Parents of Teenager Charged with Santa Barbara Murders are Leading Santa Monica Philanthropists

By Jorge Casuso

Among those grappling with the tragic killing of four pedestrians by a Santa Monica teenager near UC Santa Barbara this weekend are members of the City's philanthropic community, who know the parents of 18-year-old suspect David Edward Attias as caring champions of the downtrodden.

While they mourn the deaths of the victims -- who were rammed by Attias as he drove his black 1991 Saab at high speeds down a street full of Friday night revelers --, operators of non-profit agencies also are angered by the media's portrayal of his parents, Daniel and Diana Attias.

Aside from scant references to Daniel Attias -- a television director whose credits include "The Sopranos" and "Ally McBeal" -- as "Hollywood royalty," (a characterization friends say is a gross misrepresentation), they note that there has been little or no mention of the couple's role as award-winning philanthropists.

"I've been very upset about the characterization," said John Maceri, executive director of the Ocean Park Community Center (OPCC), which counts Diana Attias as both a board member and a weekly volunteer. "They're terrific folks. Both of them are great human beings, very quiet, unassuming, modest and kind hearted.... We're all devastated. Everybody feels so helpless."

"To paint them as Hollywood royalty is very upsetting," said close friend Dale Franzen, a champion of the performing arts at Santa Monica College. "The press is not giving a true picture of who they are.

"They're two of the most loving deep-thinking people, and they've struggled so hard with this situation," said Franzen, a friend of 13 years, referring to the couple's efforts to help their troubled son.

Local social service providers praise the couple's contributions, which they say went far beyond opening their checkbook. Dan Attius held drumming lessons for students at a local public school and Diana Attias volunteered three hours every Friday at the OPCC Access Center.

"She's there on the front lines," said Maceri. "It (the access center) is the first contact that a lot of homeless folks make."

Maceri said that last Thursday, the Attiases hosted an event at their home in Sunset Park to introduce people to OPCC and its programs for the homeless, the mentally ill and battered women.

"There are people that give money and people that give money and are really committed," Maceri said. "These are people who roll up their sleeves. They don't just write checks."

Franzen, who is leading a fundraising drive to build Santa Monica College's Madison Theater and who produces concert events at the college, said Diana Attias was an ideal volunteer who did everything from helping with the productions to making phone calls and sending out mail.

"They're leading civic leaders and philanthropists, donors to almost every major institution, not just money, but time," said Franzen, noting that she was speaking as a friend and not a staff member at the college. "Diana's been involved in so many things. She's the kind of parent who's always in the classroom. Everybody loves her."

Sarah Pillsbury, co-founder of the Liberty Hill Foundation, of which the Attiases have been "longtime supporters," said that the couple established the organization's Social Entrepreneurial Fund in 1998, which helps small community and worker-owned enterprises in low-income neighborhoods.

Among the beneficiaries of the fund, which distributed $177,000 to eight organizations last year, is a ceramic tile design, manufacturing and installation business that employs high risk youth from Venice's Oakwood neighborhood. Another is a business started by students at Crenshaw High School that creates, packages and distributes a line of salad dressing. The Attiases were the recipients of the organization's Founder's Award in 1999.

"They are responsive," Pillsbury said. "They show initiative."

Pillsbury said she was hesitant to speak to the press and add to the "media frenzy." But she thought it was important to set the record straight.

"They're just the kindest, gentlest, most thoughtful and compassionate people," said Pillsbury, a longtime friend. "I hope that the compassion they have shown to the world at large and all their friends (is shown to them). I know they feel the same compassion towards the families who have lost their loved ones."