Wednesday, Los Angeles County sheriff’s investigators raided the residences of two county affiliates as part of a criminal investigation into a county contract awarded to a nonprofit.
Investigators executed search warrants at the residences of County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl and Patti Giggans, owner of a charity organization and member of the Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission. Both women, who are acquaintances, have publicly criticized and demanded the resignation of Sheriff Alex Villanueva.
Kuehl, an elected county politician, named Giggans to her position on the Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission, which is responsible for analyzing and overseeing the troubled agency.
The search was related to a criminal investigation into Giggans’ nonprofit organization, Peace Over Violence, over a county contract that was awarded to the group, according to a warrant obtained by The Los Angeles Times. An LA Metro employee previously stated that she was subjected to retaliation after alleging that Kuehl inappropriately assisted Giggans in securing a contract that allowed her foundation to operate a sexual harassment hotline for instances involving public transit.
The Times stated that investigators also investigated the offices of the organization, the LA County Hall of Administration, and the county’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Wednesday, the Sheriff’s Department issued a rare statement regarding the search and posted the warrant to its website. In the document, investigators accuse many contract-related offenses, including bribery of a county supervisor.
Wednesday morning, outside her home, Kuehl denied any wrongdoing to The Times, calling the claims “completely ridiculous” and denying that she was aware of the contract.
—Kate Cagle (@KateCagle)
September 14, 2022
Photos and video from the scene depict Kuehl being led out of her home barefoot while investigators examine the property and take photographs.
The Times reports that authorities simultaneously searched Giggans’ residence and seized a computer and flash drives. An counsel for Giggans stated that Villanueva’s antipathy to oversight prompted the investigation.
“These are Third-World techniques,” the attorney declared. Vladimir Putin would be awestruck.
According to The Times, investigators later removed Giggans’ car from her driveway despite her objections, for which she called them “bullies.”
—Alene Tchekmedyian (@AleneTchek)
September 14, 2022
In an email sent to Insider on Wednesday evening, Kuehl stated that the search’s rationale was problematic and will be reviewed.
“Deputies armed with bulletproof vests and tactical gear stormed my home this morning in an attempt to harass, intimidate, and retaliate against a public figure who has been a vocal opponent of LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva. Other daring County officials have also been the victim of this Sheriff’s vindictiveness, so I am not the only critic in this category “Kuehl added.
Giggans did not react to Insider’s request for comment immediately.
Critics of the LASD believe that Villanueva is using his office to attack people who criticize him through a public corruption unit inside the agency, as a result of the Peace Over Violence probe. The sheriff has denied similar charges on multiple occasions.
Inspector Max Huntsman, the head of the Civilian Oversight Commission, told Insider on Wednesday afternoon that Villanueva established the corruption team to “dirty everyone who criticized him.”
“Had they had a legitimate case, they would have taken it to the district attorney or attorney general to avoid the obvious conflict of targeting the sheriff’s political rivals,” Huntsman stated. “I hope the district attorney or attorney general will intervene to halt this unprofessional conduct.”
When contacted for comment on the search warrant, a representative for the LASD directed Insider to a statement issued Wednesday afternoon. The spokeswoman did not react promptly to Insider’s request for comment regarding Huntsman’s statements.
During Villanueva’s tenure, the LASD has been plagued by numerous scandals, including allegations of deputy gangs within the department, an incidence of inmate cruelty, and the Kobe Bryant trial.
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