California Attorney General's Office

The California Attorney General's Office is the chief law enforcement agency for the state of California. It is mentioned in the context of Ron Van Meter reporting drug dealing and other forms of corruption within the Mariposa Sheriff's Department to this office in Sacramento. Upon his return, Van Meter was confronted by Sheriff Paul Paige, who had been informed by the Attorney General of Van Meter's visit and its contents.¹

Three consecutive grand jury foremen sought help from the California Attorney General's Office, but to no avail. Ben Wagner, an attorney representing Dave Beavers and other deputies, learned that everything pertaining to Mariposa was automatically "trashed" when it crossed the Attorney General's desk. Wagner later filed a Writ of Mandamus against John Van de Kamp, the State Attorney General, for refusing to investigate corruption in Mariposa County.¹