Support for LAist comes from
Local and national news, NPR, things to do, food recommendations and guides to Los Angeles, Orange County and the Inland Empire
Stay Connected
Listen

Share This

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

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

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.

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.
Support for LAist comes from

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.

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
A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right
(
LAist
)

Trending on LAist