Gascón Advisor Prosecution Dismissed: Appeals Court Ruling
- A California appeals court has dismissed criminal charges against diana Teran, a former advisor to Los Angeles County Dist.
- Teran's defense argued the records were public and her actions were part of an effort to track officers with disciplinary issues.
- The charges against Diana Teran stemmed from 2018, when she worked for then-Sheriff Jim McDonnell, now Los Angeles police chief.
A California appeals court has dismissed criminal charges against Diana Teran, a former advisor to George Gascón, marking a important progress in the Gascón advisor prosecution. The ruling comes after Teran was accused of improperly accessing police discipline records, sparking debate over data access and accountability. Her defense successfully argued the records were public, setting the stage for a legal victory. The Attorney General’s office is now reviewing the opinion, possibly impacting future police accountability cases.Critics and advocates alike weigh in on the implications of the dismissal. Read the latest analysis provided by News Directory 3, including the details of the case and the next steps. Discover what’s next…
Court Dismisses Charges Against Diana Teran, Ex-Gascón Advisor
Updated June 26, 2025
A California appeals court has dismissed criminal charges against diana Teran, a former advisor to Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. George Gascón, dealing a blow to Attorney General Rob Bonta’s prosecution efforts. The Diana Teran case centered on allegations that she improperly accessed confidential police discipline records while working at the L.A.County Sheriff’s Department and later used that data in her role with Gascón’s office.
Teran’s defense argued the records were public and her actions were part of an effort to track officers with disciplinary issues. the court agreed, stating the data was accessible to the public. James Spertus,Teran’s attorney,expressed appreciation for the court’s clarity on the matter. The Attorney General’s Office is reviewing the opinion but has not indicated whether it will appeal the Diana Teran ruling.
The charges against Diana Teran stemmed from 2018, when she worked for then-Sheriff Jim McDonnell, now Los Angeles police chief. Later, in April 2021, while working for the District Attorney’s Office, she sent records on roughly three dozen deputies to a subordinate for evaluation regarding possible inclusion in databases that track officer misconduct. These databases include the Brady database, referencing the 1963 Supreme Court decision requiring prosecutors to disclose evidence favorable to a defendant, including police misconduct.
Critics of Gascón, including current Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman, used the charges against Teran during the campaign to oust Gascón. Hochman questioned whether Gascón sanctioned Teran’s actions. A Hochman spokesperson did not promptly comment.
Criminal justice reform advocates have asserted that the prosecution of Diana Teran was politically motivated, targeting her for advancing Gascón’s police accountability platform. Miriam Krinsky,founder of Fair and Just Prosecution,called the use of prosecutorial resources “disappointing,unfounded and inexplicable.”
What’s next
The Attorney General’s office is reviewing the court’s decision, leaving open the possibility of a further appeal in the Diana Teran case. the dismissal could also impact future prosecutions related to data access and police accountability.