Rackauckas: Protector of Cronies or the Public?

Re “D.A.’s Race Creates an Office Civil War,” Feb. 17:

The allegations against Dist. Atty. Tony Rackauckas are more than “little improprieties,” as some political consultant described them. The district attorney’s office is more than just some political office. It carries the greatest moral and ethical burden to protect and prosecute all people equally under the law. Rackauckas’ actions have struck at the ethical core of the district attorney’s responsibility by extending favoritism and protection to his political cronies to the detriment and cost of the people he is sworn to protect.

Divisions within the rank-and-file of the D.A.’s office fall along simple lines: those who are willing to tolerate or ignore repeated unethical actions on the part of the district attorney when it suits them, and those who will not tolerate unethical conduct, even when that means they have to speak out against their own boss. Thank goodness the great majority of people in the office are unwilling to allow the reputation and integrity of the office be diminished. That is why the Assn. of Orange County Deputy District Attorneys supports Mr. Wade.

Mark Sevigny

Mission Viejo

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I first met Tony Rackauckas when he was a deputy district attorney and our California Supreme Court was under the control of left-wing justices who had been appointed by then-Gov. Jerry Brown.

The battle to recall Rose Bird and her left-wing cohorts was long and bitter. Tony took a six-month leave of absence to go to Sacramento and lobby on this matter. He was chastised and snubbed by his peers for being politically incorrect and was accused of being on a witch hunt. Against much negative advice, this man of justice continued his quest, and eventually Bird and her cohorts were taken out by the voters.

Tony has continued his exceptional career as a municipal and superior court judge, and his election to the office of district attorney of Orange County was well deserved. He has proved to be a real American law person. His opponents are the same vociferous left-wing liberal radicals who spin the truth to their convenience.

Raoul F. Silva

Garden Grove