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D.A. Responds

Published: Monday, October 22, 2007 8:38 PM PDT



For a bit of a breather from the fire, I thought some of you might be interested in this. District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis responded this weekend via e-mail to my posts on Friday.

I'll just give her the forum for a minute:

As you point out, in our press release, it said I would "no longer personally endorse political candidates, except in unusual circumstances." To that end, I have turned down dozens of requests for endorsement since I made that pledge.

What would constitute "unusual circumstances?" The current state of affairs in the City Attorney's Office certainly qualifies. I will never shy away, nor have I promised to shy away, from races where the District Attorney's Office is impacted. As you know, the two offices should work together cooperatively on many issues, from prosecutions to providing services needed by domestic violence victims.

I also made it clear at the press conference and again later at a media lunch, both of which the Voice of San Diego was invited to, that I would endorse in races that directly effect the District Attorney's Office, law enforcement and public safety. I specifically mentioned races for Sheriff, Judges, Attorney General and City Attorney in which I felt I had a duty to weigh in on. The reason for the policy is because the District Attorney investigates candidates and it might raise the appearance of a bias in the investigation. I will refer any investigations related to any candidate I endorse to the Attorney General's Office.



-- SCOTT LEWIS




13 Comments so far on this story...

Right on Bonnie! The City is in dire circumstances and needs desperate changes. Mikey Nifong Jr has got to go in the Primary!

Posted by Sunny | reply to this comment
October 22, 2007 9:03 pm

"""....As you know, the two offices should work together cooperatively on many issues, from prosecutions...."""" Yeah, errr right Bonnie. I know how you like to "" cooperate "" with other law enforcement officials in prosecutions, sort of like how you "" cooperated "" with Tom Story and his employer Sunroad to escape a valid, probable cause signed search warrant. Keep up the good work Bonnie, and just let those criminals skate on by..........

Posted by Billy Bob Henry | reply to this comment
October 22, 2007 9:25 pm

Hey Bonnie...how's the investigation going with Paul Nieto and Mike Madigan????? Do you ever feel guilty about all of the corruption on your watch??? You're the worst DA and history will eventually tell the truth. You're worthless!

Posted by dave | reply to this comment
October 22, 2007 11:09 pm

I attended a meeting where Bonnie Dumanis stated that she would not endorse any candidates, especially in races involving public safety officials. There were no qualification about unusual circumstances, no exceptions, nothing further mentioned about the specific races she now recites. So, her endorsement of Bill Gentry is a direct contradiction of her public position. Next she'll be investigating accusations by candidates or their cronies, in selected races, that suit her agenda. Further, it appears our District Attorney should remember that cooperation is a two-way street. After her attempted and failed coup with her top cops, Kollender and Landsdowne, her finger-pointing is a great deal short of professional. We should expect and get more from our D.A.. like an update on the many cases that remain hidden from public scrutiny. Instead we get an endorsement.

Posted by Buddy in Mission Valley | reply to this comment
October 23, 2007 6:22 am

"Speak No Evil" speaks partisan drivel in the fullblown twang of Kennedy-esque doublespeak! Doesn't she come from the same bench that our disgraced former mayor came from? Must be the water in the Hall of Justice!

Posted by Lou Cumming | reply to this comment
October 23, 2007 6:26 am

I totally agree with Sunny. Thanks for having the courage to stand up to Mikey. It is time that the real leaders of our community step up and challenge him, back him into a corner and force him to answer for his intimidation and victimization of everyone in San Diego. As for those who choose to fall under his influence - you, too are victims even if you don't realize it. Do some reading about abusive relationships. You are enabling him to continue the abuse of the system and the citizens. But perhaps you feel that his abusive behavior gives you the freedom to spew your vicious oratory.

Posted by Mishel | reply to this comment
October 23, 2007 7:41 am

I have spent a moment considering Ms. Dumanis's endorsement. Aguirre has my vote.

Posted by Steve K | reply to this comment
October 23, 2007 8:16 am

"I will refer any investigations related to any candidate I endorse to the Attorney General's Office." Sooo, presumably YOUR candidate would have to do the same? Grrrreat...

Posted by TY | reply to this comment
October 23, 2007 9:54 am

Nice that Ms. Bonnie feels she MUST make an endorsement when it is the city attorney race which impacts her office. What happened in '04 when you had the obligation to endorse a REAL professional for City Attorney?

Posted by JJ | reply to this comment
October 23, 2007 12:22 pm

That purely political endorsement by this DA seals the deal...I'm voting for Aguirree

Posted by Yeah...Yeah... | reply to this comment
October 24, 2007 8:23 am

Whether you agree with the DA or not should be irrelevant in your determination about voting for Mike Aguire in June. Our DA, like all politicians, will change their positions from time to time in order to strengthen their own re-electability or to make a statement on an issue of the day. No big deal, from my perspective. What IS a big deal is that Mike Aguirre's political grandstanding, incompetence, and outright unwillingness to defend our City, will eventually lead to the financial ruin of San Diego. Between the pension fiasco, the Sunroad building libility, and the public admission of City liability for the Mt. Soledad landslide and the recent fires, Mike Aguirre is going to cost this City untold MILLIONS OF DOLLARS by the time all of these issues are settled. Aguirre should step down NOW. He is an embarrassment and a liability to us all.

Posted by Kevin in the Gaslamp | reply to this comment
October 25, 2007 8:21 am

As a City Employee, I HOPE more people get on Mike's band wagon. He's the best thing that could have happened to our Pension System. A good attorney may have won a law suit to steal our money back, but thanks to Mike, our retirement is safe! GO MIKE!

Posted by Willo | reply to this comment
October 25, 2007 11:52 am

To Steve K, and yeah yeah, Both of you sound like grade school kids. Why don't you both look at Mr. Gentry's cridentials and vote for the best candidate? I could care less what Ms. Dumanis says or who she endorses. Mr. William Gentry happens to be the most qualified and most probably the one with the highest integrity as well. Billy Bob, you changed your profession yet-again?

Posted by RW | reply to this comment
October 30, 2007 4:03 am


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Scott Lewis on Politics

The Scott Lewis on Politics blog, abbreviated cleverly as SLOP, is a collection of observations, insights and the occasional scoop on public affairs in San Diego. Please feel free to e-mail Scott at scott.lewis@voiceofsandiego.org.


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