Inside LADA

September 26, 2023: District Attorney Gascón Announces Exoneration of Man Wrongfully Convicted of Robbery, Kidnapping, and Sexual Assault

 

District Attorney Gascón Announces Exoneration of Man Wrongfully Convicted of Robbery, Kidnapping, and Sexual Assault

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón today announced the exoneration and release from prison of Gerardo Cabanillas, who was wrongfully convicted of robbery, kidnapping, and sexual assault, among other crimes, in April 1996.

“Today, we acknowledge a grave injustice that has resulted in the unjust more than 28-year incarceration of Mr. Cabanillas.” District Attorney Gascón said. “Upon thorough reexamination of the evidence and a comprehensive review of the case by my office’s Conviction Integrity Unit, it has become abundantly clear that a serious error was made. I extend my deepest apologies to Mr. Cabanillas for the miscarriage of justice and the failure of our criminal legal system.

It is imperative that we reflect upon this case as a stark reminder that our criminal legal system is not infallible. We must collectively commit to doing better, to continuously improving our procedures, and to ensuring that every person who enters our legal system is afforded a fair and just process.

I’d like to thank the Conviction Integrity Unit’s prosecutors and investigators who worked to re-evaluate the evidence in Mr. Cabanillas’ case and conducted an exhaustive investigation to get to the truth. Today, we recognize the justice he deserves.”

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September 20, 2023: District Attorrney Gascón Announces Man Charged with Murder of Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer in Palmdale

 

District Attorrney Gascón Announces Man Charged with Murder of Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer in Palmdale

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced today that Kevin Eduardo Cataneo Salazar has been charged with the murder of Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer in the city of Palmdale.

“My heart is broken during this incredibly difficult time for the family of Deputy Clinkunbroomer and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.” District Attorney Gascón said. “This senseless act of violence is an affront to the values of justice and peace that we hold dear in our community. Our law enforcement partners worked tirelessly to investigate and find the alleged individual responsible for murdering Deputy Clinkunbroomer. I want to assure you that my office’s Crimes Against Peace Officer’s Division is committed to bringing to justice the person responsible for this heinous crime. In the face of this tragedy, let us come together as a community supporting one another and standing against acts of violence against those who work night and day to protect us. Together, we will find solace, strength, and ultimately, justice for our fallen deputy.”

“We are devastated by the brutal murder of Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer and share in the grief with his family, partners, and community as we try to grapple with this tragedy,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna. “This ambush attack was absolutely unacceptable and an attack on law enforcement as a whole. Deputy Clinkunbroomer was in uniform, stopped at a red light in his patrol vehicle like thousands of other law enforcement officers and deputies do every day when he tragically lost his life while serving his community. Deputy Clinkunbroomer embodied a legacy of service that was instilled in him through several generations. Our detectives and personnel worked relentlessly for thirty-six hours to locate and arrest the suspect responsible for Ryan’s murder and we support the charges that were filed today. We expect the maximum punishment available under the law for the murder of Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer.” 

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September 6, 2023: District Attorney Gascón Announces Creation of New Labor Justice Unit, Historic Charges Filed in Wage Theft Case in South Los Angeles

 

Labor Justice Unit NC

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced the creation of the office’s first Labor Justice Unit (LJU) today at a news conference. The District Attorney was also joined by State Labor Commissioner Lilia García-Brower to announce the filing of charges by the newly formed LJU in a seven-count felony complaint against owners of two garment industry businesses in South Los Angeles.

“I am pleased to announce the formation of my office’s newly established Labor Justice Unit. The Unit will bolster our existing fight to end wage theft and labor exploitation by providing a dedicated team of seasoned prosecutors and investigators whose focus will be the enforcement of these laws,” District Attorney Gascón said. “Los Angeles remains the wage theft capitol of the country. This historic unit will enable the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office to take greater action against financial crimes affecting hardworking Angelenos and their families.”

“Employers in this case knowingly and intentionally denied workers their hard-earned wages, paying workers as low as $6.00 an hour,” said State Labor Commissioner Lilia García-Brower. “These bad actor employers abused workers, defrauded the system and should not be in business. California needs more criminal prosecutions of wage theft to protect workers and honest employers from unfair competition. My office will continue to work closely with the LADA office to hold perpetrators accountable,” added García-Brower.

Click here to watch the news conference.

Click here to read the news release.Read more...