Melissa Meister Interviewed by KNX Radio about LAPD Investigation into Leaked of Recording of Council Members

Former federal prosecutor Melissa Meister told KNX News radio on October 26, 2022, “I see a very difficult road for any prosecutor who brings this case. It is hard to see a jury convicting in this case.”

Meister was interviewed after Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michael Moore said that his department is investigating the leaked conversation that led to the LA City Hall racism scandal, involving former City Council President Nury Martinez and councilmembers Kevin de León and Gil Cedillo, to determine whether the leaked conversation was recorded illegally.

Under California law, everyone involved is supposed to grant approval before a conversation is recorded. However, Meister said violation of the state’s eavesdropping law, Penal Code 632, is usually only a misdemeanor offense and that, for a variety of reasons, this “would be a very difficult misdemeanor case.”