Nathan Hochman, a candidate for Los Angeles County DA, vows to overturn the current policies of incumbent George Gascon, who faces criticism for his handling of crime and a lawsuit for withholding information about an aide facing felony charges.
Los Angeles County District Attorney candidate Nathan Hochman has pledged to reverse the "soft-on-crime" policies of incumbent George Gascon on day one of his potential tenure. Gascon, who faces a runoff election in November, has drawn criticism for his progressive approach to prosecution, which critics say has contributed to rising crime rates in the county.
Gascon's Opponent Pledges to Reverse 'Soft-on-Crime' Policies on Day One
Hochman, a former prosecutor, has made public safety a cornerstone of his campaign, promising to restore tough-on-crime measures and reinstate cash bail for certain offenses. He has also pledged to increase the number of deputy district attorneys in the office to better staff cases and provide more robust support for victims of crime.
The announcement comes amid a lawsuit filed by the Association of Deputy District Attorneys (ADDA) against Gascon for allegedly withholding information about a close aide, Diana Teran, who is facing felony charges for allegedly stealing computer files from the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department. The union claims that Gascon's office has failed to provide complete and timely responses to their public records requests, despite being legally obligated to do so under the California Public Records Act (CPRA).
Gascon's Opponent Pledges to Reverse 'Soft-on-Crime' Policies on Day One
Gascon has previously denied similar public records requests from Fox News Digital seeking financial information about the county's expenditures in defending the DA against lawsuits. His office has also faced multiple lawsuits from individual prosecutors alleging retaliation and harassment.
Experts in public records law have criticized Gascon's handling of public records requests, noting that California law does not provide a built-in process to appeal denials to a higher authority. As a result, record seekers are forced to take agencies to court if they are denied improperly.
Gascon's Opponent Pledges to Reverse 'Soft-on-Crime' Policies on Day One
Gascon's office has a policy against commenting on pending litigation. However, Nathan Hochman has condemned the DA's actions, stating that "Mr. Gascon once again needs a civics lesson about how a democracy works." He has accused Gascon of prioritizing his own interests and political ideology over the well-being of crime victims.
The lawsuit against Gascon is just one of many legal challenges he currently faces. Over 20 lawsuits have been filed against him by individual prosecutors and their union. Critics argue that the sheer number of lawsuits against Gascon demonstrates a lack of confidence in his leadership and a failure to follow the law.
Gascon's Opponent Pledges to Reverse 'Soft-on-Crime' Policies on Day One
Gascon's challenger, Nathan Hochman, believes that the DA's focus on progressive reforms has created an environment where criminals are emboldened and victims are left unprotected. He has promised to restore a balance to the criminal justice system by emphasizing accountability and protecting the rights of both the accused and the victims of crime.
As the November election approaches, voters in Los Angeles County will have to decide whether to continue with Gascon's controversial policies or to elect a new DA who promises a return to tougher crime-fighting measures. The outcome of the election will have a significant impact on the direction of law enforcement and public safety in the county.
Gascon's Opponent Pledges to Reverse 'Soft-on-Crime' Policies on Day One
