I guess L.A. County District Attorney Steve Cooley does not answer to or work for the people of the county, after all (“Mexican consulate forces deal in ID theft case,” March 20).

Under pressure from the Mexican consulate, the D.A. reduced felony identify theft charges against 58 suspects in L&M Optical Disc West to simple misdemeanors.

The D.A. also dropped felony charges of false personation and false documentation against other suspects.

That is shameful, Steve Cooley. Allowing a foreign government to persuade you to lessen charges and ultimately punishment sends a terrible message to those who are victimizing our citizens.

Thirty days’ community service picking up trash does not see quite appropriate, Mr. Cooley.

Well, all is not lost. It would seem key witness Rosa Gutierrez, L&M’s accounting manager, received a good lesson on the U.S. Constitution. She practiced pleading the Fifth Amendment more than 20 times.