LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman and a deputy district attorney all won a round in court Wednesday when a judge granted their motions to dismiss defamation allegations filed by a lawyer who says she was demoted for her support of former top prosecutor George Gascon’s reform policies.

Former Deputy District Attorney Tiffiny Blacknell, who is Black, also alleges she was targeted due to her race, age and gender. She filed the lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court against the county, the District Attorney’s Office, Hochman and Deputy District Attorney John Lewin.

Hochman and Lewin both contended that any comments they made were protected statements of opinion.

On Wednesday, Judge Richard Fruin ruled in favor of the county, Hochman and also Lewin, a deputy di

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