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Sheriff Baca's Bishop Adviser (Yes He Had One) Resigns Because Of Pot Shop Link

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It's all gone to pot for one bishop appointed by Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca. Bishop Edward Turner, who was head of the Multi-Faith Clergy Council for the beleaguered sheriff, has been asked to resign.

ABC7 reports Turner will step down from his duty as a field commander while a commercial property he owns is investigated for renting to a pot shop. Two more field deputies will step down as well, though the reasons for those resignations were unclear.

Baca told ABC7’s Adrienne Alpert:

“I feel like he should have told me that this is going on so I didn't catch it in a difference source. But that didn't happen. So we are doing an investigation, but I also informed the bishop yesterday that it'd be best if he resigned from the program. We will still continue the investigation, however, and he's indicating he will resign,” said Baca.

Turner has been under investigation for some time now and had been relieved of his duty since November, only now he's officially resigning. His duties involved reaching out to other faith leaders, for which he made $105,000 a year and had a free car, gas and cellphone (paid for by Los Angeles County taxpayers, of course).

Baca is stepping down at the end of the month, following several revelations of abuse of power and an emotional farewell earlier this week. Baca plans to continue helping the LAPD—as a volunteer.

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