Court grants Daniel Flores’ request for judicial diversion for one year for 16 misdemeanor charges
August 21, 2026 – LOS ANGELES, CA – Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman has 
announced that, to encourage whistleblowers to come forward, charges filed against a Los Angeles police officer accused of illegally recording confidential conversations of his colleagues without their knowledge are being reduced to misdemeanors.
“In making this decision, I’ve carefully considered the feedback given by the public, community groups, local officials and members of our Office concerning the potential deterrence felony charges pose for whistleblowers coming forward,” District Attorney Hochman said. “While those who break the law and illegally eavesdrop on others will still be held accountable, my ‘hard middle’ approach requires continual examination of the acts, the law and the impact a prosecution has on deterring criminals while incentivizing whistleblowers. Law enforcement officers should and will be held to a higher standard, but I don’t want this case to discourage in any way legitimate whistleblowers seeking to report wrongdoing. The racist, sexist and homophobic remarks made by LAPD officers are deplorable, require fully exposing and warrant the disciplinary proceedings that each officer is facing.
Part of my job as District Attorney entails balancing accountability with fairness. I believe this ‘hard middle’ approach in this case makes it clear that illegal eavesdropping will be prosecuted but takes state prison off the table to ensure the best outcome moving forward.”
Related: Los Angeles Police Officer Charged with Illegally Recording Colleagues Without Their Knowledge
Daniel Flores (43) was initially charged with 16 felony counts of illegal eavesdropping on or recording confidential communications. Prosecutors made a motion today to reduce the charges to 16 misdemeanor counts.
At the hearing, attorneys representing Flores requested that a judge grant their client judicial diversion for one year on all 16 misdemeanors. If Flores obeys all laws and successfully completes diversion during this time, the Court will thereafter dismiss the case.
Prosecutors submitted to the judge’s discretion the request for diversion.
During the course of 2024, Flores allegedly recorded 16 LAPD colleagues 122 times who were responsible for determining which candidates could be hired by LAPD. Flores is accused of taking the action without the permission of those who were recorded. Some of the conversations included sexist, homophobic or racist remarks.
Since 1967, California law has prohibited recording confidential conversations without the consent of all parties.
Case 26CJCF04780 was prosecuted by the Justice System Integrity Division and investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division.
Source: Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office
