LOS ANGELES — On Sept. 16, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors terminated the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s legal representation, the same day the LASD Sept. 14 search warrant was challenged in court. At a Sept. 22 emergency hearing, the sheriff’s department did not have representation or county authorization to pay for legal representation in this matter.
A Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled the search warrant was valid, explaining that the warrant was carried out in connection to a public corruption case involving Sup. Kuehl and Los Angeles County Civilian Oversight Commissioner Patricia Giggans and contracts awarded to the nonprofit organization, Peace Over Violence.
Both Kuehl and Giggans’ homes were searched on Sept. 14. The L.A. County Hall of Administration, the Peace over Violence headquarters and the Los Angeles Metro offices were all searched as well.
On Sept. 20, Attorney General Rob Bonta took over the corruption investigation in response to Sheriff Alex Villanueva’s request for the Justice Department to investigate whether a crime was committed. Bonta noted that the California Attorney General’s office has supervisory authority over the sheriff and may, if deemed necessary, take full charge of any investigation or prosecution of violations of law of which the superior court has jurisdiction.
Bonta directed LASD to cease its investigation and all evidence, investigative reports, and information to DOJ special agent supervisor Paul Ramirez and DOJ special agent Allen Mack so that DOJ can handle all further investigation.