mercurynews--2020-01-07--16-year-old girl dies in Northern California shooting, three teens in custody

Three teens are in police custody following a weekend shooting in West Sacramento that left a 16-year-old girl dead .
Following multiple 911 calls around 7:36 p.m. Saturday , West Sacramento police responded to the area of Clarksburg Trail near River City High School where the found the unidentified female victim who “ had suffered a fatal gunshot wound.
” She was pronounced dead at the scene .
Using social media , the department kept the public informed throughout the day Sunday as its Investigations Unit worked the case .
By Sunday evening , two unidentified juvenile suspects had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Elk Grove .
A third suspect , 16-year-old Jacob Oehlke of West Sacramento , turned himself in shortly after police released his name and photo .
“ A firearm believed to be used in the homicide has been recovered , ” WSPD officials said .
“ We believe the shooting occurred during a marijuana-related transaction .
Witness cooperation and partnership with allied agencies have made this possible.
” The city ’ s mayor , Christopher Cabaldon , tweeted his support on Sunday : “ All suspects in ( Saturday ’ s ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Cabaldon said .
“ I am very proud of the officers and team members at the West Sacramento Police Department , who worked nonstop through the night on an investigation and manhunt sprawling beyond our borders to bring the killers to justice.
” In a note to the community , Washington Unified School District said it did not believe that “ any of the individuals involved in this incident were WUSD students.
” Still , support staff was scheduled to be available to “ speak to or counsel ” students when they @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Three teens are in police custody following a weekend shooting in West Sacramento that left a 16-year-old girl dead.
Following multiple 911 calls around 7:36 p.m. Saturday, West Sacramento police responded to the area of Clarksburg Trail near River City High School where the found the unidentified female victim who “had suffered a fatal gunshot wound.” She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Using social media, the department kept the public informed throughout the day Sunday as its Investigations Unit worked the case.
By Sunday evening, two unidentified juvenile suspects had been arrested — one in Sacramento and one in Elk Grove. A third suspect, 16-year-old Jacob Oehlke of West Sacramento, turned himself in shortly after police released his name and photo.
“A firearm believed to be used in the homicide has been recovered,” WSPD officials said. “We believe the shooting occurred during a marijuana-related transaction. Witness cooperation and partnership with allied agencies have made this possible.”
The city’s mayor, Christopher Cabaldon, tweeted his support on Sunday:
“All suspects in (Saturday’s) fatal shooting are now in custody,” Cabaldon said. “I am very proud of the officers and team members at the West Sacramento Police Department, who worked nonstop through the night on an investigation and manhunt sprawling beyond our borders to bring the killers to justice.”
In a note to the community, Washington Unified School District said it did not believe that “any of the individuals involved in this incident were WUSD students.” Still, support staff was scheduled to be available to “speak to or counsel” students when they return from winter break this week.


mercurynews--2020-01-07--A 12,000-mile trek: Gray whales moving through Monterey Bay

MONTEREY — This time of year , gray whales are making their annual southern migration from Alaska and are cruising through Monterey Bay on their arduous journey to their calving grounds in the lagoons of Mexico .
But scientists are watching the pods closely following last year ’ s significant mortality rate of the 35-ton marine mammals .
Their 12,000-mile trek is an annual ritual that packs the whale-watching boats moored to Old Fisherman ’ s Wharf in Monterey as well as Moss Landing and Santa Cruz .
It is the longest mammal migration of any species on Earth .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ got off to a bit of a slow start this year but is now picking up momentum , allowing scientists and nonprofit groups dedicated to protecting the whales let out a collective sigh of relief , according to land-based observers on the coast of Rancho Palo Verdes .
There was some concern because of the abnormal amount of fatalities that occurred during last year ’ s southern migration , said Alisa Schulman-Janiger , who runs the annual Gray Whale Census & Behavior Project from the Point Vicente Interpretive Center in Rancho Palos Verdes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Central Coast in mid-January .
By mid-March , with calves in tow , the pods will turn north for their migration to the Bering Sea where they summer .
During the entire migration , north and south , the whales do not eat — a total of two months .
The hope is that they foraged longer in their northern feeding grounds and will be healthier as they make their migration , potentially rebounding after a year in which they were skinny , starving and washing up dead in large numbers along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in May to declare an “ unusual mortality event ” over concern for the species .
Necropsies — animal autopsies — were conducted on some of the whales , with findings indicating many were emaciated , according to NOAA .
It is too soon to draw any conclusions from such a small sampling of sightings off the coast of Rancho Palos Verdes , said Dr. Bruce Mate , professor emeritus at the Marine Mammal Institute at Oregon State University .
Sightings , he said , could depend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can drive pods farther from shore , out of sight of land-based observers .
Mate said there are a number of explanations as to why the number of fatalities jumped last year , but the one he puts the most stock in has to do with the amount of food available in the northern feeding grounds compared to the current population of whales .
“ Right now just leaving the feeding grounds they are in the best condition of the year , ” Mate said .
“ We don ’ t expect to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whale migration season off to a slow start — but that could be a good thing • Abcarian : A California dilemma : Save the whales or eat the crabs ?
But that can change by the time they reach Mexico and begin the trip back , having not eaten since early winter .
The emaciation seen last year is a signal of inadequate nutrition that Mate and others believe is due to the number of grays outstripping the food supply .
The 27,000 gray whales today is similar to the number before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the feeding area in Alaska , the whales contend with a strong urge to begin moving south .
But Mate said that without enough calories on board , a host of problems will emerge .
One of the results is that female grays are unable to carry the fetuses to term because of insufficient body mass .
It is the same phenomenon in humans when female distance runners have such lean body mass they are unable to get pregnant .
Some are unable to menstruate at all .
“ The body just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen.
’ ” he said .
“ And if the ( grays ) do get pregnant they often will abort the fetus.
” The number of deaths last year could be nature ’ s way of adjusting for the food supply , Mate said .

MONTEREY — This time of year, gray whales are making their annual southern migration from Alaska and are cruising through Monterey Bay on their arduous journey to their calving grounds in the lagoons of Mexico.
But scientists are watching the pods closely following last year’s significant mortality rate of the 35-ton marine mammals. Their 12,000-mile trek is an annual ritual that packs the whale-watching boats moored to Old Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey as well as Moss Landing and Santa Cruz.
It is the longest mammal migration of any species on Earth.
The migration of on average 27,000 whales got off to a bit of a slow start this year but is now picking up momentum, allowing scientists and nonprofit groups dedicated to protecting the whales let out a collective sigh of relief, according to land-based observers on the coast of Rancho Palo Verdes.
There was some concern because of the abnormal amount of fatalities that occurred during last year’s southern migration, said Alisa Schulman-Janiger, who runs the annual Gray Whale Census & Behavior Project from the Point Vicente Interpretive Center in Rancho Palos Verdes.
The southern migration historically peaks along the Central Coast in mid-January. By mid-March, with calves in tow, the pods will turn north for their migration to the Bering Sea where they summer. During the entire migration, north and south, the whales do not eat — a total of two months.
The hope is that they foraged longer in their northern feeding grounds and will be healthier as they make their migration, potentially rebounding after a year in which they were skinny, starving and washing up dead in large numbers along the entire West Coast
The fatalities led the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in May to declare an “unusual mortality event” over concern for the species. Necropsies — animal autopsies — were conducted on some of the whales, with findings indicating many were emaciated, according to NOAA.
It is too soon to draw any conclusions from such a small sampling of sightings off the coast of Rancho Palos Verdes, said Dr. Bruce Mate, professor emeritus at the Marine Mammal Institute at Oregon State University. Sightings, he said, could depend on factors such as weather. Storms can drive pods farther from shore, out of sight of land-based observers.
Mate said there are a number of explanations as to why the number of fatalities jumped last year, but the one he puts the most stock in has to do with the amount of food available in the northern feeding grounds compared to the current population of whales.
“Right now just leaving the feeding grounds they are in the best condition of the year,” Mate said. “We don’t expect to see many fatalities now.”
But that can change by the time they reach Mexico and begin the trip back, having not eaten since early winter. The emaciation seen last year is a signal of inadequate nutrition that Mate and others believe is due to the number of grays outstripping the food supply. The 27,000 gray whales today is similar to the number before the advent of commercial whaling.
While in the feeding area in Alaska, the whales contend with a strong urge to begin moving south. But Mate said that without enough calories on board, a host of problems will emerge. One of the results is that female grays are unable to carry the fetuses to term because of insufficient body mass.
It is the same phenomenon in humans when female distance runners have such lean body mass they are unable to get pregnant. Some are unable to menstruate at all.
“The body just says ‘that is not going to happen.’” he said. “And if the (grays) do get pregnant they often will abort the fetus.”
The number of deaths last year could be nature’s way of adjusting for the food supply, Mate said.


mercurynews--2020-01-07--Make Noyo Harbor Inn’s Quebec-inspired Dungeness crab cakes

A Dungeness tizzy has hit Northern California .
Suddenly those rosy crustaceans are everywhere — at local fish markets , on restaurant menus and on the calendar , too , in the form of crab festivals , Dungeness feasts and other deliciousness .
One of the biggest of those festivals is Crab Feast Mendocino , a 10-day seafood festival that includes family-style crab and cioppino feasts , winery and brewery dinners , and crab-themed events across Mendocino County from Jan. 24 to Feb. 2 .
And if it sometimes seems to Mendocino visitors like every cafe and eatery has its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a reason for that .
The festival ’ s signature event is Fort Bragg ’ s annual Crab Cake Cook-Off and Wine Tasting Competition — noon to 3 p.m. Feb. 1 , if you want to note that on your calendar .
It ’ s a mad competition between chefs , who cook up thousands of crab cakes for judges and guests .
At stake ?
Bragging rights for the chefs and philanthropic support for the Mendocino Coast Clinics .
Of course , you don ’ t have to go to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You ’ ll find crab cakes on pretty much every menu all winter long .
Some places go classic , others add a twist .
The Irish-inspired pub in Mendocino proper , for example , cooks up Perfect Patterson ’ s Pub Crab Cakes that add fresh lime juice and herbs — basil and dill — to the mix .
And at the Noyo Harbor Inn , executive chef Fabrice Jean-Pierre Dubuc goes Gallic — or at least Quebecois — with a Gateau de Crabe .
And he ’ s sharing the recipe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the egg , mayonnaise , mustard , maple syrup and all the spices , salt and pepper to taste .
Add the fresh crabmeat , mix evenly and gently fold in about a third of a cup of the breadcrumbs .
Shape 6 crab cakes of equal thickness without pressing too hard , then roll in the remaining breadcrumbs to coat .
( Make sure not to use too many breadcrumbs ! )
Refrigerate the crab cakes while you make the Sauce Remoulade .
When ready to cook , melt the butter in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cakes and sauté over low heat , until butter browns , cooking for 2 minutes on each side .
Serve with a dollop of remoulade on top .
Bon Appétit !
Directions : Mix together all the remoulade ingredients .
Taste and adjust seasoning .

A Dungeness tizzy has hit Northern California. Suddenly those rosy crustaceans are everywhere — at local fish markets, on restaurant menus and on the calendar, too, in the form of crab festivals, Dungeness feasts and other deliciousness.
One of the biggest of those festivals is Crab Feast Mendocino, a 10-day seafood festival that includes family-style crab and cioppino feasts, winery and brewery dinners, and crab-themed events across Mendocino County from Jan. 24 to Feb. 2. And if it sometimes seems to Mendocino visitors like every cafe and eatery has its own take on crab cakes, there’s a reason for that. The festival’s signature event is Fort Bragg’s annual Crab Cake Cook-Off and Wine Tasting Competition — noon to 3 p.m. Feb. 1, if you want to note that on your calendar. It’s a mad competition between chefs, who cook up thousands of crab cakes for judges and guests. At stake? Bragging rights for the chefs and philanthropic support for the Mendocino Coast Clinics.
Of course, you don’t have to go to the cook-off to sample the fare. You’ll find crab cakes on pretty much every menu all winter long. Some places go classic, others add a twist. The Irish-inspired pub in Mendocino proper, for example, cooks up Perfect Patterson’s Pub Crab Cakes that add fresh lime juice and herbs — basil and dill — to the mix. And at the Noyo Harbor Inn, executive chef Fabrice Jean-Pierre Dubuc goes Gallic — or at least Quebecois — with a Gateau de Crabe. And he’s sharing the recipe:
Gateau de Crabe Quebecois
Serves 6
Ingredients
1 egg
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
1 tablespoon Canadian maple syrup
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Pinch ground nutmeg
2 pinches cayenne pepper
Pinch of ginger powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
1 pound fresh crabmeat
1 cup panko breadcrumbs, divided use
Sauce Remoulade (see recipe below)
2 tablespoons butter
Directions
In a bowl, mix together the egg, mayonnaise, mustard, maple syrup and all the spices, salt and pepper to taste. Add the fresh crabmeat, mix evenly and gently fold in about a third of a cup of the breadcrumbs. Shape 6 crab cakes of equal thickness without pressing too hard, then roll in the remaining breadcrumbs to coat. (Make sure not to use too many breadcrumbs!)
Refrigerate the crab cakes while you make the Sauce Remoulade.
When ready to cook, melt the butter in a saute pan. Add the crab cakes and sauté over low heat, until butter browns, cooking for 2 minutes on each side. Serve with a dollop of remoulade on top. Bon Appétit!
Sauce Remoulade
Ingredients
¾ cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon chopped chives
2 tablespoon chopped cornichons
1 teaspoon paprika
Dash garlic powder
Dash cayenne pepper
Salt to taste
Directions: Mix together all the remoulade ingredients. Taste and adjust seasoning.
— Fabrice Jean-Pierre Dubuc, executive chef, Noyo Harbor Inn
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mercurynews--2020-01-08--Sunnyvale School District Superintendent to step down

Sunnyvale School District Superintendent Benjamin H. Picard this month announced his intention to retire effective June 30 .
First hired by the district in 1987 as associate superintendent of personnel and business services , Picard held a variety of positions before being named superintendent in 2009 .
Prior to joining Sunnyvale School District , the Nebraska native served as a teacher or administrator in three different Nebraska communities from 1972 through 1987 .
In the 1990s , Picard served on the initial planning committee that conceived and launched a public-private collaborative between the Sunnyvale district , the city of Sunnyvale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school-based Columbia Neighborhood Center , which provides recreational , health and educational services to students and their families .
Based on that model , Picard recently led discussions around a new branch library concept in north Sunnyvale that would be a partnership with the Sunnyvale School District , the city of Sunnyvale and the Fremont Union High School District .
The city council was set vote on that project on Jan. 14 .
Former district board president Nancy Newkirk said these projects are indicative of Picard ’ s ongoing level of engagement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from community members that his engagement goes beyond sharing his expertise , ” Newkirk said .
“ He volunteers at events , invites opportunities for building partnerships and encourages and recruits community members to participate , long after his leadership roles end .
This reflects … the depth of his commitment to civic responsibility as a longtime resident of Sunnyvale.
” Among other initiatives Picard spearheaded is the Sunnyvale Wellness Program , a team of over 15 partners who support staff and student wellness , nutrition and health .
He also created Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunnyvale Community Services and the Sunnyvale Rotary Club that raises money to cover costs for the district ’ s summer nutrition program .
Picard said he and his wife , Susanna , plan to retire in Sunnyvale and remain actively involved in the community .
“ It has been a privilege forging relationships with our community and with this district family , witnessing our staff use their skills and assets to carry out this noble work on behalf of our students , ” Picard said in his retirement announcement .
A special meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday , Jan. 9 at 5 p.m. at the district office , 819 W. Iowa Ave. , for representatives of Leadership Associates to organize and plan the search process .
The meeting is open to the public .
Moving forward , the district said , public input will be a key component of the search process .
A new superintendent is expected to be in place by July 1 .

Sunnyvale School District Superintendent Benjamin H. Picard this month announced his intention to retire effective June 30.
First hired by the district in 1987 as associate superintendent of personnel and business services, Picard held a variety of positions before being named superintendent in 2009. Prior to joining Sunnyvale School District, the Nebraska native served as a teacher or administrator in three different Nebraska communities from 1972 through 1987.
In the 1990s, Picard served on the initial planning committee that conceived and launched a public-private collaborative between the Sunnyvale district, the city of Sunnyvale and Advanced Micro Devices to build the school-based Columbia Neighborhood Center, which provides recreational, health and educational services to students and their families.
Based on that model, Picard recently led discussions around a new branch library concept in north Sunnyvale that would be a partnership with the Sunnyvale School District, the city of Sunnyvale and the Fremont Union High School District. The city council was set vote on that project on Jan. 14.
Former district board president Nancy Newkirk said these projects are indicative of Picard’s ongoing level of engagement.
“When Ben participates, you hear from community members that his engagement goes beyond sharing his expertise,” Newkirk said. “He volunteers at events, invites opportunities for building partnerships and encourages and recruits community members to participate, long after his leadership roles end. This reflects … the depth of his commitment to civic responsibility as a longtime resident of Sunnyvale.”
Among other initiatives Picard spearheaded is the Sunnyvale Wellness Program, a team of over 15 partners who support staff and student wellness, nutrition and health. He also created Our Kids Our Community, a partnership with Sunnyvale Community Services and the Sunnyvale Rotary Club that raises money to cover costs for the district’s summer nutrition program.
Picard said he and his wife, Susanna, plan to retire in Sunnyvale and remain actively involved in the community.
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America’s educational culture wars hit Bay Area school district Education | Taliban have no plans to lift ban on female education “It has been a privilege forging relationships with our community and with this district family, witnessing our staff use their skills and assets to carry out this noble work on behalf of our students,” Picard said in his retirement announcement.
A special meeting of the district board was scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 9 at 5 p.m. at the district office, 819 W. Iowa Ave., for representatives of Leadership Associates to organize and plan the search process. The meeting is open to the public. Moving forward, the district said, public input will be a key component of the search process. A new superintendent is expected to be in place by July 1.


mercurynews--2020-01-08--Convicted congressman says he will resign Jan 13.

SAN DIEGO – U.S. Representative Duncan Hunter , a leading California Republican who pleaded guilty last month to a federal corruption charge of conspiracy to misuse campaign funds , announced on Tuesday that he would resign from office effective Jan. 13 .
Hunter , 43 , whose conviction set off a scramble within the Republican Party to succeed him while seemingly boosting Democrats ’ chances to gain his seat , notified Governor Gavin Newsom and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi by letter of his departure date .
The U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran and six-term congressman , an early supporter of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month .
A spokesman , Michael Harrison , said there was no particular significance to the Jan. 13 date .
Hunter and his wife , Margaret , were indicted in 2018 on charges of misappropriating $ 250,000 in campaign donations to pay for personal expenses , including their children ’ s private school tuition , lavish travel , expensive meals at restaurants , groceries and clothing .
After insisting for months that he was wrongly accused and the victim of a politically motivated prosecution , Hunter pleaded guilty on Dec. 3 to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funds to personal use .
He did so , Hunter said , to spare his family the spectacle of a trial that had been scheduled to begin this month .
Sentencing is scheduled for March 17 , and he faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison .
Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip Halpern told Reuters last month that if the court abides by prosecutors ’ recommendation , Hunter likely “ will be doing upwards of 14 months in jail.
” At the time of his guilty plea , Hunter indicated that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Diego congressional seat he first won in 2008 , succeeding his father and fellow Republican , Duncan Lee Hunter .
But he had yet to give a firm resignation date .
The uncertainty caused some consternation among Republicans , who hold a strong registration edge over Democrats in California ’ s 50th congressional district but nearly lost the seat to a Democratic challenger last year , while Hunter was under indictment .
• Arizona official quits after being charged with human smuggling The San Diego County Republican Party has made no endorsement for @ @ @ @ @

By Jennifer McEntee | Reuters
SAN DIEGO – U.S. Representative Duncan Hunter, a leading California Republican who pleaded guilty last month to a federal corruption charge of conspiracy to misuse campaign funds, announced on Tuesday that he would resign from office effective Jan. 13.
Hunter, 43, whose conviction set off a scramble within the Republican Party to succeed him while seemingly boosting Democrats’ chances to gain his seat, notified Governor Gavin Newsom and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi by letter of his departure date.
The U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran and six-term congressman, an early supporter of President Donald Trump, faces sentencing next month.
A spokesman, Michael Harrison, said there was no particular significance to the Jan. 13 date.
Hunter and his wife, Margaret, were indicted in 2018 on charges of misappropriating $250,000 in campaign donations to pay for personal expenses, including their children’s private school tuition, lavish travel, expensive meals at restaurants, groceries and clothing.
After insisting for months that he was wrongly accused and the victim of a politically motivated prosecution, Hunter pleaded guilty on Dec. 3 to a single count of conspiring to convert campaign funds to personal use.
He did so, Hunter said, to spare his family the spectacle of a trial that had been scheduled to begin this month.
Sentencing is scheduled for March 17, and he faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip Halpern told Reuters last month that if the court abides by prosecutors’ recommendation, Hunter likely “will be doing upwards of 14 months in jail.”
At the time of his guilty plea, Hunter indicated that he would not seek re-election to the San Diego congressional seat he first won in 2008, succeeding his father and fellow Republican, Duncan Lee Hunter. But he had yet to give a firm resignation date.
The uncertainty caused some consternation among Republicans, who hold a strong registration edge over Democrats in California’s 50th congressional district but nearly lost the seat to a Democratic challenger last year, while Hunter was under indictment.


mercurynews--2020-01-07--Victim sues US Tennis over convicted Bay Area child molester coach

ALAMEDA — A victim that was molested by his tennis coach is suing US Tennis Association , alleging that it should have known that the coach was an accused child molester .
The civil suit , filed in Alameda County Superior Court last week , alleges that former coach Normandie Burgos , 55 , should not have been granted access to the young athletes .
The victim , named only as “ W.S ” in the lawsuit , was first molested by Burgos when he was 13 years old , according to the lawsuit .
In August , Burgos was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 60 counts involving two teen students in Contra Costa County .
The mother of one of the two victims told a judge at his sentencing hearing in August : “ I trusted him with my son … like idiots , we believed him , ” she said .
Burgos was a tennis coach at Marin ’ s Tamalpais High School in 2011 when he was accused of groping and other inappropriate touching of students .
He was fired from his coaching job and put on trial in Marin County , but the jury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Despite his well-publicized trial , he was able to attract top tennis students from all over the Bay Area when he moved to Richmond and set up his own private tennis coaching business .
Both teen victims trained under Burgos and his private tennis clinic called Burgos Tennis Foundation .
Richard Allard , the attorney representing “ W.S.
, ” said that they believe Burgos and or his foundation were approved for membership in 2011 by the US Tennis Association ( USTA ) and its Northern California affiliate , USTA NorCal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was fired from Tamalpais High School for sexual misconduct .
What ’ s truly amazing , though , is that even though Burgos was stripped of his California teaching credential in 2011 , he was allowed to become a USTA tennis coach , ” Allard said in a statement .
The lawsuit claims that the tennis organizations did not perform any background checks on Burgos or his foundation before they approved of his membership , and did so negligently .
The lawsuit does not ask for a specific amount of money , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ severe emotional distress , ” including anxiety , depression , humiliation and mental anguish .
“ W.S ” , now 20 , is undergoing counseling , according to the lawsuit .
He said that Burgos began “ grooming ” him shortly after he began taking private tennis lessons from him in 2011 .
It began with inappropriate touches and massages , and escalated within a year to molestation , W.S .
said in a statement .
“ I was afraid , but I was also embarrassed and didn ’ t know what to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 255 years in prison for Bay Area tennis coach convicted of child molestation According to the lawsuit , USTA has a “ Safe Play ” policy that includes rules prohibiting certain one-on-one interactions , prohibiting adults from providing gifts to minor athletes , and barring outside non-athletic interaction , unless with written consent from a parent or guardian .
The lawsuit alleges that USTA violated its own policies designed to protect children .
USTA NorCal is located in Alameda .
USTA has more than 70,000 members in the US .

ALAMEDA — A victim who was molested by his tennis coach is suing US Tennis Association, alleging that it should have known that the coach was an accused child molester.
The civil lawsuit, filed in Alameda County Superior Court last week, alleges that former coach Normandie Burgos, 55, should not have been granted access to the young athletes. The victim, named only as “W.S.” in the lawsuit, was first molested by Burgos when he was 13 years old, according to the lawsuit.
In August, Burgos was sentenced to 255 years in prison for 60 counts involving two teen students in Contra Costa County. The mother of one of the two victims told a judge at his sentencing hearing in August: “I trusted him with my son … like idiots, we believed him,” she said.
Burgos was a tennis coach at Marin’s Tamalpais High School in 2011 when he was accused of groping and other inappropriate touching of students. He was fired from his coaching job and put on trial in Marin County, but the jury hung, unable to reach a verdict. Despite his well-publicized trial, he was able to attract top tennis students from all over the Bay Area when he moved to Richmond and set up his own private tennis coaching business.
Both teen victims trained under Burgos and his private tennis clinic called Burgos Tennis Foundation. Robert Allard, the attorney representing “W.S.,” said that they believe Burgos and his foundation were approved for membership in 2011 by the US Tennis Association (USTA) and its Northern California affiliate, USTA NorCal.
“That’s three years after he was fired from Tamalpais High School for sexual misconduct. What’s truly amazing, though, is that even though Burgos was stripped of his California teaching credential in 2011, he was allowed to become a USTA tennis coach,” Allard said in a statement.
The lawsuit alleges that the tennis organizations did not perform any background checks on Burgos or his foundation before they approved of his membership, and did so negligently. The lawsuit does not ask for a specific amount of money, but says that the victim suffered “severe emotional distress,” including anxiety, depression, humiliation and mental anguish.
“W.S.”, now 20, is undergoing counseling, according to the lawsuit. He said that Burgos began “grooming” him shortly after he began taking private tennis lessons from the man in 2011. It began with inappropriate touches and massages, and escalated within a year to molestation, W.S. said in a statement.
“I was afraid, but I was also embarrassed and didn’t know what to do,” he said.
Related Articles Crime and Public Safety | 255 years in prison for Bay Area tennis coach convicted of child molestation According to the lawsuit, USTA has a “Safe Play” policy that includes rules prohibiting certain one-on-one interactions, prohibiting adults from providing gifts to minor athletes, and barring outside non-athletic interaction, unless with written consent from a parent or guardian. The lawsuit alleges that USTA violated its own policies designed to protect children.
USTA NorCal is located in Alameda. USTA has more than 70,000 members in the United States.
Staff writer Nate Gartrell contributed to this story.


mercurynews--2020-01-07--What’s behind Jimmy G’s surprising long-ball accuracy?

SANTA CLARA — Jimmy Garoppolo doesn ’ t spend a lot of time analyzing how far his passes travel , but he was proud of himself for the last ball he threw in the regular season finale against the Seattle Seahawks .
Even though it cost the 49ers quarterback $ 7,000 after being fined by the NFL .
It went some 35 to 40 yards in the air , directly to Garoppolo ’ s intended receiver , a 49ers fan in the stands who had made the trip from the Bay Area to Seattle to see the 49ers clinch home-field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accurate on the throw , I thought , ” Garoppolo said Tuesday before practice as the 49ers prepared to face the Minnesota Vikings in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs .
“ I wasn ’ t trying to start a riot or anything .
I was trying to throw it to that specific guy and he made a great catch on it.
” It ’ s been one of the surprise storylines of Garoppolo ’ s season .
He ’ s emerged as one of the NFL ’ s most accurate deep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t cut loose all that often .
While the Minnesota Vikings Saturday will be prepared for the 49ers ’ array of crossing routes , pick plays and other passes designed to travel a minimum through the air with the idea of scheme creating run after catch , they ’ ll also have to get ready for Garoppolo to drop back and wing it a time or two .
According to one stat , Garoppolo has a 97.7 passer rating on throws which travel 16 or more yards in the air , the best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calculated that Garoppolo ’ s completion percentage of 55.6 percent is the best in the NFL on passes of 20 or more yards in the air .
Garoppolo is the only regular starting quarterback over 50 percent in that metric , with the Cowboys ’ Dak Prescott ( 48.7 percent ) No.2 and Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs No .
3 ( 48.5 ) .
Not bad for a quarterback who was catching grief for his deep ball accuracy early in 2018 before being sidelined with a torn ACL .
Coach Kyle Shanahan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how to beef up Garoppolo ’ s deep passing stats .
The 36 passes of 20 or more yards ( he ’ s completed 20 ) in the air is the fewest among NFL regular starters .
Aaron Rodgers has 94 such passes and has completed 34 percent , Russell Wilson 83 for 39.8 percent and DeShaun Watson 82 for 42 percent .
“ I ’ d probably embarrass myself if I sat up there and talked too much about stats because I guarantee you guys know them better than me , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every play and I kind of just have a pretty good feeling whether he ’ s playing good or not.
” Garoppolo , originally drafted by the Patriots , has a predictably simplistic idea of what stat makes a quarterback a success .
A career record of 21-5 indicates he ’ s on the right track .
“ Honestly , I don ’ t really look at the stats , ” Garoppolo said .
“ I know it sounds cliche and everything .
As long as the quarterback is winning , I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , putting his team in position to win .
As a quarterback , that ’ s your job.
” Likewise , 49ers receivers are unaware of Garoppolo ’ s deep accuracy numbers , but have accumulated enough visual evidence to not be surprised .
“ Since I got here he ’ s been dropping dimes , honestly , ” rookie wideout Deebo Samuel said .
“ Just to know he can throw the deep ball is a major plus for the receivers.
” Kendrick Bourne was on the receiving end of one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season , a third-and-16 dart against the Rams just past the stake that contributed to a 34-31 win as time expired .
“ That was so awesome .
He was pressured badly on that play , too , ” Bourne said .
“ The pocket was collapsing .
He just knows how to hold it that split second longer to give it time to develop.
” Later in the same drive , facing another third-and-16 , Garoppolo took advantage of a busted coverage and hit Emmanuel Sanders well downfield for a 46-yard gain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the passing stats Shanahan believes is worth his time , and one that will probably matter a great deal against the Vikings .
“ That ’ s always been a pretty big stat for me , ” Shanahan said .
“ It ’ s not foolproof , but I think you look at both teams , they ’ re both committed to running the ball .
But if you look at third down and take out all the runs on third down , we ’ re No .
1 in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Coming off ACL surgery , Garoppolo was being watched closely this season to see how he ’ d hold up in the pocket .
Consider the question answered .
“ Even in pressure situations I feel like he puts it out there , and while he ’ s getting hit he ’ s still able to throw it on the money and where it ’ s supposed to be , ” Bourne said.
” He makes throws where you think , ‘ I don ’ t even have to turn all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here.
’ That ’ s what ’ s going to take us to the Super Bowl , I think .
Those kinds of throws.
” If you have not already , we strongly encourage you to sign up for a digital subscription , which gives you access to all content on the Mercury News and East Bay Times websites .
With your support , we can continue bringing these stories — and much more — to your screens .
Here ’ s where to sign up for the season pass : Mercury News @ @ @ @ @

SANTA CLARA — Jimmy Garoppolo doesn’t spend a lot of time analyzing how far his passes travel, but he was proud of himself for the last ball he threw in the regular season finale against the Seattle Seahawks.
Even though it cost the 49ers quarterback $7,000 after being fined by the NFL.
It went some 35 to 40 yards in the air, directly to Garoppolo’s intended receiver, a 49ers fan in the stands who had made the trip from the Bay Area to Seattle to see the 49ers clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
“Pretty accurate on the throw, I thought,” Garoppolo said Tuesday before practice as the 49ers prepared to face the Minnesota Vikings in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs. “I wasn’t trying to start a riot or anything. I was trying to throw it to that specific guy and he made a great catch on it.”
It’s been one of the surprise storylines of Garoppolo’s season. He’s emerged as one of the NFL’s most accurate deep passers, even if he doesn’t cut loose all that often.
While the Minnesota Vikings Saturday will be prepared for the 49ers’ array of crossing routes, pick plays and other passes designed to travel a minimum through the air with the idea of scheme creating run after catch, they’ll also have to get ready for Garoppolo to drop back and wing it a time or two.
According to one stat, Garoppolo has a 97.7 passer rating on throws which travel 16 or more yards in the air, the best figure in the league. Playerprofiler.com has calculated that Garoppolo’s completion percentage of 55.6 percent is the best in the NFL on passes of 20 or more yards in the air.
Garoppolo is the only regular starting quarterback over 50 percent in that metric, with the Cowboys’ Dak Prescott (48.7 percent) No.2 and Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs No. 3 (48.5).
Not bad for a quarterback who was catching grief for his deep ball accuracy early in 2018 before being sidelined with a torn ACL.
Coach Kyle Shanahan isn’t spending time figuring out how to beef up Garoppolo’s deep passing stats. The 36 passes of 20 or more yards (he’s completed 20) in the air is the fewest among NFL regular starters. Aaron Rodgers has 94 such passes and has completed 34 percent, Russell Wilson 83 for 39.8 percent and DeShaun Watson 82 for 42 percent.
“I’d probably embarrass myself if I sat up there and talked too much about stats because I guarantee you guys know them better than me,” Shanahan said. “I just watch every play and I kind of just have a pretty good feeling whether he’s playing good or not.”
Garoppolo, originally drafted by the Patriots, has a predictably simplistic idea of what stat makes a quarterback a success. A career record of 21-5 indicates he’s on the right track.
“Honestly, I don’t really look at the stats,” Garoppolo said. “I know it sounds cliche and everything. As long as the quarterback is winning, I think he’s doing a good job, putting his team in position to win. As a quarterback, that’s your job.”
Likewise, 49ers receivers are unaware of Garoppolo’s deep accuracy numbers, but have accumulated enough visual evidence to not be surprised.
“Since I got here he’s been dropping dimes, honestly,” rookie wideout Deebo Samuel said. “Just to know he can throw the deep ball is a major plus for the receivers.”
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49ers: Shanahan sees bright side of Trey Lance’s performance vs. Raiders San Francisco 49ers | Kurtenbach: What’d I miss? A summer’s worth of takes on the Warriors, Giants, Niners, and Pac-12 Kendrick Bourne was on the receiving end of one of Garoppolo’s biggest throws of the season, a third-and-16 dart against the Rams just past the stake that contributed to a 34-31 win as time expired.
“That was so awesome. He was pressured badly on that play, too,” Bourne said. “The pocket was collapsing. He just knows how to hold it that split second longer to give it time to develop.”
Later in the same drive, facing another third-and-16, Garoppolo took advantage of a busted coverage and hit Emmanuel Sanders well downfield for a 46-yard gain.
Converting third downs happens to be one of the passing stats Shanahan believes is worth his time, and one that will probably matter a great deal against the Vikings.
“That’s always been a pretty big stat for me,” Shanahan said. “It’s not foolproof, but I think you look at both teams, they’re both committed to running the ball. But if you look at third down and take out all the runs on third down, we’re No. 1 in the league and Minnesota is No. 2.”
Coming off ACL surgery, Garoppolo was being watched closely this season to see how he’d hold up in the pocket. Consider the question answered.
“Even in pressure situations I feel like he puts it out there, and while he’s getting hit he’s still able to throw it on the money and where it’s supposed to be,” Bourne said.”He makes throws where you think, ‘I don’t even have to turn all the way. It’s already right here.’ That’s what’s going to take us to the Super Bowl, I think. Those kinds of throws.”
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If you have not already, we strongly encourage you to sign up for a digital subscription, which gives you access to all content on the Mercury News and East Bay Times websites. With your support, we can continue bringing these stories — and much more — to your screens. Here’s where to sign up for the season pass: Mercury News, East Bay Times.


mercurynews--2020-01-07--BREAKING: Iran fires missiles at US air base in Iraq

At least 10 rockets hit al-Asad airbase in Iraq , which houses US forces , a Sunni commander of the paramilitary forces in a nearby town told CNN .
Qatri al-Obeidi , a commander in the nearby town of al-Baghdadi , said that the shelling has stopped for now .
President Donald Trump visited the base in December 2018 to visit troops after Christmas .
Vice President Mike Pence also visited the base in November 2019 .
The attack follows last week ’ s deadly US drone strike that Trump ordered to kill key Iranian General Qasem Soleimani .
Iranian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps , or IRGC , “ has hit U.S .
Ain al-Asad airbase in Iraq with tens of missiles.
” The IRGC warned the US of of more “ crushing responses in case of new aggression , ” according to state TV .
The IRGC said it will target any regional state that becomes a platform for US aggression , a second banner on state TV read .
CNN reported earlier on Tuesday that US forces and air-defense missile batteries across the Middle East were placed on high alert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drones as intelligence mounted about a threat of an imminent attack against US targets , according to two US officials .
Trump was briefed on the reports of rocket attacks , White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said .
“ We are aware of the reports of attacks on US facilities in Iraq .
The President has been briefed and is monitoring the situation closely and consulting with his national security team , ” Grisham said .
Iran ’ s Revolutionary Guard warned the U.S. and its regional allies against retaliating over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issued the warning via a statement carried by Iran ’ s state-run IRNA news agency .
“ We are warning all American allies , who gave their bases to its terrorist army , that any territory that is the starting point of aggressive acts against Iran will be targeted , ” The Guard said .
It also threatened Israel .
Ain Assad air base is in Iraq ’ s western Anbar province .
It was first used by American forces after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein .
It later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria .
State TV said the operation ’ s name was “ Martyr Soleimani.
” It said the Guard ’ s aerospace division that controls Iran ’ s missile program launched the attack .
Iran said it would release more information later .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was discussing the situation in Iran when she was handed a note with news of the attack , lawmakers who attended the meeting said .
Rep. Dan Kildee , a Michigan Democrat , said she paused the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steering Committee of the news .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .

By NASSER KARIMI, AMIR VAHDAT and JON GAMBRELL | The Associated Press
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran struck back at the United States early Wednesday for killing a top Revolutionary Guards commander, firing a series of ballistic missiles at two military bases in Iraq housing American troops in a major escalation between the two longtime foes.
Iranian state TV said it was in revenge for the U.S. killing of Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, whose death last week in an American drone strike near Baghdad prompted angry calls to avenge his slaying. A U.S. official said there were no immediate reports of American casualties, though buildings were still being searched.
The strikes, which came as Iran buried Soleimani, raised fears that the two longtime foes were closer to war. But there were some indications that there would not be further retaliation on either side, at least in the short term.
‘All is well!’ President Donald Trump tweeted shortly after the missile attacks, adding, ‘So far, so good’ regarding casualties. Moments earlier, Iran’s foreign minister tweeted that Tehran had taken “& concluded proportionate measures in self-defense,” adding that Tehran did “not seek escalation” but would defend itself against further aggression.
Soleimani’s killing and the strikes by Iran came as tensions have been rising steadily across the Mideast after President Donald Trump’s decision to unilaterally withdraw America from Tehran’s nuclear deal with world powers. They also marked the first time in recent years that Washington and Tehran have attacked each other directly rather than through proxies in the region. It raised the chances of open conflict erupting between the two enemies, which have been at odds since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.
But in a tweet shortly after the missile launches, Iran’s foreign minister called a ballistic missile attack a “proportionate measures in self-defense” and said it was not seeking to escalate the situation but would defend itself against any aggression.
Iran initially announced only one strike, but U.S. officials confirmed both. U.S. defense officials were at the White House, likely to discuss options with Trump, who launched the strike on Soleimani while facing an upcoming impeachment trial in the Senate,
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned the U.S. and its regional allies against retaliating over the missile attack against the Ain al-Asad air base in Iraq’s western Anbar province. The Guard issued the warning via a statement carried by Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency.
“We are warning all American allies, who gave their bases to its terrorist army, that any territory that is the starting point of aggressive acts against Iran will be targeted,” The Guard said. It also threatened Israel.
After the strikes, a former Iranian nuclear negotiator posted a picture of the Islamic Republic’s flag on Twitter, appearing to mimic Trump who posted an American flag following the killing of Soleimani and others Friday in a drone strike in Baghdad.
Ain al-Asad air base was first used by American forces after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein, and later saw American troops stationed there amid the fight against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria. It houses about 1,500 U.S. and coalition forces.
Two Iraqi security officials said at least one of the missiles appeared to have struck a plane at the base, igniting a fire. It was not immediately clear whether it was an Iraqi or U.S. jet. There were no immediate reports of casualties from the attacks, according to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity as they had no permission to brief journalists.
About 70 Norwegian troops also were on the air base but no injuries were reported, Brynjar Stordal, a spokesperson for the Norwegian Armed Forces told The Associated Press.
Trump visited the sprawling Ain al-Asad air base, about 100 miles or 60 kilometers west of Baghdad, in December 2018, making his first presidential visit to troops in the region. He did not meet with any Iraqi officials at the time, and his visit inflamed sensitivities about the continued presence of U.S. forces in Iraq. Vice President Mike Pence also has visited the base.
Iranian state TV said the Guard’s aerospace division that controls Iran’s missile program launched the attack, which it said was part of an operation dubbed “Martyr Soleimani.” Iran said it would release more information later.
The U.S. also acknowledged another missile attack on a base in Irbil in Iraq’s semiautonomous Kurdish region.
“As we evaluate the situation and our response, we will take all necessary measures to protect and defend U.S. personnel, partners and allies in the region,” said Jonathan Hoffman, an assistant to the U.S. defense secretary.
Wednesday’s revenge attack happened a mere few hours after crowds in Iran mourned Soleimani at his funeral. It also came the U.S. continued to reinforce its own positions in the region and warned of an unspecified threat to shipping from Iran in the region’s waterways, crucial routes for global energy supplies. U.S. embassies and consulates from Asia to Africa and Europe issued security alerts for Americans. The FAA also warned of a “potential for miscalculation or mis-identification” for civilian aircraft in the Persian Gulf amid in an emergency flight restriction.
A stampede broke out Tuesday at Soleimani’s funeral, and at least 56 people were killed and more than 200 were injured as thousands thronged the procession, Iranian news reports said. Shortly after Iran’s revenge missile launches early Wednesday, Soleimani’s shroud-wrapped remains were lowered into the ground as mourners wailed at the grave site.
Tuesday’s deadly stampede took place in Soleimani’s hometown of Kerman as his coffin was being borne through the city in southeastern Iran, said Pirhossein Koulivand, head of Iran’s emergency medical services.
There was no information about what set off the crush in the packed streets, and online videos showed only its aftermath: people lying apparently lifeless, their faces covered by clothing, emergency crews performing CPR on the fallen, and onlookers wailing and crying out to God.
“Unfortunately as a result of the stampede, some of our compatriots have been injured and some have been killed during the funeral processions,” Koulivand said, and state TV quoted him as saying that 56 had died and 213 had been injured.
Soleimani’s burial was delayed, with no new time given, because of concerns about the huge crowd at the cemetery, the semi-official ISNA news agency said.
A procession in Tehran on Monday drew over 1 million people in the Iranian capital, crowding both main avenues and side streets in Tehran. Such mass crowds can prove dangerous. A smaller stampede at the 1989 funeral for Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini killed at least eight people and injured hundreds.
Hossein Salami, Soleimani’s successor as leader of the Revolutionary Guard, addressed a crowd of supporters gathered at the coffin in a central square in Kernan. He vowed to avenge Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike Friday near Baghdad’s airport.
“We tell our enemies that we will retaliate but if they take another action we will set ablaze the places that they like and are passionate about,” Salami said.
“Death to Israel!” the crowd shouted in response, referring to one of Iran’s longtime regional foes.
Salami praised Soleimani’s work, describing him as essential to backing Palestinian groups, Yemen’s Houthi rebels and Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria. As a martyr, Soleimani represented an even greater threat to Iran’s enemies, Salami said.
Soleimani will ultimately be laid to rest between the graves of Enayatollah Talebizadeh and Mohammad Hossein Yousef Elahi, two former Guard comrades killed in Iran’s 1980s war with Iraq. They died in Operation Dawn 8, in which Soleimani also took part. It was a 1986 amphibious assault that cut Iraq off from the Persian Gulf and led to the end of the war that killed 1 million.
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Trump returned document he claimed wasn’t real on recording National News | After protests, Iran’s morality police return to the streets The funeral processions in major cities over three days have been an unprecedented honor for Soleimani, seen by Iranians as a national hero for his work leading the Guard’s expeditionary Quds Force.
The U.S. blames him for killing U.S. troops in Iraq and accused him of plotting new attacks just before he was killed. Soleimani also led forces supporting Syrian President Bashar Assad in that country’s civil war, and he also served as the point man for Iranian proxies in countries like Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen. Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Assad in Syria on Tuesday amid the tensions between Washington and Tehran.
Soleimani’s slaying already has led Tehran to abandon the remaining limits of its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers as his successor and others vow to take revenge.
In Iraq, pro-Iranian factions in parliament have pushed to oust American troops from Iraqi soil following Soleimani’s killing. Germany and Canada announced plans to move some of their soldiers in Iraq to neighboring countries.
The FAA warning barred U.S. pilots and carriers from flying over areas of Iraqi, Iranian and some Persian Gulf airspace. The region is a major East-West travel hub and home to Emirates airline and Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international travel. It earlier issued warnings after Iran shot down a U.S. military surveillance drone last year that saw airlines plan new routes to avoid the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. Maritime Administration warned ships across the Mideast, citing the rising threats. “The Iranian response to this action, if any, is unknown, but there remains the possibility of Iranian action against U.S. maritime interests in the region,” it said.
Oil tankers were targeted in mine attacks last year that the U.S. blamed on Iran. Tehran denied responsibility, although it did seize oil tankers around the crucial Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which 20% of the world’s crude oil travels.
The U.S. Navy’s Bahrain-based 5th Fleet said it would work with shippers in the region to minimize any possible threat.
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Trump returned document he claimed wasn’t real on recording National News | After protests, Iran’s morality police return to the streets The 5th Fleet “has and will continue to provide advice to merchant shipping as appropriate regarding recommended security precautions in light of the heightened tensions and threats in the region,” 5th Fleet spokesman Cmdr. Joshua Frey told The Associated Press.
Iran’s parliament, meanwhile, has passed an urgent bill declaring the U.S. military’s command at the Pentagon and those acting on its behalf in Soleimani’s killing as “terrorists,” subject to Iranian sanctions. The measure appears to be in response to a decision by Trump in April to declare the Revolutionary Guard a “terrorist organization.”
The U.S. Defense Department used that terror designation to support the strike that killed Soleimani.
Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Associated Press writers Matthew Lee, Lolita C. Baldor and Zeke Miller in Washington, Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad and Zeina Karam in Beirut contributed.


mercurynews--2020-01-07--Iran: missiles fired at Iraqi air base housing US troops

TEHRAN , Iran ( AP ) — Iran says it has launched “ tens ” of surface-to-surface missiles at Iraq ’ s Ain Assad air base housing U.S. troops over America ’ s killing of a top Iranian general .
State TV described it early Wednesday as Tehran ’ s revenge operation over the killing of Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani .
U.S. forces could not be immediately reached for comment .
White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said the White House is aware of the reports .
“ The President has been briefed and is monitoring the situation closely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said .
Ain Assad air base is in Iraq ’ s western Anbar province .
It was first used by American forces after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein .
It later saw American troops stationed there amid the fight against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria .
State TV said the operation ’ s name was “ Martyr Soleimani.
” It said the Guard ’ s aerospace division that controls Iran ’ s missile program launched the attack .
Iran said it would release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BREAKING NEWS UPDATE .
AP ’ s earlier story follows below .
A stampede broke out Tuesday at the funeral for a top Iranian general slain in a U.S. airstrike , and at least 56 people were killed and more than 200 were injured as thousands thronged the procession , Iranian news reports said .
As the crowds mourned Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani , more angry calls rose from Iran to avenge his death , drastically raising tensions in the Middle East .
The U.S. continued to reinforce its own positions in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threat to shipping from Iran in the region ’ s waterways , crucial routes for global energy supplies .
U.S. embassies and consulates from Asia to Africa and Europe issued security alerts for Americans .
The U.S. Air Force launched a drill with 52 fighter jets in Utah , just days after President Donald Trump threatened to hit 52 sites in Iran .
Tuesday ’ s deadly stampede took place in Soleimani ’ s hometown of Kerman as his coffin was being borne through the city in southeastern Iran , said Pirhossein Koulivand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical services .
There was no information about what set off the crush in the packed streets , and online videos showed only its aftermath : people lying apparently lifeless , their faces covered by clothing , emergency crews performing CPR on the fallen , and onlookers wailing and crying out to God .
“ Unfortunately as a result of the stampede , some of our compatriots have been injured and some have been killed during the funeral processions , ” Koulivand said , and state TV quoted him as saying that 56 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Soleimani ’ s burial was delayed , with no new time given , because of concerns about the huge crowd at the cemetery , the semi-official ISNA news agency said .
A procession in Tehran on Monday drew over 1 million people in the Iranian capital , crowding both main avenues and side streets in Tehran .
Such mass crowds can prove dangerous .
A smaller stampede at the 1989 funeral for Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini killed at least eight people and injured hundreds .
Hossein Salami , Soleimani ’ s successor as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a crowd of supporters gathered at the coffin in a central square in Kernan .
He vowed to avenge Soleimani , who was killed in a U.S. drone strike Friday near Baghdad ’ s airport .
“ We tell our enemies that we will retaliate but if they take another action we will set ablaze the places that they like and are passionate about , ” Salami said .
“ Death to Israel !
” the crowd shouted in response , referring to one of Iran ’ s longtime regional foes .
Salami @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him as essential to backing Palestinian groups , Yemen ’ s Houthi rebels and Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria .
As a martyr , Soleimani represented an even greater threat to Iran ’ s enemies , Salami said .
Soleimani will ultimately be laid to rest between the graves of Enayatollah Talebizadeh and Mohammad Hossein Yousef Elahi , two former Guard comrades killed in Iran ’ s 1980s war with Iraq .
They died in Operation Dawn 8 , in which Soleimani also took part .
It was a 1986 amphibious assault @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gulf and led to the end of the war that killed 1 million .
The funeral processions in major cities over three days have been an unprecedented honor for Soleimani , seen by Iranians as a national hero for his work leading the Guard ’ s expeditionary Quds Force .
The U.S. blames him for killing U.S. troops in Iraq and accused him of plotting new attacks just before he was killed .
Soleimani also led forces supporting Syrian President Bashar Assad in that country ’ s civil war , and he also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proxies in countries like Iraq , Lebanon and Yemen .
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Assad in Syria on Tuesday amid the tensions between Washington and Tehran .
Soleimani ’ s slaying already has led Tehran to abandon the remaining limits of its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers as his successor and others vow to take revenge .
In Iraq , pro-Iranian factions in parliament have pushed to oust American troops from Iraqi soil following Soleimani ’ s killing .
Germany and Canada announced plans to move some of their soldiers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a report on Tuesday by the semi-official Tasnim news agency , Iran has worked up 13 sets of plans to avenge Soleimani ’ s death .
The report quoted Ali Shamkhani , the secretary of Iran ’ s Supreme National Security Council , as saying that even the weakest among them would be a “ historic nightmare ” for the U.S .
He declined to elaborate , “ If the U.S. troops do not leave our region voluntarily and upright , we will do something to carry their bodies horizontally out , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news agency later published a statement from the Supreme National Security Council denying Shamkhani made the comment .
The U.S. Maritime Administration warned ships across the Mideast , citing the rising threats .
“ The Iranian response to this action , if any , is unknown , but there remains the possibility of Iranian action against U.S. maritime interests in the region , ” it said .
Oil tankers were targeted in mine attacks last year that the U.S. blamed on Iran .
Tehran denied responsibility , although it did seize oil tankers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which 20 % of the world ’ s crude oil travels .
The U.S. Navy ’ s Bahrain-based 5th Fleet said it would work with shippers in the region to minimize any possible threat .
The 5th Fleet “ has and will continue to provide advice to merchant shipping as appropriate regarding recommended security precautions in light of the heightened tensions and threats in the region , ” 5th Fleet spokesman Cmdr .
Joshua Frey told The Associated Press .
Meanwhile , Iranian Gen. Alireza @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s navy , issued his own warning .
“ Our message to the enemies is to leave the region , ” Tabgsiri said , according to ISNA .
The Guard routinely has tense encounters with the U.S. Navy in the Persian Gulf .
Separately , Iran summoned the British ambassador over comments by Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the British defense minister about Soleimani ’ s killing , the semi-official Mehr news agency reported .
Iran ’ s parliament , meanwhile , has passed an urgent bill declaring the U.S. military ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acting on its behalf in Soleimani ’ s killing as “ terrorists , ” subject to Iranian sanctions .
The measure appears to be in response to a decision by Trump in April to declare the Revolutionary Guard a “ terrorist organization.
” The U.S. Defense Department used that terror designation to support the strike that killed Soleimani .
The action by Iran ’ s parliament was done by a special procedure to speed it into law and also saw the lawmakers approve funding for the Quds Force with an additional 200 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Also Tuesday , Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the U.S. had declined to issue him a visa to travel to New York for meetings at the United Nations .
As the host of the U.N. headquarters , the U.S. is supposed to allow foreign officials to attend such meetings .
“ This is because they fear someone will go there and tell the truth to the American people , ” Zarif said .
“ But they are mistaken .
The world is not limited to New York .
You can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we will do that.
” Asked about Zarif , U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told journalists America would comply with its obligations under U.N. rules to grant visas .
He then referred to the Iranian diplomat as “ a propagandist of the first order.
” A U.S. official who wasn ’ t authorized to speak on the record said the application couldn ’ t be processed in time for Zarif ’ s travel although it wasn ’ t clear if his request had been formally denied .
A formal rejection would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visa applications and could violate the host country agreement the U.S. has with the U.N. Gambrell reported from Dubai , United Arab Emirates .
Associated Press writer Matthew Lee in Washington contributed .

By NASSER KARIMI, AMIR VAHDAT and JON GAMBRELL
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran says it has launched “tens” of surface-to-surface missiles at Iraq’s Ain Assad air base housing U.S. troops over America’s killing of a top Iranian general.
State TV described it early Wednesday as Tehran’s revenge operation over the killing of Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani.
U.S. forces could not be immediately reached for comment. White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said the White House is aware of the reports.
“The President has been briefed and is monitoring the situation closely and consulting with his national security team,” she said.
Ain Assad air base is in Iraq’s western Anbar province. It was first used by American forces after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein. It later saw American troops stationed there amid the fight against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria.
State TV said the operation’s name was “Martyr Soleimani.” It said the Guard’s aerospace division that controls Iran’s missile program launched the attack. Iran said it would release more information later.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.
A stampede broke out Tuesday at the funeral for a top Iranian general slain in a U.S. airstrike, and at least 56 people were killed and more than 200 were injured as thousands thronged the procession, Iranian news reports said.
As the crowds mourned Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, more angry calls rose from Iran to avenge his death, drastically raising tensions in the Middle East.
The U.S. continued to reinforce its own positions in the region and warned of an unspecified threat to shipping from Iran in the region’s waterways, crucial routes for global energy supplies. U.S. embassies and consulates from Asia to Africa and Europe issued security alerts for Americans. The U.S. Air Force launched a drill with 52 fighter jets in Utah, just days after President Donald Trump threatened to hit 52 sites in Iran.
Tuesday’s deadly stampede took place in Soleimani’s hometown of Kerman as his coffin was being borne through the city in southeastern Iran, said Pirhossein Koulivand, head of Iran’s emergency medical services.
There was no information about what set off the crush in the packed streets, and online videos showed only its aftermath: people lying apparently lifeless, their faces covered by clothing, emergency crews performing CPR on the fallen, and onlookers wailing and crying out to God.
“Unfortunately as a result of the stampede, some of our compatriots have been injured and some have been killed during the funeral processions,” Koulivand said, and state TV quoted him as saying that 56 had died and 213 had been injured.
Soleimani’s burial was delayed, with no new time given, because of concerns about the huge crowd at the cemetery, the semi-official ISNA news agency said.
A procession in Tehran on Monday drew over 1 million people in the Iranian capital, crowding both main avenues and side streets in Tehran. Such mass crowds can prove dangerous. A smaller stampede at the 1989 funeral for Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini killed at least eight people and injured hundreds.
Hossein Salami, Soleimani’s successor as leader of the Revolutionary Guard, addressed a crowd of supporters gathered at the coffin in a central square in Kernan. He vowed to avenge Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike Friday near Baghdad’s airport.
“We tell our enemies that we will retaliate but if they take another action we will set ablaze the places that they like and are passionate about,” Salami said.
“Death to Israel!” the crowd shouted in response, referring to one of Iran’s longtime regional foes.
Salami praised Soleimani’s work, describing him as essential to backing Palestinian groups, Yemen’s Houthi rebels and Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria. As a martyr, Soleimani represented an even greater threat to Iran’s enemies, Salami said.
Soleimani will ultimately be laid to rest between the graves of Enayatollah Talebizadeh and Mohammad Hossein Yousef Elahi, two former Guard comrades killed in Iran’s 1980s war with Iraq. They died in Operation Dawn 8, in which Soleimani also took part. It was a 1986 amphibious assault that cut Iraq off from the Persian Gulf and led to the end of the war that killed 1 million.
The funeral processions in major cities over three days have been an unprecedented honor for Soleimani, seen by Iranians as a national hero for his work leading the Guard’s expeditionary Quds Force.
The U.S. blames him for killing U.S. troops in Iraq and accused him of plotting new attacks just before he was killed. Soleimani also led forces supporting Syrian President Bashar Assad in that country’s civil war, and he also served as the point man for Iranian proxies in countries like Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen. Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Assad in Syria on Tuesday amid the tensions between Washington and Tehran.
Soleimani’s slaying already has led Tehran to abandon the remaining limits of its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers as his successor and others vow to take revenge.
In Iraq, pro-Iranian factions in parliament have pushed to oust American troops from Iraqi soil following Soleimani’s killing. Germany and Canada announced plans to move some of their soldiers in Iraq to neighboring countries.
According to a report on Tuesday by the semi-official Tasnim news agency, Iran has worked up 13 sets of plans to avenge Soleimani’s death. The report quoted Ali Shamkhani, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, as saying that even the weakest among them would be a “historic nightmare” for the U.S. He declined to elaborate,
“If the U.S. troops do not leave our region voluntarily and upright, we will do something to carry their bodies horizontally out,” Shamkhani said.
The state-run IRNA news agency later published a statement from the Supreme National Security Council denying Shamkhani made the comment.
The U.S. Maritime Administration warned ships across the Mideast, citing the rising threats. “The Iranian response to this action, if any, is unknown, but there remains the possibility of Iranian action against U.S. maritime interests in the region,” it said.
Oil tankers were targeted in mine attacks last year that the U.S. blamed on Iran. Tehran denied responsibility, although it did seize oil tankers around the crucial Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which 20% of the world’s crude oil travels.
The U.S. Navy’s Bahrain-based 5th Fleet said it would work with shippers in the region to minimize any possible threat.
The 5th Fleet “has and will continue to provide advice to merchant shipping as appropriate regarding recommended security precautions in light of the heightened tensions and threats in the region,” 5th Fleet spokesman Cmdr. Joshua Frey told The Associated Press.
Meanwhile, Iranian Gen. Alireza Tabgsiri, the chief of the Guard’s navy, issued his own warning.
“Our message to the enemies is to leave the region,” Tabgsiri said, according to ISNA. The Guard routinely has tense encounters with the U.S. Navy in the Persian Gulf.
Separately, Iran summoned the British ambassador over comments by Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the British defense minister about Soleimani’s killing, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported.
Iran’s parliament, meanwhile, has passed an urgent bill declaring the U.S. military’s command at the Pentagon and those acting on its behalf in Soleimani’s killing as “terrorists,” subject to Iranian sanctions. The measure appears to be in response to a decision by Trump in April to declare the Revolutionary Guard a “terrorist organization.”
The U.S. Defense Department used that terror designation to support the strike that killed Soleimani. The action by Iran’s parliament was done by a special procedure to speed it into law and also saw the lawmakers approve funding for the Quds Force with an additional 200 million euros, or about $224 million.
Also Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the U.S. had declined to issue him a visa to travel to New York for meetings at the United Nations. As the host of the U.N. headquarters, the U.S. is supposed to allow foreign officials to attend such meetings.
“This is because they fear someone will go there and tell the truth to the American people,” Zarif said. “But they are mistaken. The world is not limited to New York. You can speak with American people from Tehran too and we will do that.”
Asked about Zarif, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told journalists America would comply with its obligations under U.N. rules to grant visas. He then referred to the Iranian diplomat as “a propagandist of the first order.”
A U.S. official who wasn’t authorized to speak on the record said the application couldn’t be processed in time for Zarif’s travel although it wasn’t clear if his request had been formally denied. A formal rejection would trigger legal technicalities that could affect future visa applications and could violate the host country agreement the U.S. has with the U.N.
___
Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Associated Press writer Matthew Lee in Washington contributed.


mercurynews--2020-01-07--Sajj Mediterranean brings wraps, shawarma to San Bruno

Sajj Mediterranean , a Bay Area-based chain that specializes in customizable Middle Eastern wraps , bowls and salads , has @ @ @ @ @ Bruno as part of its latest expansion phase .
In 2019 , the company added @ @ @ @ @ s Coleman Center and at The Shops at Bishop Ranch in San Ramon .
The @ @ @ @ @ in its soft opening phase at Bayhill Shopping Center , but grand opening festivities are @ @ @ @ @ when the first 50 people in line will get a free entree when the doors @ @ @ @ @ customers will receive 50 percent off orders all day long .
Also expect free samples @ @ @ @ @ Chips at all the Sajj locations in the Bay Area .
The San Bruno location @ @ @ @ @ 280 , gives the company 10 brick-and-mortars in the Bay Area and two in Southern @ @ @ @ @ 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday @

Sajj Mediterranean, a Bay Area-based chain that specializes in customizable Middle Eastern wraps, bowls and salads, has opened a restaurant in San Bruno as part of its latest expansion phase.
In 2019, the company added restaurants at San Jose’s Coleman Center and at The Shops at Bishop Ranch in San Ramon.
The new fast-casual eatery is already in its soft opening phase at Bayhill Shopping Center, but grand opening festivities are set for Jan. 24, when the first 50 people in line will get a free entree when the doors open at 11 a.m. All customers will receive 50 percent off orders all day long. Also expect free samples of Chocolate Hummus and Cinnamon Chips at all the Sajj locations in the Bay Area.
The San Bruno location, near Interstates 380 and 280, gives the company 10 brick-and-mortars in the Bay Area and two in Southern California.
Hours here are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Details: 851 Cherry Ave., San Bruno; www.sajjstreeteats.com


mercurynews--2020-01-07--Australia police charge 24 with intentionally starting bushfires

The Australia wildfires are a countrywide catastrophe , mainly caused by drought and extreme heat , but dozens of people are directly to blame for some of the problem , officials say .
Police have charged at least 24 people for intentionally starting bushfires in the state of New South Wales , according to a statement the New South Wales Police released Monday .
NSW Police have taken legal action against 183 people , 40 of whom are juveniles , for fire-related offenses since November 8 , the statement said .
The legal actions range from cautions to criminal charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 53 have received cautions or criminal charges for failing to comply with a total fire ban and 47 are accused of discarding a lit cigarette or match on land , according to the police statement .
At least 24 people have died nationwide during this fire season .
While the fires have touched every state in Australia , New South Wales has been the hardest hit .
The blazes have been burning across Australia for months , scorching homes and destroying entire towns .
Nearly 18 million acres of land have been burned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and national parks , which are home to the country ’ s native wildlife .
Nearly half a billion animals have been affected by the fires in NSW alone and millions of them are potentially dead , according to ecologists at the University of Sydney .
Birds , reptiles and mammals , except bats , are among those affected .
Insects and frogs aren ’ t included in that number .
• Volunteers assemble around the globe to help Australia ’ s animals • Australian couple returns to find smoldering remains of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bush fires ringing the city Police are cracking down on the burn ban across the state .
On Sunday , a man was charged after power tools he was using allegedly sparked a fire in Mount Druitt , according to NSW Police .
Three people were charged with breaching the fire ban over the weekend .
Fire services put out fires in two different towns started for cooking purposes , NSW Police said .
Another man was charged after authorities found several fires lit on his property in another town .
In November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 19-year-old volunteer member on suspicion of arson , charging him with seven counts of deliberately setting fires over a six-week period .

By Christina Zdanowicz | CNN
The Australia wildfires are a countrywide catastrophe, mainly caused by drought and extreme heat, but dozens of people are directly to blame for some of the problem, officials say.
Police have charged at least 24 people for intentionally starting bushfires in the state of New South Wales, according to a statement the New South Wales Police released Monday.
NSW Police have taken legal action against 183 people, 40 of whom are juveniles, for fire-related offenses since November 8, the statement said. The legal actions range from cautions to criminal charges.
Out of those 183 people, 53 have received cautions or criminal charges for failing to comply with a total fire ban and 47 are accused of discarding a lit cigarette or match on land, according to the police statement.
At least 24 people have died nationwide during this fire season. While the fires have touched every state in Australia, New South Wales has been the hardest hit.
The blazes have been burning across Australia for months, scorching homes and destroying entire towns. Nearly 18 million acres of land have been burned — most of it bushland, forests and national parks, which are home to the country’s native wildlife.
Nearly half a billion animals have been affected by the fires in NSW alone and millions of them are potentially dead, according to ecologists at the University of Sydney. Birds, reptiles and mammals, except bats, are among those affected. Insects and frogs aren’t included in that number.
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Evacuations ordered as Northern California fire roars through forest near site of 2022 deadly blaze National News | Meet Olivia and Mazie, California search-and-rescue dogs aiding in Maui Police are cracking down on the burn ban across the state. On Sunday, a man was charged after power tools he was using allegedly sparked a fire in Mount Druitt, according to NSW Police.
Three people were charged with breaching the fire ban over the weekend. Fire services put out fires in two different towns started for cooking purposes, NSW Police said. Another man was charged after authorities found several fires lit on his property in another town.
In November, the NSW Rural Fire Service arrested a 19-year-old volunteer member on suspicion of arson, charging him with seven counts of deliberately setting fires over a six-week period.


mercurynews--2020-01-07--Arizona official quits after being charged with human smuggling

PHOENIX — An elected official in metro Phoenix has resigned months after being charged with running a human smuggling operation that paid pregnant women from the Marshall Islands to give up their babies in the U.S .
The resignation of Maricopa County Assessor Paul Petersen on Tuesday came after leaders in the one of the nation ’ s most populous counties suspended him and have pressured him to resign since his arrest nearly three months ago .
The county ’ s governing board voted in late December to start the process of removing Petersen , who also works as an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illegally paying women from the Pacific island nation to come to the United States to give up their babies in at least 70 adoption cases in Arizona , Utah and Arkansas over three years .
Citizens of the Marshall Islands have been prohibited from traveling to the U.S. for adoption purposes since 2003 .
In a statement released by his attorneys , Petersen proclaimed his innocence and said he never neglected his duties as assessor , who is responsible for determining the property values in Arizona ’ s most populous county , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials and news organizations presumed he was guilty .
“ My focus now turns to defending the allegations against me , ” Petersen said .
He is charged with human smuggling in Utah and Arkansas and defrauding Arizona ’ s Medicaid system by $ 800,000 by submitting false applications for the women to receive state-funded health coverage .
Authorities say the women who went to Utah to give birth received little to no prenatal care .
They also said Petersen and his associates took passports from the pregnant women while they were in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them .
Petersen has pleaded not guilty to the charges in Arizona and Arkansas .
He hasn ’ t yet entered a plea in Utah .
His attorneys have said Petersen ran a legal adoption practice and has been vilified before his side of the story comes out .
They had argued that the county governing board had no basis for suspending him .
Petersen previously rejected calls to resign and was fighting his 120-day unpaid suspension .
Thousands of files related to his adoption business were discovered on his government laptop , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remove him .
Content recovered on the laptop included text messages of pregnant women being threatened when they changed their minds about giving up their newborns .
Petersen , who was paid $ 77,000 a year in his government job , won a 2014 special election to be assessor and was re-elected in 2016 .
His term was scheduled to expire at the end of the year .
As a member of The Church of Jesus Christs of Latter-day Saints , he completed a proselytizing mission in the Marshall Islands , a collection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pacific .
Lynwood Jennet , who was accused of helping Petersen in the scheme , pleaded guilty last month in Arizona to helping arrange state-funded health coverage for the expectant mothers , even though the women didn ’ t live in the state .
She has agreed to testify against Petersen .

By Jacques Billeaud | Associated Press
PHOENIX — An elected official in metro Phoenix has resigned months after being charged with running a human smuggling operation that paid pregnant women from the Marshall Islands to give up their babies in the U.S.
The resignation of Maricopa County Assessor Paul Petersen on Tuesday came after leaders in the one of the nation’s most populous counties suspended him and have pressured him to resign since his arrest nearly three months ago. The county’s governing board voted in late December to start the process of removing Petersen, who also works as an adoption attorney.
He is accused of illegally paying women from the Pacific island nation to come to the United States to give up their babies in at least 70 adoption cases in Arizona, Utah and Arkansas over three years. Citizens of the Marshall Islands have been prohibited from traveling to the U.S. for adoption purposes since 2003.
In a statement released by his attorneys, Petersen proclaimed his innocence and said he never neglected his duties as assessor, who is responsible for determining the property values in Arizona’s most populous county, which includes Phoenix. The Republican said county officials and news organizations presumed he was guilty.
“My focus now turns to defending the allegations against me,” Petersen said.
He is charged with human smuggling in Utah and Arkansas and defrauding Arizona’s Medicaid system by $800,000 by submitting false applications for the women to receive state-funded health coverage.
Authorities say the women who went to Utah to give birth received little to no prenatal care. They also said Petersen and his associates took passports from the pregnant women while they were in the U.S. to assert more control over them.
Petersen has pleaded not guilty to the charges in Arizona and Arkansas. He hasn’t yet entered a plea in Utah.
His attorneys have said Petersen ran a legal adoption practice and has been vilified before his side of the story comes out. They had argued that the county governing board had no basis for suspending him.
Petersen previously rejected calls to resign and was fighting his 120-day unpaid suspension.
Thousands of files related to his adoption business were discovered on his government laptop, cementing the board’s push to remove him. Content recovered on the laptop included text messages of pregnant women being threatened when they changed their minds about giving up their newborns.
Petersen, who was paid $77,000 a year in his government job, won a 2014 special election to be assessor and was re-elected in 2016. His term was scheduled to expire at the end of the year.
As a member of The Church of Jesus Christs of Latter-day Saints, he completed a proselytizing mission in the Marshall Islands, a collection of atolls and islands in the eastern Pacific.
Lynwood Jennet, who was accused of helping Petersen in the scheme, pleaded guilty last month in Arizona to helping arrange state-funded health coverage for the expectant mothers, even though the women didn’t live in the state. She has agreed to testify against Petersen.


mercurynews--2020-01-07--Theranos founder Holmes slams prosecutors’ delay

A plea by federal prosecutors for more time to produce court-ordered evidence in the criminal case against Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes was slammed Monday by Holmes ’ legal team as an “ unworkable ” delay that would harm her defense .
At issue are documents and other materials from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that Holmes , through her team , calls “ critical ” to her case .
In November , the judge overseeing her criminal fraud case in San Jose U.S. District Court ordered prosecutors to get the materials to Holmes by Dec. 31 .
On the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorneys on the case told the judge in a filing they weren ’ t going to make it .
Citing a “ lack of control over the documents ” held by the FDA , the U.S. attorneys said it would take until April 30 to get all the materials from the regulatory agency .
In a related filing , the prosecution said it had “ worked diligently ” to obtain the materials and comply with the judge ’ s order .
Holmes is accused of felony fraud in connection with failed blood-testing startup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stanford University dropout in 2003 .
She and her co-accused , former company president Sunny Balwani , are alleged to have falsely claimed the startup ’ s machines could accurately perform a wide range of tests using only a few drops of blood .
Her trial by jury is scheduled to start Aug. 4 .
On Monday in a court filing , Holmes objected to prosecutors ’ request for more time to produce the FDA material .
“ This case is set for trial eight months from the date of this filing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The government ’ s proposed extension is completely unworkable , and would significantly interfere with the defense ’ s ability to prepare for trial.
” Judge Edward Davila in November ordered U.S. attorneys to produce , by year ’ s end , documents including communications between the FDA and Wall Street Journal reporter John Carreyrou , who exposed problems at the company that ultimately led to the felony fraud charges .
Also on the list for production are materials concerning Theranos ’ regulatory compliance , and summaries of FBI interviews with witnesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set an Oct. 2 deadline for production of the materials , then extended the deadline by about three weeks , before extending it again in November .
Production appears to be only about one-third complete , Holmes ’ team said in the filing Monday .
They claimed that materials already produced “ directly contradict ” FDA-related allegations in the indictment against Holmes and Balwani .
They want Davila to reject the proposed delay and order the prosecution to “ take all necessary steps ” to produce the FDA materials “ forthwith.
” U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court filing that in pursuit of the FDA materials he had exchanged at least 100 emails with the agency ’ s lawyers , had at least a dozen phone calls with them , and “ continually offered ” help — including staff and money — to “ accelerate the process.
” But , he said , there are “ substantial technological and other limits ” on the FDA ’ s ability to rapidly gather documents that more personnel and funds would not address .
The prosecutors ’ request for more time is expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an already-scheduled status conference .
In 2018 , the Securities and Exchange Commission hit Holmes with a $ 500,000 fine .
The agency alleged she had committed a “ massive fraud ” that saw investors pour $ 700 million into the firm .
Before Theranos ’ troubles began , it was at one point valued at $ 9 billion and in 2015 , Holmes topped Forbes ’ list of America ’ s richest self-made women with a net worth of $ 4.5 billion .
A year later , Forbes cut her estimated net @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in September 2018 .
In the criminal fraud case , Holmes and Balwani each face maximum penalties of 20 years in prison and a $ 2.75 million fine , plus possible restitution , the Department of Justice has said .

A plea by federal prosecutors for more time to produce court-ordered evidence in the criminal case against Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes was slammed Monday by Holmes’ legal team as an “unworkable” delay that would harm her defense.
At issue are documents and other materials from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that Holmes, through her team, calls “critical” to her case. In November, the judge overseeing her criminal fraud case in San Jose U.S. District Court ordered prosecutors to get the materials to Holmes by Dec. 31. The day before the deadline, the U.S. attorneys on the case told the judge in a filing they weren’t going to make it. Citing a “lack of control over the documents” held by the FDA, the U.S. attorneys said it would take until April 30 to get all the materials from the regulatory agency. In a related filing, the prosecution said it had “worked diligently” to obtain the materials and comply with the judge’s order.
Holmes is accused of felony fraud in connection with failed blood-testing startup Theranos, which she founded as a Stanford University dropout in 2003. She and her co-accused, former company president Sunny Balwani, are alleged to have falsely claimed the startup’s machines could accurately perform a wide range of tests using only a few drops of blood. Her jury trial is scheduled to start Aug. 4.
On Monday in a court filing, Holmes objected to prosecutors’ request for more time to produce the FDA material. “This case is set for trial eight months from the date of this filing,” Holmes’ legal team said. “The government’s proposed extension is completely unworkable, and would significantly interfere with the defense’s ability to prepare for trial.”
Judge Edward Davila in November ordered U.S. attorneys to produce, by year’s end, documents including communications between the FDA and Wall Street Journal reporter John Carreyrou, who exposed problems at the company that ultimately led to the felony fraud charges. Also on the list for production are materials concerning Theranos’ regulatory compliance, and summaries of FBI interviews with witnesses. Davila noted that he had originally set an Oct. 2 deadline for production of the materials, then extended that by about three weeks, before extending it again in November.
Production appears to be only about one-third complete, Holmes’ team said in their filing. They claimed that materials already produced “directly contradict” FDA-related allegations in the indictment against Holmes and Balwani. They want Davila to reject the proposed delay and order the prosecution to “take all necessary steps” to produce the FDA materials “forthwith.”
U.S. attorney Robert Leach said in the related court filing that in pursuit of the FDA materials he had exchanged at least 100 emails with the agency’s lawyers, had at least a dozen phone calls with them, and “continually offered” help — including staff and money — to “accelerate the process.” But, he said, there are “substantial technological and other limits” on the FDA’s ability to rapidly gather documents that more personnel and funds would not address.
The prosecutors’ request for more time is expected to be heard in court Monday during an already-scheduled status conference.
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Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes wins courtroom skirmish Technology | Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes’ criminal trial set for summer 2020 In 2018, the Securities and Exchange Commission hit Holmes with a $500,000 fine. The agency alleged she had committed a “massive fraud” that saw investors pour $700 million into the firm. Before Theranos’ troubles began, it was at one point valued at $9 billion and in 2015, Holmes topped Forbes’ list of America’s richest self-made women with a net worth of $4.5 billion. A year later, Forbes cut her estimated net worth to zero. Theranos shut down in September 2018.
In the criminal fraud case, Holmes and Balwani each face maximum penalties of 20 years in prison and a $2.75 million fine, plus possible restitution, the Department of Justice has said.