L.A. County District Attorney Establishes Task Force to Evaluate Sexual Misconduct Cases

Jackie Lacey on Thursday announced the newly formed team of deputy district attorneys.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey on Thursday issued a statement in response to the number of recent sexual harassment and assault allegations leveled against high-profile names in Hollywood. In her statement, Lacey announced she would be forming a special task force to address the issue.

“In response to the widespread allegations of sexual abuse in the entertainment industry, I have established a task force of specially trained deputy district attorneys who are ready to evaluate these cases if any are referred to my office for criminal prosecution,” she said. “I have assigned the group of veteran sex crimes prosecutors to work together to ensure a uniformed approach to the legal review and possible prosecution of any case that meets both the legal and factual standards for criminal prosecution.”

Added Lacey, “To date, we have not received any cases from law enforcement for possible criminal filing. We are in communication with the Los Angeles and Beverly Hills police departments.”

The LAPD is currently investigating allegations of sexual assault against film mogul Harvey Weinstein, Gossip Girl actor Ed Westwick, an agent accused of groping actor Terry Crews and former APA agent Tyler Grasham, while the Beverly Hills Police Department is investigating Weinstein and director James Toback.