Thursday, March 3, 2011
Page 1
Jacquelyn Lacey Named Chief Deputy District Attorney
By a MetNews Staff Writer
Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley yesterday tapped Assistant District Attorney Jacquelyn Lacey for elevation to the office’s No. 2 spot, effective April 4.
Lacey, who has formed an exploratory committee for a run to become the county’s top prosecutor, said she was “honored to have District Attorney Steve Cooley’s trust,” and acknowledged the promotion was a boon to her possible campaign.
“Obviously this helps because it gives me more responsibility,” she said, explaining that her new position “gives me another basis to learn something different should the voters decide to elect me the next district attorney of Los Angeles County.”
She declined to characterize the promotion as an implicit endorsement by Cooley, but rather “him entrusting me with a higher position.” Lacey added that she is “working quite hard to earn the endorsement of other leaders out in our community,” and expected that an endorsement by Cooley of any candidate, should he not seek re-election, would be made clearly and explicitly.
In a release announcing Lacey’s promotion, Cooley praised Lacey as “a seasoned trial lawyer who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and a deep commitment to ensuring that LADA prosecutors receive the training, professional development and support that they deserve.”
He remarked that Lacey has “extensive experience in all operational aspects,” and “possesses a wealth of knowledge, experience and innovative ideas,” having spent 25 years with the office and decade in management.
Once Lacey assumes her new role, current Chief Deputy John K. Spillane is scheduled to become head deputy for the San Fernando Branch Office.
Spillane did not return a call seeking comment, but Lacey said “he has worked tremendously hard and served the District Attorney extraordinarily well,” and “was ready” to step down.
Cooley said Spillane has been “outstanding” in his role as chief deputy for the past five years, and that his “valuable counsel has strengthened and bettered the District Attorney’s Office, helping it move forward in many arenas.”
Assistant District Attorney Curt Hazell is slated to take over Lacey’s former position heading Line Operations, with Patrick Dixon, current head deputy of the Major Crimes Division, succeeding Hazell at the helm of Special Operations.
Copyright 2011, Metropolitan News Company