LOS ANGELES (CNS) – In a heated discussion, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna Thursday refused to comply with subpoenas issued by an oversight body that requested information related to possible deputy misconduct and use of force.
The county’s Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission issued subpoenas demanding records related to three cases in which deputies allegedly beat, shot, and used excessive force on young men. Luna said the department has “nothing to hide,” but county counsel instructed him not to send the information.
“As you’re aware, we filed a declaratory relief action to go to court so that we can get clarification for all of these requests,” Luna said. “This isn’t an issue of trying to hide any information. We just want clarification so we can follow the law.”
“What you’re asking us to do right now violates the law, according to county counsel.”
Earlier this week, Luna filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court, asking a court to decide whether the LASD should comply with the COC’s request.
COC Chair Robert Bonner, a former federal judge, criticized Luna’s actions, which he described as “extraordinary, and frankly, disrespectful to this commission.”
“… We resorted to the subpoenas only after our previous efforts requesting the sheriff’s department to voluntarily share documents with this commission through what we call request to review documents or information were rejected,” Bonner said. “All of them have been rejected on the claim that such documents were confidential under state law.”
COC members sought to discuss the issue with county counsel in closed session, but that was challenged too. Ultimately, the COC requested for county counsel to leave, and had a closed session discussion with special counsel.
The COC is asking for all records related to the death of 18-year-old Andres Guardado, who was killed in 2020 by deputies who shot him in the back; the case of Emmett Brock, a transgender man who was beaten by a Norwalk deputy outside a 7-Eleven in 2023; and documents in the case of Joseph Perez, who was beat by Industry station deputies in 2020.
The LASD argued that deputy personnel records are confidential under a state law, thought there are some exceptions. In part, Luna’s lawsuit seeks to clarify whether the COC is allowed to access those records. He said he is also concerned that if he provides the records to the COC, the department could face criminal charges.
In 2020, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors gave the commission the power to issue subpoenas through the Office of Inspector General. L.A. County voters also approved Measure R, giving the COC ability to directly subpoena witnesses and records. Gov. Gavin Newsom also implemented a law providing similar powers to oversight agencies in California.
Transparency was one of the key issues in the 2022 sheriff’s election, when Luna defeated former Sheriff Alex Villanueva. Luna and other county officials had sharply criticized Villanueva for not being more cooperative with oversight bodies on a number of issues.
Recent Comments