LOS ANGELES — Robert Philibosian, who served as Los Angeles County’s district attorney from 1982 to 1984, has died at the age of 83, officials said today.
“The Association of Deputy District Attorneys acknowledges the passing of former Los Angeles County District Attorney Robert Philibosian with deep sadness and a heavy heart,” the association said in a statement Tuesday morning.
“Robert Philibosian was an iconic figure in California’s legal and political scene, leaving an indelible mark on the legal community and beyond. His unwavering commitment to service, his dedication to mentorship, and his steadfast love for his family defined his illustrious career and life.”
Philibosian died Monday, according to the legal publication Metropolitan News-Enterprise, which said Philibosian slipped into a coma over one month ago and had been on life support.
Philibosian earned a BA in history from Stanford University and his law degree from Southwestern School of Law in 1967 after studying in the school’s evening program while working in the daytime.
He joined the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office in 1968, rising to be head deputy in charge of the Van Nuys branch in 1979. He was appointed chief assistant attorney general for the Criminal Law Division from 1979-82, overseeing appellate prosecutions and spearheading initiatives against consumer fraud and antitrust issues.
He became California’s chief deputy attorney general in 1982, and was also appointed Los Angeles County district attorney, succeeding John Van de Kamp, who was elected state attorney general.
According to the Association of Deputy District Attorneys, he “actively shaped the legal landscape of Los Angeles, advocating for vital causes such as toxic waste disposal, environmental law, consumer protection, and antitrust enforcement.”
He was defeated in the 1984 district attorney’s election by Ira Reiner.
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