California Looks Into L.A. Sheriff’s Organization

The California attorney general’s office is looking into the fund-raising activities of an organization created by Los Angeles County’s sheriff, reports the Los Angeles Times.

The Homeland Security Support Unit, which is not registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit group, was started by Sheriff Lee Baca and is run by one of the sheriff’s former political fund raisers. Its contributors are primarily Los Angeles County businessmen, many of whom are political contributors to Mr. Baca, the paper reports.

Mr. Baca says the organization was formed to gather tips about potential terror threats and provide assistance in translating documents into English.

One concern raised by the state is that some of the group’s activities may have conveyed the impression that it was operating as part of the sheriff’s office.

Mr. Baca suspended the unit last year after concerns were raised about identification cards that had been issued to members, a department spokesman said.