Profile: Public Defender Jeff Adachi on the Defensive, Unbowed

Chuck,

The hearing where Elsbernd and Rose attacked Adachi was a shocker even to an old bulldog like me. Elsbernd went so far as to attack ALL of the lawyers in the Public Defenders office: "If some of your clients get outside representation, I'm sure it will be better than your office would provide.". There's no call for that kind of talk.

And Harvey Rose? I've been watching this guy for over a decade and I have never seen him go after someone personally the way he did Adachi. It was totally out of character for the Budget Analyst. My only guess was that Rose resents the fact that he has never won an exchange with the Public Defender. Adachi, as you know, did the budget for years for Jeff Brown.

Also, keep in mind that after Adachi beat Kimiko Burton she had 6 months or more to screw up the office before Adachi took over and screw it up she did. She fired top people and canceled programs. He's had to rebuild since then and Rose has fewer teeth everytime Adachi leaves a hearing.

Imagine if the cops and District Attorney did their jobs? Hell, there'd be a line of 200 murder cases awaiting disposition.

On Elsbernd's criticism? Just last year Sean's chief of staff (Olivia Scanlon) had to take the 5th ammendment in front of the Ethics Commission for altering evidence used to smear Tony Hall.

h.

What a wonderful article, and do please follow up with more installments as the story progresses.

Elsbernd, by the way, is a serious hypocrite. There's probably more waste involved in the Elsbernd-approved sweetheart deal with KemperSports that manages Harding Park Golf Course than in the entire public defender's office.