By Terry Miller
Former Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca pled guilty in a downtown courtroom Wednesday to making false statements to the FBI.
According to the Los Angeles Times, a charging document filed by federal prosecutors on Wednesday morning claimed, “Baca lied twice about his involvement in hiding an inmate from FBI agents who were investigating brutality and corruption by sheriff’s deputies in the county jails.”
Baca also lied when he said he was unaware that his subordinates planned to approach an FBI special agent at her home, the document stated.
Baca’s attorney, Michael Zweibeck, said his client has agreed to plead guilty to a single count as part of a deal with prosecutors under which he will spend no more than six months in prison and possibly no time at all.
Zweibeck said that federal sentencing guidelines specify up to six months in prison for making a false statement, but that Baca could also be sentenced to probation and not serve any time behind bars.
Baca, who ran the department for more than 15 years, retired in 2014 amid an FBI probe into misconduct and abuse by deputies in the county’s jail system. So far, more than a dozen former sheriff’s officials have been convicted as a result of the wide-ranging investigation, which began more than five years ago.
Sheriff Jim McDonnell issued a rather general statement after Baca appeared in court yesterday.
“As I have stated previously when asked about the federal investigation and trial, I have faith in the justice system, and trust that it is assessing the facts of these past events in a fair-minded, accountable manner. I know that the milestones during this series of Federal trials have been difficult for all of us at the Sheriff’s Department to learn about. But most important, I have learned through my personal experience with this proud organization that our deputies and professional staff remain focused and committed to moving forward by continuing to perform their essential public service in a professional and caring manner.”
Baca — who spent 48 years with the department including 15 as sheriff — was at times at the point of tears as he explained his decision in January 2014.
“I will go out on my terms,” Baca, 71, said. “The reasons for doing so are so many, most personal and private.”
Baca insisted his decision to step down was “based on the highest of concern for the future of the Sheriff’s Department.” He repeatedly cited the upcoming campaign, which he said had already brought “negative perception” to the department.
During the press conference announcing his retirement in 2014, Baca was asked whether his retirement was connected to the ongoing federal corruption investigation into jail violence and other problems in the department.
Baca indicated it was not, saying: “”I’m not afraid of reality. I’m only afraid of people who don’t tell the truth.”
Last year, Baca’s former top aide, Undersheriff Paul Tanaka, was indicted on charges of orchestrating an elaborate scheme to thwart the FBI, raising questions about whether Baca would be the next to face prosecution.
