Inside LADA

February 15, 2023: District Attorney Gascón Announces Sheriff’s Deputy Charged With Murder of 12-Year-Old Boy in Off-Duty Crash in South Gate

 

District Attorney Gascón Announces Sheriff’s Deputy Charged With Murder of 12-Year-Old Boy in Off-Duty Crash in South Gate

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced today that Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Ricardo Castro has been charged with murder and vehicular manslaughter when he crashed his vehicle into another car, killing a 12-year-old boy and injuring two others in South Gate.

“The deputy showed a conscious disregard for the lives and safety of the people of South Gate by recklessly speeding on a busy street. The behavior is even more confounding since this happened in an area designated as a zone where school children were present,” District Attorney Gascón said. “Tragically, a 12-year-old boy was killed in the space where he should have been most safe. His family and classmates are left to try to make sense of such a preventable tragedy.”

“This investigation required a tremendous amount of patience and expertise to ensure that we had all of the factual information and evidence aligned before presenting our case to the District Attorney’s Office,” said South Gate Police Chief Darren Arakawa. “It seems commonplace in Los Angeles County to see some motorist driving recklessly and at freeway speeds on residential and business streets. The outcome of these driving habits of some sadly have irreparable consequences.”

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January 23, 2023: District Attorney Gascón Announces Bureau of Victim Services Support for Families Who Lost Loved Ones in Monterey Park Mass Shooting

 

District Attorney Gascón Anncounces Bureau of Victim Services Support Following Monterey Park Shooting

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced today that his office’s Bureau of Victim Services continues to serve the families of those who were killed or injured in the mass shooting at Monterey Park on Saturday night, now as the leading victim support agency.

“We are grateful for the quick collaboration between our local, state and national partners in supporting the Monterey Park community. Our Victim Services Bureau representatives arrived in Monterey Park yesterday, are here today, and they will be here for as long as the victims of this tragedy need support,” District Attorney Gascón said. “We will help anyone who needs it and work to process their applications for state Victims Compensation funds, connect them with local social workers, doctors and mental health providers to ensure that those who are struggling have everything they need in the coming months. Interpreters are available in multiple languages and there is no residency or citizenship requirement to secure support. We encourage anyone affected by this tragedy to visit the Center or reach out to our office for assistance.”

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November 29, 2022: District Attorney Gascón, Public Health Director Ferrer Announce Collaborative Effort to End Fentanyl Crisis

 

Image from fentanyl overdose working group news conference

With fentanyl overdose deaths soaring, District Attorney George Gascón today joined with Department of Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer to announce the creation of a working group to address the fentanyl crisis through prevention, education and enforcement.

“I’m proud to announce that we are leading a multifaceted and collaborative effort to save lives,” District Attorney Gascón said. “The proliferation of fentanyl-related deaths poses one of the gravest challenges of our times. We are bringing together the county’s public health experts, education leaders, community advocates and law enforcement professionals to support and utilize evidence-based and effective approaches to stopping the toll fentanyl is taking.”

“This multifaceted approach is necessary because if the failed ‘War on Drugs’ of the ’90s has taught us one thing, it is that we cannot incarcerate our way out of a public health issue. Enforcement is not enough. Saving lives is the priority when addressing substance abuse and illicit drug use, as only the living have the opportunity to recover. This is a communitywide problem and will take collaboration among all of us to stem the tide of harm that is plaguing our neighborhoods.”

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October 28, 2022: District Attorney Gascón Announces Conviction of Maurice Hastings Vacated in 1983 Murder

 

District Attorney Gascón Announces Conviction of Maurice Hastings Vacated in 1983 Murder

District Attorney George Gascón has announced that the 1988 murder conviction of Maurice Hastings has been vacated and he has been released from prison.

“What has happened to Mr. Hastings is a terrible injustice,” District Attorney Gascón said. “The justice system is not perfect, and when we learn of new evidence which causes us to lose confidence in a conviction, it is our obligation to act swiftly.”

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October 28, 2022: The Return of the "Courage Awards:" District Attorney Gascón, LA5 Rotary Join Forces to Recognize Everyday Heroes

 

California Labor Commissioner Lilia Garcia-Brower, honoree Edith Lopez and District Attorney Gascón

A woman who stopped an international kidnapping, another who risked her job to hold a company accountable for wage theft, and a neighbor who sheltered a family under attack from their father were honored by Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón.

“The extraordinary and selfless acts of these three individuals speak to what it means to live in community,” District Attorney Gascón said. “Finding the strength to speak truth to power, protect our neighbors from harm and help the most vulnerable among us – Linda McKeown, Edith Lopez and Martin Santillan, serve as inspirations to us all.”

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October 5, 2022: TV Producer Eric Weinberg Charged With Forcible Rape, Assault


TItle card for TV Producer Eric Weinberg Charged With Forcible Rape, Assault

District Attorney George Gascón announced that television producer Eric Weinberg has been charged in an 18-count complaint for sexually assaulting five women at different times between 2014 and 2019.

“The defendant relied on his Hollywood credentials to lure young women for photo shoots where he allegedly sexually assaulted them,” District Attorney Gascón said. “Power and influence can corrupt some to hurt others that often leads to a lifetime of trauma for those who are victimized.

My office’s Bureau of Victim Services is here to help in the healing process to ensure all victims have the guidance and support they need on the road to recovery.”

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October 4, 2022: Head of Election Worker Management Company Arrested in Connection with Theft of Personal Data


Title Card for data breach election worker news

District Attorney George Gascón announced that an executive with a Michigan-based company responsible for the software used in managing Los Angeles County election poll workers has been arrested as part of an investigation into the possible theft of personal identifying information of those workers.

“I want to thank my prosecutors and investigators for their commitment to eliminating cyber intrusions against government entities and local businesses,” District Attorney Gascón said. “Data breaches are an ongoing threat to our digital way of life. When we entrust a company to hold our confidential data, they must be willing and able to protect our personal identifying information from theft. Otherwise, we are all victims.

This investigation is concerned solely with the personal identifying information of election workers.  In this case, the alleged conduct had no impact on the tabulation of votes and did not alter election results. But security in all aspects of any election is essential so that we all have full faith in the integrity of the election process.”

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September 27, 2022: District Attorney Gascón Announces Sexual Assault Charges Against Athletic Trainer at Los Angeles Schools


Link to video of news conference announcing charges against trainer accused of sexual assault

District Attorney George Gascón has announced that Richard Turner was charged today for sexually assaulting 10 girls while he worked at two schools in Los Angeles.

“A school is a place where our children should feel safe and protected by those who we are supposed to trust,” District Attorney Gascón said. “It is crushing for the victims’ families and our education system when someone takes advantage of a youth.

I am grateful for the young women who stepped forward in this case to recount what happened to them. My office’s Bureau of Victim Services will provide any needed services or resources to help them on the path from being a victim to becoming a survivor.”

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