Courts

Deputy District Attorney Says Some Vile, Racist, Sexist Stuff. Lawyers Still, Somehow, Come To His Defense.

Outraged yet? I know I am.

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There is no gentle way to relay to you the awful things that San Bernardino County Deputy District Attorney Michael Selyem posted on his various social media accounts, as detailed by the San Bernardino Sun. Sometimes you just have to hunker down and employ the bandaid method. So, here’s the list of crap things (racist, sexist… all sorts of terrible) that Selyem, while employed as a public servant, mind you, thought it was okay to post on the internet:

About Congresswoman Maxine Waters he wrote:

“Being a loud-mouthed c#nt in the ghetto you would think someone would have shot this bitch by now …”

On the police shooting of a civilian (it’s unclear to which shooting he’s referring to in the post):

“That s—bag got exactly what he deserved. … You reap what you sow. And by the way go f— yourself you liberal s—bag.”

He posted a photoshopped picture of former First Lady Michelle Obama  saying:

“Trump grabbed my penis.”

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He posted a pic of a man in a large sombrero and the words:

“Mexican word of the day: Hide.”

On a post about Trump’s presidential inauguration, Selyem wrote:

“I love that all of you liberal f—–g p—–s are so filled with hate. Gonna be a long 8 years for you scumbags. choo choo trump”

He commented on a right wing new article about a Budweiser Super Bowl ad celebrating immigration, saying:

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“I am all for white males immigrating here legally and starting a business. It is the terrorist a–holes sneaking in here wanting to kill me an [sic] my family that I am opposed to. I cannot believe how shallow democrats are. They must really think people are stupid. I guess that is evident because they actually thought Hilary [sic] Clinton could win a presidential election… TWICE!!! LMFAO!!!”

Outraged yet? I know I am.

In a statement about the case, San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos announced yesterday that Seylem has been placed on administrative leave while an investigation is being completed.

“The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office does not condone hate, discrimination or incitement of violence,” the statement read. “Our community and the entire criminal justice system depends on having fair, ethical and unbiased prosecutors.”

Ramos is the outgoing DA, the incoming District Attorney, Jason Anderson, said he couldn’t speak to an ongoing personnel matter, but he did characterize the posts as a “little bit salty.” Um… ya think? At least he went on to note the potential issues with Selyem’s comments about a police shooting, particularly given his role in law enforcement:

“It’s not a reflection of the image I would like to portray of the D.A.’s Office,” Anderson said. He said Selyem’s comments on the police shooting could be an even bigger issue if he was referring to a case that is still under investigation or review by law enforcement.

“I don’t want someone commenting on an officer-involved shooting in a public forum if it is something that the DA’s office is currently reviewing or determining if it’s a justified shooting,” Anderson said.

But somehow, courtroom adversary, San Bernardino attorney Stephen Levine, is coming to Seylem’s defense. He called his a “very disciplined and ethical member of the District Attorney’s Office.” And that opinion remains unchanged after seeing his vile words:

“I of course oppose Mr. Selyem in court on a regular basis,” Levine said. “I also was friends on Facebook and Instagram. I do not defend the tenor of his posts but defend his right to his beliefs. I have seen no evidence that his personal beliefs have influenced his professional responsibilities and prefer to give him the benefit of the doubt.”

Someone who is so comfortable publicly spouting such hatred should not be charged with the administration of justice. The benefit of the doubt is supposed to work in favor of the defendants Selyem is prosecuting — it’s not meant to give a pass to the racism of attorneys working on behalf of the public.

headshotKathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).

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