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Department of Justice:
No Criminal Charges to Be Filed Against Kuehl, Giggins
Investigation, Stretching Over Period of Nearly Two Years, Produces Insufficient Evidence of Criminality Relating to Award of No-Bid Contract; Huntsman Won’t Be Prosecuted Over Tip-Off as to Service of Search Warrant
By a MetNews Staff Writer
The California Department of Justice announced yesterday that no criminal charges will be filed against Sheila Kuehl in connection with the awarding of a no-bid contract, at a time when the actress-turned politician was a Los Angeles County supervisor, to a nonprofit headed by her friend and financial supporter, Patricia Giggins.
It was also reported by the department that charges would not be pursued against Giggins, who was director of Peace Over Violence (“POV”), a domestic violence prevention center, which received the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority contract. She was also a member of the Civilian Oversight Commission, appointed by Kuehl.
The department said that “[a]fter a thorough and independent investigation into the allegations that formed the basis of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department…investigation,” it has been “concluded that there is insufficient evidence to support the filing of charges” based on the award of the contract or “the campaign contributions received by Supervisor Kuehl from persons affiliated with POV.”
That investigation was launched nearly two years ago.
Tip-Off of Search
It was also announced:
“The investigation included looking into whether individuals had committed a crime in giving advance warning of the search warrants that were executed by Los Angeles Sheriff’s Office on September 14, 2022 to Sheila Kuehl and Patricia Giggins, but insufficient evidence was found to charge anyone with a crime.”
That appears to refer to Los Angeles County Inspector General Max Huntsman, a former deputy district attorney. On Sept. 14, 2022, following a search of her home by sheriff’s deputies pursuant to a warrant, Kuehl told reporters:
“I heard from county counsel last night that she got a tip from Max that this search would happen this morning.”
Now-County Counsel Dawyn R. Harrison was acting county counsel at the time.
Attorney General Rob Bonta announced in a Sept. 20, 2022 press release that the Department of Justice would look into “whether any individuals committed a crime by allegedly giving advance warning.” That warning potentially afforded Kuehl an opportunity to hide or destroy possibly incriminating evidence.
No Comment
Huntsman has declined to comment on his conduct.
The State Bar has announced no disciplinary proceedings against him or Harrison in connection with the tip-off or against Kuehl based on alleged favoritism in office.
Kuehl (then Sheila James) portrayed the younger daughter, Jackie Erwin, on the Stu Erwin Show (1950–55) and Zelda Gilroy on The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis (1959–63). She was a member of the state Assembly for six years and the state Senate for eight years before becoming a two-term member of the Board of Supervisors (2014-22).
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