JACKIE LACEY COST TAXPAYERS MILLIONS

Dragnet L.A. can confirm that Los Angeles County taxpayers have foot the bill for millions of dollars spent on high priced lawyers and settlements defending the misconduct of Steve Cooley, and his anti labor hatchet woman, Jackie Lacey.

In a published opinion, Federal District Judge Otis D. Wright found Cooley and Lacey's anti labor tactics "striking and rampant." The Federal Court granted a preliminary injunction ordering Cooley and other county officials not to discipline or discriminate against prosecutors for belonging to the union which would remain in effect for the rest of Cooley’s tenure


Lacey has spent much of the past few weeks, responding to reports that she lied under oath when questioned during a hearing conducted by the Employee Relations Commission.

One longtime member of the downtown Justice community told the Dragnet, "This episode where Lacey lied under oath, disqualifies her as a serious candidate for District Attorney." She blamed it on "confusion" and "low blood sugar" on the day she was questioned. "What happens if she gets confused while determining the fate of an innocent defendant, who's been wrongly accused of a crime, such as Brian Banks who spent 5 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit?"

Lacey testified at a July 2009 hearing that she told a prosecutor who was considering joining the union’s bargaining team that “it was a bad idea” because Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley strongly disliked the union. She agreed that she also told the same prosecutor, a close friend of hers, that Cooley thought the union would be a disaster and that he didn’t like the union, according to a transcript from the hearing.

Six months later, Lacey testified at another hearing for the same dispute but said she never told the prosecutor that Cooley didn’t like the union or thought it would be a disaster.

Since this episode took place, the County taxpayers have had to shell out millions in settlements and legal fees to settle numerous lawsuits against Cooley and Lacey. An important taxpayer advocate observed, "At a time when public services are being cut, having to waste millions on this kind of conduct, when Cooley and Lacey should know better, is outrageous.  Can't wait to see them both leave the office."

Los Angeles County will pay $575,000 to settle part of a federal law suit claiming that Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley and his managers waged an anti-union campaign, according to a settlement agreement filed in court. The settlement, which must be approved by the Board of Supervisors, would pay $125,000 to the prosecutors’ union and $450,000 to Deputy Dist. Atty. Marc Debbaudt, who a county employment commission found was transferred in retaliation for his union activity. After the preliminary federal injunction was issued,  D.A. Cooley announced he will retire next year at the end of his third term.

Matthew Monforton, an attorney representing the Assn. of Deputy District Attorneys, hailed the settlement as a victory for the union and described Cooley’s conduct as “outrageous and illegal.”Earlier this year, the county’s Employee Relations Commission upheld the findings of a hearing officer who concluded that veteran prosecutors were transferred to less desirable assignments as a result of their union work.

LA County Board of Supervisors finally paid Marc Debbaut what was owed to him. Steve Ipsen, former President of the Association of Deputy District Attorneys, and Hyatt Seligman, current President of the ADDA will start their federal trial against Steve Cooley and his union busting actions in June. Jones Day will be defending Cooley and is expected to bill the county millions of dollars in billable hours. This trial is expected to come at a hefty price to the tax payers and prove Jackie Lacey and Steve Cooley violated federal law and the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.

D.A. RACE IN THE FINAL STRETCH

Here is our early handicap of the candidates based on what we know thus far:

CARMEN TRUTANICH (“Nooch”)
 

Is our early favorite. He’s raised by far the most money (approximately $1.5 million in 12 months), and has the most impressive list of endorsements.  He stumbled early with multiple hair-brained campaign goof-ups. But right now seems like the only candidate with enough fuel in his jets to get him over the finish line.  Seems to have broad support from Labor, Latinos and establishment types like California Governor Jerry Brown, former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan and L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca.

Pluses: Healthy fundraising, high name recognition, nice guy, a true independent: Minuses: multiple hair-brained campaign goof-ups; signed a pledge in November 2008 to not seek higher office.

Endorsements: California Governor Jerry Brown, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Torlakson, L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, Former L.A. Mayor Richard Riordan, The Mexican American Bar Association PAC. SFV Congressman Brad Sherman Congressman John Garamendi, L.A. County Supervisor Don Knabe, Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster; Hawthorne Mayor Dan Juarez, National Latino Peace Officers Association. California Narcotics Officers Association, Latin American Law Enforcement Association, State Senators Darrell Steinberg, Ted Lieu, Kevin De Leon, Ron Calderon,  Lou Correa, and Gil Cedillo; L.A. City Councilmen Dennis Zine, Mitch Englander, Tom LeBonge, Joe Busciano, Bill Rosendahl, and Jose Huizar, San Francisco D.A. George Gascon, Orange County Sheriff, Sandra Hutchens, former Laker Shaquille O’Neal,  Torrance Mayor Frank Scotto, Redondo Beach Police Officers Association, El Monte Mayor Andre Quintero, Lancaster Mayor R Rex Parris, former D.A. Candidate and Deputy District Attorney Mario Trujillo, Los Angeles Port Police Association, Los Angeles General Services Police Association, Law enforcement Association of Asian Pacifics.

What the buzz is saying: He’s the candidate to beat. Fund raising and endorsements continue to pour in.  Most insiders expect he’ll win, if not in June, then in November.

Yes it’s true:  Attends black churches every Sunday.

JACQUELYN LACEY  (“Jackie”)

Running to be the first black woman to become District Attorney of Los Angeles. Lacey should poll ahead of Alan Jackson, Danette Meyers and Bobby Grace. She has the most seniority of them all. She has the endorsement of Steve Cooley (which so far hasn’t seemed to help her much.), and the L.A. Times.

Pluses: Currently serves as Chief Deputy in the office; Cooley& LA Times endorsements;     

Minuses: Support for Lacey has been tepid at best. Little to no name recognition. Cost the County millions defending her and Cooley’s union busting efforts; Perjured herself in a Federal Civil case.  

No war chest to promote her impressive endorsements. Fund raising has been anemic lately. Has only raised approximately $425,000 in 17 months. Her allegiance to Republican Cooley seems to turn off Democrats, and doesn’t seem to be helping much with Republicans.  Moderate Republicans will vote for Trutanich; Hard right-wingers will vote for Jackson. Handful of Cooley Republican friends will vote for Lacey.  Will split African American vote with Danette Meyers and Bobby Grace. Labor expected to spend heavily against her for past Union Busting tactics.

Endorsements: Current D.A. Steve Cooley. Former L.A. Public Defender Mike Judge, L.A. City Councilman Bernard Parks; SFV Cong. Howard Berman; Michele Beals Bagneris, City Attorney of Pasadena; Barry Brucker, Mayor of Beverly Hills; Charisse Bremond Weaver, President of the Brotherhood Crusade, L.A. Times, Daily News (split with Jackson), Long Beach Press Telegram, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, PORAC (split with Jackson).

What the buzz is saying: Cooley endorsement doesn’t seem to be helping her. Turns-off Democrats and a lot of her natural base. Labor, Latinos and Democrats supporting other candidates. Could make it into the run-off.  

Yes it’s true:  Actual residence is outside L.A. County. Was on Trutanich Transition Team.in 2009.

ALAN JAY JACKSON

So far has run a puzzling campaign; raised a respectable $500,000 in campaign funds in over 18 months, but has appeared to burn through most of it several months before the first votes are cast.

Pluses: Several high-profile convictions; the only staunch Republican in the race. 

Minuses:  Is running as a Pete Wilson-Newt Gingrich Republican in a County that’s only 24% registered Republican. Has come out against Labor Unions, Latinos, and other Democrats. Has burned through 90% of campaign funds months before the first vote is cast.

Endorsements: Former California Governor Pete Wilson; L.A. County Supervisor Mike Antonovich; State Senator Ted Strickland; Congressman “Buck” McKeon”; Long Beach City Attorney Robert Shannon, Police Associations from the cities of Alhambra, Arcadia, Azuza, San Gabriel, Inglewood, and El Monte including retired Police Chiefs of El Monte, Conservative Radio Host Hugh Hewett

What the buzz is saying: Spent too much time and money attacking Trutanich and not enough raising his name ID.  Lacey will get more votes than him.  Will come in 3^rd.

Yes it’s true:  Recently married.

DANETTE MEYERS

Also running to be the first black woman to become District Attorney of Los Angeles.   Endorsements are tepid and fund raising is anemic. She beat out Jaquelyn Lacey for Democratic Party endorsements.

Pluses: Well-respected in the legal community. Former President of L.A. County Bar Association          

Minuses:  Little to no name recognition. Will split African American vote with Lacey and Bobby Grace. Anemic fundraising of $160,000 in over a year with very little left for the final two weeks of the primary campaign.

Endorsements:  Former L.A. County D.A. Gil Garcetti, Former Deputy D.A. John Lynch, Quincy Jones, Beverly Hills Police Officers Association; Stonewall Democratic Clubs, Beverly Hills, and West Hollywood Democratic Clubs; Association of Deputy District Attorneys, National Woman Political Caucus, Culver City Democratic Club.

What the buzz is saying: Vendetta against Cooley and Lacey. Temperamental. Speaks her mind.  Might be looking to leverage her campaign to gain a promotion in the D.A’s office.  Has no chance.

Yes it’s true:  Fed-up with the Cooley-Lacey regime. Prosecuted Lindsay Lohan for necklace theft until case was kicked to Trutanich’s office.

BOBBY GRACE

Might be the most steady and consistent prosecutor in the race. Consistently gets convictions in high profile murder cases. Definitely has a bright future as a Prosecutor or in private practice.

Pluses: Nice guy. Good lawyer. Promising future.  Minuses:  Little to no name recognition. Will split African American vote with Lacey and Meyers. Raised less than $75,000 for campaign in over 17 months, which demonstrates anemic support.  Practically no campaign funds left.

Endorsements:  Rick Tuttle (former L.A. County Tax Assessor); Rita Walters, former L.A. City Councilwoman (9^th District), several prominent African American lawyers in private practice.

What the buzz is saying:  Won’t make it into the run-off.

Yes it’s true:  Has the most Facebook friends of any candidate.

JOHN BREAULT III

In every race there’s always one “joke” candidate. Think Pat Paulsen for President or Gary Coleman for California Governor. The beautiful thing about America is anyone with a filing fee and enough legitimate signatures can run for office.  John Breault III is that candidate in the 2012 primary for Los Angeles County District Attorney.

Pluses:  Blank slate. Deputy D.A. for 43 years. Public knows nothing about him.

Minuses:  No name ID. No funds to promote candidacy.

Endorsements:  None announced to date.

What the buzz is saying: 69 year old looney who’s about to reitre from the D.A’s office after 43 years. Probably wants to tell his grandchildren he once was on the ballot.

Yes it’s true:  Joined the office when Joe Busch was D.A