Sheriff Says Scandal Has Not Hurt Squad’s Image : Law enforcement: The aggressive manner in which the drug money skimming cases were pursued internally has enhanced department’s reputation, Block says.

Sheriff Sherman Block said Wednesday that despite the conviction of 26 former elite narcotics deputies--about 13% of those assigned to narcotics enforcement--for skimming drug money they had seized in their investigations, he believes the image of his department has actually been “somewhat enhanced” in the scandal.

“I don’t think the image of the department has suffered at all,” Block said at a news conference. Rather, he asserted, it has been “somewhat enhanced because of the aggressive manner in which we have pursued this internally.”

“There was no sweeping under the rug,” Block said. And, he added, the proof of the image enhancement is that other law enforcement agencies on the local, state and federal levels have shown no reluctance to continue joint narcotics investigations with the department.

“I think if you talk to the federal people involved, they will tell you that they have nothing but praise for the manner in which we pursued this,” he said.

Reaction to Block’s remarks was mixed.

The chairwoman of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, said: “Obviously, no one’s image is enhanced by instances of misconduct. But we have to commend the sheriff for moving expeditiously to root out any misconduct that was detected, and I’m certain this sends a message throughout the department that he will not tolerate conduct that is illegal.”

But Supervisor Mike Antonovich said: “I totally agree with the sheriff” that the department’s image has been enhanced. “The investigation was at the sheriff’s request, and the department supported the conviction and dismissal of those officers,” he said.

Block said he believes the scandal is about at an end, with perhaps only three more former deputies to be tried.

As for suggestions by some convicted deputies that they skimmed money because they thought government agencies were doing the same thing in improper seizures of private funds in drug forfeitures, Block dismissed this as a weak rationalization.

“These people were thieves,” he said. “They were individuals who dishonored the badge that they wore. They took an oath of office which they violated. They brought great discredit on themselves and the organization.”

Besides, Block said, “I don’t know how you can draw an analogy between the asset forfeiture program, which is a matter of law, and which must take place under certain specific legal guidelines, and sticking a hand in and helping yourself to what’s available.”

Actually, from prior experience, Block added sarcastically, “I’m surprised (the convicted deputies) didn’t say they were performing a public service.”

Block noted that the scandal goes back to 1989, when someone within his department provided a tip concerning skimming of drug funds seized in the course of investigations.

“I announced at that time that we would pursue this information until every culpable individual was identified. . . . Even though the cases are being presented by the U.S. attorney, virtually all of the investigative activity that is leading up to those prosecutions continues to be directed by the special task force within my department that we created to investigate this situation.”