Homes of LA County officials searched as part of ‘corruption investigation,’ LASD says

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (KABC) — A search warrant was served at the homes of Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl and other county officials in connection to an “ongoing public corruption investigation,” the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department announced.

According to LASD, the homes of Kuehl and L.A. County Civilian Oversight Commissioner Patricia “Patti” Giggans were searched Wednesday morning.

The search warrant, signed by Judge Craig Richman, who reportedly has close ties to LASD’s Public Corruption Unit, doesn’t explicitly state what investigators are looking for. The warrant doesn’t require that information.

This reportedly stems from a dispute over a contract several years ago involving a METRO sexual harassment hotline. Peace Over Violence, the nonprofit organization in charge of running it, is led by Higgins, who is close friends with Kuehl.

There are allegations that there was a conflict of interest in awarding the contract and how the hotline was run. Kuehl denies those claims, including whether she was aware of an investigation to begin with.

“Everybody’s going to say, ‘Well she must’ve done something or they wouldn’t have come to her house. No.,” said Kuehl in front of her Santa Monica home as deputies continued their search. “This is all about a contract, which I had nothing to do, and there’s no ongoing investigation. The sheriff should have better control of his department.”

The supervisor, who represents L.A. County’s 3rd District, said deputies took some electronic devices among other items. Giggans, who also denies any wrongdoing, had her vehicle taken during Wednesday morning’s search at her home.

In addition, deputies searched the L.A. County Hall of Administration, the Peace Over Violence’s headquarters and the METRO headquarters.

“The investigation has been shared with a federal agency and they continue to monitor,” LASD said in a statement. “This remains an active investigation and we are unable to comment further at this time, although in full transparency the search warrant has been posted online at LASD.org.”

Sheriff Alex Villanueva has not personally issued a formal statement regarding the search warrants.

This is a developing story. This article will continue to be updated as more information becomes available.