The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday it was investigating a Los Angeles Times reporter who reportedly was involved in covering up a prisoner abuse case, a statement that sparked allegations of violating the rights of a First Amendment reporter. . .
Reporter Alene Cekmedian published an article Monday detailing a lawsuit filed by an official who accused Sheriff Alex Villanueva of blocking an investigation into the alleged abuse and retaliating against whistleblowers.
Ms. Chekmedian also posted a video from the guard of a police deputy who handcuffed the prisoner who punched him in the face. After the prisoner was on the floor, the policeman kept his knee on the prisoner’s head for three minutes.
At a news conference Tuesday, the sheriff said he was investigating “all parties” involved in the leaked video, which he said was “stolen property that was taken out illegally”. He stood next to large photos of Mrs. Chekmedian and two others.
“What she gets illegally and The LA Times uses, I’m sure it’s a huge, complex area of law and freedom of the press and all that,” said Sheriff Villanueva. “However, when it’s stolen material, at some point you actually become part of the story.”
Kevin Merida, executive editor of The Los Angeles Times, said in a statement that “Sheriff Alex Villanueva’s attack on Alain Chekmedian’s First Amendment rights for making news-worthy reports for a video showing a deputy kneeling on his head to a prisoner in handcuffs is outrageous. “
“His attempt to criminalize news reporting runs counter to well-established constitutional law,” Mr Merida continued. “We will vigorously defend the rights of Chekmedian and The Los Angeles Times in any procedure or investigation initiated by the authorities.
Updated
April 26, 2022, 6:24 p.m. ET
Katie Townsend, deputy executive director of the Reporters’ Committee on Freedom of the Press, said a journalist’s investigation into her report violated the First Amendment.
“Publishing newsworthy information about alleged law enforcement cover-up, which tried to block an investigation into the use of excessive force, is a constitutionally protected activity and is clearly in the public interest,” Ms. Townsend said. “We strongly condemn the department’s actions and call on it to end this alleged investigation immediately.
Ms. Chekmedian, who is in charge of the sheriff’s department, revealed on March 25 the story that Los Angeles County officials did not charge the prisoner because, according to the article, they were worried that the deputy’s actions would generate negative publicity. for his resemblance to the murder of George Floyd, a black man who died in police custody in May 2020 after an officer knelt on his neck.
Ms. Chekmedian’s article on Monday hinted at Sheriff Villanueva as the one leading the cover-up.
At a news conference Tuesday, Sheriff Villanueva denied the cover-up allegations and said she was investigating the video’s leak.
“We will not be the only country investigating this,” said Sheriff Villanueva. “There will be other agencies that will also investigate this in depth and monitor what we are doing. And it will be handed over to the relevant prosecutor’s offices to make a decision. “
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office said in an email Tuesday that “it is unable to comment further due to several ongoing ongoing investigations pending lawsuits, including a criminal investigation.”
“What we can say is that Sheriff Alex Villanueva is committed to transparency and accountability,” the department said.
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