Rosemead Reader
LA council upholds Bass' termination of Fire Chief Kristin Crowley Pg 13
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VOL. 14,
NO. 213
30 probation officers face charges over youth violence By Joe Taglieri joet@beaconmedianews.com
C
alifornia Attorney General Rob Bonta on Monday announced the unsealing of a grand jury indictment against 30 probation officers at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey who are accused of child endangerment and abuse, conspiracy and battery. The indictment alleges the officers permitted and sometimes encouraged 69 fights to occur between youth detainees at Los Padrinos between July 1 and December 31, 2023. The charges against the officers resulted from an investigation by the California Department of Justice after video footage of one of the so-called "gladiator fights" became public in
January 2024. “Officers at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall have a duty to ensure the safety and wellbeing of those under their care," Bonta said in a statement. "Instead, the officers charged today did just the opposite — overseeing ‘gladiator fights’ when they should have intervened." The charges against the officers include alleged child abuse and endangerment, conspiracy to commit a crime and battery affecting 143 victims ages 12 to 18, according to Bonta's office. The indictment also alleges "aggravating factors" that include the victims' vulnerability and the officers' position of trust or confidence.
The indictment identifies 69 incidents during the six-month period in which probation officers facilitated and allowed youths in their custody to fight each other. "The alleged staffsanctioned fights resulted in physical harm to youth involved and, if the charges are proven, were a dereliction of the officers’ duty to protect those in their care," according to Bonta's office. "The indictment — and the filing of criminal charges — is an important step toward holding these officers accountable and addressing shortfalls at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall," the attorney general said. "Let today’s charges be a warning for all those who
The Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey. | Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles County Probation Department
abuse their power: the California Department of Justice is watching, and we will hold you accountable.” Probation officials
responded to the indictment in a statement Monday: “The Los Angeles County
Probation Department fully supports and applauds the attorney general and his
See Youth violence Page 14
Dispute escalates between County Counsel, LASD commission By Joe Taglieri joet@beaconmedianews.com
T
he Office of Los Angeles County Counsel Dawyn Harris fired that latest rhetorical salvo Friday in an escalating dispute with the Civilian Oversight Commission that monitors the sheriff's department. Since last year and
intensifying in recent months commissioners are crying foul over alleged withholding of information about incidents involving possible deputy misconduct. Last month the commission asked a court to weigh in on the matter, triggering a stiff
rebuttal from the Office of the County Counsel. Commissioner Sean Kennedy resigned a day after he received a Feb. 16 letter from county attorneys threatening legal action if he filed an amicus brief detailing the commission's
claims that the prosecution of former LA County Assistant District Attorney Diana Teran is hindering the COC's work. With the commission's support, Kennedy filed the brief on Feb. 17. On Feb. 20, the commission urged the LA County
Board of Supervisors to not accept Kennedy's resignation and to investigate the County Counsel's actions that influenced his decision resign. On Friday, the Office of
the County Counsel issued this statement: "The Civilian Oversight Commission, mandated by the Board of Supervisors to improve public transparency and accountability
See LASD commission Page 15
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