Maya Lau, a former reporter for the Los Angeles Times, has filed a federal lawsuit against Los Angeles County and former Sheriff Alex Villanueva. The lawsuit contends that a criminal probe into her actions as a journalist was an attempt to intimidate her for reporting on misconduct within the sheriff's department. Lau's allegations include several counts of civil rights violations and seek damages for the harm caused by the investigation. This case raises significant concerns regarding press freedom and the treatment of journalists by law enforcement agencies.
It is an absolute outrage that the Sheriff's Department would criminally investigate a journalist for doing her job. I am bringing this lawsuit not just for my own sake, but to send a clear signal in the name of reporters everywhere: we will not be intimidated. The Sheriff's Department needs to know that these kinds of tactics against journalists are illegal.
Lau's attorneys alleged in an emailed statement that the L.A. County Sheriff's Department probe was designed to intimidate and punish Lau for her reporting about a leaked list of deputies with a history of misconduct.
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