Trutanich forms exploratory committee to run for D.A.

Los Angeles City Atty. Carmen Trutanich has formed an exploratory campaign committee to run for Los Angeles County district attorney after being actively recruited by law enforcement officials, including Sheriff Lee Baca, an advisor to Trutanich said Friday.

John Shallman, a senior advisor, said formation of the committee did not mean that Trutanich would officially enter the 2012 race for district attorney, but said he had been "deluged by leaders in law enforcement" urging him to run if Cooley decides against a reelection bid.

"He is honored to have their encouragement, but right now he is singularly focused on his job fighting and preventing gang violence as city attorney," Shallman said.

The website www.drafttrutanich4da.com calls Trutanich "The True Gang Prosecutor" and bills itself as a coalition of law enforcement officers, public safety advocates and community activists working to draft Trutanich to run for district attorney in 2012. It also includes a petition to recruit Trutanich.

Baca, who is spearheading the draft Trutanich drive, said through his spokesman Steve Whitmore that the committee has been formed because "a number of individuals have already actively started to campaign for Los Angeles County district attorney."

"Mr. Trutanich respects the current District Attorney Steve Cooley to such an extent that he is not going to campaign until Mr. Cooley decides whether he is going to run or not," Baca said. "In the meantime, it's important for Mr. Trutanich to put himself in a position where he is able to mount a campaign quickly and effectively should Mr. Cooley not decide to seek a 4th term."

Trutanich, a former deputy district attorney, told The Times he hadn't ruled out running for the job, but said he would only think about joining the race if Cooley did not seek reelection. Trutanich was elected in 2009 with strong support from Cooley.

Cooley has said he would consider running for a historic fourth consecutive term if no qualified candidates stepped up or if what he called an "undeserving and unworthy" contender appeared to be headed for victory.

Five prosecutors with the district attorney's office -- including Alan Jackson, Bobby Grace, Jacquelyn Lacey, Danette Meyers and Mario Trujillo -- have either announced they are campaigning for district attorney in 2012 or taken steps toward a run.

On Friday, a spokesman for Jackson blasted the move by Trutanich, saying he violated a pledge he made in the 2009 city attorney's race against Jack Weiss not to run for district attorney.

“Apparently Carmen Trutanich does not value his word or the voters of the city of Los Angeles. How are we supposed to believe anything Trutanich says?” said political consultant John S. Thomas. “We deserve a district attorney who does what is best for the people of Los Angeles, not his own political career. We know some politicians will say anything to get elected, but Trutanich has taken it to a whole other level.

Trutanich said he did not consider a pledge he signed during his 2009 election campaign as an obstacle to seeking the district attorney's post.

In November 2008, Trutanich called on his opponent in the race, then-City Councilman Jack Weiss, to join him in swearing to seek a second term should he become city attorney and to promise not to run for another office while serving in the post. The pledge called on the election winner to pay a $100,000 personal fine to an afterschool program and to take out full-page newspaper ads declaring "I AM A LIAR" if he violated the pledge.

Trutanich said that the pledge was a challenge to his opponent and that Weiss never agreed to sign it. He also said that circumstances had changed since his election victory.

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--Andrew Blankstein

Photo: Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen A. Trutanich. Credit: Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Jeff Walton]

Carmen the Clown. A mentally, unstable bag of hot air to be our next District Attorney. I give up! Bye Bye Los Angeles.

[Phil Osopher]

Now this is a scarey thought... Trutanich, you looked like a fool the way you handled and are still handling the Medical Marijuana situation here in L.A.
You show NO compassion nor think realistically.

You time in public service is running out and it time to thing of getting out of it.

Phil

[John]

True gang prosecutor?!!! When was the last time Carmen Trutanich actually tried a gang case? In the 1980's? He was a Deputy DA for a second, and City Attorneys don't file or try felonies, they only handle petty misdemeanors. Carmen, tell everyone when the last gang murder was that you tried? Please, let's hear it!!!

[Jack]

So Trutanich doesn't believe in holding up the pledges he makes to the public? Sounds like a perfect DA candidate to me.

[RickyRicardo]

Amongst those of us in LA's legal circle, Trutanich is known as a complete and total moron! I know of no one who has any respect for him either as a lawyer or a city attorney. Hard to believe that folks like Sheriff Baca think he would be a good DA. But then again, voters elected the "Terminator" as our governor, so I guess anything is possible.

[anon]

The more incompetent they are, the greater the ambition. He shares the disease with all LA politicians. Is there no hope for this city?

[Laura]

Carmen Trutanich is the only bright spot in an otherwise failed city government. None of the politicians like him in City Hall because he doesn't play their games. While I would be sad to see him leave the City Attorney's office, I would be delighted to see him takeover the DA's office and start prosecuting the corrupt politicians who are bankrupting our city. I hope he runs. LA County needs him.

[msedano]

Trutanich's Promise was not intended to be a factual statement.

[Jack]

Trutanich will have the support and endorsement of all 15 Los Angeles City Councilmember, the Mayor, the Controller and the entire LA City Attorney's Office - they all cannot wait to get rid of this sorry, sad and embarrassing Clown.

Trutanich has has messed up a once fine office with his egocentric micromanaging. It was his crazy idea to accuse AEG of 'criminal aspects' to the Michael Jackson memorial when everyone in the office begged him to keep his big mouth shut as there was no evidence that AEG had done anything wrong. But Nuch knew better. His year long investigation yielded nothing but shame and embarrassment. No wonder he ran out of money and had to lay off staff. He wasted a golden opportunity to make a difference, but his ego got in the way. Good riddance, the voters of Los Angeles are not as stupid as you think Nuch, get ready for a taste of your own medicine come election time.