Santa Maria Sun / News

Santa Barbara County District Attorney retires due to health problems

BY AMY ASMAN

After serving almost three years as Santa Barbara County’s district attorney, Christie Stanley is retiring.

 “Given the uncertainty of her health, Christie Stanley will formally retire within the next two weeks,” acting District Attorney Joshua Lynn announced in a press release on Jan. 25.

The decision was set to be confirmed at the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors meeting on Feb. 2. The supervisors also planned to discuss whether or not to fill Stanley’s position. That part of the board’s agenda had not been reached as of press time.

Stanley was diagnosed with lung cancer halfway into her term as District Attorney.

In a follow-up interview with the Sun, Lynn said Stanley’s health “has not improved as everyone in the office has hoped and prayed.”

Her retirement comes after a more than 30-year career with the county.

“This is a very difficult time for the district attorney’s office and all who respect and admire Christie for her unending dedication to our mission,” Lynn said in the release. “I continue to wish for Christie’s good health and that this office will continue to be led with the same honesty, ethics, and high moral standards she practiced during her life as prosecutor.”

Stanley could not be reached as of press time.

In Sept. 2009, Stanley announced she wouldn’t be running for a second term as district attorney. Instead, she endorsed Lynn for the job.

Lynn has been with the district attorney’s office for 14 years, serving as head of the domestic violence office, and eventually taking over for Stanley when she became ill.

So far, Lynn and Senior Deputy District Attorney Joyce Dudley are the only two people to announce their intentions to run for the position.