Prosecutor Jonathan Hatami running for Los Angeles DA in 2024

Deputy DA Jonathan Hatami running for Gascón's District Attorney spot

Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Hatami has been critical about District Attorney George Gascón's policies, backing a recall effort against him multiple times.

LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Hatami will announce Wednesday that he is running to replace his boss, George Gascón as District Attorney in the 2024 ellection.

Hatami has been critical of Gascón and his policies since Gascón took office in 2020, particularly on his policies regarding special enhancements. Hatami has accused the DA of creating a hostile work environment, in which attorneys were forced to lie in court when dropping special enhancement allegations.

Johnathan Hatami on why he's running for LA County DA

Prosecutor Jonathan Hatami is looking to unseat his boss, LA County DA George Gascón.

In 2021, Hatami sued Gascón, alleging that he'd been defamed, denied promotions and had his fitness to practice law questioned because he has been outspoken critic of Gascón's.

Deputy DA slams George Gascón's policies

Newly-elected DA George Gascón is once again under fire, this time within his own office.

Last summer, when a convicted felon out on probation killed two El Monte police officers, Hatami said

"The sole reason or the only reason that the murderer of [Cpl.] Michael [Paredes] and [Officer] Joseph [Santana] was on probation to begin with is George Gascón," Hatami told FOX 11's Elex Michaelson and Marla Tellez in June 2022. "This individual should never have been on probation. He wasn't a good candidate for probation, he failed probation multiple times, and any good DA would notice that.

Jonathan Hatami running against George Gascón for LA DA in 2024

Jonathan Hatami did not hold back in his push to unseat his boss George Gascón in the race for Los Angeles County DA.

Hatami has also backed the several failed efforts to recall Gascón.

In a press release preceding his announcement Wednesday, Hatami called Gascón's tenure a "public safety crisis."

He will announce his bid at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, alongside Fresno County DA Lisa Smittcamp, Whittier Mayor Joe Vinatieri, and others.

Hatami is not the only Deputy DA running for the top spot in 2024. Earlier this month, Deputy DA John McKinney announced his candidacy for the position as well.