SANTA ANA, Calif. (KNX) — An Orange County law enforcement watchdog agency confirmed Friday that it had opened an investigation into the alleged racial comments made by O.C. District Attorney Todd Spitzer in connection with a capital murder case.
The O.C. Office of Independent Review said it was looking into whether Spitzer’s comments made about defendant Jamon Buggs’ case were racially charged. During an October meeting about Buggs’ case, Spitzer reportedly inquired into the race of Buggs’ ex-girlfriends.
Buggs, a Black man, was accused of killing a white couple.
Spitzer allegedly said during the meeting that he knew “many Black people who enhance their status by only dating ‘white women,’” according to memoranda.
OIR’s director, Sergio Perez, said the agency was not only looking into the comments, “but understanding the consequences of those comments.”
“The hope is the [OIR] can clarify what took place, clarify the facts, and if necessary make recommendations about how to avoid these type[s] of incidents repeating,” Perez told The O.C. Register.
Spitzer has denied any wrongdoing in connection with the allegations.
“Of course we will fully cooperate with any investigation,” Spitzer said in a statement on Friday. “There is absolutely zero truth to the allegations.”
