The Sheriff Discussed the Board of Supervisor’s Failed Act to Provide Counsel and a Pending Civil Claim which BWC Video will Dispute
On Wednesday, February 23, 2022, Sheriff Alex Villanueva held a press conference to discuss the Board of Supervisor’s retaliatory act of failing to provide legal counsel regarding pending litigation with Fulgent Genetics, as well as a pending civil claim of harassment which Body Worn Camera video will dispute.
In his opening statement, Sheriff Villanueva talked about the pending litigation against Fulgent Genetics, in which he was wrongfully accused of making false claims about Fulgent. Sheriff Villanueva released an audio recording that took place on Wednesday, November 24, 2021. The caller identified himself as an agent with the FBI assigned to the Los Angeles Office. He expressed needing to speak to the Sheriff regarding an urgent matter that was time sensitive.
Following the audio clip, an email was published which confirmed a meeting would be taking place at the FBI Los Angeles main office specifically regarding “Fulgent Genetics Laboratory.” That email followed the initial phone call and was dated Wednesday, November 24, 2021.
In response to the meeting Sheriff Villanueva attended, in which he was notified of the concerns of Los Angeles County using Fulgent Genetics as a source for COVID testing of their employees, Sheriff Villanueva ultimately decided to stop using their system for LASD employees.
In retaliation for being sued for false claims against Fulgent Genetics, Sheriff Villanueva was denied legal defense by Los Angeles County Counsel. A portion of the letter he received in which he was denied legal counsel was released to the public.
In addition to the Fulgent Genetics subject being discussed, Sheriff Villanueva expressed his concern about the way the Board of Supervisors have highly supported the belief that families of those who have been involved in fatal deputy-involved shootings, are constantly intimidated and harassed by the very same deputies who shot them.
In closing, body worn camera footage was shown to help provide some clarity on a current civil harassment claim that was filed earlier this year. The claim indicated Deputies from East Los Angeles Station encountered and confronted the family of Paul Rea, who was shot by Deputies in East Los Angeles in June 2019, on purpose and taunted them. The footage clearly showed the Deputies did not harass any member of the public during the “so-called” confrontation, and the allegations made against the deputies are baseless.
Link to slides from press conference: https://lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/PC.022322-Final.pdf
Link to audio recording: https://lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/FBI-INITIAL-CALL.wav
Body cam footage can be viewed at minute 18:45 and 20:30 in the video below.
