(l-r) Commerce Councilmembers Joe Aguilar, Lelia R. Leon, Mayor Tina Baca Del Rio, Thomas Griego, Councilmembers Ivan Altamirano and Denise M. Robles.
By Tammye McDuff
The Griego family name has long been synonymous with the city of Commerce. A presentation was made to Thomas Griego by City Council, with Mayor Tina Baca Del Rio exclaiming “Thomas Griego, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge, isn’t this impressive?” Del Rio stated that Griego is a born and bred Commerce local, growing up in the Commerce community and that this election was amazing. “You come from a wonderful family and the Griego’s are an important part of our city,” states Del Rio “You have come a long way and it hasn’t been easy. We honor and respect what you have gone through.”
Tom Griego earned a B.A in Political Science in 1980 from UCLA; a Master of Science in Public Administration in 1984 from CSULA; and a J.D. in 1990 from Whittier Law School. Between 1975 and 1984, Griego gained work experience with the City of Commerce; Washington D.C. COG; Commuter Transportation Services; the City of El Monte; the Los Angeles Raiders; and the Los Angeles Olympics Organizing Committee.
While completing his law degree, Griego joined the Los Angeles Police Department as a Department Advocate. After serving as Chief of Staff to a Los Angeles City Council member, and as an associate at a private law firm, Griego accepted an appointment as a criminal prosecutor with the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office. In 2011, and was quickly promoted to the specialized Anti-Gang Division. Currently, Griego serves as the specially assigned, Criminal Gang Prosecutor covering various communities of Los Angeles, where he has prosecuted over 150 gang and quality of life crimes.
Since 1999, Griego has actively and proudly served as a LA County Board of Supervisors Appointee to the Real Estate Management Commission, and in 2008 was elected its current President. Griego volunteers to numerous political campaigns, community causes and local issues. A few of his favorite endeavors over the years is to assist with the Veteran Homeless Valor Program; set-up and stripe AYSO soccer fields; and participate at elementary schools as part of career day. Griego stated proudly “For more than 25 years, I have helped crime victims, business owners and the community access justice. As Judge, I will apply the law with fairness, integrity & respect.”
When asked what specific personal qualities make him qualified to be a judge of the LA Superior Court, Griego answered “I am fair. I enjoy being present and engaged in both Civil and Criminal courtroom settings. I am confident and comfortable in the role of serving the public, Counsel, Litigants, Court House Staff and fellow Bench Officers.”
Griego ran for election to the Los Angeles County Superior Court and was successful in the primary on June 3, 2014, receiving 34.1% of the vote. He competed against Steven P. Schreiner and Andrew M. Stein.
