LA Taxpayers’ Open Letter to District Attorney Nathan Hochman

District Attorney Nathan Hochman:

Congratulations on your decisive victory and your swearing-in as Los Angeles County’s District Attorney. Today marks a turning point for a county that has long struggled under the weight of crime, mistrust, and an erosion of public safety. Your victory wasn’t just a win at the ballot box; it was a mandate. A clear voice rang from every corner of our county that the status quo is no longer acceptable. Angelinos placed their trust in you as the harbinger of hope and change.

As Chairman of the Los Angeles County Taxpayers Association, I write on behalf of those who believe in responsible governance, accountability, and the promise of a community where safety is not only enforced but felt. For too long, taxpayers have footed the bill for a justice system that seemed more concerned with ideology than with delivering results. Under your predecessor, policies that ignored victims and emboldened criminals left families, businesses, and neighborhoods vulnerable. Our communities, already divided, were conquered by fear and shock every time a clip of a daring robbery or unprovoked attack flashed across our screens. 

The costs of George Gascón’s reign weren’t just financial—they were measured in lives disrupted, neighborhoods fractured, and trust destroyed.

The roots of your electoral tree—a metaphor you often used on the campaign trail—revolved around those who wanted change. The commitment you made to all those who put you in the position to enact change comes with immense responsibility. Restoring trust in the DA’s office must be at the forefront of your administration. It is not enough to enforce the law; you must ensure that the public believes in its fairness, impartiality, and effectiveness. This trust will be the bedrock upon which your success—and the safety of millions—rests.

Here’s what taxpayers and residents expect from you:

1. Transparency and Accountability: Decisions in the DA’s office must be guided by principle, not politics. We expect openness about your priorities and an unwavering commitment to justice for all, not just the select few.
2. Victim-Centered Justice: Victims of crime must no longer be sidelined. Their rights, voices, and dignity must be at the heart of prosecutorial decisions. Prosecutors must be allowed to accompany victims into parole hearings and courtrooms.
3. Community Engagement: Safety isn’t just about enforcement—it’s about rebuilding the relationship between law enforcement, the justice system, and the communities they serve. Engaging with residents by placing Deputy DAs in every municipality is essential to creating lasting trust.
4. Fiscal Responsibility: Taxpayers are watching closely. The justice system must be both effective and efficient, ensuring that every dollar spent contributes to a safer, more secure LA.

This is your moment to lead. The people of Los Angeles County have entrusted you to take the reins of a broken system and steer it toward sanity, balance, and justice. The challenges are tremendous, but so is your opportunity to restore faith in our institutions and bring safety back to our streets.

We stand behind you as you undertake this journey. However, our faith in you is tethered to your ability to deliver results—real, measurable improvements that resonate with every Angeleno, from Palmdale to Long Beach, from the San Gabriel Valley to the San Fernando Valley. 

I trust you to deliver. I know you will.

We look forward to working alongside you to ensure that Los Angeles County becomes a place where justice is served without compromise, and where every taxpayer feels the value of their contribution reflected in safer streets and stronger communities.

Aidan Chao

Chairman, Los Angeles County Taxpayers Association