the Captain’s position.

    City and department sources told Malibu Daily News that Malibu City Council member Mikke Pierson and Karen Farrer, orchestrated a coup, pressuring city managers from the four other cities to change their choice from Acting Captain Fender to Lt. Seetoo without discussing the change with council members (who oversee the city manager). Most council members were unaware she was interviewing for the position and/or made aware at the last minute, or after the fact.

    Operational Chaos During Fire Response

    According to multiple sources familiar with internal operations, tensions erupted between agencies during the Palisades and Eaton fire incidents. Friction emerged between Cal Fire’s “red hats” and LASD personnel, particularly over who had incident command authority. The Rose Bowl Incident Management Team (IMT), an elite LASD unit, had to step in and assert jurisdiction—citing the potential criminal nature of the fires and the likelihood of murder charges should arson be confirmed.

    According to the source, Malibu/Lost Hills Captain Jennifer Seetoo inserted herself into the fire response—even though IMTs are explicitly designed to act independently from local station captains. Her involvement reportedly caused significant disruption and blurred the chain of command.

    As a result of the confusion, Cal Fire reportedly “drove right over her and the Palisades IMT,” forcing the Rose Bowl IMT to intervene and “clear things up.” The source described the situation as driven by ego clashes and a lack of understanding of IMT protocols—a costly distraction during a critical incident.

    Ironically, Sheriff Robert Luna, equally incapable of managing emergency operations as evidenced during the failed Eaton Fire evacuations that lead to 17 deaths, Luna proudly presented an award for Captain Seetoo’s “bravery” during the Palisades Fire.

    It should be noted that seetoo and her husband were big donors to Luna’s campaign in 2022.

     

    Not Her First Rodeo

    In 2018, Seetoo was appointed Acting Captain after former Captain Josh Thai suffered a stroke during the Malibu Creek State Park Shootings investigation. Seetoo was also at the helm during the Woolsey Fire, which was a natural disaster/tactical nightmare due to many factors under Seetoo’s command.  Shortly after the fire destroyed more than 600 homes in the area, Sheriff Alex Villanueva took office, and Seetoo was promptly replaced by Acting Captain Chuck Becerra.

    During the first Santa Ana wind season in 2019, and after the devastating Woolsey Fire, Lt. Seetoo, under the command of  Captain Matthew VanderHorck, was in charge of emergency communications.

    At least two wildfires were raging in the area, filling the canyons with smoke and flames that could be seen in the distance. Lt. Seetoo was contacted multiple times to get updates as residents who were in a panic, yet failed to make even one official emergency update from the station on social media throughout the four days the fires burned. This left residents with no information to prepare for potential evacuations.

    Days later, Lt Seetoo was transferred to West Hollywood, and the station was ordered by Villanueva to undergo intense social media training, with one source at the department telling Malibu Daily News the Lost Hills station was referred to as an “embarrassment and the worst station for emergency communication and social media presence at LASD”. Shortly after, Seetoo sued the department for discrimination, retaliation and harassment.

    A Dangerous Mix

    The leadership missteps continued in October 2023, following a heartbreaking crash on Pacific Coast Highway that claimed the lives of four Pepperdine University students. In the immediate aftermath, while the community mourned and called for action, the Malibu Search & Rescue team—operating under Seetoo’s watch—published a promotional post on social media involving an alcohol sponsor. The optics were jarring: an LASD-branded account appearing to partner with a liquor company just days after a deadly crash caused by reckless driving.

    The collaboration should have been stopped at the station level, yet made it to canning process which was unveiled on social media just days after the quadruple homicide of four young women on PCH.

    The fundraising event was for Malibu Search and Rescue (additionally registered as a 501 C3 aside from their affiliation with LASD), and was to include a beer garden at event venue at Malibu Creek State Park. This would have allowed drivers leaving Malibu Creek State Park to drive intoxicated on Malibu Canyon Road, the scene of many over the side vehicle rescues they respond to. Many of those incidents are Driving While Intoxicated. It is astounding how LASD command staff allowed this collaboration to move forward.

    Alcohol and a law enforcement agency is a dangerous cocktail to mix.

    The social media posts were amended or deleted. But no responsibility has been assumed by LASD or Malibu Search and Rescue for the insensitivity and lack of foresight of such a collaboration and it’s effect on the family of loved ones who were killed in alcohol related accidents.

    Then-Mayor Steve Uhring was made aware of the collaboration he gave Malibu Daily News this exclusive quote:

    “If it looks bad, it probably is bad… bad visual… it’s a bad visual. The City funds Malibu Search and Rescue with some of our general grant funds every year. How they got involved with a beer company, who thought that was a good idea and why they are following that path, I have no idea but I will follow up and try to find out.”

    Conclusion: A Leadership Crisis, Not Just a Public Safety One

    Taken together, these episodes paint a disturbing portrait of a station adrift under Captain Seetoo. Her tenure so far has been defined by missed opportunities to lead, and tackle serious safety issues head-on. Whether it’s political missteps, ill-timed social media posts, operational confusion during emergency incidents, the thread running through it all is a troubling lack of leadership at a growing cost to public safety.