Who is Carmen Trutanich

On May 19, 2009, Los Angeles voters elected private attorney and political novice Carmen "Nuch" Trutanich to the office of City Attorney. During his 18-month campaign, Carmen Trutanich promised that if elected he would combat gang violence, create a Bureau of Investigation to assist deputies in prosecuting cases, and cut office spending. He also pledged to reduce the number and expense of outside attorneys, which cost the city about $40 million a year.

Carmen Trutanich was endorsed by Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley, Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca, Councilman Dennis Zine, and the Los Angeles County Police Chiefs Association. Speaking about his victory over opponent Councilman Jack Weiss, Carmen Trutanich said "It gives me chills. I looked at this like an athletic contest: You go on the field and lay it all on the line and that's what I did. I gave it my all." His victory over Weiss was impressive at 55.7 percent to 44.2 percent.