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.
Ex-LA County Sheriff Baca asks for community service, home confinement for corruption conviction
Listen
• 0:50
Former Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca, center, leaves federal court in Los Angeles with attorneys David Hochman, left, and Nathan Hochman after his corruption trial went to the jury Monday, March 13, 2017, in Los Angeles.
(
Nick Ut/AP
)
Former L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca's attorney is seeking a sentence of community service and home confinement for Baca's role in a scheme to block an FBI investigation into abuse and corruption in a county jail.
But federal prosecutors said they considered his age and health and are recommending two years in federal prison.
In a court filing Monday, Baca's attorney, Nathan Hochman, wrote his client should not be subjected to the "harsh cruelty of the prison system not designed to address his medical condition."
Baca is 74-years-old and has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
Support for LAist comes from
Baca was in command of the largest sheriff's department in the country for 15 years. Prosecutors said in their filing Monday that he "abused the great power the citizens of Los Angeles County had given him."
A jury in March found Baca guilty of conspiracy, obstruction of justice and lying, which together carries a maximum sentence of 20 years. Baca vowed to appeal the conviction.
Before trial, prosecutors offered Baca a plea deal — a maximum of six months in prison. Baca agreed, but a judge rejected the deal as too lenient.
He is scheduled to be sentenced May 12.
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
-
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. -
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority. -
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding. -
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/45c201e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3894+0+0/resize/786x486!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist