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State gets case about aide to Stricklands
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More from Local NewsThe Ventura County District Attorney's Office has asked the state attorney general to review and potentially prosecute a battery charge stemming from an incident outside a June 18 political fundraiser for 19th District state Senate candidate Tony Strickland.
The request was made because county prosecutors felt there was a potential conflict. District Attorney Greg Totten has endorsed Strickland in the Senate campaign and is working alongside his wife, Assemblywoman Audra Strickland, in efforts to oppose a proposed prison healthcare facility in Camarillo.
"Certainly someone could say there is an appearance of a conflict," said Chief Assistant District Attorney Jim Ellison.
The incident arose when Joel Angeles, chief of staff to Assemblywoman Strickland and a longtime political operative for both Stricklands, confronted protesters outside the Hyatt Westlake Plaza hotel.
Inside, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney was about to headline a fundraiser for the Tony Strickland campaign.
Witnesses allege Angeles blocked protesters from walking onto a sidewalk and knocked one of the protesters to the ground.
Angeles told a reporter he was attempting only to negotiate with protesters so that a buffer zone could be maintained between them and a crowd of counter-protesters.
Sheriff's detectives have completed their investigation, and the file will be forwarded to the Attorney General's Office.
Ellison said law enforcement agencies typically do not send files to his office unless they believe charges should be filed.
State prosecutors will review the file and decide whether they agree there is a conflict and whether to pursue criminal charges.
Posted by KatieTeague on October 4, 2008 at 7:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Conflict of interest - ya think?
Angeles should be fired - he is a liability to both campaigns.
Posted by horsespinner on October 4, 2008 at 11:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
wa, wa wa, cry me a river
Posted by moondoggie on October 4, 2008 at 1:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Justice moved too slowly this time, but it did move. God Bless America. Jose Angeles is going to be in handcuffs within two weeks. He knocked down a senior, a young girl and a middle aged male; all to violate their right of free speech. All, in fact, while an employee of our government and all within the public right-of-way. He is going down and you will soon see it elevated to felonies. You can take that to the bank.
Posted by celtcwrtr on October 4, 2008 at 7:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
not only should he be fired (and the fact that he hasn't been tells volumes about the ethics of the campaigns he's affiliated with); he should be in jail.
Posted by Lonewolf on October 6, 2008 at 8:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Has the Strickland campaign made a statement about the event? Should somebody ask if Angeles was following orders?
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