News Releases & Advisories

January 17, 2025: New Court Date Set for Menendez Brothers Resentencing Due to Impact of LA County Wildfires

LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced today that the resentencing hearing for Erik and Lyle Menendez, originally scheduled for January 30-31, has been continued by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic. The new date is March 20-21. The continuance is due to the impact of recent wildfires on the parties’ extensive preparations for the hearings.

January 17, 2025: CORRECTION: District Attorney Hochman Announces Eight More Individuals Charged with Crimes During Deadly LA County Wildfires

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman today announced that charges have been filed against nine additional individuals in connection with nine alleged crimes committed during LA County’s devastating wildfires. The charges encompass a range of offenses, including felony arson, felony possession of ammunition by a felon, felony looting during mandatory evacuations, and misdemeanor impersonation of a firefighter. These alleged crimes occurred across the county, including in the cities of South Gate, Brentwood, Hawthorne, Huntington Park, Compton, Santa Monica, and Malibu.

January 17, 2025: Commissioner Lara and Los Angeles DA Hochman announce rapid response effort to prevent and prosecute insurance fraud

LOS ANGELES — Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman today announced a rapid response effort to prevent and prosecute insurance fraud targeting wildfire survivors. The partnership focuses on raising awareness, prosecuting fraud, and equipping survivors with tools to navigate recovery safely.

January 16, 2025: Federal and Local Law Enforcement Officials Form Task Force to Combat Crimes Related to Los Angeles-Area Wildfires

LOS ANGELES – The leaders of federal and local law enforcement agencies have joined together to create the Joint Regional Fire Crimes Task Force to investigate and prosecute fire-related crimes as Los Angeles County recovers from devastating wildfires. The Task Force will focus on investigating and prosecuting criminal actors seeking to exploit the wildfire crisis.

January 16, 2025: District Attorney Hochman Announces Hiring of Special Prosecutor to Tackle Police Misconduct Cases

LOS ANGELES — District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman is proud to announce the appointment of Michael Gennaco, among the nation’s foremost experts in civil rights and police misconduct cases.

January 15, 2025: District Attorney Hochman Announces Felony Arson Charges Against Two Men in Separate Cases Amid Raging LA Fires

WEST COVINA, CA — Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman today announced felony charges against two men in connection with separate alleged acts of arson during the ongoing deadly fires sweeping across the region — one in the City of Industry and another in the city of Irwindale.

January 14, 2025: Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer Urge Governor Newsom to Amend Special Legislative Session to Make Looting a Felony Punishable by State Prison Sentence

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Looting during a local emergency would become a felony punishable by a state prison sentence and make it a strike under California’s Three Strikes Law under proposed legislation by Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman and Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer, sending a strong regional message to opportunistic thieves that these crimes will not be tolerated, and that justice will be swift and it will be decisive.

January 13, 2025: District Attorney Announces Charges in Pacific Palisades and Altadena Looting and Azusa Arson

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman today announced charges against 10 individuals in four crimes committed during the devastating wildfires. Nine people are facing felony charges in connection to residential burglaries in Pacific Palisades and Altadena, and a separate defendant has been charged with arson for intentionally starting a fire in the city of Azusa.

January 8, 2025: Statement from District Attorney Nathan Hochman on Southern California Fires

The ongoing wildfires in Southern California continue to devastate our communities, claiming lives and displacing families. I am deeply saddened to share the tragic news of two lives lost in the Eaton Fire, which has impacted the communities of Altadena and Pasadena. This is a stark reminder of the seriousness of the situation and the need for vigilance.

January 3, 2025: Statement from Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman on a Meeting with the Menendez Family

Earlier today, I had the opportunity to meet with approximately 25 members of the Menendez family to discuss their concerns regarding the ongoing review of the Menendez brothers' case. It was a productive and important conversation, and I deeply appreciate the family's willingness to share their perspectives.

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