Paying the Accused: DA Gascon’s Top Aide/Potential Felon Still on Payroll

Despite her status as a suspected felon, Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon’s “Ethics and Integrity Assistant District Attorney,” Diana Teran is still on the public payroll and getting paid – a lot, in fact.

Since she was charged with eleven (that number was cut to eight last week by a LA County Superior Court Judge Sam Ohta) felony counts by state Attorney General Rob Bonta in late April, Teran has collected more than $60,000 in pay and “flex earnings.”

Whether or not Teran is actually working is still unclear. Gascon’s office did not reply when questioned about Teran’s status.

According to the documents obtained through a public records request by former deputy district attorney and current pro bono victim’s advocate Kathleen Cady, Teran’s pay has not skipped a beat since the charges were filed. Her total annual pay appears to be about $320,000 – plus benefits.

Note – the Globe and former District Attorney Steve Cooley have – separately – also filed similar public records requests.  As for the Globe, the county has delayed its final response.

Teran is charged with illegally accessing confidential personnel records.  The allegations center around her use in the DA’s office of LA County Sheriff’s deputies personnel files she viewed while she worked in that department as a “Constitutional Policing Advisor” in 2018.

All of the counts she was charged with bear the same April, 2021 date, which may be when she uploaded them in the DA’s office system and/or added it to the “Brady List,” a data base of sketchy officers the office maintains (most prosecutors maintain such a list just in case they have to rely on that officer in court, etc., because they have to tell the defense.)

Again, three of the charges were tossed and Teran has pleaded not guilty to all of the counts.  Her attorney, James Spertus, has called the charges absurd and that Teran was legally fulfilling the duties of her job.  It should be noted that, according to published reports, Judge Ohta seemed skeptical about the charges and “questioned the point of pursuing the case at all.” 

Interestingly, if the judge happens to be right that would create the scenario that Bonta – who allegedly could have potentially charged Teran earlier over the incident – only did so recently to aggressively distance himself – and his incipient gubernatorial campaign – from the now-toxic political ally that was once Gascon.  

However,  the idea that one of the top people in any DA’s office who has been charged with multiple felonies is still getting paid seriously rankled Gascon critics.  Typically, law enforcement agencies – like the LA Sheriff’s Department –  suspend employees without pay when they are charged with a felony.

“The Association for Los  Angeles Deputy Sheriffs (ALADS, a deputy’s union) is shocked to learn Gascon is allowing Diana Teran to remain employed as an L.A. District Attorney, while facing serious felony charges,” said ALADS president Richard Pippin. “This blatant double standard for those with connections is appalling and sends a dangerous message to the entire Los Angeles County workforce, especially first responders who are held to the highest standards. It implies that if you are well connected, you are protected no matter the severity of your actions.”

Pippin continued:  “This undermines the integrity of the County and erodes trust among its employees. We expect a full and immediate accounting of this decision making.  This case is particularly outrageous, given that Diana Teran, while working at the L.A. Sheriff’s Department, was part of the very team that suspended a number of deputies without pay for far less – felonies and even misdemeanors. The hypocrisy is alarming.”

Gascon employees are also infuriated.

“This is beyond corrupt,” said veteran deputy district attorney  and fierce Gascon critic John Lewin.  “It has the appearance – if not the evidence – of a bribe because Gascon has an incentive for her not to cooperate with further investigation because of a simple question: when did he know and what did he know (about Teran’s alleged actions.)”

Gascon’s opponent in the November election, Nathan Hochman, also found the fact Teran is still getting paid very problematic.

“It’s inappropriate and a potential conflict of interest for Gascon to continue paying Ms. Teran while she has been charged with numerous felonies,” Hochman said.  “However, it is completely consistent with Gascon’s pro-criminal policies that he would once again favor a charged criminal over the public.”

Gascon’s office did not respond to two emails requesting comment. (UPDATE below).

As usual.

UPDATE – late in the day, Gascon’s office sent a reply:

Our office does not comment on pending litigation or personnel matters.

 Thanks,

~Pamela J. Johnson~ (she/her/hers)

Public Information Specialist

Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office

Hall of Justice

211 W Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

12th Floor

pjohnson@da.lacounty.gov