LOS ANGELES – Former Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva has agreed to appear in front of the county’s Civilian Oversight Commission next month after years of resisting subpoenas to testify under oath about deputy gangs, it was reported Tuesday.
Villanueva’s lawyer notified the commission of the decision in a letter stating that Villanueva “is very willing to testify” at the Jan. 18 meeting and will “answer any questions you have under oath,” according to the Los Angeles Times.
The reversal came days after a county judge scheduled a hearing to decide whether to order the former sheriff to comply with the commission’s subpoenas, the Times reported.
Villanueva’s attorney, Linda Savitt, confirmed in an email to newspaper that her client plans to appear in front of the commission.
“He is going to testify under oath,” according to the email. “He’s a private citizen now.”
The former sheriff is running for county supervisor against incumbent Janice Hahn.
Savitt is out of her office until next month and did not respond to a request for comment. Sean Kennedy, who chairs the oversight commission, also did not respond to a request for comment.
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