Villanueva says use of force incident was not cover-up; new investigation underway

Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva on Tuesday responded to allegations of a cover-up associated to a use of power incident involving deputies at a courthouse final yr, indicating the matter was a communication breakdown fairly than an effort to guard these concerned.

In the course of the March 10, 2021, incident, an inmate punched a deputy a number of instances earlier than the deputy pinned the inmate to the bottom and knelt on his head for about three minutes, the Los Angeles Occasions reported final week after acquiring video of the incident.

Tuesday’s information convention got here days after the newspaper revealed a narrative indicating individuals concerned tried to cowl up the incident by not reporting the assault up the chain of command, fearing dangerous publicity.

Moreover, the incident occurred simply two days after jury choice started within the case towards former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.

These concerned didn’t pursue prison expenses towards the concerned inmate in an effort to keep away from drawing damaging consideration to the incident and its similarities to using power ways within the George Floyd case, in keeping with the Occasions, citing an inner power overview.

On Tuesday, Villanueva admitted there was a break in communication following the incident and no prison investigation was ordered. He stated he didn’t grow to be conscious of the video till November (not October because the story indicated), when he then ordered the deputy to be relieved of responsibility pending a prison and administrative investigation.

He stated a 3rd investigation was then ordered to look into the “disturbing conduct” following the encounter.

The sheriff accused the Occasions of dangerous publicity amid an election cycle, indicating the newspaper had revealed damaging, “clickbait” headlines about him and his division a number of instances prior to now week, even quoting from one written by columnist Gustavo Arellano.

Villanueva stated the newspaper is attempting to “regurgitate” previous information.

“That is all about throwing the whole lot potential at my marketing campaign,” Villanueva stated. “That is the whole lot however the kitchen sink.”

He even accused the Occasions of working “in live performance” with the inspector normal and oversight fee on an investigation into so-called deputy gangs, evaluating the inquiry to “discovering bigfoot.”

When requested why the unique incident wasn’t made public on the time, the sheriff stated it didn’t benefit media protection as a result of nobody was significantly injured.

“It was not one thing that was earth shattering information,” Villanueva stated.