Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
2 Ex-Torrance Officers Charged For Vandalism Involving Swastika. 13 Current Officers Are Under Investigation For Racist Messages
DA George Gascón.
(
Justin Sullivan
/
Getty Images
)
Two now former Torrance police officers have been charged with felony vandalism and conspiracy for allegedly painting a swastika on an impounded stolen car last year, L.A. District Attorney George Gascón announced Thursday.
The case could have much broader fallout, because prosecutors and Torrance detectives later found the two men and 13 current officers had been exchanging racist, homophobic and anti-Semitic messages, according to Torrance Police Chief Jeremiah Hart.
Gascón told a joint news conference that he initiated the closer look when he first encountered the case a few weeks ago. He said he had immediate concerns about the swastika, "and as a result of that I ordered additional investigation that included looking at digital communication. And it was during that period of time that we became aware of the additional officers.”
Hart said his department is conducting an administrative investigation into the 13 officers' actions. “I will aggressively pursue any form of racism, bigotry, hate, or misconduct at the Torrance police department," he said. The department has 227 officers.
Support for LAist comes from
Gascón said Torrance's inquiry could lead to criminal charges.
The DA’s office said former officers Christopher Tomsic and Cody Weldin pleaded not guilty Thursday and are due back in court Oct. 4 for a preliminary hearing.
The Case Sparks A Broad Review Of Criminal Cases
Gascón said in a statement that his office will review hundreds of criminal cases involving the two ex-officers “to ensure no other alleged misconduct occurred.”
Torrance Police Department officials said they opened a criminal investigation and put the two officers on leave when it learned of the "reprehensible allegations" against them. In a statement, the department said the two officers "do not work" for the department, without saying whether they resigned or were fired.
The DA’s office said Tomsic and Weldin were among a group of Torrance police who responded to a call on Jan. 27, 2020 about three men who had allegedly stolen mail. A vehicle that may have been used in the crime was taken to a tow yard.
When the vehicle’s owner arrived to retrieve it, “he found that a happy face had been spray painted on the front passenger seat and a swastika symbol on the rear seat," the DA's office said.
Support for LAist comes from
Gascón sought to place the case involving Tomsic and Weldin, as well as the investigation into the 13 officers, within the context of the national political environment.
“It’s important to recognize that we are at a time in our nation where hate is being propagated," he said. "We have seen an increase in hate crimes. It is unacceptable. But it is doubly unacceptable when we have the people that are sworn to protect all of us to engage in this behavior.”
This story has been updated.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Wasteland Weekend is all about souped-up rust buckets, spikey costumes and an ‘ideal apocalypse.’ -
The Shadow the Scientists initiative at UC Santa Cruz strives to demystify astronomical research. -
Some submissions to the Pasadena Humane Society were made by extremely talented artists. The others … tried their best. -
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings. -
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning.
Best of LAist