District Attorney Gascón Introduces
New Bureau of Victim Services Director
 District Attorney George Gascón announced the hiring of Tanishia G. Wright as the new Director of the office’s Bureau of Victim Services.
“I am proud that Tanishia G. Wright has agreed to join my team and will help bring trauma-informed care to crime victims throughout Los Angeles County as they embark on the journey to becoming survivors,” District Attorney Gascón said on April 18. “She brings a depth of experience that will help victims heal and recover mentally, physically and emotionally.”
To watch the news conference, click here.
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District Attorney Gascón Addresses
Concert Venue Security, Misinformation
 District Attorney George Gascón has announced plans to convene a roundtable comprised of stakeholders to address security measures for the safety of performers, their fans and venue staff, and he addressed misinformation in connection with the attack on comedian Dave Chappelle.
To watch the May 10 news conference, click here.
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 Click here to read his letter in support of SB 1245.
LGBTQ+, AAPI Advisory Boards Sworn In
   District Attorney George Gascón led swearing-in ceremonies for two of his office’s advisory boards representing the Asian American and Pacific Islander and LGBTQ+ communities. To read more about the AAPI Advisory Board, click here, and to read about the LGBTQ+ Advisory Board, click here.
Watts Peace Treaty: 30 Years Later
 To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Watts Peace Treaty, District Attorney George Gascón spoke with community members and pledged to use his office to support community-based initiatives to improve public safety and prevent violence.
“The treaty entered into that day in Watts, spread throughout the city and dramatically reduced the amount of gang violence in Los Angeles,” District Attorney Gascón said on April 29. “It was not only an inspiring show of unity, it also proved to all of us that violence prevention must begin in our neighborhoods with the commitment of our residents. Without that commitment, it won’t work.”
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Man Sentenced in Killing of Philanthropist
 A man was sentenced to 190 years to life in state prison for murdering philanthropist Jacqueline Avant and attempting to kill her security guard during a robbery at her Beverly Hills home in December, District Attorney George Gascón announced.
To watch the April 19 news conference, click here.
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 The District Attorney’s Office stood with people throughout the world in the fight against sexual violence on Denim Day, which was recognized on April 27. The Denim Day campaign began 23 years ago in response to an Italian Supreme Court decision overturning a rape conviction because the justices concluded that the victim was wearing tight jeans and she must have helped her rapist remove her jeans, thereby implying consent. Outraged, the women in the Italian Parliament protested on the steps of the Supreme Court while wearing denim. Their protest sparked a global movement that lives on to this day.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month:
Working Group Formed, Town Hall Held
In recognition of Denim Day, District Attorney George Gascón announced a new working group that will help guide the office’s Bureau of Victim Services on how to better serve victims and survivors of sexual assault.
“My office will continue to aggressively prosecute sexual assault cases as we work to make our community safer and healthier,” District Attorney Gascón said on April 27. “We must make sure survivors of sexual assault have access to trauma-informed support and services for healing.”
District Attorney Gascón also led a town hall discussion on victims of sexual assault with new BVS Director Tanishia G. Wright, Loyola Law School Professor Stephanie Richard and Community Development Specialist Jess Torres. Click here to watch the Sexual Assault Awareness Month town hall.
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LADA Employees Honored During
Victims' Rights Week
 As part of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, District Attorney George Gascón recognized outstanding LADA employees who work to help crime victims.
“The work that you do is incredibly important, and you are the unsung heroes of the criminal justice system.” District Attorney Gascón said at an April 26 ceremony.
Victim Services Representatives Clint Molezion, Saeko Tew, Claudia Vila and Paralegal Krystyna Dailey were among the honorees.
As part of the week’s activities, the District Attorney also took part in an April 27 virtual forum on enforcing victims’ rights.
District Attorney Meets With AAPI Media
 District Attorney George Gascón met with members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander media to discuss concerns of their community, including confronting fraud and hate. He was joined by Head Deputy District Attorney Hoon Chun (left) of LADA’s Consumer Protection Division; Special Advisor Tiffiny Blacknell; Chancee Martorell of the Thai Community Development Center; Robin Toma, Executive Director of theLos Angeles County Commission on Human Relations; and Manju Kulkarni of the AAPI Equity Alliance (who appeared via teleconference).
Armenian Genocide Remembrance
 District Attorney George Gascón took part in an Armenian Genocide commemoration at the Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument in Montebello on April 23. The event was organized by the United Armenian Council of Los Angeles.
District Attorney, Carpenters Union Announce Efforts To Protect Workers, Create Safer Communities
 District Attorney George Gascón and representatives of The Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters unveiled new efforts to protect workers and build safer and healthier communities.
“I want to thank the Southwest Carpenters for their diligence in helping prevent wage theft and tax fraud,” District Attorney Gascón said on April 14. “We must do more to protect both the physical and financial well-being of our workers. When hard-working people are not paid the money they have rightfully earned, they lose their ability to feed, clothe and house their families, creating a cascading effect that causes our entire community to suffer along with them.”
To watch the news conference, click here.
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True or False
The District Attorney prosecutes misdemeanor
crimes in the city of Los Angeles.
False. The District Attorney does not have the legal jurisdiction to prosecute misdemeanor crimes that occur within the city of Los Angeles. Under the law, the District Attorney is authorized to prosecute all felony crimes within Los Angeles County and misdemeanor crimes in 78 of the county’s 88 cities and in unincorporated areas. Ten cities – Los Angeles, Long Beach, Pasadena, Santa Monica, Torrance, Inglewood, Burbank, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach – have city attorneys who prosecute misdemeanors that occur within their jurisdictions.
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