Wave Wire Services
LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón defended his record Oct. 8 as challenger Nathan Hochman went after Gascón’s “blanket policies,” which he says has contributed to an increase in crime.
During a one-hour debate hosted by KNX News and the Los Angeles Times, the candidates traded barbs and presented their cases as to who is better equipped to lead the nation’s largest local prosecutorial office.
Gascón highlighted his progressive policies — several of which he implemented once he took office in 2020 — such as limiting extra-long sentences for people accused of using a gun or being a gang member, prosecutions of juveniles as adults and no longer seeking the death penalty, though he later revised some of his policies.
Gascón’s policies have been criticized for being too lenient on crime — an issue Hochman hounded Gascón and further pressed by arguing it has led to an increase in crime across the county. Hochman has said he would revoke several of Gascón’s policies.
Hochman touted his “hard middle approach” to crime, stating that it will not lead to mass incarceration but rather cases would be reviewed individually and punishment is proportional for the crime committed.
According to the California Department of Justice, violent crime is up about 8% from 2019 to 2023 countywide, but in Los Angeles violent crime decreased by about 6%.
“We should not be worse than any other D.A.’s office out there,” Hochman said. “The L.A. County D.A.’s Office used to be the gold standard by which all other D.A.’s Offices were measured.”
Gascón pushed back noting that the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office gold standard before was being the “most carceral county in the country.” There were issues as well with the death penalty, sending juveniles to adult prisons and addressing police misconduct — all things he has worked to undo, Gascón argued.
The candidates addressed the rise in property crimes and public safety concerns related to them.
“The reality is that the problem of policing certain crimes is not unique to our county,” Gascón said. “Frankly, it’s not unique to the moment, but the job of the district attorney is not to police. The job of the district attorney is to prosecute, and when cases are being brought in front of us, we’re looking at those cases and we’re holding people accountable the way that we can do best.”
Hochman painted a different picture, citing high-profile robberies of homes, 7-Eleven stores, retail and other local businesses.
“We need to send a very strong message of enforcement, accountability and ultimately deterrent to those residential burglaries, and if they’re coming, for instance, overseas from Chile or from Venezuela, we have to work with the federal government,” Hochman said.
Gascón countered with his office having a 90% filing rate related to residential burglaries, emphasizing that suspects in such crimes are being held accountable.
Gascón survived two attempts to recall him, and during his tenure has also been accused by 20 prosecutors of workplace retaliation.
Hochman harped on the issue of morale, which he described as being at an “all-time low.” He added, “That is your legacy, Mr. Gascón, you’ve created a dysfunctional office.”
Gascón acknowledged that when he ran in 2020 there were people who opposed him, and there are still some who continue to oppose him now, yet he has a large segment of the office that “continues to support the work.”
On his record of prosecuting law enforcement officers accused of misconduct or excessive force, Gascón touted “moving the needle” in 125 cases and getting some convictions. Though he recognized that he will continue to address the culture of the system, where often when a police officer commits a crime they are not being held accountable.
Gascón commented that Hochman may not be capable of handling such cases, referencing his challengers’ endorsements and campaign contributions from unions representing law enforcement officers.
Hochman noted he was a co-founder of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Foundation, which raises funds to support the department.
“When I speak to police officers, I make it crystal clear, if you cross the line, you will be prosecuted,” Hochman added.
In final remarks, Gascón touted his progressive values — evoking a similar message from his 2020 campaign.
“When you listen to my opponent, you’re listening to code talk for mass incarceration,” Gascón said. “You’re often listening to someone that believes — from a very privileged point — that he has the answer for the rest of our community, and is very willing to take us back to where we were before.”
Hochman recounted why he ran for district attorney, “I need to support parents. I need to support families. I need to support store owners, victims, law enforcement, and prosecutors.”