Inyo District Attorney appoints a new assistant

A month ago, Inyo District Attorney Art Maillet fired his assistant, Will Richmond.  Now, he has appointed his own deputy as his new assistant.inyocourthouse

Joel Samuels has taken the job as Assistant District Attorney. This move marks the third assistant for DA Art Maillet in roughly two years.  Mark Johnson retired on the heels of a controversial release of confidential court documents.  After that, former Alpine County District Attorney Will Richmond took the job as Maillet’s assistant.

One year later, Richmond said, he came to work one morning and Maillet handed him a notice of termination.  Richmond said Maillet told him he didn’t have time to discuss it and walked out.

Asked why he thought Maillet terminated him, Richmond had said, “There was an obvious opinion on how to manage the office and how to be an effective prosecutor.  I cut it a little thin for his tolerance.”

Sources from within the legal community have said that the new Assistant DA Joel Samuels has a history of “unprofessional dealings” with defense attorneys.  Now, he is second in command.

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JJ
JJ
11 years ago

Who’s going to replace Art? The Joker?

Tourbillon
Tourbillon
11 years ago

“Sources from within the legal community have said that the new Assistant DA Joel Samuels has a history of “unprofessional dealings” with defense attorneys.” Benett, I don’t know Samuels and could care less about the man, but I know yellow journalism when I read it. The invocation of unnamed “sources”… Read more »

Benett Kessler
Benett Kessler
11 years ago
Reply to  Tourbillon

Tourbillon, This is a form of journalism frequently used by the most professional reporters. My duty is to tell the best truth I can find. That’s what I do. Information from unnamed sources does not support any “opinion”. Attorneys are reluctant to attach their names to truths they know because… Read more »

Tourbillon
Tourbillon
11 years ago
Reply to  Benett Kessler

“If responsible reporters could not use unnamed sources, important truths may never be known, and it is the unknowns that we as reporters must tell.” I’d put it a bit differently: “Responsible reporters ought not characterize unverified gossip as “news” to attack someone they dislike.” I guess it depends on… Read more »

Benett Kessler
Benett Kessler
11 years ago
Reply to  Tourbillon

Tourbillon, You are mistaken in your judgment. I do not personally dislike Mr. Maillet. It is my job to report officials’ behaviors that fly in the face of good government. Refusal to speak to media for the disclosure of public issues is not good government. Neither is dispersal of confidential… Read more »

Cowboy Up
Cowboy Up
11 years ago

It looks like Uncle Art has found someone to be his assistant that has the same ethical standards that he has.

Rob
Rob
11 years ago
Reply to  Cowboy Up

@Cowboy Up – My thoughts exactly

Ted
Ted
11 years ago

I assume there was no press release.

Benett Kessler
Benett Kessler
11 years ago
Reply to  Ted

No press release.
Mr. Maillet has continually refused to communicate with the media.
BK

Ted
Ted
11 years ago
Reply to  Benett Kessler

My comment was sarcasm knowing he probably has no “Press Release Forms” left in his possession.