Sheriff Villanueva again disputes cover-up, retaliation claims

Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva on Tuesday as soon as once more denied any function in an alleged cover-up of an incident involving a deputy utilizing extreme drive on an inmate final yr.

No felony investigation of the March 2021 incident was instantly ordered, indicating individuals concerned tried to cowl it up by not reporting the assault up the chain of command, fearing dangerous publicity.

Villanueva stated the allegations have been orchestrated for political functions as he heads right into a reelection marketing campaign.

Throughout a information convention Tuesday, the sheriff additionally provided a timeline of occasions following using drive incident, disputing claims that he and different high workers reviewed video of the assault simply days after it occurred.

The information convention comes after the sheriff’s commander who was vital of the aftermath of using drive incident filed a declare in opposition to L.A. County accusing Villanueva of obstructing justice and retaliating in opposition to those that got here ahead, the Los Angeles Instances reported.

Villanueva’s function within the alleged cover-up is now being investigated by the County’s Workplace of Inspector Common.

Villanueva introduced the Instances is being investigated, saying reporters ran what he referred to as “false” tales and printed video of the incident that was unauthorized property belonging to the Sheriff’s Division.

He stated the newspaper is working “in live performance and coordination” with the inspector basic’s workplace to derail his marketing campaign.

“Lots of people working extra time they usually’re doing it as finest they will, so there will likely be extra of this nonsense thrown at me till June 7,” Villanueva stated.

In a response, Instances Government Editor Kevin Merida stated the sheriff’s assault on reporter Alene Tchekmedyian is “outrageous.”

“His try to criminalize information reporting goes in opposition to well-established constitutional legislation,” Merida stated in a statement. “We’ll viciously defend Tchekmedyian’s and the Los Angeles Instances’ rights in any continuing investigation drought on by authorities.”