The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is suing the Civilian Oversight Commission over subpoenas for misconduct and use of force cases.
The commission subpoenaed the records of three cases this year, including the 2020 shooting death of 18-year-old Andres Guardado and beatings by deputies in Industry in 2020 and Norwalk in 2023.
The records were meant to be handed over by this week. But during Thursday’s meeting, Sheriff Robert Luna informed the commission they wouldn’t be coming.
“As you're aware, we filed a declaratory relief action to go to court so that we can get clarification for all of these requests,” he said. “This isn't an issue of trying to hide any information. We just want clarification so we can follow the law. What you're asking us to do right now violates the law, according to county counsel.”
Commission Chair Robert Bonner, a former federal judge, responded that he found the withholding of records “extraordinary and frankly disrespectful.”
“When this commission issues a subpoena under its measure or authority … that means they have to personally appear and produce documents,” Bonner said. “County counsel gave you contrary advice. County counsel has committed malpractice, in my judgment.”
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State law gives the Civilian Oversight Commission subpoena power over the sheriff’s department. The commission plans to take legal action of its own to get the records.
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