The lawyer for Los Angeles' embattled chief deputy district attorney, Joseph Iniguez, has spoken out after police released a video of his arrest in 2021, which led to a $10,000 out-of-court civil settlement. Iniguez's attorney, Glen Jonas, says the video clearly shows that his client was "100%, without a doubt falsely arrested."
FIRST ON FOX: The lawyer for Los Angeles' embattled chief deputy district attorney broke his silence Wednesday after police unveiled video stemming from a 2021 arrest that led to a $10,000 out-of-court civil settlement.
"The video shows that Mr. Iniguez was 100%, without a doubt falsely arrested," Iniguez's attorney Glen Jonas told Fox News Digital. "He was lucid, calm, direct and in full control."
Los Angeles DA's Right-Hand Man's Public Intoxication Arrest Unveiled in Leaked Video
Azusa police pulled over Iniguez's then-fiance, who was driving the couple home from a wedding. Although the fiance was handcuffed, he was not charged, and the public intoxication case against Iniguez ultimately fell apart. However, while examining the incident, investigators found evidence that led to 11 unrelated felony charges against Diana Teran, another top Gascon aide.
In the video, Iniguez tells officers, "You've pulled over the wrong person, let me tell you."
Los Angeles DA's Right-Hand Man's Public Intoxication Arrest Unveiled in Leaked Video
"This is not right," he says. "This is why when they talk about law enforcement and like our interactions with law enforcement – he did the right thing tonight, and drove me. We were at a wedding."
After handcuffing the driver, the officer told Iniguez he was under arrest as well.
Los Angeles DA's Right-Hand Man's Public Intoxication Arrest Unveiled in Leaked Video
Iniguez also urged the officers to check his license plates, which could have revealed to them that he worked for the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
"Run our plates, and see what you find," he said. "Honestly. I'm not saying anything, just see what you find."
Los Angeles DA's Right-Hand Man's Public Intoxication Arrest Unveiled in Leaked Video
He admits to drinking at the wedding and repeatedly interrupts the officer who is attempting to question the fiance.
Also during the encounter, Iniguez urges his fiance not to cooperate with the officers, a potential violation of DA policy and state law.
Los Angeles DA's Right-Hand Man's Public Intoxication Arrest Unveiled in Leaked Video
Iniguez sued Azusa over his arrest, alleging a federal civil rights violation, and received a $10,000 settlement, described by critics as a "nuisance payment," last year.
According to Jonas, Iniguez donated the payout to "a nonprofit that advocates for modern approaches to constitutional policing."
Los Angeles DA's Right-Hand Man's Public Intoxication Arrest Unveiled in Leaked Video
On Tuesday, the Azusa Police Department said in a statement that its officers fully complied with state law and internal policies.
"City of Azusa and Chief [Rocky] Wenrick stand firmly behind our employees and the decisions made during [Iniguez's] arrest," the department said.
Los Angeles DA's Right-Hand Man's Public Intoxication Arrest Unveiled in Leaked Video
Gascon's office declined to comment on the matter.
Iniguez also came under fire in recent weeks after the district attorney's office said it would remove the two lead prosecutors on a child murder trial from the case before sentencing over an apparent conflict of interest – involving Teran. He later backtracked, and they remained on the case after it was transferred to a unit Teran had no connection to.
