An outgoing Los Angeles prosecutor has slammed woke DA George Gascon over his soft policies as violent crime in the city is up 8 percent since he took over.
Mark Burnley, who’s worked with the DA’s office since 1999, condemned his boss in a letter delivered on his final day with the office on Thursday, Fox News reports.
In the letter, Burnley said Gascon turned America’s largest DA office into a ‘managerial dumpster fire,’ claiming that his boss’s sweeping criminal justice reforms has done more harm than good.
‘For example, you seemed completely unaware of how your policies would impact hate crime and financial crime prosecutions,’ Burnley wrote. ‘The combination of arrogance and inexperience was obvious.’
Since Gascon took office in December 2020, LA has seen homicides, robberies and assaults run rampant, with violent crime up 8.3 percent within the two-year span.
The woke DA is currently under fire for ordering his prosecutors to avoid filing criminal charges against undocumented immigrants – so that they don’t get deported.
Outgoing Los Angeles prosecutor Mark Burnley slammed his boss, woke DA George Gascon (pictured), in his goodbye letter on Thursday
In his goodbye letter, Burnley lamented as to what has become of the DA’s office since Gascon was sworn in.
‘Until December 2020, I thought I had the best job in the world,’ Burnley wrote. ‘I am constantly amazed by the expertise and knowledge of the DDAs in this office.
‘They are deeply devoted and have a breathtaking amount of experience. It’s a shame you cannot or will not recognize that.’
Gascon has been vocal about his belief that the criminal justice system needs to focus more on intervention and rehabilitation, blasting ‘tough on crime’ policies as racist and a failure.
And following his first 100 days in office, he touted the changes he has made to the city’s justice system – including limiting the use of sentencing enhancements.
The California penal code has more than 100 enhancements that could add time to a convict’s sentence depending on the situation, most of which date back to when California was facing soaring crime in the 1980s and 1990s.
But under Gascon’s reign, the use of those enhancements have been greatly reduced, with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office 5,138 enhancements during his first three months – a 71 percent drop when compared to the same time the year before.
Gascon also barred prosecutors from charging juveniles as adults, regardless of the severity of their alleged crimes.
Burnley claimed that the office was blindsided by the sweeping changes after being told by a member of Gascon’s transition team that there would be no ‘dramatic’ changes.
Eric Siddall, vice president of the Association of Deputy District Attorneys for Los Angeles County, echoed the feeling of confusion during Gascon’s first days in office.
‘Many of us hoped, like Mark Burnley, that George Gascon could run a government office,’ Siddall said in a statement. ‘He made it clear, from the first minute of his administration, that he could not.
‘Nothing has changed since then. Gascon and his cronies have made Southwest Airlines’ executive team look like a bunch of managerial geniuses.
Siddall added: ‘Dedicated public servants are leaving the office in record numbers. Interest in joining the office is at a historic low. And the people of Los Angeles are paying the price. Burnley is right: competence matters.’
Burnley also reiterated allegations that Gascon retaliated against prosecutors who stood up against his orders, including famed attorney John Lewin (pictured)
Gascon has survived two recall votes against him following backlash over soaring crime rates since he took office in 2020
Burnley also accused Gascon of retaliating against his own prosecutors who have criticized him.
‘You have also shattered the personal and professional lives of scores of people who decided to devote their legal educations to public service,’ Burnley wrote.
Among those who were allegedly demoted for standing against Gascon was top prosecutor John Lewin, a decorated 30-year veteran of the department who prosecuted the infamous murderer Robert Durst.
Burnley ultimately called for Gascon to review his time in office and make the appropriate changes needed to restore integrity to the DA’s office.
‘Hopefully you will display more humility and less arrogance during the remainder of your term,’ Burnley said. ‘What have you learned from the two recall efforts? It takes courage and integrity to conduct an honest self-assessment; I doubt you’re up to the task.’
Gascon’s office did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com’s request for comment.
In the two years under Gascon, overall violent crime in LA is up 8.3 percent
Burnley’s criticism was the latest levied against the woke DA, who has survived two recall efforts over his policies and soaring crime.
Homicides in the city are up 7.8 percent so far this year compared to 2020, with 373 cases reported.
Robberies also up by 13.2 percent, and aggravated assaults have increased by 7.7 percent within the last two years.
Although crime has seen a downtick between 2021 and 2022, overall crime in the last year is still up nearly 1 percent.
The city has also seen a rise in the number of violent crimes committed by felons who were freed from prison as a result of Gascon’s reforms.
Among them was burglar Aariel Maynor, who killed philanthropist Jacqueline Avant, the wife of legendary music executive Clarence Avant, earlier this year.
Maynor has previous felony convictions for assault, robbery and grand theft and was on parole at the time of the shooting.
Aariel Maynor, who confessed last month to fatally shooting 81-year-old philanthropist Jacqueline Avant during a botched raid of the couple’s $7million mansion in a gated Beverly Hills community in December, has been sentenced to a minimum of 150 years in prison, after it was revealed he bragged to friends about the murder from jail following his arrest
Shawn Laval Smith, 31, stabbed her 11 times in the chest, five in her left arm, three in her left leg, and one in her pelvis. She was also stabbed in her abdomen, right arm and right leg, according to the report which was obtained by the New York Post
Jennifer Bledsoe Bean , 21, was leaving a bonfire on June 12 in Playa Del Ray when Neal Cooper, 27, plowed into her car at 100mph. She was killed on impact, but Cooper was allowed to walk free after posting a reduced bail
There have been other numerous instances where Gascon’s ‘soft-on-crime’ approach has led to terrible consequences for victims.
Brianna Kupfer, 24, was murdered at a Los Angeles furniture store where she was working. Her alleged killer, Shawn Laval Smith, 31, who has a rap sheet spanning two coasts, was out on bail when the attack occurred.
One week before the killing, Smith was arrested and charged with violent crimes in at least three states.
This summer, California woman Marissa Young was left unrecognizable after she was horrifically attacked and raped by a homeless man Darrel Waters while walking her dogs on July 31. He was charged with rape, oral copulation, and sexual penetration with force.
Just days earlier, he had been arrested for illegally having a dagger, but was released. Torrance City Attorney’s Office – which falls under the LA County District Attorney’s Office – said Waters release was ‘in accordance with the penal code.’
And devastated family called for change after Jennifer Bledsoe Bean, 21, was leaving a bonfire on June 12 in Playa Del Ray when Neal Cooper, 27, plowed into her car at 100mph. She was killed on impact, but Cooper was allowed to walk free after posting a reduced bail.
He had previously been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in another crash back in February in Manhattan Beach but was released on his own recognizance under Gascon’s lax sentencing laws.
‘SOFT-ON-CRIME’ Los Angeles DA: George Gascon has been slammed for spike in crime thanks to his progressive policies
December 2021
– Gascón tried to have the two previous ‘strikes’ in the case of a mother accused of murdering her daughter removed. Akira Keyshell Smith, 36, is facing charges for murder, assault on a child, and torture in the death of Eternity Smith, four, who died in August 2020.
January 2022
Hannah Tubbs is pictured in their November 2021 booking photo
– Hannah Tubbs, 26, pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl in the bathroom of a Palmdale, California, branch of Denny’s in 2014 when she was 17.
Gascón said she should be tried as a juvenile – and Tubbs was caught on a recorded line in prison bragging about Gascon’s lenient sentence. In February, he admitted it was too soft.
– Brianna Kupfer, 24, was murdered at a Los Angeles furniture store where she was working. Her alleged killer, Shawn Laval Smith, 31, who has a rap sheet spanning two coasts, was out on bail when the attack occurred.
One week before the killing, Smith was arrested and charged with violent crimes in at least three states.
February 2022
– Gascón admits that a policy he was elected on – a ban on life sentences in murder cases – was not always correct.
– Former Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck has rescinded his support of Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón, joining a chorus of law enforcement officials and victims’ advocates who have expressed concern over what they deem Gascón’s soft-on-crime policies.
May 2022
– Dave Chappelle is attacked on stage by Isaiah Lee, 23, on May 3. Lee was booked for suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, and Gascón decided not to prosecute Lee for a felony.
They said that, while criminal conduct occurred, they believe it ‘did not constitute felony conduct’ and was only a misdemeanor. Chappelle’s attorney said he was ‘upset’ at Gascón’s decision.
– A California parole panel recommended the release of Charles Manson’s follower Patricia Krenwinkel for the first time. Krenwinkel, 74, was previously denied parole 14 times for the slayings of pregnant actor Sharon Tate and four other people in 1969. Yet, for the first time, LA County prosecutors weren’t at the parole hearing to object, under Gascón’s policy that prosecutors should not be involved in deciding whether prisoners are ready for release.
June 2022
Jennifer Bledsoe Bean, 21, was leaving a bonfire on June 12 in Playa Del Ray when Neal Cooper, 27, plowed into her car
– California Appeals Court rules that Gascón cannot order prosecutors to ignore the state’s three-strikes law, that may increase prison terms when filing criminal charges.
– Gascón’s office asks for a mere seven-months at a ‘juvenile probation camp,’ rather than in juvenile detention for a 16-year-old who nearly ran down a mother and her infant while driving a stolen car under the influence of drugs.
– Jennifer Bledsoe Bean, 21, was leaving a bonfire on June 12 in Playa Del Ray when Neal Cooper, 27, plowed into her car at 100mph.
She was killed on impact, but Cooper was allowed to walk free after posting a reduced bail. He had previously been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in another crash back in February in Manhattan Beach but was released on his own recognizance under Gascon’s lax sentencing laws.
July 2022
Waters (pictured) had been released from jail a few days prior for knife charges
– California woman Marissa Young was left unrecognizable after she was horrifically attacked and raped by a homeless man Darrel Waters while walking her dogs on July 31. He was charged with rape, oral copulation, and sexual penetration with force.
Just days earlier, he had been arrested for illegally having a dagger, but was released. Torrance City Attorney’s Office – which falls under the LA County District Attorney’s Office – said Waters release was ‘in accordance with the penal code.’
Marissa Young, 44, of Torrance, (pictured before and after) was brutally attacked and raped on July 31 by a homeless man cops say is Darrel Waters, 46
September 2022
– The 16-year-old who ran down a mother and her infant is granted a hearing for a request to be released from juvenile probation camp early
November 2022
– John Lewin, who prosecuted the infamous murderer Robert Durst, accused Gascón of ‘illegal and unethical conduct’ in a searing public letter. Lewin said he and his colleague John McKinney, who won a conviction against Nipsey Hussle’s murderer this summer, were demoted after blowing the whistle on Gascón for implementing ‘illegal’ policies.
December 2022
– Gascón was slammed for his office taking ‘blatant special interest’ in a case in which singer John Legend, who is a known supporter of the DA, almost had his luxury Porsche stolen while visiting a recording studio.
Legend is on record as a strong supporter of Gascón and some prosecutors have objected to his case receiving special treatment.
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon’s office has been slammed for taking a ‘blatant special interest’ in a case in which singer John Legend almost had his luxury Porsche (pictured behind Legend in West Hollywood) stolen earlier this month
Legend is on record as a strong supporter of Gascón and some prosecutors have objected to his case receiving special treatment
