Harvey Weinstein Convicted of Sexual Assault
 Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced that former film producer Harvey Weinstein was convicted of three counts of sexual assault against a woman.
Jurors deliberated for 10 days before finding Weinstein (dob 3/19/52) guilty of one count of forcible rape, one count of forced oral copulation and one count of sexual penetration by a foreign object.
Jurors will consider aggravating factors that will help determine the outcome of Weinstein’s sentencing hearing. He faces a possible sentence of 24 years in prison.
The counts Weinstein was convicted of stem from the assault of a woman in February 2013.
Daystar Peterson aka Tory Lanez Convicted in Shooting
 Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced that Daystar Peterson, the rap artist known as Tory Lanez, was convicted of assault today in the 2020 shooting and wounding of former friend Megan Pete in the Hollywood Hills.
After seven hours of deliberations, jurors found Peterson guilty of one count of assault with an automatic firearm and found true the allegations that he caused great bodily injury and used a firearm. He also was convicted of one count of carrying an unregistered loaded firearm in a vehicle and one count of discharge of a firearm with gross negligence.
Peterson was immediately taken into custody after the verdict. A sentencing hearing was set for Jan. 27. Peterson faces a maximum sentence of 22 years and eight months.
D.A. Gascón Implements First-Ever Comprehensive Immigration Policy
 LADA's new Immigration Policy greatly bolsters public safety by giving foreign victims of crimes such as rape, trafficking and domestic abuse, a chance to work with law enforcement in investigating and prosecuting criminal offenders without the immediate threat of deportation.
Visas allowing crime victims to remain in the U.S. while giving information leading to the prosecution of offenders are valid for six months. LADA may reissue expired visas upon request when eligible.
The policy reflects state law that aims to ensure equal treatment of citizens and noncitizens. In cases in which the defendant clearly was unable to understand the adverse immigration consequences of their plea, the prosecutor will reconsider the plea.
It ensures justice for ALL. It expands access to pretrial diversion programs and treatment services that address root causes of criminal conduct without an admission of guilt specifically used for deportation purposes.
Read the policy here.
L.A. County’s Newest Hate Crime Report
 The L.A. County Commission on Human Relations’ 2021 report that analyzed hate crime data from more than 100 law enforcement agencies, school districts and community-based organizations in the county shows hate crimes have reached the highest level in 19 years.
“There is no room for intolerance and hate against anyone in L.A. County. I am disappointed by the most recent statistics that show we are going in the opposite direction of being inclusive,” District Attorney Gascón said. “My office is committed to prosecuting those types of crimes that are motivated by hate and anger toward any group based on their race, ethnicity, religious beliefs, gender identity or sexual orientation.”
Read the report here.
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The Respect for Marriage Act
 We commend President Biden for signing into law the Respect for Marriage Act, a bill that protects the right of Americans in same-sex and interracial marriages.
Congrats National Trans Bar Assoc. Inductee Jessie McGrath
 We congratulate Deputy-in-Charge Jessie McGrath who was recently one of the first-ever cohort of 10 openly transgender lawyers in the nation to be admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.
The induction ceremony was hosted by the National Trans Bar Association.
Congrats to all inductees!
Jemison Award Winners Announced
 Congratulations to our Jemison Award winners Senior Investigator Gilbert Miranda and Paralegal Andrianna Martirosyan for their exemplified dedication, leadership and commitment to excellence in serving Los Angeles County.
  Welcome New Law Enforcement Liaison
 We’re happy to welcome our new Law Enforcement Liaison John Perez to the LADA family.
John began his law enforcement career at the Pasadena Police Department in 1985, where he served as chief from 2018 to 2022.
We wish John the best of luck in his new position!
 Congratulations Asst. Chief Jorge Rodriguez
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We’re proud to announce that LADA Bureau of Investigation Chief Robert Arcos recently swore in Asst. Chief Jorge Rodriguez.
Jorge began his law enforcement career 35 years ago at the LAPD.
He joined LADA in 2021 as the law enforcement liaison. Jorge will work alongside Chief Arcos to lead the BOI.
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Congrats Sgt. Alex Ruelas
 Shout out to Sgt. Alex Ruelas for graduating from the FBI’s Supervisor Leadership Institute!
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LADA is ready to assist victims the moment a crime is committed, while the case is in court and after it ends.
Our Bureau of Victim Services Director Tanishia Wright urges crime victims to call (800) 380-3811 to connect with our victim services representatives.
Watch the video here.
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BVS Restitution Forum
 Thanks to everyone who tuned into our Community Provider Forum on Restitution. Special thanks to our panelists from our Bureau of Victim Services!
Human Rights Day
 On Human Rights Day, we commemorate the day in 1948 that the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
How Can We Address the Fentanyl Crisis?
 Education and prevention are essential in order to save lives. Learn more about overdose prevention by visiting here.
 
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D.A. Gascón at Southwestern Law School
D.A. Gascón spoke with Southwestern Law School students about his work to advance criminal justice reform as Los Angeles County District Attorney.
Watch it on TikTok.
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D.A. Gascón Speaks on Racial Justice
D.A. Gascón, Assemblymember Ash Kalra, USC Gould School of Law Professor Jody Armour and Initiate Justice Executive Director Antoinette Ratcliffe participated in a conversation about the Racial Justice Act at Loyola Law School.
Watch it on TikTok.
Watch the full conversation here.
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Welcoming New Local Leadership
 We were at City Hall to congratulate Karen Bass who began her historic tenure as mayor of Los Angeles; and at other locations welcoming in Jeff Prang on being re-elected L.A. County Assessor; Lindsey Horvath on being elected as a member of the L.A. County Board of Supervisors; Hilda Solis, on being re-elected as a member of the Board of Supervisors; and Robert Luna for his election to serve as Sheriff. Congratulations to all!
Holiday Event for Crime Victims
 We were honored to join LAPD South Bureau for their 19th annual Holiday Tree Trimming event for crime victims and their families.
Special Olympics Torch Run
 LADA participated in the annual law enforcement torch run with other agencies to raise awareness and fundraise for the Special Olympics.
Shout out to our LADA Bureau of Investigation team who ran in the event!
Celebrating the Holidays with Central City Association
 Thank you, Central City Assoc. of L.A., a leading visionary on the future of downtown Los Angeles, for hosting a wonderful holiday event!
        
  Op-Ed: Harvey Weinstein’s latest trial and the ritual of degrading women in court
 Los Angeles County District Attorney outlines new immigration policy
 Read the full article here: A war on fentanyl, not a war on people: George Gascón
 D.A. Gascón speaks to Eyewitness News about his immigration policy
 D.A. Gascón joins KPCC’s AirTalk to discuss the fentanyl crisis in L.A. County
Learn more about overdose prevention.
 D.A. Gascón speaks to Adam Conover on Factually! podcast about how D.A.s are changing criminal justice
 D.A. Gascón joins Fox 11’s Good Day L.A. to discuss victim services, the fentanyl crisis and LADA’s new immigration policy
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