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Opening Statements Begin In Baca Corruption Trial

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Disgraced former Sheriff Lee Baca was the driving force behind a conspiracy to obstruct an investigation into abuses at Los Angeles County jails, a federal prosecutor told jurors during opening statements Wednesday at Baca's criminal conspiracy trial.

Baca's attorney responded that it was the former sheriff's top aide and other underlings who were to blame for the abuses, which included inmate beatings, as well as the subsequent cover-up. He added that when Baca learned what was going on he was forthcoming.

At the conclusion of opening statements, the prosecution called its first witness, jail chaplain Paulino Juarez, who testified he saw guards beat a handcuffed inmate unconscious and leave him in a pool of blood in 2009. Juarez previously gave the same testimony at the trial of two deputies convicted of violating the inmate's civil rights.

Ten officials, including Baca's top aide, former Undersheriff Paul Tanaka, have been convicted or pleaded guilty in connection with the case.

In his opening statement, defense attorney Nathan Hochman blamed them for the jail cover-up.

"You will hear that when Baca found out, he was open, transparent and direct," said Hochman, who went on to describe his client's long career in law enforcement. Baca, 74, was sheriff for 15 years before abruptly announcing his retirement in January 2014.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Fox painted an entirely different picture.

"Mr. Baca was the leader of this conspiracy, he was the driving force," Fox said.

Baca is charged with conspiring to commit and committing obstruction of justice in August and September 2011. He's also scheduled to face a second trial on charges of making false statements to the FBI about his knowledge of efforts to scuttle the investigation.

Prosecutors say that when jail officials learned of the investigation, they attempted to hide an inmate who was an FBI informant and at one point threatened to arrest an FBI agent.

Rather than being forthcoming, Fox said, at one point Baca told investigators, "I'm the goddamn sheriff, these are my goddamn jails."

Baca previously reached a plea agreement acknowledging he lied to investigators and was aware of efforts to thwart the investigation. He withdrew his guilty plea, however, after a judge rejected the deal, saying the six-month sentence prosecutors recommended was too lenient.

His current trial is expected to last two to three weeks.

(© Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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