Column: Corruption ‘feels like a betrayal.’ What motivates U.S. Atty. E. Martin Estrada

E. Martin Estrada poses for a portrait at his office at the old federal courthouse in downtown Los Angeles. “We did excellent work for Southern California, important work for Southern California,” Estrada said, referring to Huizar’s conviction. “And the first thing I thought,” Estrada said with a straight face and tone, “was kind of like the line from ‘Wayne’s World’: ‘I’m not worthy.’” His law partners suggested that he drop out of the Bruce’s Beach case because “it could upset people,” he recalled. Let the chips fall where they may.’” President Biden nominated Estrada to head the Central District of California in June 2022; the U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed him three months later. While emphasizing that he doesn’t see Los Angeles as any more corrupt than other cities, Estrada did criticize what he feels is a political culture that has allowed elected officials to amass power “somewhat unchecked.” He mentioned Huizar and Mark Ridley-Thomas, the L.A. political heavyweight sentenced last summer to 3½ years in prison for fraud and bribery.. “If you allow these types of things to fester, they grow and they can destroy democracy,” Estrada said.