August 7, 2024 - SACRAMENTO – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced that the California Department of Justice will not pursue criminal charges against Los Angeles Supervisor Sheila Kuehl and Peace Over Violence (POV) Director Patricia Giggans. After a thorough and independent investigation into the allegations that formed the basis of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD) investigation, the California Department of Justice (DOJ) has concluded that there is insufficient evidence to support the filing of charges based on the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) awarding of a sole-source contract to POV, or on the campaign contributions received by Supervisor Kuehl from persons affiliated with POV. The investigation included looking into whether individuals had committed a crime in giving advance warning of the search warrants that were executed by Los Angeles Sheriff’s Office on September 14, 2022 to Sheila Kuehl and Patricia Giggans, but insufficient evidence was found to charge anyone with a crime.  

On September 11, 2021, LASD opened an investigation to determine whether any crimes were committed in connection with certain contracts entered into between the MTA and POV concerning a sexual assault and harassment hotline operated by POV. During the LASD investigation, LASD obtained three search warrants that pertained to the headquarters of the MTA, Supervisor Kuehl’s residence, Supervisor Kuehl’s office and other locations. A further investigation began to determine whether any alleged advance warning regarding one of the search warrants executed in that investigation was provided to any of the targets of that investigation. 

On September 20, 2022, California Attorney General Rob Bonta assumed full charge of the LASD investigation. In doing so, Attorney General Bonta ordered the LASD to cease any investigative activities relating to the LASD investigation and to transmit all evidence, investigative reports, and information in the LASD’s possession related to the LASD investigation to DOJ. Since taking charge of the LASD investigation, the DOJ has conducted a thorough and independent investigation into the allegations that formed the basis of the LASD investigation, and has concluded that there is insufficient evidence to support the filing of charges based on the MTA’s awarding of a sole-source contract to POV, or on the campaign contributions received by Supervisor Kuehl from persons affiliated with POV. Further, DOJ has found insufficient evidence to file charges for interference with a search warrant. DOJ has therefore closed the investigation into this matter.
Source: CA. DOJ