Ira Reiner and County Car

The theft of the county car provided for the “official business” use of District Attorney Ira Reiner marked the second time that Los Angeles County taxpayers were ripped-off on June 15. Now that the car has been located and the hapless miscreants charged with its theft have been apprehended, hopefully the taxpayers will receive restitution for this second rip-off.

The more interesting question, however, relates to the first rip-off: Who will prosecute D.A. Reiner for the manifest abuse of the public trust and the misuse of county property and funds involved in using an expensive county car and a highly paid civil servant to haul the Reiner family around to children’s birthday parties, etc. I understand that this was not an isolated incident and that this car and driver (whose salary and benefits cost the county more than $100,000 last year) are frequently seen outside restaurants frequented by the Reiner family.

Having been disciplined recently by the State Bar for his unethical conduct while city attorney, can we trust this glitzy politician to have himself investigated and prosecuted? I think not.

It is time that the Board of Supervisors, the grand jury, and/or the attorney general investigate the misuse of county funds, personnel and property by Reiner.

THOMAS HUNTER RUSSELL

Hollywood