Sheriff Baca Stumbles Over Vignali Clemency

Re “Informants Named Vignali’s Father,” March 26: I have been employed as a police officer for the past 19 years and am appalled at L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca’s endorsement of clemency for Carlos Vignali.

I hope that, before his decision to endorse Vignali, Baca took into account the numerous law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the war against drugs. Baca said he is disgusted that the White House did not do due diligence in the Vignali matter. Well, Sheriff Baca, I am disgusted with you for even considering Vignali for clemency.

John C. Borrego

Temecula

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Writing a clemency recommendation is a serious task. We’ve seen the consequences of what happens when it’s done in a slipshod fashion, as done by Baca and former U.S. Atty. Alejandro Mayorkas, in the case of Horacio Vignali’s son Carlos.

However, Mayorkas is at least to be commended for realizing the seriousness of his mistake, accepting the blame for his actions and apologizing.

On the other hand, Baca, a good man and fine sheriff, looks immature and possibly corrupt by comparison for refusing to accept any blame whatsoever for his part in Vignali’s release and for failing to assign an aide to perform even the most basic background research into the case, and also into the big-buck donor who asked him to intervene--and his son.

Let’s hope Baca learns to accept his share of the responsibility in this travesty of justice.

Steve Smith

San Gabriel