A deputy district attorney in Los Angeles, Shea Sanna, has filed a complaint against his bosses for alleged retaliation that impacted his career. Sanna accused Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon, the county, and other officials of whistleblower retaliation and causing emotional distress, according to court documents obtained by Fox News Digital.
The conflict between Sanna and Gascon arose from Gascon’s handling of James “Hannah” Tubbs, a convicted child molester and killer. Tubbs was set to be paroled in 2021 but prosecutors requested a custody transfer to face justice for another crime. Sanna opposed Gascon’s mishandling of the Tubbs case, which led to retaliation against him.
Gascon’s administration allegedly prevented Sanna from presenting evidence and targeted him with investigations when he raised concerns about policy and ethics violations. Sanna also highlighted potential violations of Marsy’s law, a law protecting victims’ rights, leading to further retaliation.
Furthermore, Sanna’s career was impacted when he revealed how Gascon’s policies led to a miscarriage of justice in the Tubbs case. Tubbs, who identified as a female after being arrested, attempted to manipulate the legal system to secure a lighter sentence, but was eventually extradited to face charges in Kern County.
Sanna’s attorney, Anthony Fusaro, emphasized that Sanna was fulfilling his ethical and legal duties by presenting all relevant evidence to the court, despite facing suppression efforts from Gascon. Additionally, Sanna raised concerns about the lenient punishment of a teen suspect in another case, who was later involved in a drive-by shooting.
Gascon is facing multiple retaliation lawsuits from prosecutors in his office, with Sanna’s case being one of them. As Gascon prepares for re-election, independent candidate Nathan Hochman is challenging him.
The ongoing legal battle highlights the complexities within the criminal justice system and the challenges faced by prosecutors who speak out against alleged misconduct. Sanna’s case sheds light on the importance of upholding ethical standards and protecting victims’ rights in the pursuit of justice.
