Atlas Metal, Owners Charged With
Environmental Crimes at Watts Facility,
Impacting Jordan High School
 District Attorney George Gascón stood with leaders, advocates, activists and students to announce the filing of a 24-count complaint against Atlas Iron and Metal Corp., and its owners, for environmental crimes that have affected Jordan High School, in Watts.
“The charging of Atlas Metal for their environmental crimes is a step toward justice for the children of Jordan High School and the community of Watts,” D.A. Gascon said. “Children deserve a safe and healthy environment to learn and grow in, and we must hold companies accountable for their actions that put our children's health at risk.”
The company and its owners, Gary Weisenberg and Matthew Weisenberg were each charged with 21 felony counts of knowingly disposing hazardous waste at a site with no permit and one felony count of deposit of hazardous waste. They also each face one misdemeanor count of failure to maintain or operate a facility to minimize the possibility of a fire and public nuisance.
Watch it on TikTok.
Watch the full news conference here.
D.A. Gascón Speaks on Trust Through Innovation
at Leadership Conference
 D.A. Gascón joined Dr. Barbara Ferrer, director of L.A. County Public Health; Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kellum, CEO of L.A. Homeless Services Authority; and Dr. Jackie Contreras, director of L.A. County Department of Public Social Services; for a panel discussion on Trust Through Innovation, during Quality and Productivity Commission’s 20th Annual Leadership Conference. The panel was moderated by Dr. Raphael J. Sonenshein, executive director of the Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs at California State University, Los Angeles.
The discussion included answering a question about how we can support communities whose rights are being rolled back.
Watch it on TikTok.
L.A. vs. Hate
 D.A. Gascón and L.A. County Commission on Human Relations’ L.A. vs. Hate met with victim assistance provider representatives as part of our joint hate crimes listening sessions.
LADA continues to file hate crime charges far above the statewide average of 54 percent. (Eighty-six percent to the statewide average of 54 percent.) While prosecution can bring accountability, our focus must also extend to preventing harm from occurring in the first place.
Watch it on TikTok.
D.A. Gascón Launches City Day at the HOJ
 D.A. Gascón invited representatives from each of Los Angeles County’s 88 cities to meet with him and his management team at the Hall of Justice. The start of an annual “City Day at the Hall of Justice,” the D.A., executive management and bureau directors provided an overview of the Office’s many divisions, answered questions related to our policies, and provided resources available for each of our L.A. County communities.
Celebrate Independence Day
We Must Continue To Fight for Equal Justice
Marking Our Country’s Second Independence Day
Juneteenth Celebration
 LADA joined L.A. County Supervisor Holly Mitchell’s office for the 3rd Annual Juneteenth Celebration and Resource Fair at CicLAvia in South L.A.
The event raises awareness of the historical impact of Juneteenth, connects residents to vital county and community services and creates a necessary space for celebrating joy and redefining what freedom means today.
LADA Proudly Walks in WeHo Pride
 We celebrate our office’s many LGBTQ+ personnel and stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month in June, and every month!
LADA proudly walked in WeHo Pride – marking a historic moment as the office’s first known official contingent in Pride.
Together, we celebrate and support LGBTQ+ rights, equality and love!
Watch it on TikTok.
Promoting a Better Understanding of Elder Abuse
On World Elder Abuse Day, and during all of June, we raised awareness on incidents of physical, emotional and financial abuse that harm older adults.
Together, we can work to understand the signs of abuse and neglect and how we can keep older adults safe.
Learn more here.
Report elder abuse by calling 911 or the Los Angeles County Elder Abuse Hotline at (877) 477-3646.
Watch our video here.
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Honoring Immigrant Heritage Month
 LADA is committed to the safety of all Angelenos, regardless of immigration status. We were proud to sponsor AB 1261 (Santiago, 2023), the Immigrant Rights Act, legislation that will help protect immigrant victims of crime. The bill that passed the Senate Public Safety Committee will help encourage undocumented Californians who are survivors and witnesses of crimes to come forward by protecting them from deportation.
Last year, LADA established L.A. County's first-ever comprehensive criminal justice Immigration Policy.
To ensure immigrant victims and witnesses feel safe reporting crime, it provides them a chance to secure temporary visas while working with law enforcement in investigating and prosecuting criminal offenders, securing accountability.
Read the office’s Immigration Policy here.
LGBTQ+ Community Provider Forum
 We were pleased to partner with the The LGBTQ Center Long Beach to discuss “Victim Services for the LGBTQ+ Community” on June 28.
Thank you for joining us!
Speakers from the Center joined LADA’s Bureau of Victim Services Director Tanishia Wright and Claims Representative Monica Nesmith to discuss programming and services available to the victims of crimes within the LGBTQ+ community, victim services for the elderly population and common issues crime victims face in the community.
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of crime and is in need of support and services, please call: (800) 380-3811.
Raising Awareness About Drug Abuse
 The United Nations recognizes June 26 as International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, to raise awareness and strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse.
Tragically, according to the Department of Public Health, seven Angelenos die of drug overdoses every day, a trend that is largely being driven by fentanyl and methamphetamine. The potency of these drugs has been increasing steadily, and so has their presence in both illicit drugs and counterfeit pills that look like commonly prescribed medications.
While enforcement continues, consumption of even one counterfeit pill laced with these drugs can lead to death.
Learn more about overdose prevention and access life-saving resources by visiting here.
LADA Advisory Boards Raise Awareness
About Hate Crimes
 Deputy District Attorney Paul Kim spoke at LADA’s Asian American and Pacific Islander and African American Advisory boards’ “Heal from Hate” event held at the Rakestraw Community Center in South Los Angeles, discussing how law enforcement and non-governmental agencies have come together to support those experiencing hate. The clinic was led by AAPI Advisory Board Chair Esther Young Lim, author of The How to Report a Hate Crime booklet.
LADA also hosted a resource table with information about the office’s victim services at the event.
Report hate crimes by calling 911 or 211.
Watch it on TikTok.
Head Deputy Stephanie Pearl Mire Honored for Protecting Children
 Congratulations to Head Deputy District Attorney Stephanie Pearl Mire for receiving the distinguished Nicole Parker Foundation Award for Protecting Children.
The Nicole Parker Foundation supports organizations that care for children and families victimized by crime and abuse.
Stephanie joined LADA more than 30 years ago and currently leads the office’s Family Violence Division.
Thank you Stephanie, for your dedication and hard work in ensuring our children are protected!
Deputy District Attorney Stephen Gunson Teaches Against Terrorism in Kenya
 LADA recognizes Deputy District Attorney Stephen Gunson for being selected by the Department of State Anti-Terrorism Taskforce to serve as an instructor for a course in investigating and prosecuting terrorism in Nairobi, Kenya.
Deputy District Attorney Gunson joined a team of police, military bomb technicians and lawyers who visited with Kenyan law enforcement officials and prosecutors for a training on the investigation and prosecution of terrorism. Training also included diffusing explosives in a controlled environment.
We thank Deputy District Attorney Gunson for his dedication in supporting L.A. County communities every day, and in his free time, across the globe!
Welcome New DDA IIs
 We welcome new DDA IIs to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office! They recently received their first assignments and went into the field. Congratulations to our newest Deputy District Attorneys!
Watch it on TikTok.
  Welcome New Investigators
 Congratulations to LADA Bureau of Investigation’s newest District Attorney Investigators Chester Chul Shin, Sam Yau and Fredrick Sykes, who were sworn in by Chief Robert Arcos during a ceremony at the Hall of Justice.
 D.A. Gascón Speaks on Restorative Justice
 Thank you to the Italian American Lawyers Association for inviting D.A. Gascón to speak at the recent Criminal Justice Leadership event, joined by Los Angeles County Public Defender Ricardo García, Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Martin Estrada, Federal Public Defender for the Central District of California Cuauhtemoc Ortega, and San Bernardino District Attorney Jason Anderson at Casa Italiana in Los Angeles.
Watch it on TikTok.
 Supporting the Special Olympics
 LADA was honored to participate in the Torch Run for the Special Olympics’ 55th anniversary!
LADA personnel, including BOI investigators, ran alongside the Los Angeles Police Department, in support of this amazing organization!
Watch it on TikTok.
The Raising of the Pride Progress Flag
 LADA Chief of Staff Joseph Iniguez and Chief Deputy District Attorney Sharon Woo joined Supervisor Janice Hahn, Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Supervisor Hilda Solis, and Supervisor Lindsey Horvath plus other local officials at the historic Inaugural Raising of the Progress Pride Flag in L.A. County.
Advocating for Well-Being and Mental Health
LADA Bureau of Victim Services Representative Louie Mendez and African American Advisory Board member Erica Robinson participated in the Wonders of Well-Being Resource Fair at Los Angeles City College.
MythBusters Is Back!
 Is there an issue or topic you’d like clarified related to LADA’s policies? Let us know at: info@da.lacounty.gov
LADA’s Bureau of Investigation Is Hiring!
 Join the nation’s largest prosecutorial office with nearly 300 sworn peace officers, known as D.A. investigators, who conduct some of the most unique, sensitive and complex criminal investigations in law enforcement.
Apply now by visiting here.
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