D.A. SOFT ON CORRUPTION, RIVAL SAYS CHALLENGER ASSAILS RESPONSE TO SCANDALS.Byline: Brent Hopkins Staff Writer STUDIO CITY - Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. County District Attorney Gil Garcetti Gilbert "Gil" Garcetti (b. August 5, 1941) served as Los Angeles County's 39th District Attorney for two terms, from 1992 until November 7, 2000. Background Gil Garcetti received a bachelor's degree in Management from the University of Southern California and a Juris should have ordered a criminal investigation of former Insurance Commissioner Chuck Quackenbush Charles "Chuck" Quackenbush (born 1954) is a Florida law enforcement officer and former California politician. He served as Insurance Commissioner of California from 1995–2000 and as a California State Assemblyman representing the 22nd District, from 1986–1994. , his challenger Steve Cooley Stephen Lawrence ("Steve") Cooley (born May 1, 1947 in Los Angeles, California) is a veteran prosecutor who was elected as Los Angeles County's 36th District Attorney on November 7, 2000. He was sworn in for his second term on December 6, 2004. said Tuesday in a campaign debate. Quackenbush resigned this month after criticism over his role in industry contributions to foundations he reportedly controlled. Those payments were made by insurance companies as an alternative to larger fines, amid complaints that victims of the 1994 Northridge Earthquake The Northridge earthquake occurred on January 17, 1994 at 4:31 AM Pacific Standard Time in the city of Los Angeles, California. The earthquake had a "strong" moment magnitude of 6. had been shortchanged. ``This merits a criminal investigation. Mr. Garcetti is absolutely failing to do his duty,'' Cooley said, stepping up his attacks on incumbent Garcetti's record of fighting public corruption. ``The earthquake was here. The victims are here. The jurisdiction is here.'' But Garcetti rejected the assertion, saying Cooley, a head deputy district attorney, has failed to recognize that the matter was out of the hands of the county's top prosecutor because the alleged crimes took place in Sacramento. ``He doesn't want to understand that the (state) attorney general is fully in control of this,'' Garcetti said. The exchange between Cooley and Garcetti came during the latest debate between the rivals for the Nov. 7 runoff election. The hourlong event was held for members of the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. Bar Association at the Sportsmen's Lodge The Sportsmen's Lodge in the San Fernando Valley section of Los Angeles, California is something of a kitsch landmark but remains a popular spot for celebrations, dinners and public events. . Cooley, who outpolled Garcetti in the March 7 primary, has hammered the incumbent for months on his track record on the Belmont Learning Center This Belmont Learning Center contains information about a building currently under construction. It may contain information of a speculative nature, and the content may change dramatically as construction progresses and new information becomes available. debacle, the Los Angeles police Rampart Division scandal and other cases involving potential public corruption. Garcetti spokesman Erik Nasarenko asserted that Cooley is merely fishing for a hot topic. ``One day it's Belmont, one day it's Rampart and now it's Quackenbush,'' he said. Cooley repeatedly described the incumbent as ``failed leader'' who has let down his community. Garcetti responded by saying his office would prosecute when there is evidence of crime and when his office has jurisdiction in the case. ``It's easy to throw around words like 'failed leader,' '' Garcetti said. ``I don't think he has the experience to do the job.'' Garcetti abandoned his duties to the public, Cooley argued during the debate, citing the number of earthquake victims in the county. CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1) Gil Garcetti (2) Steve Cooley |
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