Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman will reduce all 16 felony eavesdropping charges against LAPD Officer Daniel Flores to misdemeanors, removing the threat of prison time for the officer who secretly recorded colleagues making racist, sexist and homophobic remarks.

Hochman announced the reversal on Wednesday, Aug. 19, after weeks of mounting criticism from Mayor Karen Bass, City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez, Black Lives Matter L.A. and even some of his own prosecutors, who privately called the original filing "insane," according to the Los Angeles Times.

"We looked at it, and we said that the 16 felonies, again, have sent a message that potentially could deter legitimate whistleblowers," Hochman told reporters.

Flores, 43, made more than 100 recordings of fellow officers in the LAPD's recruitment unit between March and October 2024. The recordings captured slurs and degrading comments, including a joke about Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela dying because he "ate too many tacos," stereotypes about Black people and one officer calling a young recruit "rapeable," according to court records cited by the Times.

Those officers were responsible for deciding who gets hired by the LAPD. None have been publicly disciplined.

From 13 years to likely dismissal

Flores was originally charged July 31 with 16 felony counts carrying up to 13 years in state prison. He pleaded not guilty at his Aug. 10 arraignment and remained free on his own recognizance.

Under the new arrangement, Hochman said the case will likely resolve through judicial diversion. If Flores obeys the law for approximately one year, the charges would be dismissed entirely, according to the Washington Post.

Flores's attorney Alan Jackson said he expected to request a diversion agreement at Flores's next court appearance, which could come as early as Thursday, Aug. 20, according to LAist.

Backlash built quickly

The political pressure on Hochman was swift. Bass said in a statement after the charges were filed that the prosecution would "deter whistleblowers and discourage officers from using the appropriate reporting channels in the future." Soto-Martínez introduced a City Council resolution condemning the prosecution and urging Hochman to drop the case.

Hochman had doubled down as recently as Aug. 7, filing a 27-page court brief alleging Flores manipulated the recordings and was motivated by a desire to hit the "LAPD lottery" through a civil lawsuit. Two anonymous county prosecutors described that document as "a press release masked as a court filing."

Hochman also cited the rise of new recording technology, including Meta smart glasses, as part of his original rationale for bringing felony charges, saying he wanted to send a broader message about illegal eavesdropping in California's two-party consent state.

Flores filed a hostile workplace and retaliation lawsuit against the city in June.

Unresolved questions

A separate LAPD Internal Affairs investigation found Flores committed policy violations and recommended a 22-day suspension without pay. That discipline had not been finalized by the LAPD chief as of the time of the original charges.

Whether any of the 16 officers captured on the recordings have faced discipline remains unclear. California law keeps most police personnel investigations confidential.

Flores's next scheduled court date is Sept. 9.