Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon’s top aide, Joseph Iniguez, was recently arrested after interrupting police during a traffic stop involving his then-fiancé. The incident occurred in 2021 when Iniguez and his partner were pulled over by the police for a suspected traffic violation. Iniguez, who was riding shotgun, recorded the encounter on his cellphone and can be heard telling the officers that they had pulled over the wrong person.
Iniguez, who was Gascon’s chief of staff at the time, filed a lawsuit against the city of Azusa, alleging a federal civil rights violation. He received a $10,000 settlement from the city and has since been promoted to chief deputy district attorney. In the video, he can be heard urging the officers to check his license plates, which would have revealed that he worked for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. He also repeatedly advised his fiancé not to speak with the officers.
During the encounter, Iniguez shouted that field sobriety tests (FSTs) are voluntary and not required by law. This is an important reminder as FSTs are often used by police to assess potential drunkenness. Iniguez emphasized that if the officer had probable cause, they could arrest his fiancé. However, he argued that the officer only had reasonable suspicion to conduct a traffic stop.
It is worth noting that under California law (Government Code 26540), prosecutors are prohibited from assisting in the defense of any suspected criminals while in office. Iniguez’s actions during the incident may have violated this law. After his fiancé was handcuffed, the officer approached Iniguez and arrested him as well, stating that he appeared to be intoxicated.
Additionally, another top aide of Gascon, Diana Teran, is currently facing an 11-count felony indictment for allegedly accessing sensitive information about Los Angeles sheriff’s deputies when she worked at the sheriff’s office. She is accused of taking this information with her to the district attorney’s office to assist Gascon. The California Attorney General’s Office has stated that Teran “impermissibly” used the obtained data. However, her defense attorney believes that the state has a weak case and expects to clear his client.
The Association of Deputy District Attorneys, the county prosecutors’ union, has filed a lawsuit in 2022, naming both Iniguez and Teran and alleging that they ordered subordinates to break the law. This lawsuit further adds to the controversy surrounding Gascon’s office and raises questions about the ethical conduct of his top aides.
It is important to note that neither Iniguez nor Gascon’s office has responded to requests for comment regarding these incidents. Nonetheless, these recent developments highlight the challenges and responsibilities faced by law enforcement officers and prosecutors. The public expects them to uphold the law and act with integrity and fairness at all times.
