LOS ANGELES, Calif. — During Sheriff Villanueva’s livestream on Tuesday, April 26, he attacked and insulted political opponents including the Inspector General, and threatened to investigate LA Times reporter Alene Tchekmedyian for allegedly leaking a video that revealed a Sheriff Deputy kneeling on a handcuffed individual’s head. Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Holly J. Mitchell provided the following statement in response to the Sheriff’s remarks:
“Sheriff Villanueva’s actions are dangerous and erode community trust which is essential for true public safety. I am calling on Sheriff Villanueva to issue an apology to reporter Alene Tchekmedyian for threatening to allocate valuable County resources towards investigating her for upholding her journalistic responsibility to the public to report the truth. Disrespect and threats to journalists or anyone will not be tolerated and is incompatible with the Sheriff’s responsibility to protect the safety of all residents. I will continue to work with the Board to pursue structural changes that will ensure appropriate oversight over the Sheriff’s Department and I am calling on Attorney General Bonta to investigate any potential violations of the law.”
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