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Deputy DAs Back Recall of District Attorney Gascón
Vote is 97.9% in Favor
By a MetNews Staff Writer
The professional association/union of Los Angeles County’s prosecutors yesterday went on record in support of an ouster by voters of District Attorney George Gascón, with 97.9% percent of those casting ballots in a plebiscite expressing their desire to be rid of the head of the office.
Of the more than 800 members of the Association of Deputy District Attorneys (“ADDA”), 83.3% participated in the polling. That “voter turnout exceeds all previous ADDA elections,” the association’s announcement of the tally said.
ADDA President Michele Hanisee commented:
“This vote is by those who are intimately familiar with how Mr. Gascón’s policies actually play out on a day-to-day basis. We believe the vote of our members will resonate with the voters of Los Angeles as they decide whether to recall Gascón from office and restore public safety as the priority of the District Attorney’s office.”
ADDA Vice President Eric Siddall remarked:
“Over a year ago, Gascón began a massive social experiment by redirecting prosecutorial resources away from enforcing the law while simultaneously ignoring large portions of the Penal Code. The result is an emboldened criminal element that knows the DA will not hold criminals accountable. This experiment needs to end.”
Cooley Comments
Former District Attorney Steve Cooley, responding to the METNEWS’s request for a comment, said:
“Those closest to the Gascón throne know him best! This is a huge rejection of Gascón and his closest advisors (most of whom are ideological and recent career deputy public defenders) and what they have done and are doing to the criminal justice system.”
Cooley is one of the prime movers behind an effort to put a recall on the ballot. The campaign is being guided by professional consultants.
Invitation Spurned
Yesterday’s announcement by the ADDA notes:
“The vote came after Gascón refused an invitation to address the prosecutors of his office to explain and defend his policies and provide his arguments why he should not be recalled.”
In a Feb. 4 letter to Gascón from Hanisee, sent on behalf of the ADDA’s Board of Directors, a deadline of 1 p.m. on Feb. 9 was set for responding to an invitation to address the rank-and-file via “a virtual town hall meeting.” The district attorney did not respond.
The ADDA issued a statement that afternoon saying:
“The District Attorney ran on a promise of transparency. It is clear from his actions today that this promise was merely a political platitude. Unfortunately, his refusal to meet with his own deputies is consistent with the secrecy with which he manages his administration.
“Not surprising from a man who rarely shows up to his own office.
‘Should Be Afraid’
“No competent elected official should be afraid of answering questions. While we are surprised that Mr. Gascon chose to decline our invitation to make his case as to why he should not be recalled, the ADDA will proceed on a vote.”
More than 30 cities within the county have issued votes of “no confidence” in Gascón, some of whose policies, which favor more lenient treatment of criminals, have been judicially invalidated, in response to an ADDA petition for a writ of mandate. Gascón’s appeal from the writ is before the Court of Appeal.
U.S. Rep. Karen Bass, D-Los Angeles, a mayoral candidate, was listed as a supporter of Gascón on the anti-recall website. She repudiated the supposed endorsement, insisting that her name be removed.
Former Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck on Feb. 11 released a statement announcing the rescission of his support for Gascón in the recall effort, saying:
“I based my support for the election of District Attorney George Gascón on the hope he would advance public safety in Los Angeles and because of our close personal relationship of over 30 years. After observing the negative effects of his policies and practices on public safety, I am compelled to rescind that endorsement.
‘Protecting and Serving’
“I have spent the majority of my life protecting and serving the people of Los Angeles and the men and women of its police department. I believe they would be made safer and be better served by a District Attorney that emphasizes the rights of victims and the safety of our police officers.”
Supporters of the recall must gather 566,857 signatures—10 per cent of the county’s registered voters—by July 6.
The effort—unlike an earlier one, run by amateurs, that failed—has amassed contributions, totaling nearly $3 million.
Gascón’s statement on a policy shift in his office—now permitting a motion, on rare occasion, to transfer to adult court the case of a person who allegedly committed crimes at age 16 or 17—appears on Page 3.
Copyright 2022, Metropolitan News Company