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31 Mar, 8 tweets, 5 min read
BREAKING: Sources in the LA County DA Office's Hardcore Gangs unit tell me they were just informed by upper management during a 4pm meeting that their unit is being downsized. Two weeks ago, I reported that DA Gascon was planning to do this. @FOXLA
foxla.com/news/gascon-pl…
Sources tell me management is saying Gascon wants to "reimagine" the unit and make it more community based. I'm told management hasn't answered them on how big the downsizing will be/when it will happen, but the unit will be renamed because administration doesn't like it. @FOXLA
Sources say management is admitting the rollout of this change will be a "nightmare" because the Hardcore Gangs unit has 700 active cases. I'm told downsizing lists have already been generated and prosecutors in the unit will soon be getting calls re: transfers. @FOXLA
BREAKING: I'm also told that the LA DA Office's Major Narcotics unit had a meeting with upper management at 3pm and were informed that their unit will be cut by as much as half. So Major Narco and Hardcore Gangs will both be downsized by order of DA George Gascon. @FOXLA
Here's everything we know on this so far. My phone is still blowing up from sources in the unit who took part in the meeting. I have also reached out to Gascon's administration for comment. I will have a full story on this tonight at 10pm on @FOXLA
foxla.com/news/gascon-to…
NEW: Eric Siddall, Vice President of @LACountyADDA, tells me the Hardcore Gang unit is being "decimated". He says it's one of the oldest units in the office, prosecutes the most serious gang crime, and that the decision makes zero sense from a public safety perspective. @FOXLA
Statement from @LASDHQ on downsizing of @LADAOffice Hardcore Gang unit:
"If true, reducing critical units such as hardcore gangs & major narcotics is not going to make people safer during a time when the murder rate is soaring."
- LASD Captain John Satterfield. @FOXLA
NEW: Statement from @LACoSheriff:
"While gang members are busying driving up LA County's homicide rate, DA Gascon is now dismantling the Hardcore Gang Unit that works with local law enforcement. This is not reform, this is beginning to look more like a suicide pact." @FOXLA

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More from @BillFOXLA

Bill Melugin Profile picture
25 Mar
(1/5) TONIGHT: L.A. DA George Gascon recently touted that he stopped 77 juvenile cases from going to adult court. One is Jalen Yoakum's, a Main Street Mafia Crip who murdered an innocent man at age 17. Now age 20, he has continued to post his gang allegiances from juvie. @FOXLA
(2/5) Yoakum has a lengthy criminal history going back to when he was 12. He also recorded himself practicing drive by shootings by shooting a homeless man in the face with a paintball gun. He was in process of being transferred to adult court, then Gascon took office. @FOXLA
(3/5) This month, Yoakum pleaded guilty to the 2017 shooting murder of Ontario Courtney, an innocent man who was mistaken as a member of the rival Hoovers gang. Courtney’s sister, Aja, calls Gascon’s decision to prosecute Yoakum as a juvenile a “slap in the face”. @FOXLA
Read 6 tweets
Bill Melugin Profile picture
23 Mar
BREAKING: An elderly couple have been found stabbed to death at a home in Altadena. Woman was on a live Zoom call when 911 caller witnessed her being kidnapped by an assailant. When LASD got on scene, male dead in driveway, woman dead inside. One person detained. @FOXLA ImageImage
LASD tells us that a person of interest is in custody because they were seen returning to the scene in a vehicle belonging to the victims. Deputies have that person detained. Not being called a suspect yet, and no arrest made yet. Neighbors here emotional and very upset. @FOXLA
We’re told the 911 caller heard a commotion in the background of the Zoom call, which was the male being dragged out of the house & stabbed. Then assailant came inside and tried to kidnap the woman, witnessed live on Zoom, and she was then stabbed to death. Horrible. @FOXLA
Read 5 tweets
Bill Melugin Profile picture
18 Mar
(1/3) TONIGHT: On LA DA George Gascon's first full day in office, he dropped a felony case against three anti-police protesters charged w/ trying to derail a train while protesting at the Compton LASD station on 11/15. Gascon said he did so "in the interest of justice". @FOXLA
(2/3) But I've obtained unreleased surveillance video that clearly shows two of the protesters dragging a metal barricade onto the train tracks, & a jail call recording of one protester boasting that his attorney, a friend & campaign donor of Gascon's, "has Gascon's ear". @FOXLA
(3/3) Tonight at 10pm, we will broadcast the video and audio, and the veteran prosecutor who was handling the case is going public. He was reprimanded & transferred after he questioned Gascon's order to drop the case, an order he says went against his ethical standards. @FOXLA
Read 4 tweets
Bill Melugin Profile picture
17 Mar
NEW: Several sources within the LA D.A.'s office tell me that D.A. George Gascon is planning to dissolve or severely downsize their Hardcore Gangs unit. The unit handles the most complex & heinous gang related crimes in LA & is one of the oldest in the LA D.A.'s office. @FOXLA
I interviewed two prosecutors in the Hardcore Gangs unit tonight. They tell me they have been told they will be dissolved as early as April, and that such a decision would be a "disaster". But a BLM activist I spoke with praised Gascon, saying he's listening to community. @FOXLA
I reached out to Gascon's office this afternoon. I was told that there are "always ongoing discussions about staffing", but they did not confirm, nor deny that he is planning to downsize or disband the unit. I am awaiting further comment from them. Full story at 10pm on @FOXLA
Read 6 tweets
Bill Melugin Profile picture
25 Feb
THREAD: I've confirmed D.A. George Gascon has hired public defender Tiffiny Blacknell to his administration as a Grade 4 prosecutor. Blacknell served on Gascon’s policy committee during his campaign. She has called LAPD "barbarians" and says prisons should be abolished. @FOXLA
In December, I reported that Blacknell was involved in an alleged secret “sweetheart” plea deal offer of 7 years to a suspected gang murderer behind the backs of the prosecutor & victim’s family. The deal fell apart after judge found out about it. @FOXLA
foxla.com/news/gascon-ad…
As a Grade 4, Blacknell will be making up to $15,000 per month. According to department policy, the job requires 2 years of experience as a grade 3 prosecutor, which Blacknell does not have. Prosecutors in the office are criticizing this hire as “blatant cronyism”. @FOXLA
Read 6 tweets
Bill Melugin Profile picture
23 Feb
Law enforcement source tells me that as of right now, there is nothing “salacious” about the Tiger Woods crash. No charges pending. He went off an embankment and rolled and it is currently just an investigation for a bad traffic accident as of *right now*. @FOXLA
NEW: I’m told Tiger Woods was conscious and speaking to deputies when they arrived on scene. I’m also told Sheriff Alex Villanueva will be holding a press conference at the Lomita Sheriff’s station at 3pm. @FOXLA
L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva about to take the podium. @FOXLA
Read 8 tweets

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