Los Angeles DA, criticized for charging officer who taped others making racist remarks, drops felony
Hochman said the case will likely end in a diversion agreement, which could let Flores avoid jail if he completes about a year of court terms.
- Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced on Wednesday that he will reduce 16 felony eavesdropping charges against LAPD Officer Daniel Flores to misdemeanors, following significant public backlash over the prosecution.
- Flores had faced felony counts for secretly recording 16 colleagues in 2024, capturing them making racist, sexist, and homophobic remarks about Black, Asian, and Latino people.
- Critics, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, argued that prosecuting Flores for exposing misconduct sent a "really, really scary message" and would deter future whistleblowers from coming forward.
- Flores is expected to enter a one-year diversion program, allowing him to avoid prison time and potentially have the charges dismissed if he remains law-abiding for the full year.
- While reiterating that Flores violated California's "two-party consent" law, Hochman acknowledged that the original felony filing blurred the office's message about protecting whistleblowers who use legitimate means to expose corruption.
18 Articles
18 Articles
Associated Press News
Los Angeles DA, criticized for charging officer who taped others making racist remarks, drops felony
The Los Angeles district attorney has reduced felony charges against a police officer who secretly recorded colleagues making racist remarks.
Daily Breeze
LA Daily NewsCharges against LAPD officer who recorded colleagues’ derogatory remarks are reduced
District Attorney Nathan Hochman says he wanted to be crystal clear that the charges are meant to deter criminal conduct while incentivizing whistleblowers who use legal means to gather information.
DA reduces charges against LAPD officer who recorded racist remarks by colleagues
LOS ANGELES — A Los Angeles police officer who faced multiple felonies for recording his colleagues making racist, sexist and homophobic comments will now likely avoid jail time under a new agreement with prosecutors, Los Angeles County’s district attorney said…
D.A. reduces charges against LAPD officer who recorded racist remarks by colleagues
L.A. County Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman said an LAPD officer who was charged with multiple felonies for secretly recording racist, sexist and homophobic remarks by his colleagues will instead face misdemeanor charges.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 56% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
