Motion to Bar Garcetti Rejected

The attorney representing Jody “Babydol” Gibson failed in his attempt Tuesday to have Dist. Atty. Gil Garcetti removed from prosecuting her pandering case on the grounds that Garcetti had received campaign contributions from two of Gibson’s “johns.”

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Lloyd Nash quickly dismissed the motion from attorney Gerald Scotti, who had argued that Garcetti might take a hard line against Gibson--who is accused of being a madam to the rich and famous--to appear not to be favoring campaign contributors.

Garcetti was not available for comment, spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons said. Scotti held a news conference after the ruling to discuss it.

Barry Groveman, who is one of Garcetti’s two challengers in the March 7 election, said the motion demonstrated the need for a revamped Office of Professional Responsibility in the district attorney’s office. Such an office, he said, would “prevent this appearance of impropriety, depoliticize the office and have a mechanism to make sure that office and its deputies are way above reproach.”