Gilroy
– The county’s new DA has tapped an office insider for the spot
of ethics adviser: a brand new position intended to smooth concerns
about corruption.
Gilroy – The county’s new DA has tapped an office insider for the spot of ethics adviser: a brand new position intended to smooth concerns about corruption.
District attorney Dolores Carr chose deputy DA Kathy Storton for the job, citing her longtime experience and tough reputation.
“Kathy Storton has been in the office over 20 years,” Carr said. “She’s known for being on top of all legal issues.” By choosing her, said Carr, she wanted to show that “we can be tough on crime, and we can do it ethically.”
Storton’s tenure at the DA’s office has made her a familiar face. Because she isn’t a supervisor or a manager, attorneys grappling with ethical issues might be more comfortable approaching her, Carr added.
“It’s an opportunity for line deputies to feel very comfortable about double-checking that they’re doing the right thing,” said assistant DA Karyn Sinunu, who competed with Carr for her seat. Sinunu said she had also advocated creating the ethics adviser position, in the course of her campaign. “They’ll know there’s a safety net.”
A recent Mercury News series, “Tainted Trials, Stolen Justice,” sparked anxiety among readers that the DA’s office wasn’t playing fairly. In the course of her campaign, Carr cited the series, saying the articles, though flawed, revealed significant problems with the office’s management. As the newly-minted DA, Carr has toned down her criticism of what she called the office’s “win-at-all costs” attitude. Instead, she seeks to “respond in a positive way to criticisms leveled against the office.” Hiring an ethics adviser is one key step.
Carr said Storton will study the ethics adviser position at the Los Angeles district attorney’s office, as one potential model for the job. Storton did not return calls for comment.
