Probe finds taped calls by former spokesman for Attorney General Jerry Brown did not break law

Probe finds tapings by Brown spokesman not illegal

OAKLAND, Calif. — Prosecutors have determined the former spokesman for California Attorney General Jerry Brown did not break the law when he secretly recorded phone conversations with reporters.

Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley said Thursday an independent investigation by her office found the recordings by Scott Gerber did not violate the law because they were not meant to be confidential, but were meant to be later published.

Gerber resigned from his job as communications director for the attorney general’s office in November after one of the several secret recordings came to light.

Gerber, who worked for Brown for about a year, said in his resignation letter that neither Brown nor any other attorneys in the office knew he was recording the calls.