Election officials continue to count the approximately 148,680 provisional and late-arriving mail-in ballots that, if the numbers break just right, could still give Long Beach Chief of Police Jim McDonnell an uncontested victory in the race for LA County Sheriff.
In the meantime, however, four of McDonnell’s recent opponents stood with him at a press conference held Tuesday afternoon at LA’s Hall of Justice, and pledged their support to their former rival.
Stepping to the microphone, one after the other, assistant Sheriff Todd Rogers talked about the fact that McDonnell took over the position of Long Beach Police Chief “as an outsider,” but soon won over his critics, said Rogers.
Retired LASD commander Bob Olmsted called speaking in support of McDonnell “a great opportunity,” and that he’d be “available if he wants input from me.”
Assistant Sheriff Jim Hellmold called McDonnell the “clear cut choice,” embraced by both “front line people” and “members of the community.” Like Olmsted, he was vocal about the desire to work with McDonnell in remaking the troubled department.
LAPD detective supervisor Lou Vince offered “my enthusiastic endorsement, adding that, since he is the only one of the bunch who has actually worked under McDonnell in the past (during McDonnell’s long LAPD tenure), he could assure everyone that “the members of the LASD have a great person to look forward to.”
When it was McDonnell’s turn, he thanked “my partners up here for a hard-fought race, as well as for their decades of service to our community,” stopping to praise each recent opponent for individual strengths and accomplishments.
Their presence, he said, “speaks volumes about their commitment to rejecting failed leadership and coming together around a better future for the LASD….”
As for the ongoing vote count? “I was up until 3:30 watching the numbers,” McDonnell admitted after the press conference was over, referring to election night when, in the wee hours, his totals crept past 49 percent but did not cross the magical 50 percent mark.
Before the group dispersed, a reporter asked the four if any of them had, at least briefly, considered backing McDonnell’s adversary in the upcoming runoff, former undersheriff Paul Tanaka.
As one, they shook their heads in a vigorous NO.
Tanaka, meanwhile, has been subpoenaed to testify in the second obstruction of justice trial being held a few blocks away, at the federal courthouse on Spring Street.
Barring any last minute changes, Mr. Tanaka is expected to be called to the stand sometime on Friday morning.
IN RELATED NEWS…SCOTT MAKES MORE CHANGES AT THE LASD
Sheriff Scott continues to shuffle personnel in the LASD. In the most recent series of shifts, he moved Jim Hellmold out of the position of Assistant Sheriff in charge of patrol, replacing him with Chief Michael Rothans.
Hellmold will now act as Chief of Countywide Services Division.
While Scott’s early moves were welcomed by most, more recently critics have asked if these and other seemingly non-urgent choices would not be better left to the new sheriff who will, after all, take office just eight months from now.
DECISION TO RETRY OR NOT RETRY DEPUTY JAMES SEXTON DELAYED
In court on Thursday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office asked to delay their decision as to whether to retry Deputy James Sexton for obstruction of justice. Sexton’s trial, if you’ll remember, resulted in a “hopelessly split” jury, with a 6-6 division. The conference to discuss retrying Sexton was originally set for June 9, but has now been moved to June 23. Sources speculate that the prosecution wants to wait to see the outcome of the trial now in progress before making up its mind on Sexton.
In the second obstruction of justice trial, six department members are on trial for charges nearly identical to those faced by Sexton.
(Lots more on this trial next week.)
Part of the “perks” in New Leadership is bringing in your own staff. I hope that McConnell brings some “NEW” blood. You don’t put “old wine in new skins”. This notion should trickle down to ALADS. Tanaka>You gave it your best shot, now leave it alone. Hayhurst> The search for an Executive Director@ ALADS does not include you. Go home. Both (Paul &Floyd) of you and your desperation to be noticed is sad. Join AARP and learn to golf. Both of you are not wanted and there is no need to have you. The fact is that the majority of Deputies in the department and ALADS share the same feelings. Take your Q and exit the stage to the left.
What’s the difference between what Scott is doing and what the old regime did? I understand the demotion of Hellmold because he does not have the aptitude to be A/S but what about the other demotion and transfers. They seem vindictive. Also, why leave Rogers in place as A/S? He is working above his potential as well. Why wasn’t he demoted also? I’m not a Tanaka fan but even to me this smells. Scott should be leaving such major decisions to the incoming sheriff .
Jim Hellmold rose fast, the opposite should be true. Now he is coming down…hopefully he learned his lesson to be humble and to play favorites..
Rogers was promoted four ranks over his abilities and should receive the same treatment as “The Crime Fighter.” Will Rogers continue to tell everyone how he was approached by shadowy executives who asked him to do illegal and unethical favors? And will he tout that he did not comply with their requests and in the same breath say, “Well I did what I was told but I really didn’t want to, and no, I didn’t really tell anyone, I kinda kept it to myself. But I really wanted to say something and next time I will.”
I understand at the press conference yesterday, one of his fellow candidates attempted to shake his hand, twice, and he openly refused, twice. Pretty small of you little Johnny, eh? Maybe because you were called out for selling your soul to Lee Baca for a promotion and getting caught. Perhaps Todd, your angry and quite embarrassed the even Gomez beat you. Ha! We got your name, we got your number, Todd. You are an opportunist who was promoted because of your Mother’s political connections, not because of your abilities. I’m having lunch with Gomez so he can tell me his strategy for whoop’en you.
Those guys who were demoted and who are being transferred make too much money to bellyache. Besides, I am fairly sure the Sheriff is more interested in ensuring loyalty to the Sheriff’s Department. Not loyalty to the Sheriff or any particular executive or faction. He ruffles feathers and puts people on notice by moving folks around. Nobody is above the department or the citizens we serve.
Go Sheriff John!
You ask, What is our policy? I will say; “It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us: to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy.” You ask, What is our aim? I can answer with one word: Victory—victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no survival.
We shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and the oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender!!!! Winston “Boomer” Churchill
Bob go away. Nobody wants your help. Take those other losers with you.
It was a good choice to demote Hellmold; but why not down to the lowest rank protected by Civil Service — Commander? Scott didn’t go far enough. Hellmold, like Rothans, worked the position of Sheriff’s Driver and both have been given the red-carpet treatment because of their in-the-car association with that nutty former Sheriff they drove around. Scott promoted a lieutenant to captain in recent months who was also led down the runway hand-in-hand by Tanaka/Rhambo, when scores of other lieutenants possessing greater and wider experience, more integrity and better interpersonal skills were passed over. Sometimes the more change we see, in similar in nature, done in the same manner, will have the same or similar results. Time will tell.
Take your meds and call me when you are back from Normandy…. Nobody talks like that except children and people who frequent the 7th floor. I will hold your reservation.
Boomer. Winston Churchill was once approached by a female who commented on his sobriety. He replied. “yes mam, I am drunk and you are ugly, but tomorrow I will be sober”. By the way, I knew Winston Churchill and you my friend are no Winston Churchill.
Hey Boomer, welcome back. I missed you. I’m most likely the only one, but hey, better one than none,
Since you seem to like inspirational quotes, here you go.
“We will just give our opinion. We will simply strive to have our voice heard. We WON’T talk eight truckloads of shit or come off like we’re the greatest thing to ever wear a badge. We must realize that humility is a virtue, while arrogance is a character defect”. –Oh “Knucklehead” Well.
“Emotions cause us to see what we want to see, instead of what is really there. Hence the old saying: “Love is blind”. When we make bold predictions based on our emotions, most of the time we end up eating crow”. —Oh “Knucklehead” Well
“The best way to get rich quickly is to buy people like Boomer for what they’re worth, and then sell them for what they think they’re worth”.
Oh “Knucklehead” Well.
Ok. I’m done. You gotta admit bro, you had these coming lol.
Boomer finally surfaced, delusional and rabid as usual. I’m guessing the Olmsted hater is just a new screen name for another vanquished foe.
Baca and Tanaka’s legacy is cemented as destroyers of a fine institution. Their followers remind me of the hunchback from the movie 300. He sold out the Spartans for personal gain, and king Leonidis tells him: “May you live forever.”
To all the Tanaka enablers within the LASD: May you live forever as well…
“I did not disagree with it…” “It’s possible…” “I’m not sure…” “I don’t recall at the time…” “I may have…” “I don’t remember…”
Boomer…..pack your bags, and prepare for some “Freeway therapy” Hope you like earlies at Mira Loma…..your on a “fools errand”, and I hope you reap all of the benefits!!
I don’t remember…
I don’t recall…
I don’t know…
Would you want that memory as Sheriff?
http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2014/06/06/la-county-sheriffs-candidate-paul-tanaka-testifies-in-trial-of-deputies-accused-of-obstruction/
By the way, is Reserve Deputy Guy Mato his bodyguard? He keeps popping up next to PT at court.
I question John Scott’s decision to demote James Hellmold the day after he looses his run for Sheriff. If James Hellmold was not qualified for the position as assistant sheriff when Scott took office, why did he wait until after the election to demote him? Scott’s decision to demote Hellmold after the election effectively manipulated the outcome of the election in ways that can only be speculated at this point. How many voters would have cast their votes for another candidate had they been aware that Hellmold was not qualified for the position he held will not be known. John Scott allowed James Hellmold to run for sheriff on the platform that he was the assistant sheriff and that carried a great deal of weight to voters. John Scott owed it to the public to demote Hellmold as soon as he felt that he was not eligible for the position as assistant sheriff as this is an issue of public safety. Scott’s statement that this was not political is disingenuous and the public deserves more of an explanation than what Scott has provided.
@interested party – Rothans was NOT a driver for the Sheriff. He was a Sgt. in the Sheriff’s Office and was his Chief of Staff.
I’m a little tired of all the Tanaka bullies pressuring employees for Tanaka campaign funds. There are plenty of pictures depicting who these fools are. Sheriff Scott, please identify these folks and put them in check. Tanaka will never be sheriff.
Boomer, pay no attention to all these weenie haters. These goofballs were not real cops nor will ever be… i HATE PT, but I respects a man who stands up for what he/she believes. These goofballs will always hate and wish they were cops. All good bro….
#20, I agree with you. Commander Joe Gooden should be demoted. Now he is trying to hide under the radar,,,a big T.P kiss ass. Was not well liked at Century Station.
Really Rhonda? Removing Jim before the primary election would have looked more like a political move and caused damage to the Hellmold campaign. That also plays into Tanaka’s accusation of dept. retaliation. Like the ridiculous one of K.H. being removed as personnel Capt. due to his support of Tanaka. Nope it was because of poor hiring decisions of candidates. To this day we are still rec. new deputies that cause enough concern to call the D.I. ‘s to ask how they were allowed to get though the academy. Most started the processed during K.H. ‘s time. Sheriff Scott and Jim handle this situation with a lot of class, unlike others that sued the dept. for being moved. Jim’s quote, “I’m proud of this department and I’m happy to serve in any capacity whatsoever. There are no bad assignments in the Sheriff’s Department.”
One must ask themselves as these Deputies, Sergeants, and Lieutenants struggle to clear their name; where is Sheriff Baca! Where is Mister Core Values? Why does he not testify to help these guys? I am not a Tanaka fan. I did not vote for him! I would not vote for him! He has selective memory but at least he is there.
Baca used these guys and made descisions involving many other employees, all with an eye on protecting himself! He gather a circle of executives to help him and they willing disgarded Department Core Values for political expediency. Some are still in positions of power.
When Baca realized he was wearing no clothes, he blamed others and said they never told him. Instead of the Emperor getting dresses and taking responsibility and adhering to his own core values, he began to circle the wagons to protect himself.
The demotions and retirements appear to have started. But don’t stop with the Tanaka followers. The leadership of the Internal Investigations Division during the last year and a half under Baca distroyed many careers in an effort to shore up Baca. Deputies fighting to get their jobs back. Supervisor fighting demotions.
The Department has begun to resolve some of these cases but many more languish in Civil Service! The Emperor is gone. The Prince will not be crown. OIR the highly paid Court Jesters are unemployed. Now it is time to get ride of the Emperor’s Court yes men and women!
When asked by the prosecutor regarding the surveillance of Agent Marx, Tanaka replies, ” I did become aware of it either shortly before, during or after”. That narrows it down you bumbling goof! Tanaka is selling these defendants out and every time he opens his mouth on that witness stand, he is lying, commiting perjury. Even the reporters trip him up on his lies outside of the courtroom. If these Federal Investigators are unable to put together a criminal case against Tanaka, they should selling hot dogs at Dodger Stadium.
http://video.ktla.com/Sheriff-Candidate-Paul-Tanaka-Testifies-at-Trial-of-Deputies-Accused-of-Obstruction-26232030#.U5NbQdq9KK1
Judge got mad at Tanaka? What a surprise…
Oh and did you see Paul Yoshinaga in the backgound?
“Don’t worry Yosh, stick with me I can make you a judge…”
It is time for many to go back to making an honest living by going back to work. I mean you, you know who you are, the ones who come to work late, take extended lunch hours and leave early and lie on your time sheets and are so arrogant that you think people do not notice.
@280D2 I am guessing you are typing while drunk!! You are embarrassing Compton Station by using that handle and saying ridiculous BS. For the record Joe Gooden was liked by the guys at CPT and he was just as popular with the Century folks. Go back to you CPT desk job and stop embarrassing that great station!!
Tanaka’s crooked finger pointing is a subliminal example of his intolerance. McDonnell should capitalize on his intolerance by making hard and factual examples of Tanaka’s unethical conduct because he will fold up like a cheap suit. In the years past, No One dare question Tanaka’s judgement. Jim, pound Paul like a rusty nail one factual incidents of misconduct and he will slip into a rage and fall over.
Yeah Nancy Drew…The right hand man for P.T.is Guy Mato. Say what you want about P.T., but Guy is a “Stand Up” guy and he is a “Ride or Die” guy. Don’t underestimate him.
When Tanaka gets in front of the cameras with reporters on TV he makes me laugh. He is such a liar. Tanaka accuses the reporters of twisting things. Tanaka is such a liar, he is so guilty of everything he’s accused of, I’m surprised he’s in a runoff I would have thought Olmstead would have been ahead of Tanaka. & Rogers he’s a freakin joke. If the Fed’s can’t get the truth regarding Tanaka after all of this I’m going to be so disappointed in the Feds.
#28, I’m drunk? Neg, I don’t drink. Just putting the facts out there. He was not liked at Compton. Nor, was he liked at Century. He received low Captains rating by deputies on the ALADS Captains Review. Case Closed.
Has there been a police report written for the threat Rogers made to a local newspaper reporter? The emails that were sent from the Rogers and his camp( which were posted on social media) were very thuggish in nature. I’m surprised Sheriff Scott allowed it to slide? or did he?
Eyeswideopen,
Spare me the tanaka lines. I bet you just called in and canceled your CARP and took a drawer day, bro.
It’s the Sheriff’s Department. There are 1000 real hard workers and I have met all 17,000. Grow up and join us in reality.
We got real problems at the top and you are discussing an issue that sgts could/should be handling.
I bet you got a great seat to observe the gladiators, but never quite have the stomach to join.
See you in the trenches…. Bro.
@ 33…..Grow up…..it’s over for him….let it go!
It’s going to get interesting to say the least between the Tanaka supporters and Rogers now. They hate Rogers worse than Olmsted. Olmsted is retired and they know they won’t have to deal with him. If the rumor is true that Rogers made a deal with McDonnell to remain at least an A/S, the Tanaka supporters know things are not going to be pleasant for them.
Guy Mato?
http://articles.latimes.com/2004/feb/12/local/me-mato12
Read the article. ….would such a bad person apologize to a suspect in the hospital? Once again. …Mato is a “Stand Up” guy.
#36 @ “Oh Well” you may be right regarding that secret deal. From a political stand point, Rogers is the Mayor of Lakewood and has strong ties in areas of the South Bay (Carson). With Long Beach and LAPD bordering on LASD areas; Rogers might stick around for a bit. Maybe this is why Hellmold got demoted and not Rogers. These are one of the ideas I can think of at this time.
In the end, you never know who knows who. Just interested now which Captains are going to be moved around and the trial tomorrow with continued testimony from Tanaka.
I could give a shit less about lawsuits. Any cop who spends any time at all on the streets and hasn’t been sued a few times is a slug who isn’t pulling his weight. Lawsuits don’t give me pause one bit about any cop. If you’re out there doing the Lord’s work, even if you’re doing it strictly by the book and to the letter of the law, you’re going to get sued. For another cop to insinuate a guy is dirty because he was sued is either unbelievably naive or intentionally disingenuous. Save that crap.
Oh well: Let’s not forget you may even get sued by a fellow deputy that is too lazy or incompetent to work for a living or had his feelings hurt by a supervisor. Just my two cents on the current culture which premiates our society.
Please forgive my cynisim, but do trainees still have to stand clear and keep their mouths shut during training or is that now considered hazing?
Celeste, today’s vote update shows McDonnell at 49.73% . If what I read in the Times was correct there were some 250,000 votes to be gone through & it looks like about 115,000 have yet be tallied bringing McDonnell within reach. It appears to me that the trend was strong for McDonnell in the last 100+K & if it holds may give him a very narrow win! How sweet that would be?