Garcetti served as LA County DA from 1992 to 2000. He was voted out of office in 2000 as the Rampart scandal destroyed public confidence in his leadership.
| Year | Opponent | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Contested | Won | Took office as LA County DA |
| 1996 | Contested | Re-elected | OJ Simpson trial fallout but survived |
| 2000 | Steve Cooley | Lost | Rampart scandal was decisive factor |
Sources: Wikipedia; UPI Archives; LA Times
The Rampart scandal involved widespread corruption in the LAPD's anti-gang CRASH unit, including evidence planting, perjury, police brutality, and unjustified shootings. Under Garcetti's watch as DA, his office failed to detect or prevent these abuses despite being responsible for prosecuting cases built on fabricated evidence. The scandal erupted in late 1999 when Officer Rafael Perez revealed the scope of corruption.
As a direct result of falsified evidence and perjury by Rampart CRASH officers, 106 criminal convictions were overturned. These were convictions secured by Garcetti's office using evidence they should have scrutinized. Every overturned conviction represents an innocent person who went to prison.
Garcetti's office was forced to have more than 100 criminal cases thrown out due to potentially perjured court testimony and tainted evidence from Rampart-era officers.
The scandal resulted in more than 140 civil lawsuits against the City of Los Angeles, costing taxpayers an estimated $125 million in settlements. A single global settlement of $20.5 million was reached in 2009 for remaining cases.
Despite the massive scope of corruption, Garcetti's office prosecuted only a fraction of the officers involved. Many ACLU and reform organizations called for a special prosecutor, which Garcetti resisted.
Including cases discovered after Garcetti left office, the total number of exonerations from Rampart-era tainted convictions exceeds 170. These cases continued to surface for years after his departure.
Garcetti testified that his office had been "hounded" by the LAPD to prosecute officers — framing himself as a victim rather than the city's top law enforcement official responsible for oversight.
Wrongful murder conviction during the Garcetti era in Los Angeles County.
Convicted in 1988 under Garcetti's predecessor, but the pattern of resisting DNA testing continued through Garcetti's tenure and beyond. $25M settlement.
Systemic pattern of in-custody deaths in LA County that the DA's office failed to address.
The Rampart scandal remains one of the worst police corruption cases in U.S. history. Understanding it prevents repetition. Research the full timeline.
LA County has had 4 DAs on our worst list. The pattern is systemic. Monitor the current DA and demand accountability regardless of party.
Some Rampart-era wrongful conviction victims are still seeking justice. Support LA Innocence Project.
LA County needs independent oversight of the DA's office. Contact the Board of Supervisors to advocate for civilian oversight.