Jonathan Hatami

Jonathan “Jon” Amir Hatami (born December 15, 1969) is an American prosecutor who is a Deputy District Attorney in the Complex Child Abuse Section in the office of the Los Angeles County District Attorney.

Hatami has prosecuted prominent child abuse cases, including the one depicted the Netflix documentary The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez.

On March 29, 2023, Hatami announced his 2024 campaign for Los Angeles County District Attorney in Whittier, California.

Born in Manhattan and raised in California, Hatami was a victim of child abuse.

Jonathan Hatami was born on December 15, 1969, in New York City.

His father was originally from Iran and emigrated to the United States.

His mother was born in Brooklyn, New York.

Growing up, he suffered child abuse at the hands of his father.

Recalling that period of his life Hatami said, “I know what it feels like to be powerless.” Hatami’s father would scream at him, call him names, hit him, yank him by his hair and smash him into walls in their apartment.

Hatami’s parents separated and battled for custody of their children.

His mother was granted temporary custody.

Fearing that Hatami’s father would flee with the children to Iran, Hatami’s mother kidnapped Hatami and his brother and flew to Florida.

His mother left her two children in the custody of a stranger who further abused them.

After a month in Florida, Hatami’s mother came back and the family moved to California.

Hatami’s father searched for the two children, contacting the NYPD, FBI, and other groups that help find missing children.

Hatami and his brother were listed as missing children in an edition of Ladies’ Home Journal.

In the early 1980’s, someone recognized Hatami and his brother, leading to a reunion with Hatami’s father.

Hatami graduated from Canyon High School in Santa Clarita, California.

After graduating from high school in 1989, he served in the United States Army for seven years, attaining the rank of staff sergeant.

Hatami graduated cum laude from California State University, Northridge, and earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Nebraska College of Law.

After clerking for Judge Richard Sievers of the Nebraska Court of Appeals, Hatami returned to California to practice civil law and joined the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office under District Attorney Steve Cooley.

After graduating from high school in 1989, Hatami enlisted in the United States Army as a private.

He was largely stationed in South Korea, but also served in Panama, Guantanamo Bay during the 1991 Haitian refugee crisis, and Los Angeles during the 1992 Los Angeles riots.

While in the Army, Hatami was able to come to terms with the fact that he was a victim of child abuse.

He decided to do something meaningful in his life to help abused and neglected children.

He was honorably discharged in 1996.

Hatami was in the Infantry before transferring to the Military Police Corps, eventually attaining the rank of staff sergeant.

Hatami received a full scholarship to attend the University of Nebraska College of Law, graduating with a J.D. degree in 2002.

Following graduation, Hatami clerked for Judge Sievers of the Nebraska Court of Appeals for one year.

He moved back to Los Angeles, California to practice law as a civil attorney.

In 2012, Hatami ran for the Santa Clarita City Council as a Republican candidate.

During the campaign, he was asked about his biggest weakness, to which he replied, "I'm too conservative."

A few months later, at an endorsement event, he said "Bottom line, hands down, I am the second most conservative person on this panel."

Throughout the campaign, Hatami regularly campaigned on his dedication to addressing immigration issues in Santa Clarita.

He advocated for an E-Verify system for employers to use in hiring.

He also advocated for cooperation with the federal government to assign an ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agent to Santa Clarita to address immigration-related concerns.

Hatami finished last among the five candidates.

It is noteworthy that Hatami later changed his political affiliation and re-registered as a Democrat before announcing his candidacy for the Los Angeles District Attorney's office.

After completing his military service, Hatami returned to California and enrolled at the College of the Canyons, where he developed an interest in criminal justice.

He transferred to California State University Northridge to complete his undergraduate degree.