Update: L.A. Sheriff Alex Villanueva to return to KFI
The current and controversial Los Angeles County Sheriff is preparing to return to the local airwaves. “Live and Unscripted with LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva” will debut Sunday from 8 until 10 p.m.
The station offered the following description:
The new weekly program is back by popular demand and is hosted by Alex Villanueva, who runs the country’s largest sheriff’s department. Every Sunday, listeners can join the show to hear the hottest topics on the mind of LA County residents: homelessness, crime, corruption and politics. Villanueva will also feature guests who will explain the inner workings of the various bureaus in his department.
A veteran of the L.A. Sheriff's Department since 1986, Villanueva was elected to the office in 2018, the first Democratic candidate in 138 years. He ran on a platform of "reform, rebuild and restore" the Department after former Sheriff Lee Baca and Undersheriff Paul Tanaka were indicted and convicted on corruption charges. Villanueva ousted Baca's replacement, Sheriff Jim McDonnell, the latter claiming not enough had been done to "clean house...But he didn't do that." Villanueva told the Los Angeles Times, "it was 'management by gotcha.'"
Villanueva's tenure has been contentious at best. He has clashed repeatedly with the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, who criticize the Sheriff for blocking oversight and outspending his Department's budget. The Board voted last year to develop a plan to remove Villanueva, citing both mismanagement and his lack of action with officer misconduct, including nearly $150 million in settlements because of deputies being involved in civil rights violations, excessive force, retaliation, and officer-involved shootings. Villanueva touts his progress including the removal of federal immigration officers from county jails, outfitting deputies with body cameras, and addressing concerns about illicit gangs and cliques within the Sheriff's Department. Villanueva raised the ire of the Board over his efforts to rehire Caren Carl Mandoyan, who had been fired by McDonnell following an investigation of domestic abuse. In July 2021, Villanueva received both praise and condemnation for his threats to remove homeless encampments on Venice Beach.
In the station's press release, Program Director Robin Bertolucci said “Sheriff Alex Villanueva is a straight talker and KFI has always welcomed bold talk.”
It's not the first time a law enforcement official has found a talk home at KFI. In 1993, former Los Angeles City Police Chief Daryl Gates did a fifteen-month stint, starting in afternoon drive. Gates also was considered a controversial figure, retiring in the aftermath of the Rodney King incident.
"I'm happy to have this ability to connect with residents and business owners to share ideas and discuss public safety,” said Sheriff Villanueva about his new KFI show.
It is absolutely wrong to give Alex Villanueva a show on KFI, and possibly illegal. VIllanueva is running for reelection for LA County Sheriff, and giving him a show violates the "equal time rule. Will KFI also give a weekly show to all 6 of his opponents also running for LA County Sheriff?
ReplyDeleteI've had several people ask me this question. When I learn anything, I'll share it with you.
DeleteThe Los Angeles Times has an article about KFI violating the "equal time rule" due to this VIllanueva radio show. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-03-08/sheriff-election-complaint-kfi
ReplyDelete