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‘No confidence’ — Prosecutors’ association overwhelmingly backs Gascón recall effort BY CITY NEWS SERVICE
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embers of the association representing Los Angeles County prosecutors voted overwhelmingly in support of an effort to recall their boss, District Attorney George Gascón, the organization announced Tuesday. The Association of Deputy District Attorneys, the collective bargaining group for more than 800 deputy district attorneys in the county, had previously invited Gascón to speak to the organization as it considered whether to back the recall, but he declined. The ADDA contends that Gascón has “refused” to speak with his prosecutors since taking office to explain policies that have sparked the recall drive. Roughly 83.3% of ADDA members took part in the vote, with 97.9% voting in support of the recall, according to the group. “This vote is by those who are intimately familiar with how Mr. Gascón’s policies actually play out on a day-to-day basis,” ADDA President Michele Hanisee said in a statement announcing the vote. “We believe the vote of our members will resonate with the voters of Los Angeles as they decide whether to recall Gascón from office and restore public safety as the priority of the District Attorney’s Office.” A new effort to oust Gascón from office began in December, just months after a similar recall campaign fell short. Recall organizers must collect 566,857 signatures from registered voters in Los Angeles County by July 6 to force a recall vote. The city councils of more than 30 cities in the county have issued “no confidence” votes involving Gascón.
the original effort, organizers said they remained committed to recalling Gascón, who has come under fire from critics for a progressive agenda that has included directives against seeking the death penalty and dropping sentenceenhancing allegations in some criminal cases. Gascón has repeatedly
defended his policies, saying his stances were well-known during his campaign and his election signified public support of his agenda. The Association of Deputy District Attorneys filed a lawsuit in December 2020 challenging Gascón’s directives to eliminate three-strikes allegations and some sentencing
LACo Regional Park & Open Space District gives over $26M in grant awards for park projects
enhancements, alleging the moves are “unlawful.” A judge ruled mostly in favor of the association last February, but subsequently put the case on hold while Gascón appeals. A trial date is scheduled to be set for the
The Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District (RPOSD) announced grant awards totaling over $26 million for park development across Los Angeles County, completing the first-ever cycle of three Measure A competitive grant programs. The grant programs were released on April 30 of last year as part of the special district’s ongoing implementation of Measure A. Los Angeles County voters passed the Safe, Clean Neighborhood Parks and Beaches Measure (Measure A) in 2016, with nearly 75% of voters approving the annual parcel tax. The passage of Measure A confirmed Los Angeles County residents’ commitment to parks and open space and secured perpetual funding to address the park inequities identified by the 2016 Los Angeles Countywide Park and Recreation Needs Assessment. “I am incredibly excited and proud to announce these long-awaited funds for projects that will provide critically needed investment in parks and recreational areas and expand access to green space for our High and Very High Need communities,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair, Holly Mitchell, Supervisor to the 2nd District. “The allocation of these competitive grant funds will serve countless residents across Los Angeles County who will soon see on the ground improvements coming to our parks and places where our residents recreate, explore and find respite in the outdoors, helping to address park inequities,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor
See Gascón recall Page 3
See LACo Page 6
‘No confidence’ — Prosecutors’ association overwhelmingly backs Gascón recall effort | Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office
Last September, organizers of the prior recall attempt said the effort was hampered by COVID-19 pandemic health mandates, along with a “premature start” and vowed to re-launch their bid to recall the county’s top prosecutor, who was sworn into office in December 2020. Despite the failure of
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