Los Angeles assistant prosecutor faces felony charges

LOS ANGELES (CN) — The California attorney general Wednesday announced criminal charges against a Los Angeles assistant district attorney, accusing her of using information from a government computer without authorization.

Diana Teran, the assistant district attorney for ethics and integrity, faces 11 felonies after what Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a press release was an extensive investigation. She’s accused of repeatedly using data from confidential and protected-by-statute peace officer files.

According to Bonta, Teran didn’t have permission when she accessed a computer or computer network, taking information from it.

“No one is above the law,” Bonta said in a statement. “Public officials are called to serve the people and the state of California with integrity and honesty. At the California Department of Justice, we will continue to fight for the people of California and hold those who break the law accountable.”

Teran is accused of tapping into computer data, which included many confidential peace officer files, while serving as a constitutional policing advisor at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in 2018. She then is thought to have used that data after joining the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office in January 2021.

“When I took office, we developed a protocol that ensured we complied with our constitutional obligations under Brady — which requires us to turn over potentially exculpatory evidence to the defense, a category that includes law enforcement’s prior misconduct — while simultaneously complying with state and federal law around privacy,” District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement. “I stand by that protocol.

“While we cannot comment on specific personnel matters, we will comply with any investigation from the Attorney General’s Office. I remain committed to upholding transparency and ensuring police accountability within Los Angeles County. These principles are paramount to the integrity of our work and the trust of the community we serve. We will address this matter with the utmost seriousness and diligence to uphold the values of justice and fairness.”

An organizational chart for the district attorney shows Teran, along with two other assistant district attorneys, reporting to the chief deputy district attorney, who in turn reports to Gascón.

The directors of fraud and corruption prosecutions, and prosecution support operations, report to Teran.

Teran has served in a handful of roles since joining the District Attorney’s Office over three years ago.

She began as a special advisor to the district attorney on post-conviction review, compliance with issues involving evidence and justice system integrity. In that role she was considered part of Gascón’s executive management team.

Teran then served as director of prosecution support operations before assuming the role of assistant district attorney.

Wednesday’s announcement wasn’t the first time Teran has made headlines.

A lawsuit filed in November claims that Gascón delayed an announcement about not filing charges in an excessive force case, as it might have affected former Sheriff Alex Villanueva’s reelection chances.

Assistant Head Deputy District Attorney Amy Pentz in her suit says Teran wanted to hold off on announcing the decision until after the election, as the then-sheriff had made public comments about it.

Pentz in the suit calls herself a whistleblower, saying she was reassigned after questioning one of Teran’s decisions, as well as for testifying in a hearing about Gascón hiring public defenders.  

Before joining the District Attorney’s Office, Teran worked for the Law Offices of the Los Angeles County Public Defender.

Villanueva lost his reelection bid in November 2022 to current Sheriff Robert Luna. Gascón is headed to the November general election against former federal prosecutor Nathan Hochman.

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