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Paul Tanaka, the former top LA County sheriff's official who improbably ran for the big job last year, and an ex-captain were indicted by a federal grand jury investigating excessive force and corruption in the county jails that the sheriff runs. The grand jury also looked at the moves by LASD senior staff to hide a jailed informant from the federal agents investigating LA's despicable jails. Tanaka, who remains in his long-time post as the mayor of Gardena, denied any wrongdoing through his attorney. Capt. William Carey also surrendered Thursday in the federal case.
Several lower-level level deputies and managers were previously charged, but these are the first indictments against senior officials who worked under Sheriff Lee Baca. He resigned as sheriff last year, after federal prosecutors began to charge people he supervised.
Jim McDonnell was elected sheriff last year.
