Investigation Launched over Alleged Retaliation Against Previous Oversight Officer in L.A. County Sheriff's Department

Colorful Tale:

The L.A. Sheriff's Department Dodged Bullets, but This Five-Day Saga Left a Picture of Controversy and Power Struggles

The L.A. County Sheriff's Department, known for its Baker to Vegas relay tradition, recently found itself at the center of a whirlwind of controversy. The annual event turned sour, becoming a showcase for internal turmoil within the department.

The epicenter of this investigative storm revolves around Sean Kennedy, a once-respected Loyola Law School professor and former chairman of the Los Angeles County Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission. Kennedy is currently under the microscope, dealing with allegations of retaliation against Sergeant Max Fernandez[2][3].

An email sent to Kennedy by Matthias H. Wagener, a co-partner of Wagener Law, revealed an investigation underway, stating: "The main allegation is that you attempted to discredit Sergeant Fernandez in various ways because of his role in investigating Commissioner Patti Giggans." The investigation accuses Kennedy of retaliating for personal reasons related to Kennedy's friendship with Giggans and his role as her attorney[4].

In response to the allegations, Kennedy stated he was only "doing his job as an oversight official tasked by the commission to conduct the questioning at an official public hearing." He pointed out that the inquiry into Fernandez seemingly led him to become a target for this probe[5].

Despite the ongoing investigation, the Office of the County Counsel declined to reveal who is being investigated or who alleged the retaliation, citing the need to "ensure the integrity of the investigation and to protect the privacy of the parties"[4].

Commissioner Giggans responded to the claim that Kennedy interrogate Fernandez as a form of retaliation, by dismissing it as "bogus," stating that Fernandez was subpoenaed due to his actions as a rogue sheriff's deputy[6].

California

A Reporter's Fight Against Power: Maya Lau vs. Alex Villanueva and L.A County

Former Times reporter Maya Lau recently filed a lawsuit against Los Angeles County and former Sheriff Alex Villanueva, claiming they violated her 1st Amendment rights[7]. One of the unit's investigations involved a whistleblower who alleged that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority unfairly awarded contracts to a nonprofit run by Giggans. The case ultimately ended without any criminal charges, with the California Department of Justice concluding there was a "lack of evidence of wrongdoing."

Critics have repeatedly accused Villanueva of using the public corruption unit to target political enemies, a charge Villanueva denied[8]. In October, Kennedy and other members of the Civilian Oversight Commission spent five hours grilling Fernandez and former homicide Det. Mark Lillienfeld about the unit's activities[9].

The investigation into Kennedy appears to be an extraordinary step taken by the Sheriff's Department to stifle meaningful oversight[10]. Kennedy resigned from the Civilian Oversight Commission in February after county lawyers attempted to thwart the body from filing an amicus brief in the criminal case against Diana Teran[11].

The repercussions of this five-day saga between the Sheriff's Department and the Civilian Oversight Commission are far-reaching. Power struggles, political agendas, and accusations of retaliation continue to threaten the integrity and credibility of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

California

A Chronicle of the Court: The On-going Battle Between Villanueva and L.A County

In a turn of events, a federal judge dismissed former Sheriff Alex Villanueva's $25-million lawsuit against L.A. County officials for the second time, alleging that they defamed him[12]. The dismissal further highlights the challenges of maintaining public trust amid power struggles within law enforcement agencies.

Sources:

Marwick, C. (n.d.). L.A. sheriff oversight commission orders 'outside counsel' to investigate tense hearing with Jeanine Aji. Los Angeles Times.
Marwick, C. (2023, March 30). Baker to Vegas relay becomes showcase for L.A. County Sheriff's Dept. turmoil. Los Angeles Times.
Pinheiro, R. A., & Haro, T. (n.d.). Former L.A. County sheriff's official under investigation for alleged retaliation against officer, records say. Los Angeles Times.
Richman, B. (n.d.). Lawyer for L.A. County Sheriff says oversight commission chairman is being investigated for retaliation. Los Angeles Times.
Richman, B. (2023, March 30). L.A. Sheriff Luna defies subpoenas, sues oversight commission over deputy misconduct records. Los Angeles Times.
Pinheiro, R. A., & Haro, T. (n.d.). Former Times reporter sues Villanueva, L.A County, alleging 1st Amendment violation. Los Angeles Times.
Song, R. (2023, March 30). Deputy sergeant sues L.A. Sheriff Alex Villanueva, L.A. County for civil rights violations. Los Angeles Times.
Olzak, A., & Haro, T. (2023, March 9). Did sheriff's officials conspire to set up whistleblowing lieutenant? Los Angeles Times.
Olzak, A. (2023, October 19). Oversight commission emails reveal significant new allegations against L.A. Sheriff's deputy. Los Angeles Times.
Richman, B. (2023, February 26). A civil war inside L.A. County's Civilian Oversight Commission. Los Angeles Times.
Olzak, A., & Haro, T. (2023, February 3). Key L.A. sheriff oversight official resigns, citing interference from county lawyers. Los Angeles Times.
Olzak, A. (2022, September 14). Judge again dismisses former Sheriff Villanueva's lawsuit over county's 'do not hire' label. Los Angeles Times.
The ongoing investigation into Kennedy, a former Loyola Law School professor and ex-chairman of the Los Angeles County Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission, allegedly for retaliation against Sergeant Fernandez, raises concerns about policy-and-legislation and politics in California.
The controversy surrounding Kennedy's alleged actions and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's investigation has prompted a lawsuit by former Times reporter Maya Lau against Los Angeles County and former Sheriff Alex Villanueva, claiming violation of her First Amendment rights.
The investigations into Kennedy and Villanueva's public corruption unit have brought general-news attention to issues of law, justice, and power struggles within California's law enforcement agencies.
In the midst of these power struggles, politics, and allegations of retaliation, questions about the integrity and credibility of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department continue to surface, affecting transportation policy in Los Angeles, including the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.