Controversial former undersheriff Paul Tanaka is scheduled for a 10 am press conference Thursday to “to make an announcement regarding the upcoming election for Los Angeles County Sheriff.”
While the campaign consultants who announced the event would not confirm that Tanaka was definitely declaring a run for sheriff against Lee Baca, we at WLA thought that the message at the bottom of the press statement reading: PAID FOR BY TANAKA FOR SHERIFF 2014 was probably pretty much a dead giveaway.
(Plus our sources confirmed that Tanaka was assuredly announcing his entry into the race.)
As of Thursday, this will make a grand total of four candidates who are challenging incumbent Lee Baca. The others are Lou Vince, an LAPD detective, and Patrick Gomez, a retired sheriff’s lieutenant who has run twice before and, of course, Robert Olmsted, the former LASD commander and department whistleblower, who announced Wednesday morning.
Sheriff’s spokesman Steve Whitmore said of the newest entries in the race, “The sheriff embraces the democratic process, and he believes that the campaign process will serve to bring out his accomplishments. Unlike the others,” said Whitmore, “the sheriff isn’t talking about what he’d do as sheriff, he’s doing it—every day.” So, Whitmore said, in essence, the more challengers the merrier.
Bob Olmsted’s campaign also released a comment about Tanaka’s entry to the race. “I’m running for Sheriff because we need real change in the department to clean up the corruption and cronyism,” stated Olmsted. “Paul Tanaka and Lee Baca created this mess together. I saw that when I tried to stop the abuse at Men’s Central Jail. But you don’t have to take my word for it….”
And then the release listed a string of quotes from various media outlets about the undersheriff and his reported misdeeds, including this from Miriam Krinsky, executive director of the Citizens’ Commission on Jail Violence, who told the LA Times, after the undersheriff was ousted by the sheriff, that she welcomed Tanaka’s departure, saying that the jail commission members had been deeply troubled by his handling of the jails and felt that new management was needed.
“It was clear to us that the impact of the undersheriff on the problems we saw in the jails could not be underestimated,” she said.
(Indeed, the commission’s final report stopped just short of calling for Tanaka’s firing, and did manage to imply strongly that the LASD would be better off without him.)
In truth, there is likely no more polarizing figure in or out of the sheriff’s department than the former undersheriff. (We have written about Mr. Tanaka exhaustively, here, and here and here and here.)
However, what makes his entry into the sheriff’s race particularly interesting is Tanaka’s demonstrated willingness to attack the sheriff with accusations sharp enough to draw blood. (As he did here in an interview with Robert Faturechi of the LA Times and here with David Ono of KABC 7.) Attacks on one’s political opponents are hardly rare, and Tanaka can be spun as a disgruntled employee, in that he was forced into retirement by the sheriff this past spring. But, prior to his falling out with his boss, the undersheriff was, for years, closer to Baca than anyone.
In other words, if perchance there are any bodies to be unburied in the sheriff’s metaphorical backyard, Tanaka’s the guy with a shovel and he knows where to dig.
Clearly we are in for an unusually wild and wooly campaign season.
Let us hope that Los Angeles gets a capable and ethical sheriff out of the process when all the campaign theater is over.
Thank you Paul Tanaka for finally stepping up! We are looking forward to your leadership. I’m also looking forward to Olmsted’s announcement. I wish both these men good luck!
ABB 2014!
Outstanding!!
Good Luck Mr. T!
Get Baca Out!!!
For starters I want to thank Bob Olmsted for stepping up to the plate and running to unseat the disaster we have in office right now. He is exactly the capable and ethical leader we need who is credible and can bring people together to restore our tarnished reputation.
Tanaka, on the other hand, is like that character from a horror flick that keeps coming back when you think he’s dead. Entertaining for sure, but never material to win the hearts and minds of the troops.
If Tall Paul decides to run, it would serve the reader to have a reader’s digest version of his notable achievements at each rank (dates approximate):
Deputy Sheriff: 1982-87, in these brief five years he worked custody, patrol, and recruitment. Nothing stellar to report, other than a profound lack of experience for promotional purposes.
Sergeant: 1987-1991, during which time he shot an unarmed Korean in the back and earned his Viking ink, which is considered unusual for a supervisor.
Lieutenant: 1991-1999, he worked a variety of assignments, most notably as the watch commander at Century where he was the subject of a restraining order/sexual harassment lawsuit which the county paid out dearly. Block concluded wisely that Tanaka was unsuitable for greater authority.
Captain: 1999-2001, He was promoted by Sheriff Baca and assigned to the COPS bureau, where he embarked on a tradition of berating and yelling at what few subordinates he had, creating a poisonous work environment for all. Questions arose during this time period about federal grant monies, still unresolved.
Commander: 2001-2002, Tanaka was appointed as the lead man for Baca’s strategic plan, known as LASD2. Initially a good idea, except the part where they put a guy in charge who did not have a clue what strategic planning was all about – although it did provide him a platform to start seeding his cronies and boot lickers.
Chief: 2003-2005, Tall Paul initiated the first promotional testing scandal by gaming the appeals system, firing the director of personnel, and releasing testing materials to a select group of loyalists. Personnel Administration candidates began an incredible run of acing promotional tests during this time period. He started seeding newly promoted lieutenants and sergeants throughout the department in high profile positions to exert his command and control of the organization with the sheriff’s blessing.
Assistant Sheriff: 2005-2011, Paul begins moving his chess pieces throughout the organization, now openly promoting his select group of campaign contributors, Region II and Personnel Administration sycophants to higher and higher ranks throughout the department. He assumed total control over the Department’s promotional processes. In this capacity he began his famous “working the grey” speech tours.
Under Sheriff: 2011-2013, Tanaka used his newly minted apparatus to obstruct justice by hiding an FBI informant from the feds, with willing participation from MCB, OSJ, and a variety of department personnel. His fits of rage and abusive behavior of subordinate personnel goes unchecked, as he has surrounded himself with enablers with low self esteem, willing to do as he pleased. Corruption flourished and started to come home to roost in the form of grand jury investigations, FBI investigations, the Citizens Commission on Jail Violence, the ACLU lawsuit, the media, and a mounting number of lawsuits from within the organization challenging his and Baca’s corrupt practices.
Given all the above, why would anybody want to give this man more power?
I said it before and I’ll say it again…. Ta-NOT-ka! He is NOT what we need in LA County. Elect Olmsted Instead!
Mr. Tanaka, THANK YOU!!!
Hey LATBG – How about the following to name a few:
1. In 3 years Tanaka saved the department $120,000,000.00
2. Tanaka brought the department into the financial black from years and years of being in the RED
3. Saved the City of Gardena from Bankruptcy.
What has Baca done? EBI!
What has Olmstead done?
What has Gomez done?
PT for Sheriff! I am all in! Real leadership, with results!
Question:
Why does Baca still wear five stars?
Pink Owl:
Yes, I agree, Paul has done a lot for LASD and didn’t hesitate to make unpopular decisions, even if it pissed people off. That’s what a manager does ( and LASD needed hard leadership at times). Olmsted is a nice guy and also did well. Fact is, Baca did and continues to do all the damage. I can’t see anyone endorsing the man other than CRONYSIM.
I wish Tanaka and Olmsted well.
Tanaka was recently quoted as saying in Santa Clarita “If I don’t get INDICTED I’ll run for sheriff!” How about that for an opening campaign line? Of course Mr. Tanaka will need to address his lies to the Jail Commission and ALL the other reports of criminal misconduct! Asl Tanaka about misappropriation of funds from Gardena? Tanka going down and who was it that gave Tanaka up? Yup! It was Baca! Baca laid out Tanaka like shag carpet. These two; Baca and Tanaka will make for great comedy (at our expense) during the campaign. I guess Tanaka could still run his campaign from a cell??!!
Mr. TANAKA, THANK YOU FOR FINALLY STEPPING UP. WHEN WE HEARD THE NEWS TODAY, OUR PHONES WERE RINGING OFF THE HOOK! CAN’T WAIT TO START. WAIT UNTIL YOU SEE THE SUPPORT YOU HAVE! TEAM OF 5,047 and GROWING.
Instead of Olmsted,
VOTE TANAKA and be sure to BEAT BACA!
2014
@POWS #5, is that all you can come up with, saving money? He’s got an accounting degree, I hope he’s at least good at saving money. Funny how you didn’t dispute any of LATBG’s commentary, which was pretty accurate I might add! And, since you brought up Gardena, how about discussing the fact that he really lives in Chino Hills and just maintains an address in Gardena so that he can run for Mayor.
And, as far as what has Olmsted and/or Gomez done, for one, both had the guts to stand up to the department at the risk the of their careers. That is integrity. Lets see you use Tanaka in the same sentence with integrity, unless your talking about lack of!
LATBG = Laughable. lol.. HA! HA!
But please keep going. Your lack of intelligence and fact gathering make me feel smart.
Tanaka or Olmstead for Sheriff!
Anyone But Baca 2014!
Pinkie, could you be a little more specific or is there a budget guy who really knows? How’d Paul do that? Are those real savings or just accounting tricks of the trade? I’m curious about all the lawsuits, too. Seems it would be easier to save money if so many Department personnel weren’t suing Leroy and winning. Does anybody have any numbers on that? How did the Department get in the red in the first place. What are unfunded items and how do they fit into that picture? If the Department was/is so broke, where does the money for programs like EBI, the unincorporated areas, and gang enorcement in Compton come from? What are the rules for grants and one time expenditures?
Our Dear Leader Paul…..
Fantastic management ideas
Deplete GET and OSS teams in the rest of the county to take care of Compton …….meanwhile, gang murders go through the roof at places like Industry and Norwalk and there’s no GET team in East L.A. (you know, the place where gang banging started). Of course, the city of Compton didn’t pay for any of this. Don’t worry, the stations with paying contract cities don’t need any protection from gangs.
How about the Narco destruction plan……deplete the station crews to one or two detectives, or eliminate them altogether and form strike teams that may visit the stations once every 3 or 4 years……leaving no proactive narcotics enforcement at the station level
How about CARPing station detectives once or twice a week and then dumping more cases on them like identity theft, forgery and gang crimes…..I’m sure these investigations are being solved. Oh, and the cases on the station level aren’t important enough for DNA analysis or crime lab support….Only Mr. T’s special teams get that
How about the fair promotional process…..You know Civil Service….the system that was started to prevent nepotism and cronyism…..The midget has not obliterated any gangs but he sure shredded Civil Service protection…..Don’t forget, only the folks that contribute to my campaign and work Century or Lennox are worthy enough to get the answers to the promotional tests (sorry Carson and East L.A., you’re not ghetto enough). That’s only to insure the right (loyal) people get promoted.
Don’t forget the IAB and ICIB neutering plan…..install your cronyies to cover up for your buddies like Bernice and Dan…let time run out so good ol crack slang’in Mama B doesn’t go to prison…….besides, policy only applies to people I want to screw with…….
What about our hiring practices….Eme affiliates and nutt jobs apply HERE
How bout those framed Core Value plaques littering the walls of Sheriff’s facilities County wide, preaching the importance of treating others with dignity and respect as you witness our dear leader berating some powerless underling because he finds it amusing and they’re not one of HIS people. Mr T’s claim to hold lazy people accountable is really a smoke screen for bullying folks that weren’t loyal to him.
We’re all shaking in our boots at the size of mini me’s “army” of 5000 Cementheads…..as long as Olmsted publicizes the truth of Banaka’s record in the media through ads and appearances, BANAKA is though!!
Go Mr. O!
Tanaka for Sheriff 2014……
CJack: I am beginning to sense that Tanaka is delusional. What kind of personality denies reality and sees only things that are imaginary? A complex where Tanaka and only Tanaka is right? Lashes out non existent threats and ignores the truth about circumstances. Tanaka truly believes that if he just tells himself that he is not a crook, he’s not a crook! And he does live in Chino Hills!
Cracker Jack Says: All your statements are accurate except that you forgot to mention that CARPING seriousely affects Detective Division Bureaus and the cases of those abused children that are not being investigated in a timely manner.
Please, please, please have an audio or video link of the press conference. It’s sure to be great comedy. “If He’s Not Under Federal Indictment, Vote Tanaka 2014!” Such an awesome bumper sticker.
Outstanding CrackerJack! Well stated.
To ALL Tanaka, Olmsted, and Gomez supporters. Remember this:
We may not agree on who should be Sheriff. Wether it’s Tanaka, Olmsted or Gomez, I respect your ability to stand up and speak out. Especially the guys (like LT. Villanueva/ Retired Commander Herron ) who are standing next Olmsted. That takes a lot of guts. I am not an Olmsted supporter, I am 100% for Tanaka.( That doesn’t mean I dislike him, it means I have a preference based on experience)However, I respect his camp for having courage.
There is going to be mudslinging by all, it’s a campaign. But one thing we can agree on is the Sheriff needs to go in 2014. Period!
Good luck to all, except Baca.
Paul Tanaka for Sheriff!
#10 Huh!….if my wife can’t read my mind then neither should you. When I read Pinks post, I immediately thought the same thing almost verbatim.
Pink…..no doubt Tanaka is smart fiscally. But, you and I could have come up with Carping and saved millions and millions of dollars. That’s how he saved most of the money. Not sure where you work, but Carping is literally tearing the department down structurally, emotionally and in my opinion morally. City Contracts and TSB are losing out BIG TIME, while the LASD gets 2 for 1 and in some cases 3 to 1 for every deputy required to carp. So before you hail Tanaka as this fiscal hero who saved the world, just remember, 99% of the savings are coming from Major Crimes Detectives, Station Detectives, Homicide Detectives, Helicopter Pilots and many other highly skilled veterans calling “All rise” inside some court room so people like you can bow at his feet, lick his boots, stand up to light his cigar and call him the “Fiscal Savior of the LASD”.
It’s astonishing that’s all you had for him. How bout, respectful leadership, how bout giving the power of promotions to those who know their people ( Captains/Commanders), how bout not cursing at people, how bout leading by example, how bout empowering those around you, how bout taking ownership for your shortcomings or mistakes and not lying about them by saying “I don’t know”, how bout sitting down with the Feds and developing professional relationships instead of violating federal law just to shun them and prove who the baddest on the block is.
Enough said, your blind loyalty, and total failure to communicate any redeeming qualities of this guy except for saving money at the expense of already overworked professionals makes me want to,puke!!!!
Yes Paul, you sure held staff accountable. For my first act as Sheriff I promise to open a desk drawer. Your CCJV testimony and interviews that followed over the last few months have told us all we need to know. I won’t be surprised if his buddy Ryan kavanaugh will fly him over to the park today, since the press conference is by the heliport. Paul did you pander to Hollywood in this Variety article to pick up money and promise favors? A certain Sheriff a spent years doing that and look how that turned out. Get ready for the voters of Los Angeles County to give you a reality check.
http://variety.com/2013/voices/opinion/tanaka-this-is-an-opportunity-for-law-en%C2%ADforcement-to-work-with-hollywood-2627/
Great post Cracker Jack! KFI just reported that Ta-NOT-ka is going to announce his candidacy this morning at 10AM, I can’t wait to see who he has present at his side for that morning circus act.
It’s gonna be a ride. There is NO way the Sheriff will survive this campaign. I’m glad Tanaka finally stepped up!
There will be a NEW Sheriff next year…for sure!
Thank God!!
One last question:
How can Baca’s Command Staff look at themselves in the morning?
Pathetic!!
#3 – LATBG — No one has said it better. Your post reflects my observations and opinion re: Paul’s oversight of the corruption and disintegration of the Department. Well said!
Folks: The election is still a year away, and the outline of the outcome is taking shape just from reading these posts. All the candidates from within the LASD–four, at last count–will sling mud at one another, all this mud will contain at least kernels of truth, the los Angeles County electorate will grow weary–GAWD!!! Is this the best we can do???–and, as of this writing, there will be only one outsider to consider. He won’t have to do much; just stand-by and watch the other Sheriff’s candidates tear each other apart.
And the winner will be;
http://www.LouVince.com
The City of Los Angeles had to settle a beating lawsuit with someone named cecil Miller for Mr. Vince as an officer. He has no chance with abuse and settlements getting the attention of voters.
Cognistator starts off making some good observations, but goes off the rails with the conclusion (no offense; just seems a bit 2+2=5). Yes, there will be mud slinging and kernels of truth. But the reality is the voters are not reading this blog (in material numbers), they’re not really following the race, and when they do pay attention it will be to a handful of TV spots (which cost a bunch of money) and, perhaps more importantly, to who the LA Times (and therefore local TV news) endorses, as well as who their community organizations support.
So far, Baca has made no argument for his candidacy, except that the voters should embrace more of the same. This is so unconvincing that even the LA Times, which has generally been supportive of Baca, has taken the pretty unprecedented step of asking that he not run. Civic leaders, deputies–hell, anyone who’s seen the sheriff speak in the last few years–know he’s bordering on senile (and it’s not clear which side of the border he’s on). With the LA Times against him, local TV will be; and we now see that politicians and community leaders are coming out against him. Baca ran unopposed four years ago and now has at least four opponents shouting every day for a year, that he should be fired for a panople of crimes and oversights that, if nothing else, occurred on his watch. He will lose votes every single day and has no argument to generate new voters to replace them. Baca will lose. And the fact that he is adamant that he will run, without putting forward ANY forward-looking platform, is all the proof you need that it’s about his ego and pride, and nothing else. The media, the pols, the deputies, the public…everyone can see that, or will.
He will also lose in part to Tanaka splitting his vote and because Tanaka entering the race will make it easier for people within the department to take sides more publicly than just backing the remaining boss. If you can break from the sheriff to vote for Paul, it’s not a big shift to break further to back Olmsted (or Gomez). Tanaka obviously will not win–every reference to him between now and the election will refer to his being on the verge of–or being the subject of–multiple federal criminal charges. And every LA Times article (and TV segment) will fairly cast his candidacy as a grudge match againt Baca. Whatever his (arguable) contributions the department, no way does that guy win a plurality of votes.
Vince will not win. He’s totally unknown and his campaign page looks more like that of a congressionaal candidate: platitutes about justice and the jails, only real stance seems to be on illegal immigration … hardly a winning platform across LA County. Plus, he’s wearing a blue uniform … which, even if superficial, will not endear him to the tan & green (as it doesn’t to me). A suit would have been smarter. But setting that aside, there’s no evidence that because this will be a bitter election that therefore all four announced LASD candidates will destroy each other, and therefore leave the LAPD guy standing in the corner to claim the prize. I guess if you’re from LAPD it’s a fun idea…but the numbers aren’t there. And what makes anyone think an LAPD guy is so much more beloved than an LASD one? I work an LASD RD and read the papers, so I don’t get that sense at all.
Gomez–I dunno. He’s been announced for some time and nobody seems to care, but we’re still a year out. He could be the dark horse if Olmsted stumbles.
Olmsted is, in my mind, the front runner. Again, baring any critical stumbles or the discovery of half a dozen hookers under his back yard, he will clearly have the media’s support. The media likes a whistleblower and respects it particularly when it’s coming from someone with decades in a group as insular as law enforcement. Not to say the media picks the winner…but they do pick the stories that get run in the paper and on TV, they pick the angles, and for the reasons listed above, they will cast Baca and Tanaka a certain way and Olmsted another way (though we do like tearing down our heroes…). If the best argument against him is he didn’t fix the entire custody system as head of MCJ, he has arguments against that (which the CCJV accepted), so I don’t see most people worrying too much about that. He’s also running a campaign that’s cast bigger than his ego (where Baca and Tanaka’s campaigns are very clearly about their egos).
Olmsted’s video is sharply done and there just aren’t a ton of negative things to ask him about. His message can be just about all positive and about the future. This gives him the opportunity (though also the risk) of maybe having to take some positions keep his name at the top of the pack and bringing segments of the electorate over to his side. For the supervisors, he will have to address county minutes and litigation/payouts. For the deputies, he will have to address CARPing and deputies’ wish list (schedule, personal AR-15s (missing weapons, anyone?), fair discipline). For the public, it’ll be custody (conditions/abuse/programs, etc.) and corruption/too long in office.
Yeah, the election is a year away … but it’s pretty easy to see how things are framing up. There’ll be landmines and surprises … but I think these are the trajectories. And I think most reasonable observers will agree with them.
@”10-33 go”: that is a very well thought out and explained theory. I agree, and at some point I hope your theory gets conveyed to the public, almost, “as is!”
#’s 27 &28: I must amend my post a bit. The L.A. Times is reporting that this guy is considering a run for Sheriff:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Buscaino
He is currently an L.A. City Councilman and previous to that position worked as an officer in the L.A.P.D., where he had a variety of work assignments.
The number of candidates forming outside the circular four-man firing squad is growing.
Hey Cracker j – Your long winded verbiage responsse:
1. BACA is the creator of CARPING. Tanaka tried to tell the person who pours the Kool Aid you drink to CANCEL the CARPING. He oredered Tanaka to continue the CARPING
2. Kool Aid man Baca was told by his ASIAN contributors that they wouldn’t give $$$ because they were being hit too hard. Result OSS/Asian team gets crunched
3. You are not too good on your homework, Tanaka leadership has lead to a team receiving accolades from across the country for the most 187pc arrests.
4. Yes, lets talk about that FAIR Promotional practice, ie Helmold, Sexton, Rogers, Terri McDonald
Really!!!
5. In case you need to know, the FED’s found out after their investigation that they (FED’S) had nothing to file!!!
6. Also, LASD don’t allow crooks to retire!!!
Delicious, Send More!!!
Mr. Tanaka,
Thank you very much for you and your family’ decision to run against Baca.
Baca and Execs, a newly formed office moving crew will be at the doors come June 2014 to assist with your moves!!!
Pink: I don’t want to make fun of you. But, you do know that in June is the primary only, right?
Pink Owl: You are 100% on track! Paul Tanaka is going to gain a lot of momentum from here. His news conference was the buzz at work today. People are excited and ready to break ranks to join the wave.
Paul Tanaka will no doubtably be our next Sheriff.
ABB 2014
I must admit, Paul Tanaka’s news conference and backing was VERY impressive. I also hear more will follow and stand behind him in the future. This will definitely give him a more than credible shot at Sheriff; especially as a sitting City Mayor.
More than likely, he or Olmsted, will be our next Sheriff. Time will tell.
Good luck to both!
EDITOR’S NOTE: Several of you have moved from criticisms of job performance, et al, to accusations about the various candidates’ personal lives, and now even comments pertaining to their religious beliefs.
None of that has any place in the discussion here. Not about the sheriff, Mr. Olmsted, Mr. Tanaka, or anyone else.
And please don’t try to get around the rules by dropping heavy implications or coded references. If anything looks in the least suspect, I’ll just delete it.
This is going to be a long and very contentious—and very interesting—campaign season.
Please stay outa the mud.
Thanks in advance for your cooperation.
#33. If a candidate receives more than 50% of the vote it’s over in June.
PS:
One of you has, for days, been serial posting as a bunch of different people, creating slightly different personalities and POVs for each. I’ve let it slide up until now. But I won’t in the future. I don’t care how many screen names you use. Just stop it with the multiple personality disorder.
Thanks.
C.
Warning to all Tanaka ,Olmsted, or other candidate supporters:
The Sheriff and his command staff are retaliating against all personell who do not support him. Be careful and watch your back. Please seek legal assistance during this unchartered time. There are many attorneys ready to (succesfully) defend you. The Sheriff has already retaliated against department members who he identifies as “Non Supporters.”
Celeste, please monitor.
Never happen! No one will get over 50% regardless of how many personalities you have! Tanaka will never be sheriff! Please remember that you can only vote once!
Hey Celeste I’m surprised you missed the coverage of the Angel Mendez settlement. 4.1 million.
For all the taxpayers in LA County, let me be the 1st to say thanks Baca and To Tall Paul! We got nothing better to do with OUR millions you all hand out daily.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/16/homeless-couple-shot-sheriff_n_3768663.html
#41. I saw that article several days ago and just cringed….
I don’t think Paul T will thinking much about the election if the Feds file charges on him. Baca’s war chest is pretty much filled so it would be near impossible for Olmstead to win. Most likely, like Sherm, Sheriff Baca will die in office. Unless if charged Paul T rolls on Baca.