The media could not be loaded, either because the server or network failed or because the format is not supported.
Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials attempted to hide an incident where a deputy knelt on the head of an inmate for three minutes while the man was handcuffed.
A Los Angeles County sheriff’s commander who was critical of efforts to cover up an incident in which a deputy kneeled on a handcuffed inmate’s head has filed legal papers accusing Sheriff Alex Villanueva of obstructing justice and retaliating against those who blew the whistle.
In the legal claim against L.A. County, which is a required precursor to a lawsuit, Allen Castellano offered new details about Villanueva’s alleged role in keeping the March 2021 incident under wraps that contradict the sheriff’s claim that he learned of the incident several months after it happened.
According to the claim, Villanueva, along with a lieutenant working as his aide, Undersheriff Tim Murakami and Assistant Sheriff Robin Limon, viewed a video of the incident just five days after it occurred.
After watching, Villanueva allegedly said to the group, “We do not need bad media at this time,” and told Limon that he would “handle the matter,” the claim said.
“Villanueva really meant that he would proceed to obstruct justice and direct a cover-up of the incident,” the claim alleged.
Villanueva did not respond to a request for comment. The Sheriff’s Department announced Monday that Villanueva would hold a news conference...
Justice Kekemeke delivered the judgment after the anti-graft agency, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), prosecuted Iloka on a four-count charge. Justic...