Carmen Trutanich Announces Campaign for D.A., Highlights Lawsuit Against Deutsche Bank

By Gene Maddaus Thu., Feb. 9 2012 at 11:01 AM

Carmen Trutanich

L.A. City Attorney Carmen Trutanich made it official this morning, announcing his candidacy for district attorney. Trutanich has been raising money for the campaign for a year, and has amassed a $1 million war chest, so this is not exactly a surprise.

It does, however, give Trutanich's opponents yet another chance to point out that Trutanich is violating his pledge to serve two full terms as city attorney. Prosecutor Alan Jackson, one of Trutanich's main rivals, immediately sent out a press release calling on Trutanich to pay the agreed penalty for violating the pledge, which is to take out a full-page ad declaring "I AM A LIAR."

Jackson's campaign even helped out by creating a mock-up of the ad, which is after the jump.

Created by Alan Jackson for DA

In his announcement, Trutanich's campaign said it would be "irresponsible for him to ignore Sheriff Lee Baca and other law enforcement professionals who have strongly encouraged him to run."

The campaign enlisted Baca to defend him from the charge that he is breaking his word.

"All this to me is merely a diversion from the real fact and that's who's best qualified to serve as District Attorney for the County of Los Angeles," Baca was quoted as saying. "That's Carmen Trutanich."

Trutanich's campaign consultant, John Shallman, said that over 1,000 people have signed a petition urging Trutanich to join the race.

"So it appears the only people unhappy with his candidacy are gang members and the other candidates," Shallman said. "The simple fact is that Carmen Trutanich's remarkable track record as a crime fighter is simply unmatched."

Several prosecutors are already running for D.A., including Jackson, Mario Trujillo, Chief Deputy Jackie Lacey and Danette Meyers.

So why does Trutanich want to be D.A.? In the release, he focused on fighting gangs and keeping schools safe, a theme reminiscent of his predecessor in the City Attorney's Office, Rocky Delgadillo.

He also released a video that highlights the city attorney's lawsuit against Deutsche Bank for alleged failure to maintain foreclosed properties.

In its defense, Deutsche Bank has stated that the city has sued the wrong party, and that loan servicers are responsible for maintenance. The bank has vowed to fight the lawsuit in court. A trial is not expected until fall, at the earliest.

Here's the video:

Tags:

Alan Jackson, Carmen Trutanich, District Attorney, Jackie Lacey, Mario Trujillo, Steve Cooley

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John

Hello, My Friend;

I have placed myself on a slippery slope.

My son and wife are divorcing. My concern is/was for thefamily home not being included in any settlement agreement. They are hostiletoward each other.

The Title is 1/3 my Trust, 2/3 in his name. The property isunencumbered.

My problem is Iretained Michael Shook on 2-7-12, $2,000.00 paid then and $ 2,000.00 when the matter is resolved. I becamedissatisfied with Atty. Shook and on2-27-12 was advised that the complaint was prepared but had not been filed norhad service been made. (i t was after 5pm ) I requested to withdraw theretainer and was given an appointment 2-28-12 3pm with Atty Shook to so.

The next day 2-28-12Atty Shook left a phone message at 9:04am. I returned his call at 10:15 Istated that I am withdrawing the retainer and would pay for any serviceprovided to that point.

Atty. Shook saidhe would need several days to make the determination. I phoned his office on3-5-12 and was told that the complaint was filed on 2-28-12.

I am of the opinion that Atty Shook intents to keep billing me. I need the service of aLawyer to withdraw the complaint and end Atty.Shook`s and my involvement in this matter. ASAP.

Please advise and/or have an atty. contact me. I hope toresolve this issue as quickly as possible.

I now have a request from AttyMichael Shook for an additional $ 2.,435.00

John

Trutanich is a nice guy with the wrong agenda on medical marijuana dispensaries. He has used his office to circumvent the will of the voters and impose his personal bias. His position will drive marijuana back underground and into the hands of organized crime. that is not a good policy, and it isn't fair.

Greggie

Nuch breaks promises and wins headlines.

Jackson works hard and wins big cases.

Easy choice for DA.

Lmebs001

I love Trutanich. He's a bad ass and a perfect DA. The politicians in City Hall hate him because he doesn't put up with their bullshit--which means he's doing something right.

ginkobiloba

Love how the LA Weekly is already doing Cooley's bidding and naming mostly the candidates Cooley has hand picked to succeed him. Expect Cooley to enter the race and Lacey, Jackson and Trujillo to get out of the race. I also love how you leave Steve Ipsen and Bobby Grace out of your article who are also running. Baca made Cooley who he is today and Baca can't stand Cooley anymore. If Cooley enters the race, he won't have Baca's support, Trutanich will.

Alan Jackson is a little cry baby. Who cares if Trutanich changed his mind and is tired of Cooley and the little minons like Jackson, Lacey and Trujillo that follow Cooley around praising his failures.

The fact is that Cooley has been a 10 year dissaster that has destroyed the DAs office and is a disgrace to to the badge. Jackson is upset because Republicans are going to vote for Nuch instead of him. Sorry Jackson, maybe run for judge or something. Good luck to you and your whinning. It certainly isn't working to stop funds from pouring into Nuch's campaign. Might want to have a campaign meeting and get a new approach.