Recent days in court have opened up the floodgates and have helped to shine a bright spotlight on just how deeply rooted the LASD’s corruption has been under failed Undersheriff Paul Tanaka’s reign of terror.

In yesterday's Federal Criminal Courtroom cross examination of Tanaka, the Assistant U.S. Attorney informed Tanaka that he is a ‘subject’ in their ongoing criminal investigation into Obstruction of Justice charges that has already resulted in eight Sheriff's Department Deputies, Sergeants and Lieutenants indicted by the Federal Grand Jury and waiting criminal prosecution —a fact that alone makes Tanaka unfit to serve as L.A. County’s next Sheriff.

But it’s worse than just the Obstruction of Justice charges. It was Paul Tanaka who ignored my calls to put an end to the abuse and excessive force in Men’s Central Jail. By disregarding my warnings, he effectively sanctioned this wrongdoing and became part of the institutionalized problem identified by the Citizen's Commission of Jail Violence.

As a result of Tanaka’s unethical and cataclysmic mismanagement as Undersheriff and his key role in directing subordinates to hide an FBI informant, out of respect to the voters and the large majority of honest and hard working members of the LASD, today I am calling on Paul Tanaka to formally withdraw his candidacy for Los Angeles County Sheriff.

Voters need and deserve an honest Sheriff who will uphold and have the greatest respect for the law. It’s clear that Paul Tanaka thinks he’s above the law and he doesn’t have the moral compass needed to steer the LASD away from its corrupt past and toward a future of integrity and transparency. Step down, Paul Tanaka, and for once, do the right thing.

- Retired Sheriff's Commander Bob Olmsted

www.BobOlmsted.com