LOS ANGELES – A judge Friday took under submission whether one private law firm and the County Counsel’s Office have conflicts of interest in a legal dispute over the firing of a deputy who lost his job over domestic violence allegations.
Steven G. Madison, a lawyer for Sheriff Alex Villanueva and the LASD, argued that the private firm of Miller Barondess LLP, and the County Counsel’s office cannot be impartial in the case involving former Deputy Caren Carl Mandoyan and should therefore be disqualified. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff said he wanted to study the issues further and did not say when he would rule on the motion.
The judge also set trial of the Mandoyan case for April 24.
In his court papers, Madison said the County Counsel’s office previously advised and represented the LASD and the sheriff in connection with the Mandoyan matter and currently is keeping the Board of Supervisors up to date on the case.
Meanwhile, the same attorneys from Miller Barondess who are opposing Villanueva and the LASD in the Mandoyan case are representing the sheriff’s department in litigation related to the validity of deputy disciplinary guidelines, an area where Villanueva and the Board of Supervisors have disagreements, according to Madison’s court papers.
Louis “Skip” Miller, a partner in the Miller Barondess firm, said the County Counsel’s office has had no recent involvement in the Mandoyan case.
Most of the hearing focused on the sheriff’s push for disqualification of the County Counsel’s office. Beckloff did make a ruling on a second private law firm, finding that O’Melveny & Myers can continue representing the county.
Mandoyan, who worked on Villanueva’s campaign, was fired in 2016 following allegations of domestic violence, stalking and harassment of a woman he dated. According to an Office of Inspector General report released earlier this year, the sheriff’s department also found that Mandoyan lied to Internal Affairs investigators.
Villanueva’s decision to rehire Mandoyan late last year outraged members of the Board of Supervisors, who filed a lawsuit seeking to nullify the action. Beckloff in March, however, declined the county’s request for a temporary restraining order voiding Mandoyan’s rehiring.
In August, Beckloff granted a preliminary injunction, ordering Mandoyan to give up all county property in his possession, including any Sheriff’s Department-issued uniforms, badges and weapons.
Mandoyan also was ordered to stop holding himself out as a Los Angeles County deputy sheriff. The preliminary injunction will remain in effect until the trial next year.
Villanueva has repeatedly defended bringing Mandoyan back to the department, questioning the allegations against the deputy and accusing the county’s Civil Service Commission of ignoring evidence that could have cleared Mandoyan of wrongdoing.
Previous related stories:
Sheriff accuses county supervisors of meddling in department management
Fired deputy who was rehired by Villanueva ordered to give up badge, gun
Sheriff’s official resigned rather than clear fired deputy
Official: LASD deputy reinstatement was rushed, ignored key evidence
Video shows reinstated deputy trying to break into woman’s home
Villanueva stands ground on deputy reinstatement
Supervisors challenge new sheriff’s reinstatement of fired deputy
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Virgil says
The Board of supervisors are the most corrupt set politicians I know. They’ve wasted millions fighting the Sheriff over power. That’s all this is. They are upset that their puppet lost the election and the Latino Sheriff won. Mandoyan was never charged with anything, let alone step foot inside a courtroom. Why not tell everyone that his accuser admitted to lying and resigned from the department. This was nothing but two scorned ex girlfriends who got together and filed false allegations against the guy. The real issue here is, Mandoyan helped the Sheriff best their puppet Mcdummy and they are pissed. Call it for what it is. We need to recall and vote out the Board of Supervisors.
Vic says
Lancaster’s mayor and council will give them a run for the title of most corrupt.
Mark Schwartz says
The Banditos protecting Banditos. Good job L.A. Sheriff’s Dept.
Wasted Resources says
Villanueva’s arrogance and stubbornness are costing LAC taxpayers millions.