Corruption in Politics Exposed: Los Angeles with Attorneys Brian Condon & Matthew Monforton

Episode 41 : Media Mayhem

Episode Synopsis

Los Angeles has become embroiled in scandal as the cities of Bell, Cudahy, South Gate and others have been exposed for having millions embezzled by their city council. How this ‘public secret’ has gone on so long, and what caused the justice system to finally do its job is aired in this episode.
Our guests, Brian Condon and Matthew Monforton, are no strangers to the issues-having been involved in the cases for years. We discuss the corruption, complicit prosecution, and how the DA earned oversight from the Feds.

Guest Bio

Matthew Monforton is a former Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney, who left his position to serve as a whistle-blower against his allegedly corrupt employers at the DA. He currently lives in Bozeman Montana, and continues to practice in Los Angeles.

Brian Condon is a graduate of Duke University who earned his Juris Doctorate from Stanford Law School. Condon practices law in Los Angeles and primarily focuses on anti-fraud litigation. He has served as President of the Beverly Hills Bar Association Barristers. In 1997 Brian was awarded the Lawrence J. Blake Award for distinguished service by the Beverly Hills Bar Association and is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell.

Episode Breakdown

00:01 Media Mayhem Introduction.
00:43 Welcoming Brian Condon and Matthew Monforton.
02:45 The arrest in Cudahy for bribery, and widespread corruption.
04:14 How Matthew came to leave the DA’s office over corruption in Cudahy.
08:18 The Feds step in to make the arrests when Steve Cooley’s office doesn’t.
10:14 An 11-year delay between allegations and action by the FBI.
11:28 Representing Matthew in his suit against Sheppard Mullin.
13:18 Matthew’s former position in the DA’s office.
15:29 The ramifications for taking issue with DA Steve Cooley-“freeway therapy.”
18:35 Difficulty getting press attention to the scandals in South Gate, Cudahy and the investigation.
19:33 The go-to law firm for corrupt cities under investigation.
20:07 The LA press and the power of influence on the media.
20:50 Los Angeles Times reporters break the City of Bell corruption case.
23:46 Why are these cities so rife with corruption?
26:58 The grift between the attorneys and the city.
28:58 How Matt ended up leaving the DA’s office, and the feds continued oversight of the feds to DA.
31:39 The reason for a lack of coverage of the DA’s improprieties, and why you don’t want to get on their bad side.
34:19 The local news treatment of the corruption.
35:50 Why should Angelenos care about what happens in the communities of Bell and Cudahy?
37:58 Secrecy in the District Attorney’s office.
39:00 The current DA runoff and implications for the election.
40:44 The failure of the DA to recuse itself, and how the citizens can react.
44:40 Thanks and goodbye!

Comments

Hosted By

Allison Hope Weiner

Allison Hope Weiner was a Century City entertainment litigator before she began writing about Hollywood as a journalist. A graduate of Columbia University and the University of Southern California Law Center, she joined the legendary firm of Wyman, Bautzer—where she represented entertainers and corporate media clients.