Los Angeles Sheriff says it will investigate a reporter who wrote about the department's use of force on an inmate

• The LA County Sheriff said he will be investigating a Los Angeles Times reporter.
• Alene Tchekmedyian wrote last month that the LASD reportedly tried to cover up the use of force against an inmate.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff announced an investigation into a Los Angeles Times reporter after she wrote a story on the department's alleged cover-up of a video documenting the use of force against a handcuffed inmate.

In late March, LA Times reporter Alene Tchekmedyian wrote about the video in which a deputy was seen kneeling on an inmate's head for three minutes after he punched the deputy in the face, also citing internal records.

The incident occurred in March 2021, and Sheriff Alex Villanueva, who is seeking reelection for a second term, maintained that he was unaware of it until October.

The department did not pursue charges against the inmate "given its nature and its similarities to widely publicized George Floyd use of force," commander Allen Castellano said in a memo obtained by the outlet.

The investigation by Villanueva is looking at the manner in which the video was obtained by Tchekmedyian; the county sheriff claims the video was "stolen property."

During a press conference Tuesday, Villanueva said the investigation will look into charges of conspiracy, burglary, and unauthorized use of a database against Tchekmedyian, retired LASD Commander Eli Vera, and sheriff's Inspector General Max Huntsman.

"This is stolen property that was removed illegally from people who had some intent — criminal intent — and it'll be subject to investigation," Villanueva added.

Vera, who is an opponent of Villanueva in the sheriff's election, has said the incumbent sheriff was aware of the incident "within days." Huntsman is investigating whether or not Villanueva lied about the incident and issued a subpoena to the sheriff for testimony or records.

The LASD declined to comment on the investigation but told Insider that "Sheriff Alex Villanueva is committed to transparency and accountability."

Kevin Merida, executive editor of the LA Times, said in a statement that Villanueva's "attempt to criminalize news reporting goes against well-established constitutional law."

"We will vigorously defend Tchekmedyian's and the Los Angeles Times' rights in any proceeding or investigation brought by authorities," Merida said.

The LA Times responded to the announcement of the investigation by sending a letter to the sheriff in protest, citing legal decisions that protect Tchekmedyian and her reporting.

"This outrageous assertion appears to be a thinly veiled attempt to intimidate Ms. Tchekmedyian for reporting unflattering (but entirely accurate) information about the conduct of individuals in your department and allegations of a cover-up by you and other officials," the outlet's general counsel Jeff Glasser wrote in the letter.

David Loy, legal director at the nonprofit First Amendment Coalition, told the LA Times that the department's alleged cover-up as reported by Tchekmedyian was a "subject of public concern that the press has an absolute right if not a duty to report on."

"I'm flabbergasted at some level, because what the sheriff is doing reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of basic 1st Amendment law," Loy said. "This has been settled for decades."