New D.A.’s Softened Hate Crime Stance Criticized Posted On Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon By ELLEN ENDO, Rafu Shimpo Just four days after he was sworn in as Los Angeles County district attorney, George Gascon is coming under fire for apparently relaxing his position on hate crimes. In the Torrance Courthouse on Dec. 11, a representative from Gascon’s office moved to dismiss the hate crime allegation against Gregory Edward Howell, who is charged with assault with a deadly weapon and vandalism in a road rage incident. Howell is accused of using a shovel to strike the car of a minority couple while gesturing with what appeared to be a Nazi salute and yelling, “White power!”