LOS ANGELES—Los Angeles mayoral candidate Rick Caruso announced on Feb. 28 his support for the recall of Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón, after previously backing him during the now controversial district attorney’s 2020 campaign.
Previously, Caruso, who served on the LAPD’s Police Commission from 2001 to 2003, co-hosted a fundraiser for Gascon’s campaign against Los Angeles District Attorney Jackie Lacey and donated $3,000 to his campaign.
Gascón, 67, was previously a patrol officer with the Los Angeles Police Department and worked his way up the ranks to Assistant Chief of Police under then LAPD Chief William Bratton in the 2000s.
But the billionaire businessman later soured on Gascón after he announced progressive policy reforms, such as eliminating sentencing enhancements for suspects who use a gun during a crime and reducing sentences for some crimes. Caruso later donated $45,000 to incumbent Jackie Lacey’s campaign.
“Once [Gascón’s] campaign started rolling out, and I was hearing about what his plans were, I quickly pivoted,” Caruso told Fox News reporter Elex Michaelson in an interview last week.
Caruso will be donating $50,000 to the recall effort, according to his campaign manager Peter Ragone.
Leaders of the effort to recall Gascón said they “are grateful for the support and generous contribution.”
“We hope that all candidates, community leaders, and elected officials will continue to get behind the recall of George Gascón, so we can restore public safety in Los Angeles,” recall spokesperson Tim Lineberger told The Epoch Times in an email.
Mayoral candidate and LA Councilman Joe Buscaino announced his support for Gascón’s recall on Jan. 31.
Several other organizations have endorsed the recall of Gascón, including the Association of Deputy District Attorneys, the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, and the Los Angeles Police Protective League.
