RIVERSIDE – (INT) – Budget constraints appear to have set off a rift between County Supervisors and District Attorney Mike Hestrin.

Cuts in the 2016-17 county budget prompted Hestrin to notify police agencies in Riverside County that his office would no longer review search-warrant requests after hours. Hestrin made the advisory effective August 3rd.

Supervisors Chairman John Benoit retorted “It is not an unexpected move from a first-term DA who hasn’t managed through financial adversity before and had to look for efficiencies. I hope he will take a breath, and that this challenge helps him become a strong manager,” Benoit said Thursday.

Hestrin was authorized $116 million to manage his office, $11 million more than last year. He asked for $12 million more last Tuesday.

Hestrin and other top county leaders agreed to meet in August to discuss possible layoffs.

The supes adopted a $5.4 billion budget for the current fiscal year.

Story Date: August 1, 2016