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Former ADDA Chief Lambastes District Attorney Gascón
By a MetNews Staff Writer
A past president of the Association of Deputy District Attorneys, in his capacity as a member of the Calabasas City Council, has directed a stinging rebuke to Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón, declining to meet with him and blaming him for the rising crime rate.
James R. Bozajian, who was ADDA president in 1996 and 1997. Served six terms as Calabasas mayor, and is currently president of the Los Angeles County Division of the League of California Cities, sent his letter on Thursday. It has been made public by being posted on the ADDA website.
Bozajian, who retired from the District Attorney’s Office in 2014, pointed to the case of People v. Jeffrey Cooper which, he said, “originates out of Calabasas and has affected the lives of many in our community.” Cooper is charged with four counts of sex crimes on children.
Now an attorney for State Compensation Insurance Fund, Bozajian told Gascón:
“This case has languished for the past four years, having had various proceedings in court on 62 occasions. Meanwhile, Cooper is out of custody and wandering about town. The abject refusal of the District Attorney’s Office to handle this matter in a professional manner is deeply troubling, and undermines public confidence in the criminal justice system.”
He went on to say:
“When I sent you a letter of inquiry about the status of the Cooper case last year, you neglected to reply. When I subsequently filed two requests pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code 6250, et seq.), you arrogantly ignored them and failed to respond as required by law.
“There is nothing ‘progressive’ about endangering the welfare of the public you are sworn to protect. Your policies have jeopardized the safety of my city. You have jeopardized the safety of my city. And I therefore have no confidence in your willingness or ability to serve effectively as District Attorney.”
Bozajian added:
“It is abundantly clear that you are only now reaching out to local elected officials because you are in serious trouble. Which is a classic example of too little, too late. Your support has collapsed, as conservatives, liberals, and pretty much everyone in between understand the significant threats you have brought to our communities.
“So, no thank you, Mr. Gascon. I will not provide you with any political ‘cover’ to help salvage your position.”
Copyright 2022, Metropolitan News Company