Meet Our New City Attorney

On Saturday, July 11, 2009, newly elected City Attorney Carmen 'Nuch' Trutanich held a "Meet and Greet" for City Attorney employees at the Department of Water and Power's Auditorium.

(you can click on the images for a more detailed view).


Mr. Trutanich's enthusiasm and elation for the gathering of support staff and attorneys was obvious from the spring in his step as he approached the podium, after being introduced by Chief Deputy, Bill Carter.


Mr. Trutanich started his speech by crumbling up his carefully prepared remarks and throwing them away! For about the next two hours the crowded audience got to hear of his plans for the Office and his appreciation of the hard work from all who help to make the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office a premier law office.


If two hours seems like a lot of time, part of the reason was due to Mr. Trutanich taking that time to announce the names of 71 recipients of "Certificates of Appreciation" for their hard work and creditable achievements.

The full list of recipients (in alphabetical order) was:

Greg Adams - General Counsel to the Department of Water & Power
Daniel Aguilera - Civil Liability Management
Diana Aizman - Metropolitan Criminal Branch
Lance Allice - Central Trials Criminal Branch
Kevin Anderson - Family Violence Criminal Branch
Aleen Avanesian - Van Nuys Criminal Branch
Melissa Biederman - Metropolitan Criminal Branch
Lara Bloomquist - Family Violence Criminal Branch
Dirk Broersma - General Counsel to the Department of Water & Power
Amy Brothers - Land Use Division
Niklas Buckingham - Central Trials Criminal Branch
Lee Caldwell - Family Violence Criminal Branch
Quin Calvin - Central Trials Criminal Branch
Mei Mei Cheng - Housing Division – Real Property & Economic Development
Angie Cho - Workers’ Compensation Division
Eric Cioffi - Criminal Appellate
Malaika Cole - Metropolitan Criminal Branch
Leticia Cotti - Civil Liability Management
Rick Curcio - Criminal Appellate
Michelle DeCasas - Metropolitan Criminal Branch
Greg Dorfman - Gang Division
Anat Ehrlich - General Counsel to the Department of Water & Power
Yoneet Eilat - Metropolitan Criminal Branch
Kimberly Erickson - Gang Division
Diego Edber - Van Nuys Criminal Branch
Giselle Fernandez - Pacific Criminal Branch
Valerie Flores - General Counsel Practice Group
Howard Fuchs - Van Nuys Criminal Branch
Jeff Gallagher - Metropolitan Criminal Branch
Nicole Gougis - Metropolitan Criminal Branch
Adena Hadar - Complex and Business Litigation
Matthew Hogan - Volunteer City Attorney – 3 cases w/ guilty verdicts
Shaun Jacobs - Central Trials Criminal Branch
Ben Karabian - Central Trials Criminal Branch
Adrienne Khorasanee - Land Use Division
Richard Kraft - Special Trials Unit
Voltaire Lazaro - Hollywood Criminal Branch
Todd Leung - Complex and Business Litigation
Debbie Lew - Criminal Appellate
Terry Kaufmann Macias - Land Use Division
Katharine Mackenzie - Criminal Appellate
Capri Maddox - Central Trials Criminal Branch
Gloria Dabbs Mann - Pacific Criminal Branch
Heidi Matz - Van Nuys Criminal Branch
Oscar Medellin - Central Trials Criminal Branch
Kristine Moon - Civil Liability Management
Felton Newell - Neighborhood Prosecutor Program
Beth Orellana - Civil Liability Management
Frank Orozco - San Pedro Criminal Branch
Paul Paquette - General Counsel to the Department of Water & Power
Pat Penner - Hollywood Criminal Branch
Francine Ricks - Metropolitan Criminal Branch
Hugo Rossitter - Labor Relations Division
Brad Rothenberg - Central Trials Criminal Branch
Erika Sandoval - Central Trials Criminal Branch
Gerald Sato - Municipal Counsel Appeals
Matthew Schonbrun - Metropolitan Criminal Branch
Michael Schwartz - Metropolitan Criminal Branch
Eric Shannon - Criminal Appellate
Casey Shim - Civil Liability Management
Debra Siedorf - Van Nuys Criminal Branch
Helen Sok - Central Trials Criminal Branch
Veronica Soto - Safe Neighborhoods Division
Johnna Stone - San Pedro Criminal Branch
Vivienne Swanigan - Labor Relations Division
Craig Takenaka - Housing Division-Real Property & Economic Development
Taleen Tertzakian - Metropolitan Criminal Branch
George Turner - Workers’ Compensation
Robert Unruh - Workers’ Compensation
Valerie Valadez - Metropolitan Criminal Branch
Kim Westhoff - Land Use Division

Congratulations and "Thank you" to all of you for what you do for the residents of the City of Los Angeles.


The speech ended with a cntinued commitment to "do the right thing" and a standing ovation from the audience.

Many lingered to chat with Mr. Trutanich and members of his executive staff. It was impossible to photograph everyone, but here are a few shots (and please accept my apologies if we've made any mistakes with your names. it will take us a little time to get to know you all).


Beth Orellana, Gary Guess and Bill Carter


Kim Westhoff


Jeff Isaacs and Steve Gold


Maureen Siegel


Adrienne Khorasanee


Vartan Ter-Ghevondian and Frank Cordero


Harit Trivedi


The Honorable Judge Leslie E. Brown



Mark Lambert and Francisco Figueroa


Irene Martin Del Campo


Earl Thomas, Carmen Hawkins and Jessalyn Pinder

Oh, and one last thing.


Mr. Trutanich also swore-in Nic Danna, the latest hire for the Office. Nic starts as a Deputy City Attorney I and that's the way Mr. Trutanich said all new attorney hires will start. They will work their way up through the ranks to be the finest attorneys doing the work of the people of the City of Los Angeles.

Posted by: David Berger

Congratulations to DCA Susan Strick

Congratulations to Deputy City Attorney (DCA) Susan Strick for receiving the Susan Bursk Founder's Award from the South Robertson (SoRo) Neighborhoods Council. The Susan Bursk Founder's Award is presented to an individual in recognition of his or her dedication and service to the South Robertson Neighborhoods Community.

DCA Strick was presented with this award on Sunday, June 7, at the 12th Annual SoRo Community Festival.

The goal of the SoRo Community Festival is to build bridges between neighbors, local businesses and public service organizations and to celebrate the cultural diversity of the community.

We congratulate Susan for being honored for her service to the community.

Third Annual Northeast Area Job Fair

A little over three years ago, the City Attorney's Office partnered with Jewish Vocational Service to create First Chance, a program designed to provide at-risk youth with educational opportunities, job skills training, mentoring, and assistance with employment placement.

As a part of its mission, each year First Chance has facilitated community access to local employment opportunities through the Northeast Area Job Fair.

Now in its third year, the Northeast Area Job Fair focused on securing employers able to provide training and employment opportunities to youth, and individuals with little work experience.

On May 30, motivated job seekers mingled with employers at Rio de Los Angeles State Park. Among the twenty-five employers and training agencies in attendance were: Apple One, Target, Vons, LAUSD, California Highway Patrol, Southwest Carpenter Training Fund, and El Super, a new supermarket soon to open in Highland Park.

Information about juvenile record sealing and expungement was provided on-site courtesy of attorneys from Public Counsel and The Alliance for Children's Rights.

To prepare area residents, the City Attorney's Office also scheduled four work readiness workshops over the month of May, where counselors from Jewish Vocational Service offered their advice about being a successful job applicant.

The Northeast Area Job Fair and related work readiness workshops were planned in partnership with Jewish Vocational Service, the Office of Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa, Councilmember Ed. P. Reyes, Councilmember Tom LaBonge, Council President Eric Garcetti, Councilmember Jose Huizar, and with the support of The Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council and the Greater Cypress Park Neighborhood Council.

Our thanks to these partners and everyone who worked so hard to make this event a success.

LMU Community Recognizes NPP Martin

Two weeks ago, Loyola Marymount University (LMU) hosted a Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)/ Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD)/ Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Appreciation Luncheon at LMU’s Collins Center.

This luncheon recognized emergency personnel who support the LMU and Westchester community.

Special recognition was given to members of LAPD’s Pacific Division, LAFD Station 67 and the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office.

Deputy City Attorney Claudia Martin was among those recognized at the luncheon for her work in the community as a Neighborhood Prosecutor. The recognition came from both LMU and Councilman Bill Rosendahl’s office.

The first photo is Claudia with a plaque presented by David W. Burcham, the Executive Vice President and Provost of Loyola Marymount University. The second photo is Claudia with Mark Grant, Special Assistant to Councilman Rosendahl.

Congratulations Claudia.

Tamales de la Paz (Peace) Event

Last night, community leaders gathered in Los Angeles’ MacArthur Park neighborhood for Tamales de la Paz (Peace), an event designed to underscore the neighborhood’s deep commitment to peace.

Tamales de la Paz (Peace) also serves to further the existing Rediscover MacArthur Park Campaign which is dedicated to revitalizing the neighborhood and surrounding areas through community partnerships that provide local health, safety, business, festive, educational, recreational, and social service activities.

The campaign has played a key role in transforming the community from a crime-filled "point of destination" into a thriving business and social/cultural "point of destination." The event also highlighted past and future community reinvestment activities.

Certificates of Appreciation were presented by Councilmember Ed P. Reyes to various organizations for helping reverse decades of disinvestment into neighborhood reinvestment within the MacArthur Park/Westlake District.

Sandi “Mama” Romero of Mama’s Hot Tamales, on behalf of the Rediscover MacArthur Park Alliance, presented awards to the “10 Top Hot Tamales of Los Angeles” - 10 community builders whose efforts have had a significant impact on the MacArthur Park neighborhood. Councilmember Ed P. Reyes and Police Chief William J. Bratton were among the award recipients.

A special note of recognition to Arturo Martinez, Deputy City Attorney here in the City Attorney’s Office, who received a “10 Top Hot Tamales” award for his work in the City Attorney’s Safe Neighborhoods Division focused on the MacArthur Park neighborhood.

The event closed with participants dining on a gigantic, 12 foot long “peace tamale” created by Mama’s Hot Tamales.

Valley Bureau Sponsors Forum

Last week, the City Attorney’s Office Valley Bureau sponsored an Apartment Owners and Managers Forum at the Sepulveda Recreational Center. Other sponsors of the event included Councilman Richard Alarcon’s Office (CD 7) and the LAPD’s Mission Area.

The event was a great success with close to 80 members of the community in attendance.

The City Attorney believes that each neighborhood has its own rhythm, its own sources of pride and its own concerns; which is why our attorneys go out into the community to engage in a dialogue with local residents.

The primary goal of the Office of the City Attorney is to make the neighborhoods of Los Angeles safer – to improve the quality of life for the City’s residents at home, at work and at play. The list of topics discussed at this particular forum included: crime, bulky items and sanitation, the City’s nuisance abatement efforts, eviction, housing inspection, the Neighborhood Prosecutor Program, graffiti, gangs, narcotics and other issues of concern to the Valley community.

There was very positive feedback from both the presenters and participants. One of the requests was that we have a follow-up to the presentation. The Los Angeles Police Department has agreed to host the forum in July.

If you would like to be informed of the when and where of the next forum, please email us at Gloria.Prado@lacity.org

Kids Day at City Hall Recap

The City Attorney's Office Child Abuse Policy Division, partnered with the Office of Councilmember José Huizar, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), Prevent Child Abuse America, ICAN, Los Angeles Community Child Abuse Councils, I-SAFE, First 5 LA, Jarritos Kids and Los Angeles Universal Preschool to introduce the first “Kids Day at City Hall” event in Los Angeles. The event was last Wednesday, April 22.

More than 200 students from Los Angeles area middle schools as well as from First 5 LA and LA Universal Preschools participated in the event on the City Hall lawn. Activities included fingerprinting of each child, safety awareness games, a visit from the Los Angeles Fire Department and McGruff the Crime Dog.

Representatives from iSafe demonstrated the safe use of the Internet and First 5 had activities to teach the children healthy eating habits. Students were able to explore the Safe City exhibit and were treated to lunch and games throughout the day.

Community Clean Up Recap

On Saturday, April 18, 2009, the "Don't Dump on LA" illegal dumping prevention campaign, spearheaded by the South LA Neighborhood Prosecutor Program (Acting ASDCA Sonja Dawson and CRS Irene Del Campo), held their most successful community clean up day to date.


The purpose of the community clean up day is to promote education and awareness of the legal consequences of illegal dumping, to instill community pride in their community, and to foster collaborative relationships among governmental and non-governmental agencies engaged in this effort.



The Los Angeles Department of Sanitation reports that the nearly 200 volunteers cleaned a total of 13.53 tons of trash and Lot Cleaning removed a total of 146 cubic yards of trash and debris.


Our special thanks to the 99th Street Elementary School and Principal Sherrie Williams for this important community program to use the school grounds as a staging area.

Denim Day in LA 2009

We want to thank everyone throughout Los Angeles who wore jeans yesterday to unite against the sexual assault of girls, women, boys and men.

Peace Over Violence’s annual Denim Day in LA & USA is a campaign to raise awareness and educate the public about rape and sexual assault. This year it was Wednesday April 22.

Here in the City Attorney’s Office, jeans were visible throughout the office as a sign of protest against the myths that still surround sexual assault, a show of support for survivors, and a clear commitment to breaking the silence and ending sexual violence, once and for all.

For more information on the work the City Attorney’s Family Violence Unit does supporting survivors of domestic violence, please click here.

Our thanks to everyone for joining together in their support of this important cause!

"Don't Dump on L.A." Community Clean-Up at 99th Street Elementary School

South Bureau Neighborhood Prosecutor Sonja Dawson, has planned a community clean-up to take place tomorrow, Saturday, April 18, 2009 from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM at 99th Street Elementary School.

Details are as follows:

CLEAN-UP STAGING AREA/REGISTRATION
99th Street Elementary School at 9900 S.Wadsworth Avenue, L.A., CA 90002
Meet us at this staging area to registers and pick up your supplies!

CLEAN-UP LOCATIONS

Streets:
* 92nd to 103rd Street from Avalon Boulevard to Clovis Avenue

Alleys:
* Wadsworth Ave. (between 97th & 98th Street)

* Wadsworth Avenue (between 97th & Colden Avenue)

Gated Alleys:

* 92nd to 103rd Street from Avalon Boulevard to Clovis Avenue

Sponsored by the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office Neighborhood Prosecutor Program, Southeast Division in association with:

Office of the Mayor
Council District 8
99th Street Elementary School
L.A. County Sheriff’s Department
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Board of Public Works, Bureau of Sanitation
(CRA) Community Redevelopment Agency
Children’s Institute, Inc.
Board of Public Works, Office of Community Beautification
Board of Public Works, Bureau of Street Services – Lot Cleaning Division
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
Ameri Corps Youth Policy Institute
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater L.A. & the Inland Empire
People Who Care
Los Angeles Conservations Corps
Los Angeles Conservations Corps, Clean & Green
Southeast Area LAPD
LAPD Explorers
Kids IV Life, Inc. & the Duchess Inc.

Visit our booths and receive information!
• LAPD Explorers
• Sheriff’s Department
• Legal Aid Foundation
• Kids IV Life, Inc. & the Duchess Inc.
• L.A. Corps, Clean & Green (Recycling Program)
• Ameri Corps Youth Policy Institute
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater L.A. & the Inland Empire

Refreshments will be provided! Join us in this important community service project that directly impacts Los Angeles' communities.

Kids Day at City Hall!

April is "The Month of the Child" in Los Angeles and to celebrate this declaration, the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office Child Abuse Policy Division has partnered with the Office of Councilmember José Huizar, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), Prevent Child Abuse America, ICAN, Los Angeles Community Child Abuse Councils, I-SAFE, First 5 LA, Jarritos Kids and Los Angeles Universal Preschool to introduce the first “Kids Day at City Hall” event in Los Angeles. 

The goal of this event is to provide age appropriate and fun-filled activities that promote safety and awareness for children.  We expect elementary-aged students from Council Districts 9, 14 and 7.  Students will learn how to be safe in their home, community and online. 

Kid’s Day at City Hall will be held on:

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Los Angeles City Hall (South Lawn)

200 N. Spring St. Los Angeles, 90012

We look forward to seeing everyone on April 22 for “Kids Day at City Hall!”

Lead Toy Testing Recap

Since December, the City Attorney’s Office has sponsored eight successful lead toy exchanges at sites across the City of Los Angeles. Because there are no safe levels of lead, City Attorney prosecutors have worked tirelessly to protect Angelenos from the dangers of lead in the home, and in consumer products.

Toys that were found to contain lead were exchanged for a $25.00 American Express gift card. At the testing in February, over 250 cards were handed out in exchange for dangerous toys.

Lead has been listed since 1987 on the Governor's list of chemicals that can cause reproductive harm and birth defects, and since 1992 has been on the list of chemicals known to cause cancer. Exposure to lead occurs chiefly from ingestion, such as eating or putting objects into the mouth, putting young children particularly at risk.

Impacts include birth defects, learning disabilities, hearing loss, reduced attention span, and behavioral abnormalities. Teenagers also can suffer adverse effects, which include brain damage, kidney damage, hearing loss, and impaired growth.

Again, our thanks to our partners in this effort -the Healthy Homes Collaborative, the Center for Environmental Health and other community-based environmental advocacy organizations.

Reporting Child Abuse

FOX 11 recently did an exclusive story profiling the bravery of two 17-year olds who reported witnessing the abuse and molestation of an 11-year old victim – who also reported the crimes. The witnesses and victim all courageously testified in court, helping prosecutors from the City Attorney’s Office secure a conviction on multiple counts of child molestation.

The Defendant was sentenced to 48 months of probation and 60 days in the County jail. He must also enroll in 25 sessions of counseling for compulsive sexual behavior, register as a sex offender for the rest of his life, pay a $300 fine, and stay away from the location of arrest. A protective order was issued for the victim.

The Defendant lived at the same apartment complex as the victim in the South LA area. He was known to offer the neighborhood kids candy, chips and soda, and as the only tenant with cable TV, often attracted children to his apartment who wanted to watch television.

On August 22, 2008, the victim was walking by the Defendant's apartment when she was lured inside with candy. The Defendant grabbed the victim by the arm, sat her on his lap, and molested her until she broke free.

Two female witnesses who also live in the building saw the molestation through the apartment window and notified their older sister, their parents and the apartment manager. They subsequently spoke with the victim and encouraged her to tell her parents who then notified the police.

It is well established that child abuse greatly increases the likelihood of adult criminal behavior. Abuse and neglect often leave our children with long-term emotional, psychological, and physical damage. These kids join gangs, turn to drugs and alcohol, and then, more often than not, abuse their own kids when they become parents.

In Los Angeles County, the number of child abuse reports has soared to more than 160,000 annually.

• Children who experience abuse and neglect are 59% more likely to be arrested as a juvenile.

• Childhood abuse and neglect increase the likelihood of adult criminal behavior by 28% and violent crime by 30%.

• More than 68% of adult male felons were victims of child abuse and neglect before the age of 12, with 64.5% experiencing physical abuse.

To report any suspected molestation or child abuse, please call LA County DCFS Child Abuse Hotline, toll free within California: (800) 540-4000.

Lead Toy Testing Event Tomorrow

Since 1987, lead has been listed on the Governor's list of chemicals that can cause reproductive harm and birth defects, and since 1992 has been on the list of chemicals known to cause cancer. Exposure to lead occurs chiefly from ingestion, such as eating or putting objects into the mouth, putting young children particularly at risk.

There are no safe levels of lead. Impacts include birth defects, learning disabilities, hearing loss, reduced attention span, and behavioral abnormalities. Teenagers also can suffer adverse effects, which include brain damage, kidney damage, hearing loss, and impaired growth.

On Saturday, February 21, the City Attorney's Office will hold a Lead Toy Exchange at four locations throughout the city. From 12:00 to 4:00 pm, each of these sites will have testers on-site to test toys for lead content. Please visit www.lacity.org/toys to learn about the locations and RSVP.

In addition to toys, the following items will be accepted for testing: childrens costume jewelry, ceramic tea playsets, childrens backpacks and lunch boxes, childrens Halloween costumes and pajamas. For further information on items with which children frequently interact, please visit: http://www.healthytoys.org/product.searchtype.php

Highlight on Community Policing

Deputy City Attorney Anne Tremblay recently authored a paper on the important role of community prosecution for the Local Initiatives Support Coalition (LISC)/ Metlife Community Safety Paper Series entitled, “Beyond Community Policing: Engaging Prosecutors in Community Safety Partnerships.”

A copy of the paper can be found here.

Our thanks to Anne and the members of the City Attorney’s Gang Unit and Safe Neighborhood Division for their collaborative work on the piece. Their commitment to educating others on successes and best practices helps engage a broader audience of prosecutors committed to securing our neighborhoods.

Child Abuse Summit

This past Thursday, in partnership with the Los Angeles Catholic Archdiocese, the City Attorney’s Office hosted a Child Abuse Summit, focused on bringing together members of the religious community and professionals with a role in protecting children and sharing best practices for reducing the incidents and effects of child abuse.




More than 180 attendees representing a diverse group of religions attended the summit, which was held at the headquarters of the California Endowment, in Downtown Los Angeles.




The summit was the third in a series of events hosted by the City Attorney’s office that focus on child abuse recognition, identification, classification, reporting and investigation. Our thanks to the members of the City Attorney’s Child Abuse Prosecution and Policy Unit for bringing these summits together, other members of the City Attorney’s Office involved in the planning, our steadfast partners, and members of the community for their attendance at this important educational event.