Oh, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Don’t ever change.<\/p>\n
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said Tuesday that his department was targeting a Times journalist in a criminal leak investigation for her reporting on a departmental cover-up, but after a barrage of criticism from politicians, the newspaper and press freedom groups, he backed off his announcement and denied that he considered the reporter a suspect.<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
…<\/p>\n
Detailing an ongoing criminal probe of the leak, Villanueva displayed a poster with large photographs of Tchekmedyian, his political rival Eli Vera and sheriff\u2019s Inspector General Max Huntsman with arrows pointing from the two men to the reporter.<\/a>
\n\u201cThe three individuals that we want to know a lot about,\u201d Villanueva said. \u201cThese three people have some important questions to answer.\u201d<\/a>
\nVillanueva exhibited a list of possible felonies under investigation, including conspiracy, burglary and unauthorized use of a database. When pressed by reporters on whether he was investigating Tchekmedyian specifically, the sheriff replied, \u201cAll parties to the act are subjects of the investigation.\u201d<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n…<\/p>\n
At 6:46 p.m., Villanueva issued a statement reacting to what he called an \u201cincredible frenzy of misinformation being circulated.\u201d<\/a>
\n\u201cI must clarify at no time today did I state an L.A. Times reporter was a suspect in a criminal investigation,\u201d he said. \u201cWe have no interest in pursuing, nor are we pursuing, criminal charges against any reporters.\u201d<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n