Paul K. Tanaka | |
|---|---|
| Undersheriff of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department | |
| In office June 2011 – August 1, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Larry L Waldie |
| Assistant Sheriff of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department | |
| In office January 7, 2005 – June 2011 Serving with R. Doyle Campbell | |
| Succeeded by | Marvin O. Cavanaugh and Cecil W. Rhambo |
| Mayor Pro Tem of Gardena | |
| In office March 2003 – April 2004 | |
| Mayor of Gardena | |
| In office March 2005 – April 2016 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1959 (age 65) Gardena, California, U.S. |
| Spouse | Valerie Tanaka |
| Alma mater | Loyola Marymount University (B.A. Accounting) |
| Criminal status | Released |
| Conviction(s) | Conspiracy, obstruction of justice |
| Penalty | 5 years in federal prison |
| Website | www [dead link] |
Paul K. Tanaka (born 1959) is an American convicted felon, former politician, and former law enforcement officer who served with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department until his conviction in 2016. He was convicted April 4, 2016, in Federal Court of conspiracy to obstruct justice and obstruction of justice. Tanaka served as Undersheriff of Los Angeles County from 2011 to 2013. He was also mayor of the City of Gardena, California. His tenure has provoked controversy due to allegations of violence, corruption, and alleged membership in the Lynwood Vikings, a deputy gang, which was described as a "neo-Nazi, white supremacist gang" by a federal judge.