Malibu’s Top Cop Has Deputy Gang “Inmates Running The Prison Yard,” County Inspector General Concludes
Written by 991KBU on October 6, 2020
L A County sheriff Alex Villanueva is running a sheriff’s department where some deputies are members of a gang … the Banditos … who are hidden by a code of silence.
About one-third of the Banditos work at the East L.A. station and control it “like inmates running a prison yard.”
And the sheriff if promoting it.
Those are the findings of a civilian overseer … Los Angeles County Inspector General Max Huntsman.
His findings echo charges made about the Malibu-Lost Hills sheriff’s station in two lawsuits filed by former commanders there … James Royal and Jennifer Seetoo.
The elected sheriff is fighting back … claiming that this is all politics.
The county’s report says the “Bandito” disrupts day-to-day operations at the East L-A station with “sexism, racism, violence and favoritism.”
Tensions between the Banditos and non-members led to veterans beating up younger deputies at an alcohol-soaked station party in September 2018.
One deputy was allegedly choked and began to lose consciousness, while another required stitches to his lip.
Villanueva responds that he took decisive action after that party .. and claims the invesigative report ignores that …
But Huntsman’s report alleges that internal investigators ignored evidence about the deputies gang … the Banditos … and that supervisors asked soft questions with no follow ups.
His report also faulted Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey fpor letting the investigation slide.
Huntsman’s report acknowledges that the deputy gang issues date back to at least 1970.
Villanueva replies that the inspector general is a political appointee … his actions are purely politically driven … and an attempt to undermine the reputation of the sheriff’s Department.”
In related news … a Superior Court judge has ruled that Villanueva exceeded his authority when he rehired a fired deputy.
Villanueva has been fighting tooth and nail to put Caren Carl Mandoyan fback on the force … after he was fired for lying about a domestic abuse case he was involved in.
Mandoyan was fired in 2016 after a fellow deputy he had dated alleged that he grabbed her by the neck, tried to break into her home and sent her harassing text messages.
Video show Mandoyan trying to break into the woman’s apartment using a metal tool.
After the county Board of Supervisors approved firing Mandoyan … he went to work as Villanueva’s campaign driver and link to the powerful deputies union … which endorsed Villanueva.
In his ruling … the judge said the sheriff does not have legal authority to break legal decisions made by the supervisors.
Earlier … the judge ordered Mandoyan off the payroll and to turn in his badge and gun.
Villanueva is the top law enforcement officer …. hired byt rh City of Malibu as our local police force.
