According to a new LA Times story, Sheriff Lee Baca “played a significant role” in the department’s efforts to hide FBI informant, Anthony Brown, inside the jail system by moving him under various aliases from facility to facility.
Robert Faturechi also writes that, on Friday, Baca is being interviewed by the feds about the informant situation and other department issues.
Here’s a clip from the story:
Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials learned in the summer of 2011 that the FBI had enlisted an inmate in the Men’s Central Jail to collect information on allegedly abusive and corrupt deputies.
In an unusual move, sheriff’s officials responded by moving the inmate, a convicted bank robber, to a different jail under fake names, including Robin Banks.
They assigned at least 13 deputies to watch him around the clock, according to documents reviewed by The Times. And when the operation was over, the deputies received an internal email thanking them for helping “without asking to [sic] many questions and prying into the investigation at hand.”
Whether Pandora’s Box was intended to protect the inmate or neutralize him as an FBI informant is a key issue in a federal investigation into brutality in the jails.
Four sheriff’s officials told The Times that Sheriff Lee Baca played a significant role in the operation: After learning that an inmate in his jails may have been working as an informant for the FBI, Baca called a meeting and gave his staff orders on how to handle the situation. One of the four officials said Baca continued afterward to guide the operation and get updates.
On Friday, Baca will be interviewed by federal prosecutors examining jail abuse and other problems in the Sheriff’s Department. Part of the inquiry centers on whether by holding inmate Anthony Brown under aliases and moving him, sheriff’s officials were obstructing an FBI investigation.
In an interview this week with the Times’ Editorial Board, Baca said he’s been assured he’s not a target of the investigation….
Lets see, they hid the inmate from the FBI “for his own protection”, with 13 deputies watching over him 24/7? Hmm, MCJ places K-10 inmates, cop killers, EME leadership members, every kind of “keep away” you can think of inside of 1700/1750 at MCJ and that seems to work pretty well. Then they house K-9, “informants” of every type within MCJ, inmates who would be assaulted or killed if allowed to mingle with general population inmates, again, without any problem. Is the Sheriff consulted regarding any of these inmate’s safety? Does Sheriff Baca hold strategy meetings to “hide” any of them “for their safety?”
Yet a decision is made to go to such extremes measures to “hide” this one particular inmate at who knows where, under the direction of the Sheriff? This inmate is an FBI informant, providing information directly to the FBI about alleged misconduct involving Department personnel and a meeting is called involving the Sheriff because executives are concerned about the inmates safety? Are they serious? Does Baca think that the FBI is going to buy that crock? This is all so laughable. It sounds to me like Obstruction of Justice is exactly what was going on. I wonder who the Sheriff will “finesse” regarding this caper? What a bonehead operation. It sounds to me like the Grand Jury might have an answer all of these questions. Stand-by folks, this is going to get very interesting.
C: What happened to the cell phone that was taken and what was on it? It wouldn’t be prudent for anyone around the office to ask. You might be fitted for a cement swim suit. LOL Of course the FBI told Baca he wasn’t a target. If they told Baca that he was a target then Baca would lawyer up! Past execs got to be crapping a brick right about now!
Wonder how many times Baca will mention the name “Tanaka” during his interview?
As anyone alive in the 70’s knows Obstruction of Justice is what brought Nixon down and resulted in the conviction of the former Attorney General of the USA, John N. Mitchell.
Nixon tried to prevent the disclosure of White House involvement in wrongdoing.
Baca appears to have tried to prevent the disclosure of LA Sheriff’s involvement in wrongdoing to the FBI.
Obstruction of Justice is a crime. To obtain a conviction under section 1503 of criminal statutes (18 U.S.C.A. §§ 1501–1517), the government must prove that there was a pending federal judicial proceeding (which there is), the defendant knew of the proceeding (which Baca knew), and the defendant had corrupt intent to interfere with or attempted to interfere with the proceeding.
For my friend Celeste:
Said a fond (and very sad) farewell to my 20 1/2 year old conure Seamus on Monday. He was a hell of a friend. The last time I took him camping up in the Sierra he flat rocked out to Hot Tuna’s `Steady as She Goes’.
Good to see the new org chart effective Sunday. seems tanaka isn’t part of it. Glad to see some of the underperforming and lazy units will be under new division management, Finally
Oh, Jim, I’m so, so sorry. I still miss my late. great wolf-dog, Loup-Loup, dreadfully even though the canine/lupine portion of my heart is very well filled by Miz Lily.
But you took your conure camping? That’s extremely impressive! I wish I’d had the opportunity to meet Seamus.
Sending you good critter thoughts.
C.
Jim, sorry for your conure, they are great birds.
Another Deputy arrested for an alleged 2011 assault today. Wonder how many more cases are coming.
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-deputy-arrested-20130412,0,917544.story
http://www.theavtimes.com/2013/04/12/deputy-charged-with-assaulting-teen-inmate/
Folks: Reporting to the BOS on the LASD we have
1. Merrick Bobb
2. The LAOIR
3. And soon, apparently,http://blogs.dailynews.com/politics/2013/04/11/inspector-general-sheriffs-department-sought/
From Lou Vince’s website
Ok, maybe I’m just getting old, but why does it take 7 commanders to be assigned to custody division? The reason? They have nowhere else to put them.
you see with the new org chart, there is no undersheriff, but 4 assistant sheriffs. Baca was very careful to pick only the best of the best to be in the forefront of this new change. It totally makes sense.
Now that the jail scandel has subsided, the leftover commanders, many who will now end their career in these new assignments, will occupy custody and court services.
Initially, when Baca sent the panel of commanders to custody they were there to do damage control. Out of that panel, people like Guovich, Eric Parra, more than demonstrated their abilities. With that in mind, Gyovich now reports directly to the Sheriff and Eric now runs a division as chief. Good for them. If I were one of the remaining original custody panel commanders, I would seriously be thinking about a counter visit to Lacera
@Finally accountability, “now that the jail scandal has subsided,” is not quite accurate. It hasn’t even started, yet. Once the Federal investigation is completed (it gets uglier by the week) and indictments are served, we will have to live all of this over again. Daylight is the best antiseptic for corruption. Baca is playing the ultimate PR game right now of “See, I’m fixing things, now. I just need four more years to get it right.” He never should have had to “fix” anything, but he gave the keys to the car to Tanaka. Too Tall Paul, as folks call him, loaded that car up with all of his buddies, the ultimate “yes men and women,” and they have engaged in countless acts of road rage. Tanaka drove that car right over a cliff, and it is still in a free fall, you can hear the screams, but it hasn’t hit the floor of that 6,000 foot cliff, yet. Tanaka has been “finessed” by Baca, but there is a lot more finessing to go. I can hear Baca now at the bar, “Pour some finesse for my friends, make it a double, I’m buying.”
Finally: Do you feel lonely? The interview went a whole lot longer than expected. Sue G stood up for the jail abuses stating “You only have heard one side.” What other side was there but just a total breakdown of command and left gangsters in uniform run the place? Please put down the kool-aid and off SG lap. By the way she was also a terrible investigator. But, she had no problem with conduction an investigation to support any mission ordered by executives. Be serious!! go and ask her! I am surprised you didn’t put Fennel on your list of performers.
Finally Accountability:
Just wondering if you can provide some insight into the career of Chief Eric
Parra. No disrespect intended, but talking about being on the fast track. That guy has worked some really good assignments and has risen through the ranks very quickly. I believe he went right to Region Lieutenant for the COPS Bureau after being promoted. Did not have to go to custody or patrol. Please correct me if I am wrong. Look forward to your response.
@ Bandwagon, I think he went to Region 3 as a Watch Commander for 90 days and then directly to SEB. Amazing how the days of newly promoted lieutenants required one to do a year, give or take, of Custody Division time to learn the ropes and transition from the role of supervisor to manager was the norm. From there, one transitioned to a patrol station as a Watch Commander to acquire those job skill sets and then one was on their own for other assignments. Tanaka changed all of that when his chosen few skipped Custody and Field Ops and were placed in coveted positions as a lieutenant. No wonder there are so many clueless managers wondering around like zombies, they never paid their dues, only donated to Tanaka’s campaign. This is why when the zombies are faced with a law enforcement type of question or incident, they respond with the “deer in the head lights” expression. No depth of knowledge, no job skills, they are nothing more than “ambassadors of donations,” to the little man.
Re: Don’t Finesse Me, Bro! — Your summary assessment is spot-on. I’d add arrogance and hopelessness to the effects of this favored fast-tracking of Tanaka/Rhambo sycophants. Parra, Guyovich, Hellmold (and others in the wings) are the most striking symptoms of the corruption. Involvement in sex scandals, directing subordinates to counterfeit trimester weapons qualification cards, rolling up supervisors and investigators from units who don’t tow the Tanaka line, encouraging “working the gray” at CJ and in Field Ops causing a shit-storm of criminal filings and scrutiny, sponsoring incompetent subordinates for promotions, assigning inept/inexperienced individuals in coveted jobs that require abilities light years beyond their abilities? The message sent to the ethical and hard-working employees is – compromise your integrity, be a thug, bully and apologist for Tanaka and Baca or shut the hell up, don’t even think of promoting and just do your line job or you’ll be ostracized and might be rolled up to the opposite end of the county. Com’on Feds!
Interested Party – You have spoken the truth!!!!!
Interested party, with reference to Parra, Guyovich and hellmold, your assertion that they are “striking symptoms of corruption” might bite you in the ass.
With their rank and influence, do you think county counsel would say “no” if they filed a slander suit and revealed who you are through supoena? Think about that one
Finally Accoutability:
I don’t believe Interested Party was accussing the aforementioned of corruption. I believe he was making reference to a pattern of fast tracking certain individuals through the rank structure. I hope you were not trying to
inhibit the flow of free speech on this web site with your comments.
Striking symptoms of corruption is not the same as fast track. I don’t see the similarity at all, but say what you want, but if you’re sling names, well..
I agree that (normally) corruption and fast track are not connected. But, sucking up and fast track are certainly connected as evidenced by all the corruption. And one definite symptom is informing on anything that will raise you and lower someone else. Just ask Piety! I told you Piety many times she couldn’t be trusted.
Finally Accountability:
Let me try again. I believe “Interested Party” is stating that fast tracking careers is a form of corruption, in addition to the other types of corruption listed in his blog. Try reading it again, this time with an open mind.
J London, ok enlighten us about Piety, and who (she) are you making reference to? If your saying you told Piety about a trust issue in an employee, then he should act on it as well. Don’t you agree with that? Haven’t heard Piety go public, jump ship and say something, if in fact he has knowledge of something you uttered. Maybe that’s why he’s staying back to monitor the anchor and moorings in custody, and other’s have boarded the elite cruise ships and are navigating to new positions and horizons.
Go democracy.
See, it’s all a big circle jerk.
Final Accountability:
“With their Rank and Influence” “Do you think County Counsel would say No to a Slander Suit” I had to pick myself off the floor after reading that one, thanks for the laugh Pal!
FYI, speaking of Parra, he was just interviewed by 7 regarding the deployment of additional resources in the aftermath of the Boston incident. Say what you want, but Eric does have command presence.
Oh Mister London, still awaiting my multi-part question
Bandwagon — thanks for the back-up. Finally accountability — if you want to cherry pick words or sentences in my post out of context, ignore it was in reference to and expanded on Don’t Finesse Me Bro’s posts, while sliding in a wild threat of civil repercussions for my comments, be aware some might mistake you for one of those thug/bully/apologists I mentioned. The next time you’re shining the little guy’s shoes or lighting his cigar, perhaps you two can come up with another plan to silence the dialogue.
Oh, ok party. I reviewed the posts and the only one who made reference to “she” and “pietrantoni” is you. Dis I miss something? Please correct me if I’m wrong.
I wish I had polished cigars and lit shoes. I wouldn’t be in a state of dyslexia that I am now.
Finally accountability — if you were referring to my posts (“Oh, ok party”), you might want to check them again — no mention of Piety or the mysterious “she” in my posts. “Dyslexia” is your term, not mine, but I agree.
Final Accountability:
Being an arrogant ass does not qualify as command presence. Respect is earned, not given.
I love seeing the Dept. go down……They have screwed me out of many opportunities for individuals who kiss ass…..I find it interesting that after only a little over a year as a Commander Jimmy Hellmold advances to Assistant Sheriff passing several qualified Chiefs ……WOW kiss ass at its best