Recall DA George Gascon Update

George Gascon's days may actually be numbered after all.

So many irregularities in the removal of signatures, and so many signatures that should have been added but were not, have all come up in the audit of the signatures that were rejected.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, October 10th, 2022   Initial Review Reveals Substantial Number of Improperly Invalidated Signatures, Recall Committee to File for Injunctive Relief Against Registrar of Voters    (Los Angeles, CA) – “The initial review of invalidated signatures demonstrates the Registrar’s counting process was seriously flawed, resulting in substantial errors, the wrongful invalidation of many valid signatures, and the disenfranchisement of thousands of Los Angeles County Voters. These extremely disturbing findings necessitate a complete and timely review of all invalidated signatures. This review is currently being obstructed by the Registrar’s office.  The Recall DA George Gascon Committee will be filing for injunctive relief imminently and is also exploring other significant issues, such as the inaccurate and inflated number of signatures required to qualify the recall due to bloated voter rolls.” – The Recall DA George Gascon Committee   Substantial number of improperly invalidated signatures found in initial review Since September 6, 2022, volunteer attorneys for the Recall DA George Gascon Committee have been conducting a review of invalidated signatures. Clear, obvious, and legitimate challenges have been identified for 39% of the invalidated signatures reviewed to date. Examples of improper invalidation and disenfranchisement include: Signatures incorrectly invalidated as “printed” even when the voter’s signature on file was itself printed. Signatures incorrectly invalidated as “non-matching” despite showing substantial similarities to the signatures on file.  In addition, many of the decisions to invalidate for this reason appear not to have been signed off on by multiple reviewers, as required by law. Signatures incorrectly invalidated as “not registered” when in fact, the person was a registered voter who could easily be identified in the voter database. Signatures incorrectly invalidated as “duplicates” without the Registrar counting at least one of the alleged duplicates as required by law.  Some of these invalidations are particularly troubling because it required a deliberate act by an examiner to go back into the system and modify a previously validated signature, changing it from “Valid” to “Max # of Times Signed”.  The committee has also observed many incomplete entries that were crossed out by the petition signer due to error, and then filled in correctly in the next entry below, only to have examiners wrongfully reject both as duplicates. Signatures incorrectly invalidated as “different address” because the voters entered their “residence address” as directed by the Petition, and according to the form and wording required by the Registrar, instead of their “addressas registered.”  There is also substantial concern that the Registrar may have failed to properly notify voters of involuntary changes to their registered address, potentially leading to signatures being improperly invalidated.   Recall Committee to file for injunctive relief against Registrar of Voters imminently The Registrar has placed arbitrary and capricious limitations on the review process that substantially limit review hours, workstations, number of reviewers, access to information necessary to determine the legitimacy of a signature invalidation, and more. Under the current restrictions imposed by the Registrar, it will take more than a year to review the invalidated signatures. The Recall DA George Gascon Committee is preparing to file for injunctive relief (as early as next week) to seek the expanded access and additional information necessary to conduct a meaningful review. Given the troubling findings from the initial review of invalidated signatures, it is imperative that a complete and timely review of all invalidated signatures be permitted to take place. For additional information on the current limitations put in place by the Registrar, and the expanded access requested by attorneys representing the Recall DA George Gascon Committee, please refer to this letter sent to Dean Logan on September 21, 2022.   Inaccurate and inflated number of required signatures for qualification of the recall due to bloated voter rolls According to estimates from independent and non-partisan data analysts, Los Angeles County active voter rolls were artificially inflated by at least 208,000, and as much as 515,000, when the number of signatures required for qualification of the recall was originally set. Those estimates do not account for those who died out of state but are still registered in LA County. This problem has been persistent.  In 2019, LA County was sued and agreed to remove 1.5 million inactive voters from its voter rolls because LA County had failed to maintain and clean up its voter rolls for years, and had more voters on its voter rolls than actual citizens. Federal law requires such removal. The Registrar also agreed to ensure the accuracy of its active voter rolls moving forward. Unlike the qualification thresholds for other recalls (which are typically based on a percentage of voter turnout from previous elections) LA County requires signatures from 10% of ALL Los Angeles County registered voters on its active voter rolls. Thus, the failure to maintain accurate voter rolls creates an inherently inaccurate and inflated signature requirement to qualify. The original requirement of 566,857 signatures to qualify (based on bloated voter rolls showing 5,668,569 active voters at the time) should have been set anywhere from 515,357 to 546,357. This issue alone could substantially affect the outcome of the recall given that the Registrar has already identified what it deems to be 520,050 valid signatures.  This does not even account for the signatures that were clearly wrongfully invalidated.  ###

So, there may be some hope, after all.

Recall Gascon Update: Statements from Retired LA County DA Steve Cooley

 

Retired LA County District Attorney
Steve Cooley

The recent press release from the LA County Registrar-Recorder's office was a big disappointment for many Angelenos: the Recall Gascon effort did not qualify, missing the minimum signature requirement by about 40,000 signatures.

This is really disturbing outcome, considering that activists worked across the country for three months collecting 715,00 signatures, but then ultimately only 520,000 were accepted. What happened?

LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger's office sounded off their disappointment and frustration with the outcome:

Thank you for reaching out to my office. I share your disappointment in the outcome of the recall verification process. Of the total 715,833 petition signatures submitted, 88,464 were not registered voters and 43,593 were duplicated signatures – representing the majority of the unverified signatures. Regardless, I’m proud of the action taken by our L.A. County residents who stepped up and made their voices heard.

At a minimum, this recall effort has shown Gascon that the public is serious about wanting their elected D.A. to have a high focus on achieving justice for victims. Not all is lost – I’m hopeful that the recall process in and of itself will generate a sustained change in his attitude and decisions.    

Our D.A.'s effectiveness and performance will continue to be closely watched and evaluated by the public, who in two years will have another opportunity to cast their vote. I will always be a strong supporter of the democratic process. Decision-making power should always lay in the hands of the voters.

Sincerely,

Office of Supervisor Kathryn Barger

The full tally of rejected signatures is listed in the full press release from the Registrar-Recorder:

32,000 of the signatures were from different addresses. This is cause for not counting a signature?

As for the 88,000, is there any way to get around this?

I contacted retired LA County District Attorney Steve Cooley (who moved from Toluca Lake to Rolling Hills in 2012 following his retirement from the DA's office), and he shared the following information with me regarding the Recall Gascon campaign's next steps.

1. The lawyers working for the recall campaign have submitted a series of questions to th Registrar-Recorder Dean Logan in order to get more information. Those questions could not be released at this time, but they will help formulate the next series of inquiries launched by the campaign.

2. Cooley suggested that because his firm and lawyers working him issued a number of concerns regarding the standards used to verify the signatures, the county refrained from striking out more signatures than could have been removed. The standards for signature verification are "beyond reasonable doubt," as opposed to "beyond any doubt." Based on the Registrar-Recorder's press release, about 9,000 signatures were rejected because they did not match the voter rolls.

3. He then informed me that there may be a chance for us to restore signatures to the final tally once the team looks at the signatures stricken out from among the 88,000 which were supposedly not registered. Many people move within the county, and they follow the proper procedure to change their mailing address. What happens, however, is that the RR's office fails to follow through on the change. This happened to Cooley himself when he moved to Rolling Hills. He had re-registered, but when he went to vote, the polling station told him that he was not listed on the voter rolls! He ended up calling Dean Logan himself to figure out what was going on, but at the time he had to submit a provisional ballot.

So, it's likely that a number of signatures could be restored to the final tally based on a review of those signatures. I also find it suspect that about 32,000 signatures were not allowed just became the addresses didn't match. That foul-up could also be the fault of the Registrar-Record.

Last of all, Cooley shared with me that if the restored signatures bring the final threshold within a few thousand needed for the 566,000 minimum, then the Recall Gascon team will look at the signatures removed because the signatures did not match the voter rolls.

So, there is hope, faint hope, that this recall effort is not dead yet. Stay tuned.

Recall Gascon Update

 

Arthur, While we wait for the Registrar to verify the 715,833 signatures we submitted, George Gascon’s Los Angeles continues to slide into disorder. On Tuesday, Andrew Cachu, a convicted murderer who George Gascon released from prison decades early, was arrested on gun and DUI charges after leading police on a chase. In 2015, Cachu, 17 at the time, executed 41-year-old Louis Amela outside a restaurant in Palmdale while robbing him. Cachu was charged as an adult, convicted, and sentenced to 50 years to life. Last year, Cachu asked for a new sentence. Gascon and his handpicked deputy Alisa Blair could have requested to keep Cachu in prison. They declined to do so, ultimately resulting in his release. What happened Tuesday was preventable and predictable. Releasing a murderer after only 5 years is dangerous, reckless, and disqualifying. It’s a miracle no bystanders or police were harmed. Last week, it was revealed that Gascon’s office is dissolving the “Lifer Unit” — prosecutors and victim advocates who notify victims of crime and their families when their assailant is up for a parole hearing. George Gascon puts violent criminals on the streets and keeps victims in the dark. He has got to go. And if the Registrar qualifies our recall, he will, in a landslide.

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Recall DA George Gascon Collects 400,000 Signatures!

 

FRIENDS, We’re pleased to announce that our campaign to recall LA District Attorney George Gascon has reached 400,000 signatures as of May 1. We’ve also eclipsed the $6M fundraising mark. We must collect 566,857 signatures by July 6 to get the recall on the November ballot. With your help, we will save LA and recall the failed DA. To read the press release, click here. NEWS FLASH FOX News: Los Angeles DA George Gascon Recall Group Has 400K Signatures; Starting to See ‘Real Light’ at End of Tunnel HELP SPREAD THE WORD: FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO FAMILY & FRIENDS!

When Cowardice Swallows Up Courage: Local Resident Tells Activist Not to Help with Recall Gascon Effort

 No matter what your partisan affiliation, you should be committed to recalling George Gascon, the corrupt, pro-criminal district attorney of Los Angeles County.

The Torrance City Council has gone on record to have this man removed. The Palmdale city council said "Fire this man." Cities like Pico Rivera and Santa Fe Springs have gone on record stating resolutions of No Confidence in George Gascon.

And as I write this post, residents in Downey, CA are demanding that the city council also go on record against this man.

Well, there was an event scheduled today (August 18, 2021) in Manhattan Beach to start collecting signatures to recall George Gacson:

I reached out to the person on the email address: larosa_lucia@yahoo.com

I informed her that I wanted to help out.

This was the answer I received:

Thank you Arthur but I do not believe this is a good idea and I am against this. I want to keep this event non political and you are a very political figure. Your presence will boycott this event and stir the pot and give ammunitions to people who already depict us as partisan. Also this is not a Recall Gascon Now event - I do believe Recall George Gascon and Recall Gascon Now must cooperate and this is why I told ----- and I am happy to do this as something both campaigns volunteers do - but this is a Recall George Gascon event. While I do have conservative values, I have a standing as non partisan and I want to maintain it - if you come, or any other person associated with the Republican Party come, I will cancel this event at once.  

First of all, anyone who is collecting signatures to recall an elected official is engaging in political activism. More people in the state of California need to be doing this.

She then assumes that if people are registered Republicans or otherwise, that somehow mars the effort. Crime affects everyone, regardless of their partisan affiliation. The bad district attorney who is ruining our county and undermining public safety is hurting everyone. Democrats, Republicans, Independents have all come out of their homes and onto the streets to fight this guy and get him removed from office.

It's time to get past political parties as an excuse not to work with others. I support registered Democrat LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva. I also think LA City Councilman Joe Buscaino (a registered Democrat) has a better plan for Los Angeles as the next mayor for the city.

I am looking for people with good ideas and a heart for the needs of the residents of Los Angeles County.

This Lucia La Rosa person says that she wants to collect signatures, but then she makes it clear that this is a "Recall George Gascon" event. What gives? The flyer that was shared publicly lists "Recall Gascon Now" on the flyer. And yet Lucia La Rosa says that the event is not a "Recall Gascon Now" event. 

What is going on here?

Shouldn't the focus be on helping get rid of a corrupt, evil DA who only wants to protect criminals? This is beyond outrageous!

I would advise staying away from people like Lucia, who care more about division and pre-eminence, and who do not care about doing what is best for the community.

LA County residents, it's time to stop giving into the cowardice and time time to stir up our courage. This madness needs to stop! Gascon needs to go. Recall George Gascon, Recall Gascon Now, Recall George Gascon YESTERDAY!

Let's get this done!

Recall Gascon Now: TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND SIGNATURES!

We need to hustle like never before!

Two Hundred Thousand signatures is excellent, but we need to reach 580,000 by the end of October, and we should collect at least another 100,000 signatures as a buffer because signatures will get stricken off.

LET'S DO THIS, TEAM!

Hello Arthur, It was another terrific weekend of petition signing with reports pouring in from volunteers regarding their collection efforts. The Recall Gascon Now sign, share, and support efforts continue to see tremendous results! With just over 3 months remaining before signatures must be submitted to the LA County Registrar of Voters, the total number of signatures collected is closing in on 200,000. If you haven’t already started to share the petition by walking your neighborhood, this is the perfect week to begin! To assist you in the process, Recall Gascon Now will be at these two events to help get you set up. This past week also saw Recall Gascon Now mailing out hundreds of petitions to likely signers. If you have already signed (or live outside of LA County) and are looking for another way to help, then sharing the petition door-to-door or supporting the targeted door-to-door and mail sharing efforts with a financial contribution would be a huge help! Donate Also underway with Recall Gascon Now are the signature verification efforts which continue to reflect excellent and careful signature collection work by the volunteers on the petitions being submitted. As we look to enter the middle month of signature collection the marathon of this movement continues on with incredible momentum thanks to all of you. Please help to keep this crucial cause going strong and continue the work of signing, sharing, and supporting the recall of Gascon today. With much thanks and appreciation! The Recall Gascon Now Team Copyright (C) 2021 Recall Gascon Now. All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website or a similar cause. Recall Gascon Now 249 E Ocean Blvd Ste 670 Long Beach, CA 90802-8846 Add us to your address book Update Preferences | Unsubscribe

BREAKING: Torrance City Council Passes Resolution of No Confidence in LA County District Attorney George Gascon

 And they said that it could not be done.

But it has been done!

In the wee hours of June 23, 2021, as their council meeting from June 22, 2021 went into overtime, the Torrance City Council voted for the Resolution of No Confidence in corrupt, lawless, pro-criminal Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon!

The final vote tally:

The final vote tally was 5 to 1, with former police officer, child abuse prosecutor and unpopular mayor Pat Furey voting No.

In spite of the fact that the mayor was so perversely recalictrant about this measure, the rest of the city council voted for the Resolution.

We did it!

Many residents and other activists in Los Angeles County told me that this would never happen. Oftentimes, the Torrance city council avoids passing resolutions stating a controversial position on an issue or a candidate.

The city councils in the past have often hewn a consensus conservative position, avoiding difficult issues as much as possible.

The initial pushback that I received from some of the city councilmembers on this issue a few weeks ago was particularly disturbing, and even infuriating. When I spoke to Councilman Mike Griffiths about this resolution, he just cut me off: "Not gonna happen." That kind of dismissive attitude really rankled me. I exposed his opposition the next week, and that lit up a lot of residents in the city.

Councilman Griffiths expressed ongoing dismay or disinterest in supporting the resolution earlier this morning, too. Ultimately, though, he voted for it. The kind of outrage and activism that I took on, that is precisely what it takes to get things done in politics: "In politics, nothing moves unless it's pushed." Griffiths felt the heat, and he saw the light.

I did the same thing with the other city councilmembers who had been sitting on the fence or refused to give a statement of some kind on this very commonsense issue. Not all of them returned my calls, but they got the message, and other people in the city got the message, too.

This outcome shows that you can fight city hall, and win.

Some people--including some of the city councilmembers themselves--did not like my tactics calling them out publicly for not taking a stance or rudely brushing me off.

But my approach worked, and many residents contacted me afterwards to confirm that they wanted the city council to do the right thing, denounce George Gascon, and go on record issuing a Resolution of No Confidence.

We did it, folks!

WINNING!

Torrance City Council: Finish the Job, Pass Resolution of No Confidence in George Gascon

Dear Torrance City Council:

First of all, I wish to commend Councilman George Chen for taking the lead to seek an agenda item for a Resolution of No Confidence in LA County District Attorney George Gascon. There can be no delay for the city to go on record demanding the removal of that despicable partisan masquerading as a the chief law enforcement officer/prosecutor in Los Angeles County.

From LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva to retired LA County District Attorney Steve Cooley, there is a wide consensus of elected officials, current and retired, who recognize that George Gascon is neither qualified nor equipped to serve as the District Attorney for the most populous county in the United States. His reckless disregard for the law, his utopian commitments to dismantling the execution of justice in name of "social justice", and his flagrant disdain for the residents of this county have made him a dangerous laughingstock to the entire county.

I just received word that in addition to dismantling the Hardcore Gang Crimes prosecution unit in the LA County DA's office, Gascon has disbanded The Los Angeles County District Attorneys Investigator’s Special Enforcement Team (SET). This unit was responsible for apprehending sexual predators who have failed register as sex offenders in the county. This is extremely alarming!

As a cursory reminder, Gascon has also done (or failed to do) the following:

·  He has refused to prosecute numerous crimes, including numerous misdemeanors like resisting arrest

·  He has rejected the voters' will when it comes to imposition of bail

·  He is seeking sentences that do not fit the crimes of defendants, including a rejection of all special enhancements

·  He is allowing violent 17-year-old repeat offenders to be tried as juveniles, avoiding more severe yet necessary punishment

·  He is pushing for motions to release all defendants who have served 15 years in state prison, regardless of how serious the crime may be

·  He has routinely dismissed the concerns, well-being, and welfare of victims and witnesses, insulting them in public hearings while leaving deputy DAs out of parole hearings

Deputy prosecutors in his own office have publicly denounced him, too:

Crime has taken on some unsettling trends in Los Angeles County and District Attorney George Gascón has received some backlash for his response to it. Gascón speaks with @LesterHoltNBC about reforming the city’s criminal justice system. pic.twitter.com/8PhGVE0W4K

— NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) May 26, 2021

Regarding Gascon's decision to reinvestigate officer-involved shootings, Gascon brought in a criminal defense attorney, and Gascon was going to allow this defense attorney to continue representing other criminal defendants at the same time. This is a massive conflict of interest, a blatant abuse of power, and a corruption of justice. A judge had to weigh in on this decision and order the attorney to drop representation for other defendants.

Why George Gascón’s Pick to Review Officer Misconduct Is Generating Controversy https://t.co/l81jRvv3aP

— LAPD Authors (@Angel_City_Buzz) May 28, 2021

Gascon must receive a Vote of No Confidence from the city of Torrance.

Thank you for your time.

-------------------------------------

For anyone else reading this post ...

Please contact the Torrance City Council, and urge them to support the Resolution of No Confidence in George Gascon. We need four votes on the council to support this resolution, and just because a clear majority of of the members supported an agenda item does not mean that they will vote for it in the end.

Here is the Agenda Item for the June 22, 2021 Torrance City Council Meeting

Here's the email address to submit public comment for the meeting:

CouncilMeetingPublicComment@TorranceCA.Gov

Here are the contacts for the city councilmembers individually:

Pat Furey (pfurey@torranceca.gov);

George Chen (gchen@torranceca.gov);

Aurelio Mattucci (amattucci@torranceca.gov);

Sharon Kalani (skalani@torranceca.gov)

Mike Griffiths (mgriffiths@torranceca.gov);

Heidi Ashcraft (hashcraft@torranceca.gov);

Phone:   (310) 618-2801