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In My Opinion
The Double Standard: George Gascón and the Case of Diana Teran
By Michele Hanisee
(The writer is president of the Association of Deputy District Attorneys.)
George Gascón’s administration continues to reveal a troubling double standard regarding accountability. This double standard is particularly evident in the case of Diana Teran.
Diana Teran, who was appointed by Gascón to serve as the “ethics and integrity advisor” to the largest local prosecutorial office in the nation, is currently charged with six felonies. Despite a judge finding probable cause to support these charges, Teran remains on the public payroll, earning a hefty $320,000 annually—plus benefits. In fact, Teran has collected over $60,000 in pay and “flex earnings” since charges were filed. This situation demonstrates a glaring lack of judgment within Gascón’s administration and a lack of accountability when it comes to his political appointees.
The charges against Teran stem from her alleged violations of Penal Code §502(c)(2) which involve accessing and using computer data without permission. If convicted on all six counts, she faces approximately five years in custody. Yet, despite these serious allegations, Gascón refuses to sideline Teran, and she continues to occupy a key position within the District Attorney’s Office.
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Gascón has refused to provide records in response to six separate public records act requests by the Association of Deputy District Attorneys for records relating to Teran, including a request to find out whether Teran was still on salary after being charged and what privileged and private data she still has access to.
Teran’s salary records were provided to pro bono victim’s advocate Kathleen Cady, who also filed a public records request. The records reveal that Teran’s pay has not been interrupted since the charges were filed. This blatant disregard for accountability and justice stands in stark contrast to how Gascón’s administration has treated other members of the office who have dared to question or challenge the status quo.
A closer look at Gascón’s history shows a pattern of retribution against those who raise concerns. In one instance, an experienced branch court supervisor was ordered to dismiss a politically sensitive case just hours after Gascón took office in 2020. When the supervisor questioned the legal basis for the order, he was removed from his position and transferred to a dead-end assignment, ultimately leading to a lawsuit that cost the County nearly $1 million.
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In another case, a group of veteran prosecutors warned Gascón about critical staffing shortages in the Victim Impact Program unit which oversees sex crimes and domestic violence cases. When their memo was leaked to the press, Gascón dissolved the unit and reassigned the authors to less prominent roles. This response demonstrates Gascón’s tendency to silence dissent rather than address legitimate concerns.
The double standard becomes even more glaring when comparing Teran’s case to other high-ranking Gascón administration officials. For instance, Chief Deputy Joseph F. Iniguez, arrested for public intoxication in December 2021, has faced no apparent consequences. In the recording of the incident, which has since been released, Iniguez can be seen telling the officers, “run our plates, dawg” in an attempt to make sure the officers know he works for the district attorney and should therefore receive special treatment. He later allegedly threatened the officer with potentially career-ending placement on the “Brady” list. Yet, Iniguez still serves as Gascón’s closest advisor and has received significant increases in compensation since the incident.
This pattern of leniency for Gascón’s inner circle while punishing those who challenge his authority is deeply troubling. It raises critical questions about the integrity of the District Attorney’s Office and whether Gascón is truly committed to the principles of justice and accountability.
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As the case against Diana Teran progresses, it is essential to ask what Gascón knew about the investigation and when he knew it. Did he promote Teran to the Ethics and Integrity Advisor position, knowing that she was under investigation? What steps has the District Attorney’s Office taken to ensure that Teran’s alleged wrongdoing does not affect other cases under her supervision, such as People v. Rebecca Grossman?
The public deserves answers to these questions, and Gascón must address this growing crisis head-on. The stakes are too high to allow this situation to be swept under the rug. Angelenos have a right to know why their District Attorney will not hold his office leadership to the same standards he expects from his prosecutors.
The ongoing situation with Diana Teran is another test of Gascón’s leadership and commitment to justice. Thus far, he has been unwilling to hold Teran to the same standards he does others in office, and she has received the same lenient treatment as others in his inner circle. He has further eroded any pretense of accountability by refusing to comply with the Public Records Act, which is the state version of the Freedom of Information Act.
Gascón’s failure to act decisively and transparently in this matter has further eroded trust in an administration already marred by controversy. There can be no room for double standards in a system where accountability is paramount. It is time for George Gascón to show that his commitment to justice applies equally to all, regardless of their position or proximity to power.