A preliminary hearing in the Los Angeles Superior Court resulted in a ruling on Tuesday, stating that LA County Assistant District Attorney Diana Teran will be facing a jury trial based on sufficient evidence of her alleged misuse of protected and confidential law enforcement data. However, the judge also took into consideration some defense arguments and dismissed two of the counts.
Teran, a member of DA George Gascón’s leadership team, had oversight of the DA’s Office Ethics and Integrity Unit at the time when the case was filed earlier this year.
Teran faced 11 charges initially filed by the California Department of Justice. These charges accused her of unauthorized copying or use of computer data.
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The focus of the case revolves around the accusation that Teran, during his tenure at the LA County Sheriff’s Department, accessed personnel files that contained records of misconduct by deputies. These files are protected by special legal measures in California to prevent public disclosure. Subsequently, Teran allegedly delivered some of these files to the District Attorney’s Office years later. The District Attorney’s Office maintains an index of law enforcement officers with troubled histories.
Teran’s defense attorney, Jim Spertus, expressed his disappointment with the ruling while also acknowledging his respect for the Court’s decision.
During the preliminary hearing, Spertus made the argument that although certain documents were located within the deputies’ protected personnel files, the same information had already been disclosed in nearly identical court filings. Spertus pointed out to Judge Sam Ohta that by challenging disciplinary findings in court, the deputies had voluntarily relinquished some of the special confidentiality privileges granted to them as police officers.
During the hearing, Spertus emphasized that when transitioning from civil service discipline to court, the right to confidentiality is indeed waived. This is due to the information being made accessible to the public.
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Just before the preliminary hearing began, the Department of Justice dismissed three out of the 11 counts. On Tuesday, Judge Ohta also dismissed two more counts, which means that Teran will now face a trial with six remaining counts.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has not yet provided any information, documents, or comments regarding the Teran case despite recent inquiries. However, Attorney General Rob Bonta released a statement when the charges were initially announced, emphasizing that “No one is above the law.”
According to a spokeswoman for Gascón, the office will not comment on individual personnel issues. However, they have stated that they will cooperate with any investigation conducted by the Attorney General’s Office. The office remains dedicated to promoting transparency and holding the police accountable in Los Angeles County.
