Controversial Hiring Practices at Los Angeles Federal Prosecutor’s Office

Shawn Christopher Lewis, the new liaison to local law enforcement for Los Angeles’ top federal prosecutor, is involved in a state criminal case. Public records reveal his history of DUI convictions. Despite this, Lewis was appointed as a community resource specialist for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Central District of California. His duties include public affairs work, such as drafting press releases and interacting with journalists.

Lewis has been convicted of DUI three times, in 2013, 2015, and 2021, according to records obtained by CBS News. His current charges involve misdemeanor battery and property damage in Sacramento. Reports indicate he allegedly assaulted a man and threw his cellphone onto a roof to prevent a 911 call. Police initially charged him with resisting arrest and public intoxication as well.

At the time of his arrest, Lewis was on probation for his third DUI. Recently, the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office filed a probation violation and summoned him to court.

Jeff Raven, Lewis’s lawyer, maintains that his client is innocent. Raven stated that Lewis’s hiring followed standard procedures and began before his legal troubles emerged.

Former Justice Department officials criticize the hiring, questioning its impact on the integrity of the criminal justice system.

Former Justice Department lawyer Stacey Young suggests that such appointments erode public trust. Historically, individuals with Lewis’s record would not pass a U.S. attorney’s office background check. The challenges in staffing the Justice Department may contribute to this change in hiring patterns. The organization Justice Connection reports that since January 2025, around 16,000 employees have left the department. As a measure to attract new hires, retention bonuses have been implemented.

Similar cases include Shane Hedges, who was convicted of negligent homicide in 2001, and Aakash Singh, who faced a DUI charge in 2021. The DOJ acknowledges Singh’s violation but deems his contributions valuable.

Former Inspector General Michael Bromwich expresses concern over the DOJ’s hiring standards. Initiatives to ensure high-stakes positions have strict vetting are questioned.

A Department of Justice spokesperson confirmed the rigorous background checks for all employees. However, criticisms persist regarding how the department handles such offenses internally.

The battery charge against Lewis relates to an altercation with a former colleague. The confrontation resulted in alleged physical aggression and damage to the colleague’s property. This event adds to Lewis’s legal challenges.

Previous DUI cases against Lewis reveal repeated probation violations. After a 2013 DUI in San Mateo County, he failed to participate in a mandated program, leading to a probation breach. Another incident in Sacramento County in 2015 resulted in charges of drunk driving and driving on a suspended license. By 2022, following a 2021 arrest, he was convicted of a third DUI in Yolo County, with a notably high blood alcohol level. His sentence included jail time, a program for repeat offenders, and an ignition interlock requirement, all of which he completed in 2024.

In a similar DOJ appointment during President Trump’s second term, Megan Frederick faced allegations relating to assault incidents. Her DOJ tenure ended earlier this year, though reasons remain unclear.

In July, the Justice Department updated its employment regulations, now requiring all employees to self-report major changes, including arrests and behaviors contrary to department standards. These changes emphasize transparency and compliance within the DOJ.