L.A. County Coroner Resigns Amid Scrutiny on the Department

LOS ANGELES, CA - Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner Mark Fajardo will resign from his position atop one of the country's busiest coroner's office, his office said Friday.

"I can confirm that he is submitting his letter of resignation today," coroner's Assistant Chief Ed Winter said early Friday afternoon. Winter did not say when the resignation would become effective.

Fajardo's resignation comes amid heavy scrutiny of his department, according to KCAL9 which broke the news of his resignation.

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Fajardo has held the job for two years. Complaints have surfaced about mismanagement of the toxicology lab.

KCAL9 reported that some 400 cases are backlogged, with issues such as drug and alcohol analyses being delayed, which is holding up the determination of criminal cases.

Fajardo downplayed the problems in his interview with the Los Angeles Times, saying understaffing that prevented the department from doing its job properly was the primary reason for his leaving.

Fajardo told The Times he has received a new job offer that he likely will accept, but declined to disclose. Officials in Riverside County said late Friday Fajardo will become coroner there, returning to the position he held before leaving for Los Angeles County in August 2013.

--City News Service