An attempt to recall Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon has failed to make to ballot, election officials said Monday. 

The officials said that organizers failed to collect sufficient, valid petition signatures to place the proposal before voters. It was the second attempt to qualify a recall election that could remove Gascón, after an initial attempt also failed last year.

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 George Gascón was faulted for criminal justice reforms that critics said fueled rising crime, which the top prosecutor disputed.

“Los Angeles’ criminal justice reform movement has prevailed because this is a community that prefers facts over misplaced fear,” Cristine Soto DeBerry, executive director of the Prosecutors Alliance that promotes reforms, said in a statement.

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Los Angeles County is the most populous in the nation, with roughly 10 million residents.

Who is George Gascon?

Born to Maria and Marcos in Havana, Cuba, George Gascon was appointed as Los Angeles County’s district attorney in December 2020. His family emigrated to the United States and settled in Bell, California. He is 68 years old. 

Gascon, aged 18, served the US Army and became a sergeant. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in history from California State–Long Beach.

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The LA DA has also served as an assistant chief of police for the LAPD, and Chief of Police in Mesa, Arizona and San Francisco. He succeeded Vice President Kamala Harris as the San Francisco County’s DA in 2011. However, he resigned from the position in October 2019.

“He has been named among the Top 100 Lawyers in California by the Daily Journal, and the Anti-Defamation League honored him with its prestigious Civil Rights Award. The Southern California Leadership Network distinguished him with its Visionary Award, and Win With Justice, WNBA All-Star Maya Moore’s social action campaign, presented him with its Impact Award,” Gason’s website lists his achievements.