The Downfall of Carmen Trutanich YouTube parody may save the clown from ruin

On June 5, 2012, Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutanich suffered a personally humiliating and politically devastating defeat when, as the widely perceived 'front-runner' in the election for Los Angeles County District Attorney, Trutanich finished in a lowly third place, losing to a pair of political novices who had less than one-third of the campaign warchest Trutanich had amassed to advance his political career.

Trutanich now joins the ranks of other failed politicians who have had their spectacular defeats parodied to a four minute scene from the 2004 critically acclaimed movie 'The Downfall' documenting the final days of the Third Reich and featuring what has become known as the 'Hitler Rant Scene.'  This scene lends itself to other historically significant failures as an embattled leader reacts badly to news of impending disaster and casts blame on everyone but himself.



The Downfall of Carmen Trutanich, released on YouTube June 14, 2012, focuses on Trutanich's failed attempt to avoid a barrage of questions from the media arising from accusations that he had lied about being surrounded and shot at by gangmembers. The avoidance technique, believed to have been the brainchild of John Shallman (Trutanich's chief political strategist), was for Trutanich to 'partially suspend' the media portion of his campaign because his mother was ill.

Although Trutanich did successfully duck the media using this pretext, Shallman incredibly decided to agree to be interviewed by FOX 11 News Anchor Jeff Michael instead of Trutanich. Most observers agree that Shallman's failure to respond to Michael's pin-pointed questions put the final nail in the coffin of Trutanich's political career. Shallman's interview was described as so 'weaselly' that it defied belief.

In addition to Trutanch's anger at Shallman for messing up on Fox News, the embattled leader also lashes out at Shallman's failure to defend him from attacks on his reputation by the media. The ranting Trutanich bemoans KFI AM640's John and Ken labeling Trutanich 'a lying boob,' KABC 790AM's Doug McIntyre calling Trutanich 'Truth Challenged,' and LA Weekly's Gene Maddaus front-pager entitled 'Carmen the Barbarian.' After cataloguing the many media character attacks, Trutanich rhetorically asks his inner circle 'Where was Shallman when my reputation was getting jail raped?' leaving little doubt that Trutanich blames Shallman for his downfall.

Trutanich, having realized that 'the campaign is over,' nevertheless vows to battle on to the end, reminding all that he still holds power for another year. Although the Downfall of Carmen Trutanich is a parody, and clearly intended to be satyrical, recent events suggest that the makers had informed sources. Since the Downfall of Carmen Trutanich was released, Trutanich has now indicated that he will 'fight on' and run for reelection in 2013. Also, not surprisingly, Trutanich has split with Shallman who he now blames for his downfall.

Although some may be offended by analogizing Carmen Trutanich's downfall to that of the despised mass-murdering leader of Nazi Germany, Trutanich is but one of the latest of a long series of failed politicians, including Hillary Clinton and John McCain, who have had their downfalls parodied to the last days of Adolf Hitler.

Trutanich may even benefit from the being associated with larger political failures, perhaps keeping his name in the press as he reinvents himself in preparation for his 2013 campaign. Others , however, may find the ranting, screaming and blame-shifting in the parody chillingly reminiscent of real events in the Executive Offices on the 8th floor of City Hall East.

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Los Angeles City Attorney Trutanich accused of 'Extortion'

The Los Angeles Dragnet is reporting that City Attorney Carmen Trutanich has been accused of 'extortion' in court papers filed on behalf of a contractor allegedly threatened with jail unless a cash settlement is offered in civil case.

"Pay up and stay out of jail" is the allegation made against Trutanich

According to the Dragnet, Trutanich has been pursuing parallel criminal and civil cases against billboard companies, and offering to drop criminal cases if large cash payments are made. That's 'extortion' according to Century City lawyers Salerno & Associates who represent one of Trutanich's alleged 'extortion' victims.

 Recently Trutanich received a $4M settlement from CBS Outdoor and then tried to divert half of the $2M to a political ally.

More at the Los Angeles Dragnet.

DA Wannabe Trutanich's Failures and False Promises Parodied in Ad by Alan Jackson

District Attorney candidate Alan Jackson is not pulling any punches when it comes to outing City Attorney Carmen Trutanich's woeful record of failures and failed promises. The following from the Alan Jackson campaign was first released at The LA Dragnet and Politics Without Mercy:

NEW JACKSON AD HIGHLIGHTS TRUTANICH’S 

BROKEN PROMISES, RECORD OF FAILURE AS CITY ATTORNEY

Video Ad Entitled “Election Hangover Part II”

Los Angeles, July 19th – Today the Alan Jackson campaign released a web ad response to Carmen Trutanich’s candidacy for District Attorney. Since his decision to run, it is clear that Trutanich will be turning his attention away from his job as City Attorney to launch a campaign for higher office. Using a parody of the Hangover Part II movie trailer, the ad highlights Trutanich’s broken promises and failed record since he was elected City Attorney. The spot is called “Election Hangover Part II.”

Not only has Carmen Trutanich broken his promise not to run for higher office, he has been an unsuccessful City Attorney. Under his watch, the City of Los Angeles is undergoing a widespread corruption probe by the FBI. Meanwhile, Trutanich has stifled first amendment rights, choosing to cut vital programs and staff salaries while refusing to cut his own. With all this mayhem, Trutanich is now looking for higher office.

To view the advertisement, please visit www.electionhangover2.com.

“Not only is Trutanich breaking his sworn promise to the voters, but he’s been a huge disappointment as City Attorney. Now he wants a promotion and a pay raise?” asked Jackson’s strategist John S. Thomas.

“Apparently Mr. Trutanich is as serious about fighting corruption in the city as he is about completing his term as City Attorney,” said Thomas.

Thomas continued, “With the early release of prisoners from California State prisons looming large, we need a District Attorney who takes his job seriously and will put the people of LA County before his own political career.”

Trutanich’s “Pledge to Serve” stipulates that if Trutanich breaks his promise to serve two terms as City Attorney and not seek higher office, he must pay $100,000 of personal funds to the Best Afterschool Program for Kids and place a full-page ad in every major daily paper with a picture of himself and text stating ‘I AM A LIAR’.

Click below to view Carmen Trutanich’s original “Pledge to Serve.”

http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25678-trutanich-pledge.html

See below for several news articles explaining in more detail how Trutanich has performed as a City Attorney.


Second L.A. building inspector pleads guilty in federal bribery probe (LATimes)

Businessman held on $1-million bail in supergraphic case (LATimes)

Is Carmen Trutanich L.A.'s Mubarak? (LATimes)

L.A. leaders reject pay cuts for themselves (Daily News)

L.A.'s latest budget victim (Daily Breeze)

More at: http://www.electionhangover2.com/

City Attorney Carmen Trutanich Accused of Lies & Plagiarism over ACE Program

The Los Angeles City Attorney, Carmen Trutanich, has been accused of lying and plagiarism in connection with a talk radio interview that he gave on the Kevin James Show on KRLA 870AM on Sunday, June 5, 2011. The Los Angeles Dragnet made the credibility claims about Trutanich after comparing what Trutanich told James about the ACE Program, an idea that Trutanich claimed was his, to documents showing the ACE Program was the idea of Councilmember Paul Koretz.



The documents show that the Administrative Citation Program was based on a motion passed by Koretz on January 15, 2010.

In addition, the Dragnet claims the idea for ACE came from Richard Llewellyn, Koretz's Chief of Staff, who actually came up with the idea when he (Llewellyn) was working for the former City Attorney, Rocky Delgadilo.

The Dragnet also makes other claims about Trutanich lying about details of the program, including claiming to have 'shared' his idea with the cities of San Diego and Santa Monica; both cities had their own administrative code enforcement programs in place before Trutanich became City Attorney, and indeed, Trutanich sent his top aides to San Diego on a fact-finding junket before claiming the idea was his.

This is the latest in a string of lies or "misstatements" from Trutanich, the last concerned claims that Trutanich had "busted" the 38th Street Gang. Los Angeles Sheriff Lee Baca defended lies about Trutanich, claiming that Trutanich's membership of an anti-gang task force gave him bragging rights.

The Dragnet wonders who will come to Trutanich's aid over his most recent lie.

Carmen Trutanich's District Attorney Fundraiser Questioned "Appearance of Impropriety" Alleged

Carmen Trutanich's campaign to become District Attorney stepped up a notch or three on the radar of ethics monitors with several reports this week focusing on who and how: Who is doing Trutanich's fundraising, and how Trutanich is going about fundraising? Both were brought sharply into focus after the LA Times reported that John Ek, a notorious City Hall lobbyist, had been listed as a $25,000 "Host" at a fundraiser for Trutanich's campaign to become District Attorney.

Lobbyist John Ek together with his former criminal defense lawyer City Attorney Carmen Trutanich
and the invitation for the controversial $25,000 Host/Raise cocktail reception in San Pedro. 

The John Ek hosted fundraiser came at around the same time Trutanich was insisting that a conflict of interest prevented one of Ek's clients, LAX concessionaire HMS Host, from being kicked out of LAX for giving the airport a reputation for "lousy food." Ultimately, as the LA Times reported, Trutanich and Ek prevailed over common sense, and Ek's client, HMS Host, can continue to operate at LAX.

While Trutanich pretends to be undecided on whether or not to run from his appalling record of "thuggery, bullying, grandstanding and reneging on promises" as LA's City Attorney, he is gathering a war chest of cash to overcome the negatives that surround his troubled 23 months in public office.

But taking money from lobbyists is an ethical and political "no no" that even the nighttime parttime law-schooled wannabe top cop has to honor. The apparent failure of Trutanich to realize that having a lobbyist as a fundraiser was off-limits caused a flood of negative comments in the blogs. Famed former journalist turned Street-Hassle blogger, Mulholand Terrace, was the first to comment on the questionable link between the LAX, Ek, Trutanich and the fundraiser cocktail reception. Politics Without Mercy went further, delving further into the long and perhaps lucrative history between the lobbyist and Trutanich. The Los Angeles Dragnet added a little more by accusing Trutanich of being the new Jack Weiss and cutting and pasting the PWM piece in its entirely, as we now do.

LAX LOBBYIST TAINTS TRUTANICH – APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY OVER DA CAMPAIGN AND LAX CONCESSION

City Attorney Carmen ‘Nuch’ Trutanich kicked off fundraising for his campaign to become District Attorney with a lavish cocktail reception in San Pedro.  The April 27, 2011 cocktail reception was co-hosted by the notorious City Hall lobbyist John Ek, and came less than a week after Trutanich’s ties to Ek were revealed in the Los Angeles Weekly in an expose “How Lobbyist John Ek Gets His Way In City Hall.”

At the time of the LA Weekly article, Trutanich was proving to be a true ally in Ek’s efforts allow his client, HMS Host, to hold on to its concessions at Los Angeles Airport where, according to the LA Weekly, HMS Host has given LAX a reputation for “lousy food.” Few would disagree that LAX food is horrible and expensive, and LAX  had selected new concessionaires to replace HMS Host. But Trutanich raised a conflict of interest issue that allowed HMS Host to continue to supply “lousy food.”

The Tru Is False blog also raised questions about Trutanich’s relationship with Ek, noting that while Trutanich was a criminal defense attorney, he represented Ek when Ek was called to testify in a Grand Jury proceeding regarding campaign finance issues. Ek never testified.

Given the question marks surrounding Trutanich’s close relationship with the LAX lobbyist, one might have thought that Trutanich would seek to distance himself from Ek as he attempts to bunny hop from the from the City Attorney’s Office to the DA’s Office. Apparently not. Today the LA Times revealed that Ek had been a co-host at Trutanich’s cocktail reception with the ink barely dry at the LA Weekly.

Trutanich had probably planned his San Pedro cocktail reception well in advance of the embarrassing details of his relationship with the LAX lobbyist being revealed, but was clearly not bothered by what many might well think is the appearance of impropriety, perhaps even a conflict of interest. Some might think that Trutanich’s lack of concern is indicative of an arrogance of office, a “F you, I’m the City Attorney and I can do what I like!” mentality that epitomizes Trutanich’s reputation as a bully and a thug.

As a host listed on Trutanich’s mailer, Ek is expected to produce $25,000 in campaign contributions – that’s the price of getting the top billing on the mailer. But today, Trutanich’s campaign spokesman, John Shallman, told the LA Times that “Ek did not raise any money or give any contributions at the event.”Apparently the Times did not get a satisfactory answer to the obvious follow-up question “Well, if Ek wasn’t giving Trutanich and money, nor persuading any of his clients to do so, why is Ek listed as a host where the invitation clearly states ‘$25,000 Host/Raise’?” There must be an innocent explanation, surely?

Trutanich has to report all campaign contributions by the end of this month. His ever growing list of enemies will be examining that list carefully to see if any of Ek’s clients are listed as contributors.

Although it is perplexing to some that Trutanich, who projects himself as a “do the right thing kinda guy,” would align himself so closely and publicly with a lobbyist, it is not the first time that Trutanich’s conduct has raised eyebrows. Barely days after taking office, Trutanich claimed that there were “criminal aspects” to AEG’s handling of the Michael Jackson Memorial at Staples Center, and announced that his Bureau of Investigation was gathering evidence. A year later, the criminal aspects investigation abruptly ended without either criminal charges or a statement from Trutanich. A search of Trutanich’s campaign finance records showed a  his Office Holder committee had received free tickets to a Lady Gaga concert at LA Live, a venue operated by, AEG. There’s surely an innocent explanation, but, like the LAX concession “assist” to John Ek, it really looks bad.

Some might think that voters have a reasonable expectation to demand they highest of ethical standards from a candidate seeking to be the county’s top prosecutor. That Trutanich should forgo campaign contributions that look questionable, even if there is plausible innocent explanation. That does not appear to be Trutanich’s belief,

It has also been pointed out that Trutanich’s invitation lacks the required disclosure notice stating “Paid for by the Committee to Elect …” A small detail, perhaps, but again, the job of District Attorney is one that demands an attention to detail, and that too seems lacking.

The primary election for Los Angeles County’s next District Attorney will take place on June 5, 2012.

The above is attributed with thanks and appreciation to Politics Without Mercy.

Memorial Day Is A Day To Remember The Things Carmen Trutanich Wants You To Forget

Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen "Nuch" Trutanich has broken the record for becoming the biggest Political Pantload in the troubled history of politics in Los Angeles.

On this Memorial Day, 2011, we offer you this video to remind you of some of Trutanich's greatest jokes - his promises.

Troubled Times for Trutanich?

Los Angeles City Attorney, Carmen "the Clown" Trutanich appears to be loosing supporters faster than the City is loosing money.

The Los Angeles Dragnet Blog, historically supportive of Trutanich, seems to have joined the rest of the political commentators in no longer taking everything the City Attorney currently known as "the Clown" does at face value.

The Dragnet's report on Kevin James' announcement of his mayoral candidacy was interesting not so much for reportage of the right-wing talk show hosts campaign promises, but rather, for the speculation as to why Trutanich stayed away from an event which was not only on his doorstep, but but attended by his alleged "buddy" Steve Cooley. Read the Dragnet account of Trutanich's troubled times, they may have connected some dots.

Speaking of dots, Trutanich's former Special Assistant and alleged attack dog, cockney Brit David Berger, was also in attendance for Kevin James's photo op, and published this report of the Kevin James event, notably not mentioning the absence of Trutanich nor speculating that the City Attorney may be running shy of the media these days. Fishbowl LA yesterday accused the Trutanich administration of hiding a search tool from the City Attorney website which used to allow for searches of contracts. What could it be that Trutanich doesn't want us to see.....

Trutanich ACE Program Outed as Power-Grab and Cash-Stash

City Attorney Carmen Trutanich's "ACE" Program has been accused of being a "Power-Grab" and "Cash-Stash" by TRU is False, the blog that seems to exist solely to criticize the once popular City Attorney.

TRU is False routinely portrays Trutanich as a "Godfather" like megalomaniac
who works behind the scenes to gain power, control and influence   

In what appears to be a heavily biased article, TRU is False suggests that Trutanich has "hidden" key components of his "ACE" Program from the City Council who are expected to vote in favor of the plan to make the imposition and collection of fines for violations of the Los Angeles Municipal Code more efficient and cost-effective.

A key component of Trutanich's ACE Program is that the traditional system of code enforcement, which uses the existing criminal courts system, will be bypassed and instead enforced through a system of administrative courts that Trutanich not only controls, but staffs with his own judges, called "administrative hearing officers."

Under the ACE Program, Trutanich's prosecutors will sit as judges and hear cases based on a wide variety of violations for the Los Angeles Municipal Code ranging from animal cruelty, building code violations, even noisy house parties - in fact any violation of the LAMC is covered by ACE.

After the prosecutor-judge hears the evidence presented by code enforcement officers, a fine or "administrative penalty" can be imposed and collected by Trutanich through a Code Compliance Fund that he also administers. Because Trutanich's ACE is basically a civil administrative hearing, there is no right for a person charged with a violation to have a public defender.

Another advantage of ACE is that Trutanich's courts are able to keep all the money collected, whereas under the traditional criminal courts route, most of the money ends up going to Sacramento. Under ACE, Trutanich keeps all the money and then gives whatever is left to the city department or the General Fund after he has paid himself for the costs of running the ACE and paying his prosecutor-judges.

"ACE" is Trutanich's acronym for the Administrative Citations Enforcement Program which is very loosely based on similar programs such as one used in the City of San Diego.

But the ACE Program is not actually Trutanich's idea. It was Councilmember Paul Koretz who in January 2010 proposed a simple plan for code enforcement. In the year since Koretz made that proposal, his plan seems to have been hijacked by Trutanich and morphed into something probably far beyond anything Koretz envisaged, and something highly likely to be criticized by those concerned with the preservation of civil liberties.

TRU is False points out that Section 11.2.09 of Trutanich's ACE gives him the power to create the system and staff it with his own judges. Section 11.2.09 in fact reads "The City Attomey shall develop written policies and procedures for the hearing and appeals process in addition to developing written policies and procedures for the selection and appointment of one or more independent Administrative Hearing Officers to hear and decide administrative citation appeals. The administrative hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the procedures promulgated by the City Attomey." It seems highly likely that there is an inherent conflict of interest in allowing the City's prosecutor to set up a court system, staff it with prosecutor-judges, and tell them what to do.

That conflict of interest would seem to be even more problematic because of Trutanich's ability to control the disposition of money collected by his prosecutor-judges. As TRU is False points out, under Section 5.121.11 of Trutanich's ACE, called the "Creation and Administration of Fund" sub-section "(a) There is hereby created and established in the Treasury of the City of Los Angeles a special fund to be known as the Code Compliance Fund (the "Fund"). All monies collected pursuant to Chapter 1, Article 1.2, Sections 11.2.1 and following, of the Los Angeles Municipal Code shall be deposited into the Fund. The fund shall be administered by the City Attorney's Office." So it does at least appear that Trutanich has a considerable financial interest in ACE.

TRU is False also identifies a third problem with Trutanich's ACE, under Section 11.2.09(B)(6) he has given himself Grand Jury-like subpoena powers. The Section allows Trutanich's prosecutor-judge to "subpoena witnesses, documents and other evidence in accordance with the policies and procedures established by the City Attorney." This power to order the production of documents, evidence that he otherwise has no power to obtain, presents a very real problem as there is virtually no limit as to what one of his prosecutor-judges can be ordered to force a resident or a corporation to disclose, provided that some violation of the LAMC is alleged.

Despite the apparent unconstitutionality of Trutanich's ACE, he has peppered his proposed ordinance with language claiming to be "consistent with due process principles." However, keen observers will recall that key portions of Trutanich's medical marijuana ordinance were recently found to be unconstitutional, suggesting that Trutanich may not be the best arbiter of constitutionality. That tends to be decided in real courts of law where Trutanich does not get to choose the judges, or tell them what to do.

All in all, Trutanich seems to be giving himself McCarthy type powers with J. Edgar Hoover type clandestine authority. Trutanich is likely banking on the fact that City Council's need to obtain new revenue sources will blind them to the reality of his ACE which not only siphons off that revenue to fund his office, but also may cost the City far more in litigating the constitutionality of his ACE.

Even if Trutanich can convince the City Council that his ACE is lawful, many may be fearful of trusting Trutanich with these enhanced powers. In July 2011, the Trutanich administration will have held power for two years. During that time Trutanich could be said to have played fast and loose with his legal authority. His ill-fated 'criminal aspects' investigation into the Michael Jackson memorial, bullying threats to arrest a City Councilmember and city department workers over AEG's billboards, his failure draft a constitutional medical marijuana ordinance and his recent "aggressive stance" handling of student political protesters, must all raise serious question marks as to how Trutanich will conduct himself with new far-reaching powers.

Perhaps the City Council will have the good sense to realize that the ACE program itself is not the problem, placing it in the hands of Trutanich is. The solution? Create an independent department similar to the City Ethics Commission where judges can be independently selected, and the Municipal Code can be enforced fairly. All that needs to be done is a little "Cut and Paste." Cut references to "City Attorney" out of ACE, and paste in the name of an independent body to administer the program.

Trutanich: "I am not a thug"

President Nixon (left) and City Attorney Trutanich (right)
Would you buy a used car from either of them?

Before backing down from his untenable prosecution of student political protesters, Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen "Nuch" Trutanich (aka "Clown") made a last gasp effort to "Nuch" LA Weekly reporter Gene Maddaus over a Goodfellas style lunch at Ciro's Mexican restaurant.

It failed, and if there's one thing Trutanich cannot handle, it's failure. So to avoid further humiliation, Trutanich ordered his deputies to drop the charges against the student protesters.

"I am not a thug" Trutanich told Maddaus who seemed to be the first reporter not to be "Nuched" - that's the word that best describes the rather facile way Trutanich seeks to win over those who don't readily drink his own particular brand of Koolaide. First, he arranges to meet you in unassuming surroundings - Ciro's is a perfect setting. It shows he's a 'man of the people' and of humble and ordinary tastes (If you're a fundraiser, you'll meet at the Jonathan Club, but for a reporter it's Ciro's).

Then there will be a few anecdotal stories about his allegedly humble origins. One such story was how he was so broke raising a family that he could not afford to buy a new battery for his car. Every morning he had to push the car to get it rolling before jumping in, sticking it in gear, starting the engine and driving off to work at the DA's Office. The story is designed to sell the image of a man of humble origins; a regular guy. Trutanich seems to have stopped using the car story after a family member blurted out that the car in question was a Porsche 911 Carrera.

Next up is a teary-eyed, choked-speech line like "I love my job and I'm humbled by the responsibility the voters have given me," and/or "I'm just trying to do the right thing," to justify his latest jack-boot style policy; like reneging on his agreement that the City Controller had the power to audit City departments, or turning his back on the medical marijuana community who were fooled into supporting him before he knifed them in the back, or, threatening to arrest Council Member Jan Perry and AEG boss Tim Leiweke over billboards at LA Live, or throwing a businessman in jail on a Friday night on $1M bail for a misdemeanor, or the straw that broke the camel's back; threatening student protesters with a year in jail.

As the victim of the "Nuch" desperately tries to turn the meeting back to the topic at hand, Trutanich will then ramble on and on, jumping from topic to topic - it's a strategy known as "distract and  disarm," and is skillfully delivered so that the victim either forgets the question he wanted to ask, or is so bamboozled by the incoherent off-topic drivel that he just gives up.

Finally, Trutanich delivers the coupe de grace; the male bonding thing. You'll get grabbed with a bear hug as he slaps your back. It's just like a scene from the Godfather when Michael Corleone hugs his brother Fredo, tells him "Fredo you're my brother and I love you" before having Fredo shot in the back of the head and unceremoniously dumped into Lake Tahoe. While Trutanich has you in that embrace, the hand that slaps your back is feeling for the soft spot to plunge the knife. As he tells you "We'll be friends for life" his eyes are as cold as shark's and almost as lethal. He smiles, says "I love you man," because you've been "Nuched."


It seemed to have worked with LA Times columnist Steve Lopez, who was won over for a while after being "Nuched" at a cigar store first, and then invited to be a guinea pig test driver to see the effects of marijuana while driving a police car on a private track. "How can you not like a guy who asks you to get high and drive a police car?" joked Lopez, but Lopez very quickly got himself "un-Nuched" when Lopez balked at a year in jail for the student protesters.

Another previously "Nuched" victim was KABC talk radio host Peter Tilden. Tilden was "Nuched" when he, too, was invited to spliff-up, get high, and drive a cop car with Lopez. Like Lopez,  Tilden quickly got "un-Nuched" during a recent interview with Trutanich over the student protesters.

So kuddos to LA Weekly's Gene Maddaus for resisting the "Nuch" and reporting on the reality of life in the warped world of Carmen Trutanich. Oh, and Gene, why don't you give Trutanich's "buddy" District Attorney Steve Cooley a call and find out if they really are still buddies like Trutanich says? Apparently the pair haven't spoken since December 15, 2010. It could be that Steve Cooley also got himself "un-Nuched."

Critics Claim Covert Clown Campaigning

Although he's denied that he's running for District Attorney publicly, the Los Angeles Dragnet Blog continues to insist that Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutanich is running a stealth campaign to become LA's next District Attorney.

We take a humorous view of what Carmen the Clown's campaign might look like:

Trutanich Backs Down From Jail Time Demand

City Attorney Carmen Trutanich has backed down from his demand for jail time for political protesters and will comply with the policy set by his predecessor, Rocky Delgadillo, according to this report from the Los Angeles Dragnet Blog:

City Attorney Carmen Trutanich Backs-Off Jail Time for Protesters

The Political Pantloads Blog portrayed Trutanich alongside Stalin and Mubarak
in reference to the erstwhile "People's Lawyer's" aggressive stance against political protesters.

 Perhaps sensing that his "aggressive stance" against political protesters isn't proving to be a winning strategy with Los Angelenos, stealth DA candidate Carmen Trutanich appears to be backing-off his jail time demands. In a breakfast drive time interview with KABC AM790's Peter Tilden, Trutanich sounded subdued, distracted and perhaps even despondent as he was drilled by his one-time BFF and DUI Marijuana guinea pig over his jail time demands.

As both Tilden and co-host Teressa Strasser railed on Trutanich expressing their incredulity at his jail time demands, Trutanich suddenly said "There's not going to be any time!"

Perhaps Trutanich should have made his volte face clear to his other BFF, LA Times columnist Steve Lopez, who once again blasted Trutanich over his mishandling of this event.

Trutanich is believed to have retained the services of campaign strategist John Shallman for his stealth campaign to become DA in 2012. Perhaps Trutanich should pay closer attention to the advice of experts, but then again, leopards don't change their spots.

There is little doubt that Trutanich will have to admit defeat over his micro-management of "Political ProtesterGate," and give the protesters the fine and infraction that was the practice established by his predecessor Rocky Delgadillo for over enthusiastic protesters with otherwise unblemished records.

Regardless of when and how Trutanich backs-down from his jail time demands, the damage to Trutanich's political aspirations appears to be significant. Doubts are now being cast as to Trutanich's veracity over his claims that there were "professional protesters" and that an ambulance was prevented from accessing a hospital during the protest. Memories of the Micheal Jackson memorial "criminal aspects" investigation come to mind.

Trutanich's Totalitarianism Tackles Troublemakers

Stalin, Mubarak & Trutanich
Past, present & future tyrant-bullies?

Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutanich is taking an "aggressive stance" against political protesters, according to reports in the blogs (Street-Hassle and LA Dragnet) as well as the mainstream media, notably the Los Angeles Times.

Validating criticisms that he is a bully and a micro-manager, according to the LA Times, Trutanich has taken control of the prosecution of the political protesters and overturned his Office's established procedures in dealing with those who express their 1st Amendment rights a little too vocally.

Political protesters will face a year in jail under what seems to be Trutanich's notion of the fair exercise of prosecutorial discretion, a move that has angered all but a small group of Los Angelenos who support Trutanich's regime and are opposed to the Dream Act.

Some will find Trutanich's decision to take away the decision on how to handle political protesters from career prosecutors and into the hands of political followers, troubling. While Trutanich has been criticized in the past for his limited knowledge of law, it seems he has learned well the ways of tyrants who stifle free speech with draconian laws.

Carmen Trutanich Makes Fool Of Himself - Again

Excellent report at the Los Angeles Dragnet, of Carmen the Clown Trutanich's "Kayne West" moment when he disrupted the South East District Bar Association awards dinner on Saturday, January 29, 2011.

Apparently Carmen the Clown must have felt slighted because he was not named on the award program, was not seated at a VIP table, and was not invited to speak.

The Clown nevertheless interrupted a presentation being given to Deputy District Attorney Mario Trujillo for being SEDBA's "Attorney of the Year" and bullied his way to the podium, grabbed the mic and proceeded to make an even bigger fool of himself.

Here's the report from LA Dragnet:

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Carmen "the Clown" Trutanich (Photo Credit: LA Dragnet & TRU is False)

Cooley was just about to present Trujillo with his award; to the shock of the audience City Attorney Carmen Trutanich interrupted the proceedings.

"Wait! Wait! Wait!" screamed Trutanich as he forged his way to the podium and grabbed center stage. Trutanich, who had arrived at the awards dinner late and was not listed as a speaker, had been confined to a table in the far corner of the room as the capacity crowd were already seated. He had been observed craning his neck around the room, perhaps looking for a better seating position.

Suddenly Trutanich was on his feet armed with an fistful of calligraphic scrolls, and was not going to be stopped. In what appeared to many as something of a "Kayne West - Taylor Swift" moment, Trutanich proceeded to give his own impromptu speech recognizing the achievements of not only Mario Trujillo, but the other honorees who had not yet even been introduced.

Judging by reports of the audience's reaction, this was not a welcome interruption, and Trutanich's excuse that he had interrupt because he had leave early to catch a plane to DC, was singularly unimpressive. He could have been flying to Idaho for all anyone seemed to care, "and the sooner the better" was how one of the guests summed up this fiasco.

As Trutanich left the room, perhaps DC bound, perhaps not, few had any doubts as to Trutanich's true motive, and if he had previously enjoyed the support of the South East District Bar Association, those days now appear to be over.

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Some are speculating that the once popular City Attorney felt the need to make a public appearance with Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley as rumors are rife that the pair are not on speaking terms. Indeed, the LA Weekly yesterday reported that the Clown felt forced to "break the rules" at a San Pedro eatery to make a public announcement - perhaps intended to assure his support base that he's still an important person and Cooley is his BFF.

Trutanich swept into Los Angeles City Hall on the crest of a wave of "I'm a prosecutor not a politician"propaganda. His recent antics and abysmal failure over the Michael Jackson 'criminal aspects' debacle, leave little doubt that he is very much a politician, and not so much a prosecutor.

Trutanich's Run for DA Strains Relationships

Once joined at the hip, the dynamic duo of Cooley & Trutanich is said to be over.

Speculation in the LA Times and elsewhere that Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutanich will run for District Attorney in 2012 is said to have destroyed the close relationship between Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley and Trutanich.

Cooley had campaigned heavily to help Trutanich win the 2009 City Attorney election and considered Trutanich a good candidate for City Hall. However, when Cooley ran for Attorney General in the November 2010 mid terms, Cooley did not consider Trutanich as a possible replacement.

Trutanich had publicly promised not to run for District Attorney until at least the completion of his first term (2013), and perhaps the only way that Trutanich could possibly have been released from that promise would be if Cooley had won the AG race, and then be asked, either by Cooley or the Board of Supervisors, to fill the role of DA on an interim basis for the balance of Cooley's term.

That became a moot point when Cooley conceded the AG race after narrowly losing to Kamala Harris. However, Trutanich's ambition to become "The DA" and thus avoid the growing backlash of discontentment with his imperious leadership of the City Attorney's Office, has not been diminished.

Trutanich must have felt slighted when Cooley told the press that he believed Trutanich still had a job to finish at the City Attorney's Office, and could not run. Cooley also mentioned Assistant District Attorney Jackie Lacey and Deputy District Attorney Alan Jackson as "well qualified" for the job, implying that Trutanich was unfit to handle the responsibility of managing over 1,000 attorneys, 2,000 support staff, and 260 investigators. Many would agree with Cooley.

It is understood that Jackson has retained John Thomas as campaign manager, however the rumor mill has it that when Lacey sought the services of John Shallman, who has long worked on campaigns for Cooley and more recently at Cooley's request for Trutanich's City Attorney bid, Shallman indicated that he was committed to Trutanich.

Campaign manager John Shallman is said to be already committed to
Carmen Trutanich's campaign to run for District Attorney in 2012.

Shallman will have his hands full fielding Trutanich for DA. Apart from overcoming the lack of support from Cooley, Shallman will somehow have to explain how anyone can trust the word of Trutanich when he is openly reneging on a sworn promise to fulfill a full first term as City Attorney and to seek a second term. It seems that Trutanich will have to abandon his 2009 motto "I'm a prosecutor, not a politician," when he officially announces the worst kept secret in LA.