The City Attorney Race

Host:

Warren Olney

Produced by:

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Carmen Trutanich lost a bid to be LA County's District Attorney. Now he's running for re-election as the City Attorney of LA. Two opponents are former Councilman, now termed-out Assemblyman, Mike Feuer and Greg Smith, a private attorney who's won millions for cops and firefighters who've sued LA and other cities. The City Attorney is the only official elected city-wide except for the Mayor and Controller. We ask the candidates about their priorities and get each of them to assess the other. On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, is the Sequester an economic disaster or political theater?

Banner image: (L-R) LA City Attorney candidates Mike Feuer, Greg Smith and Carmen Trutanich

NOTE: As of Monday, February 25, this portion of audio aired on KCRW, but is not available online except through the Soundcloud embed below.

During tonight's debate, City Attorney Carmen Trutanich accused former Assemblyman Mike Feuer of changing his position on the proposed sales tax increase, Measure A, from yes to no. Feuer denied it. After the program was over, Trutanich's campaign aide John Schwada told Warren Olney that Trutanich was wrong. There is no evidence that Feuer ever supported Measure A.

The Los Angeles City Attorney defends the city against civil lawsuits and prosecutes misdemeanor offenses. He or she provides legal counsel to the mayor, the city council and departments and drafts all new laws and ordinances. We're joined by three candidates in the studio: incumbent Carmen Trutanich, Mike Feuer, who was termed out of the state assembly last year, and private attorney Greg Smith. A fourth candidate, Noel Weiss, is on the ballot, but has not raised money and doesn't appear to be campaigning. One former attorney, Burt Pines, has said it's an office with broad powers so, "it just depends on what you want to do."

Guests:

Carmen Trutanich: Los Angeles City Attorney, @CarmenTrutanich
Mike Feuer: former California Assemblyman, @Mike_Feuer
Greg Smith: attorney in private practice, @GregSmith2013

Underwriters

Which Way L.A.? is made possible in part by the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation and the Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation.

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