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.
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.
Shocker: Sheriff Baca To Announce His Resignation Today [UPDATED]
Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca speaks at a news conference. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
()
Sheriff Lee Baca is expected to resign later this morning amid shocking allegations of mismanagement, shoddy hiring practices and an extensive federal crackdown on jail employees.
The surprise move by Baca shocked many of those in his circles, who all expected him to make another run for reelection this June, WitnessLA reports. Baca had made no indication in recent days of his impending decision.
Yesterday, Baca talked to members of the L.A. County Board of Supervisors informing them that stepping down would be the right thing to do in the midst of the allegations against his department, the L.A. Times says.
The resignation comes after a huge crackdown on employees of Men's Central Jail. The jail has become an epicenter of federal activity after numerous accusations of excessive force and abuse of power. In one incident, jail officials tried to hide an inmate who was using a phone given to him by the FBI to document instances of inmate abuse, and two deputies taped themselves threatening to arrest the FBI special agent in charge of the case. In all, 18 Sheriff's Department employees were arrested on Dec. 9.
Support for LAist comes from
Baca has also come under fire for hiringnumerous jail employees with serious allegations of misconduct on their records, including sexual assault and excessive force. Many of those employees were hired through the "Friends of the Sheriff" program, which has only recently been suspended.
Baca's announcement is expected at 10 a.m. this morning.
UPDATE 12:00 p.m: Sheriff Lee Baca has formally announced his retirement, effective at the end of the month. Read all about it here.
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
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars. -
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
Best of LAist