mercurynews--2020-12-28--Local California prosecutors plead for more state help probing massive unemployment fraud by prisone

Local California prosecutors plead for more state help probing massive unemployment fraud by prisoners

That California ’ s state prisons and county jails may harbor fraudsters and thieves should probably not shock or surprise .
But the revelation that inmates have bled hundreds of millions of dollars from state coffers via fake unemployment claims — while still behind bars — seems to have done just that .
In early December , nine county district attorneys implored Gov .
Gavin Newsom for more help ferreting out fraud — a task made tougher by rules that can prevent the right hand from knowing what the left hand is doing .
Among their most fervent asks : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as names , Social Security numbers and birth dates with unemployment claims filed with the California Employment Development Department .
“ It is our understanding from several state agencies that this information has not been proactively shared with EDD ( an agency with law enforcement investigatory powers ) under the premise that there is some statutory prohibition to this data sharing , ” wrote the D.A.s , including Riverside County District Attorney Michael Hestrin .
That ’ s wrong , they said : The law authorizes the EDD to release information to federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or determine the eligibility or entitlement of an applicant .
“ ( W ) e believe , and the emerging data supports , that this is an urgent matter with an unprecedented scale of fraud that is bilking the State of California and its people of desperately needed financial resources , ” the letter states .
State officials learned of the fraud scheme in the state prison system in August , but it continued nonetheless , the district attorneys said .
They weren ’ t tipped off by state officials , but by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matching , from the California Department of Corrections and EDD , didn ’ t get to a statewide task force until November .
Within a matter of days , it had reviewed the data “ and found the staggering scope of the fraud , ” the D.A.s wrote .
“ We also received unverified information that EDD has distributed at least $ 1 billion to out-of-state claimants .
We are deeply concerned that the fraud will continue to grow exponentially.
” They asked that “ urgency legislation ” be immediately introduced to allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilities and EDD .
“ With such legislation , California will align with the overwhelming number of states that have done cross-matching for years , ” they wrote .
A task force convened by Newsom , and led by the Governor ’ s Office of Emergency Services , is coordinating daily with local , state and federal law enforcement , “ and has already made important progress to resolve challenges and move the investigative efforts … forward , ” spokesman Brian Ferguson said by email .
“ We remain laser focused on coordinating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s offices to root out fraud and criminal activity within the unemployment system and hold those responsible accountable.
” On the data-sharing challenges , the task force already has identified a path forward , he said .
California ’ s Department of Justice has granted approval to allow corrections to share its data “ more broadly ” with EDD investigators .
“ This was a significant positive development , providing the EDD a new tool to now accelerate cross-matching of inmate data to identify inmates illegally applying for unemployment benefits , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical and helpful to our collective investigative efforts .
It will also help , through our partnership with the District Attorneys , to identify and eradicate any potential fraud within both the state prison system as well as local jail facilities.
” In addition to the Riverside County D.A.
, the district attorneys who signed the letter were from Sacramento , Lassen , El Dorado , Fresno , Marin , Monterey , Ventura and San Diego counties .
“ It ’ s outrageous that taxpayers will be on the hook for these fraudulent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in place earlier to alert authorities and prevent such fraud , ” said an emailed statement from San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan .
“ A forensic investigation will take time and resources but is necessary to hold individuals responsible for gaming the system at a time when our economy and our communities are already hurting amid the ongoing pandemic.
” Stephan ’ s office is in the very early stages of investigating suspected EDD fraud committed by inmates in custody at San Diego County prison and jail facilities , a spokeswoman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fraud is not yet clear , early indications are that as much as $ 5 million in fraudulent payments were made to inmates at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility alone , she said .
In Orange County , D.A .
Todd Spitzer has assigned a prosecutor and investigator to the statewide EDD Task Force , “ and we are working to determine if there was fraud perpetuated by inmates housed in local facilities as well as by state prisoners who committed crimes in Orange County .
“ I am disgusted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millions in taxpayer monies to be paid to convicted felons doing hard time in state prison , ” Spitzer said in an emailed statement .
How does it happen ?
On Dec. 16 , federal prosecutors announced that Cara Marie Kirk-Connell , 32 , of Menifee pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining more than $ 500,000 in COVID-related unemployment benefits .
“ Kirk-Connell admitted she knew people who access the ‘ dark web ’ to purchase stolen identities that she used to then file fraudulent claims with EDD , ” the DOJ said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ videos that instructed viewers on how to commit EDD fraud.
” The stolen information included dates of birth and Social Security numbers that were then used to apply for unemployment benefits in the names of other people .
She had numerous cards in numerous names , and was authorized for $ 534,149 in COVID-related unemployment benefits , of which nearly $ 270,000 was spent , according to an affidavit filed with the criminal complaint .
There are many ways that personal information winds up on the dark web — computer hacks included — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For years , the EDD has included full Social Security numbers on its most frequently mailed documents .
A new bill , Senate Bill 58 by Sens .
Scott Wilk , R-Santa Clarita , and Melissa Hurtado , D-Sanger , would require the EDD to immediately end that practice .
“ With unemployment-related scams proliferating throughout California , there is no excuse for the EDD to continue to include full Social Security numbers on unsecured mail , ” said Sen. Pat Bates , R-Laguna Niguel , a co-author on the bill .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worry about is having their identity stolen by criminals .
”

That California’s state prisons and county jails may harbor fraudsters and thieves should probably not shock or surprise. But the revelation that inmates have bled hundreds of millions of dollars from state coffers via fake unemployment claims — while still behind bars — seems to have done just that.
In early December, nine county district attorneys implored Gov. Gavin Newsom for more help ferreting out fraud — a task made tougher by rules that can prevent the right hand from knowing what the left hand is doing. Among their most fervent asks: Allow expedited cross-matching of inmate data such as names, Social Security numbers and birth dates with unemployment claims filed with the California Employment Development Department.
“It is our understanding from several state agencies that this information has not been proactively shared with EDD (an agency with law enforcement investigatory powers) under the premise that there is some statutory prohibition to this data sharing,” wrote the D.A.s, including Riverside County District Attorney Michael Hestrin.
That’s wrong, they said: The law authorizes the EDD to release information to federal, state or local agencies to verify or determine the eligibility or entitlement of an applicant.
“(W)e believe, and the emerging data supports, that this is an urgent matter with an unprecedented scale of fraud that is bilking the State of California and its people of desperately needed financial resources,” the letter states.
State officials learned of the fraud scheme in the state prison system in August, but it continued nonetheless, the district attorneys said. They weren’t tipped off by state officials, but by federal investigators.
The data vital for matching, from the California Department of Corrections and EDD, didn’t get to a statewide task force until November. Within a matter of days, it had reviewed the data “and found the staggering scope of the fraud,” the D.A.s wrote. “We also received unverified information that EDD has distributed at least $1 billion to out-of-state claimants. We are deeply concerned that the fraud will continue to grow exponentially.”
They asked that “urgency legislation” be immediately introduced to allow the future cross-matching of data between correctional facilities and EDD. “With such legislation, California will align with the overwhelming number of states that have done cross-matching for years,” they wrote.
Governor responds
A task force convened by Newsom, and led by the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, is coordinating daily with local, state and federal law enforcement, “and has already made important progress to resolve challenges and move the investigative efforts … forward,” spokesman Brian Ferguson said by email.
“We remain laser focused on coordinating with our partners in the district attorney’s offices to root out fraud and criminal activity within the unemployment system and hold those responsible accountable.”
On the data-sharing challenges, the task force already has identified a path forward, he said. California’s Department of Justice has granted approval to allow corrections to share its data “more broadly” with EDD investigators.
“This was a significant positive development, providing the EDD a new tool to now accelerate cross-matching of inmate data to identify inmates illegally applying for unemployment benefits,” Ferguson said.
“This information is critical and helpful to our collective investigative efforts. It will also help, through our partnership with the District Attorneys, to identify and eradicate any potential fraud within both the state prison system as well as local jail facilities.”
Local anger
In addition to the Riverside County D.A., the district attorneys who signed the letter were from Sacramento, Lassen, El Dorado, Fresno, Marin, Monterey, Ventura and San Diego counties.
“It’s outrageous that taxpayers will be on the hook for these fraudulent payments and that a system was not in place earlier to alert authorities and prevent such fraud,” said an emailed statement from San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan.
“A forensic investigation will take time and resources but is necessary to hold individuals responsible for gaming the system at a time when our economy and our communities are already hurting amid the ongoing pandemic.”
Stephan’s office is in the very early stages of investigating suspected EDD fraud committed by inmates in custody at San Diego County prison and jail facilities, a spokeswoman said. While the complete scope of the fraud is not yet clear, early indications are that as much as $5 million in fraudulent payments were made to inmates at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility alone, she said.
In Orange County, D.A. Todd Spitzer has assigned a prosecutor and investigator to the statewide EDD Task Force, “and we are working to determine if there was fraud perpetuated by inmates housed in local facilities as well as by state prisoners who committed crimes in Orange County.
“I am disgusted by this behavior and how state bureaucrats allowed millions in taxpayer monies to be paid to convicted felons doing hard time in state prison,” Spitzer said in an emailed statement.
How does it happen?
Unemployment fraud is not uncommon.
On Dec. 16, federal prosecutors announced that Cara Marie Kirk-Connell, 32, of Menifee pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining more than $500,000 in COVID-related unemployment benefits.
“Kirk-Connell admitted she knew people who access the ‘dark web’ to purchase stolen identities that she used to then file fraudulent claims with EDD,” the DOJ said. “She further admitted to watching YouTube videos that instructed viewers on how to commit EDD fraud.”
The stolen information included dates of birth and Social Security numbers that were then used to apply for unemployment benefits in the names of other people. She had numerous cards in numerous names, and was authorized for $534,149 in COVID-related unemployment benefits, of which nearly $270,000 was spent, according to an affidavit filed with the criminal complaint.
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For years, the EDD has included full Social Security numbers on its most frequently mailed documents. A new bill, Senate Bill 58 by Sens. Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, and Melissa Hurtado, D-Sanger, would require the EDD to immediately end that practice.
“With unemployment-related scams proliferating throughout California, there is no excuse for the EDD to continue to include full Social Security numbers on unsecured mail,” said Sen. Pat Bates, R-Laguna Niguel, a co-author on the bill. “The last thing the unemployed need to worry about is having their identity stolen by criminals.”


mercurynews--2020-12-28--Monterey Monterey Bay Aquarium scientists recall puzzling discovery of ‘zombie worms’

MOSS LANDING – A mile below the ocean surface , scientists in 2002 encountered a fascinating sea creature clinging to a whale carcass at the bottom of the cold , dark Monterey Canyon : a living shag carpet .
The discovery of the strange new species , now known as “ boneworms ” or “ zombie worms , ” has helped ignite the novel field of “ curiosity-driven research , ” leading to the discovery of more than two dozen of the species ’ close cousins , all behaving in ways never before known to science .
The original expedition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute in Moss Landing , was designed to study methane gas bubbling up in Monterey Canyon .
• Weird species of deep-sea worms discovered living on rotting bones in Monterey Bay That ’ s when scientists spotted the exposed bone surface of the giant whale corpse , covered by tiny living fibers .
Seemingly attached to the whale ’ s bone , they created a sweeping , sanguine meadow atop the rotting cadaver .
“ Everyone in the control room ’ s jumping up and down and doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” recalled Shana Goffredi , a MBARI adjunct who was one of the researchers on the expedition .
The fibers turned out to be a little marine worm in the genus now known as Osedax , a word that means “ bone-eating ” in Latin .
The discovery was a pivotal point for the MBARI research group , inspiring a shift in the team ’ s investigative course from methane seeps to the bone-hungry worms .
The weird worms had ( surprise ! )
weird eating habits , the scientists soon learned .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ The first question on the scientists ’ minds : Will Osedax eat any bones , or do they prefer whales ?
To find out , they built PVC trees with bones of different species dangling from strings .
They hoped the boneworms would latch on to the bones and colonize them .
“ It was kind of a little Blair Witch Project , ” Goffredi said with a laugh , referring to the supernatural horror film released two years before she helped discover the zombie worms .
The researchers discovered that boneworms aren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a bone , they ’ ll eat it .
They had no digestive systems and no mouths and thus had no capacity to digest bones themselves .
Instead , they had green roots that burrowed into the bones — which held populations of bacteria that seemed to live harmoniously with the worms .
Later analysis revealed the bacteria was responsible for breaking down the collagen in the bone and somehow delivering nutrients to the worms .
And while bone is particularly difficult to break down into usable molecules , Osedax has found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ability to process collagen in bones , they can drastically speed up the decomposition process , fast-tracking the delivery of nutrients from the corpse to its environment .
“ Osedax is a game-changer when it comes to recycling wet bones in the wild into carbon , ” said Greg Rouse , a marine biologist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla .
Since the discovery nearly two decades years ago , scientists around the world have identified 32 different types of Osedax , all with the same signature red top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boneworms harbor biological complexities that go beyond their eating habits .
Their sex , for instance , depends on where fertilized eggs land .
If the egg settles on a bone , it becomes a female boneworm responsible for burrowing and feeding off the bone .
If the egg lands on a female boneworm , however , it becomes a male — destined to hook onto a female and exist as a “ sperm packet ” for procreation .
The females are thousands of times larger than the males .
Their bodies , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a clear , mucousy tube inside of the bone .
“ I was looking at one of these tubes and saw these little tiny little ellipses against her body , ” Rouse said , recalling his discovery of the male boneworms .
A single female can be the home for hundreds of tiny males ready to fertilize her eggs as they ’ re released .
Though they weren ’ t discovered until the early part of the 21st century , boneworms are actually quite ancient .
One research team at the University of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on ancient marine reptile bones , indicating that boneworms existed as far back as 30 million years before mammals inhabited the oceans .
Why do they matter ?
For now , they don ’ t have any economic or practical value .
But the discovery of Osedax , scientists say , reminds us of how much of the ocean remains to be discovered and illustrates the value of curiosity-driven research .
Because of the boneworms ’ unique biological features , many of the processes behind their mystique are yet to be understood .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Osedax roots are green or how collagen enters the roots .
But public funding of curiosity-driven research has dwindled in recent years .
And to make matters worse , many of the experiments that are needed to fully understand the biology of boneworms are expensive , so funding is becoming more and more difficult to come by .
To fund curiosity-driven research , institutes such as MBARI now primarily rely on limited private funding from sources like the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and the Schmidt Family Foundation .
• Are sea otters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Dungeness crab season ?
• As white sharks gather in Monterey Bay , scientists grab the chance to study them up close Shannon Johnson , a senior research technician at MBARI who was part of the original expedition , is adamant about the value of discovery without the expectation of human applications .
In a world where species are dying off at an alarming rate — “ hundreds , or even thousands , of times higher than the natural baseline rate , ” according to the Smithsonian ’ s National Museum of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fascinating new organism is a welcome surprise .
But without money for open-ended expeditions , she said , discoveries of organisms like Osedax would not be possible .
“ It ’ s so important to be able to have that flexibility and be able to discover things , ” Johnson said .
“ We are in this age of mass extinctions and we have barely begun to scratch the surface of what is in the ocean .
”

MOSS LANDING – A mile below the ocean surface, scientists in 2002 encountered a fascinating sea creature clinging to a whale carcass at the bottom of the cold, dark Monterey Canyon: a living shag carpet.
The discovery of the strange new species, now known as “boneworms” or “zombie worms,” has helped ignite the novel field of “curiosity-driven research,” leading to the discovery of more than two dozen of the species’ close cousins, all behaving in ways never before known to science.
The original expedition, conducted by a research team at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute in Moss Landing, was designed to study methane gas bubbling up in Monterey Canyon.
Related Articles Science | Weird species of deep-sea worms discovered living on rotting bones in Monterey Bay That’s when scientists spotted the exposed bone surface of the giant whale corpse, covered by tiny living fibers. Seemingly attached to the whale’s bone, they created a sweeping, sanguine meadow atop the rotting cadaver.
“Everyone in the control room’s jumping up and down and doesn’t know what it is,” recalled Shana Goffredi, a MBARI adjunct who was one of the researchers on the expedition.
The fibers turned out to be a little marine worm in the genus now known as Osedax, a word that means “bone-eating” in Latin. The discovery was a pivotal point for the MBARI research group, inspiring a shift in the team’s investigative course from methane seeps to the bone-hungry worms.
The weird worms had (surprise!) weird eating habits, the scientists soon learned.
The team wanted to learn more. The first question on the scientists’ minds: Will Osedax eat any bones, or do they prefer whales? To find out, they built PVC trees with bones of different species dangling from strings. They hoped the boneworms would latch on to the bones and colonize them.
“It was kind of a little Blair Witch Project,” Goffredi said with a laugh, referring to the supernatural horror film released two years before she helped discover the zombie worms.
The researchers discovered that boneworms aren’t picky. If it’s a bone, they’ll eat it.
They had no digestive systems and no mouths and thus had no capacity to digest bones themselves. Instead, they had green roots that burrowed into the bones — which held populations of bacteria that seemed to live harmoniously with the worms.
Later analysis revealed the bacteria was responsible for breaking down the collagen in the bone and somehow delivering nutrients to the worms.
And while bone is particularly difficult to break down into usable molecules, Osedax has found a way. Because of the worms’ ability to process collagen in bones, they can drastically speed up the decomposition process, fast-tracking the delivery of nutrients from the corpse to its environment.
“Osedax is a game-changer when it comes to recycling wet bones in the wild into carbon,” said Greg Rouse, a marine biologist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla.
Since the discovery nearly two decades years ago, scientists around the world have identified 32 different types of Osedax, all with the same signature red top. They’ve also found that boneworms harbor biological complexities that go beyond their eating habits.
Their sex, for instance, depends on where fertilized eggs land. If the egg settles on a bone, it becomes a female boneworm responsible for burrowing and feeding off the bone. If the egg lands on a female boneworm, however, it becomes a male — destined to hook onto a female and exist as a “sperm packet” for procreation.
The females are thousands of times larger than the males. Their bodies, including their ovaries, are located within a clear, mucousy tube inside of the bone. “I was looking at one of these tubes and saw these little tiny little ellipses against her body,” Rouse said, recalling his discovery of the male boneworms.
A single female can be the home for hundreds of tiny males ready to fertilize her eggs as they’re released.
Though they weren’t discovered until the early part of the 21st century, boneworms are actually quite ancient. One research team at the University of Plymouth in England recently uncovered Osedax borings on ancient marine reptile bones, indicating that boneworms existed as far back as 30 million years before mammals inhabited the oceans.
Why do they matter?
For now, they don’t have any economic or practical value. But the discovery of Osedax, scientists say, reminds us of how much of the ocean remains to be discovered and illustrates the value of curiosity-driven research.
Because of the boneworms’ unique biological features, many of the processes behind their mystique are yet to be understood. Researchers still don’t understand why Osedax roots are green or how collagen enters the roots.
But public funding of curiosity-driven research has dwindled in recent years. And to make matters worse, many of the experiments that are needed to fully understand the biology of boneworms are expensive, so funding is becoming more and more difficult to come by. To fund curiosity-driven research, institutes such as MBARI now primarily rely on limited private funding from sources like the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and the Schmidt Family Foundation.
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See Monterey’s sea-otter paradise with a ride on a unique, electric catamaran Science | Newly discovered sponge named after Monterey Bay National Marine Sancturary Shannon Johnson, a senior research technician at the Monterey Bay institute who was part of the original expedition, is adamant about the value of discovery without the expectation of human applications.
In a world where species are dying off at an alarming rate — “hundreds, or even thousands, of times higher than the natural baseline rate,” according to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History — the discovery of a fascinating new organism is a welcome surprise. But without money for open-ended expeditions, she said, discoveries of organisms like Osedax would not be possible.
“It’s so important to be able to have that flexibility and be able to discover things,” Johnson said. “We are in this age of mass extinctions and we have barely begun to scratch the surface of what is in the ocean.”


mercurynews--2020-12-29--Mormon church sued over role in Scouts abuse scandal

PHOENIX — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was hit with several lawsuits Monday for allegedly covering up decades of sexual abuse among Boy Scout troops in Arizona , marking the latest litigation before the state ’ s end-of-year deadline for adult victims to sue .
The church “ must be held accountable in order to bring healing and closure to Mormon victims of childhood sexual abuse , ” Hurley McKenna & Mertz , a law firm that focuses on church sex abuse , said in a statement .
In the seven lawsuits each representing seven different male @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notified authorities about abuse allegations .
Public records show members of church-sponsored Boy Scout troops who were abused would tell church bishops about what they had experienced .
The lawsuits allege bishops would then tell the victims to keep quiet so the church could conduct its own investigation .
In the meantime , troop leaders and volunteers accused of sex abuse would be allowed to continue in their roles or be assigned to another troop , the suits said .
Church spokesman Sam Penrod said in a statement that the faith has zero @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the serious allegations require thorough investigation .
He called it inaccurate to say the faith had access to files that had names of banned Scout leaders and said the church hasn ’ t seen the records that allegedly back the accusations .
“ The claim that the church has had access to the BSA ineligible volunteer files for many decades is simply false , ” Penrod said .
“ The church learned about the details of those files at the same time as the general public .
These claims will be carefully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victims are asking for a jury to award an unspecified sum for medical expenses , pain and suffering .
They are also seeking punitive damages for the “ outrageous conduct ” of church officials .
The church sponsored at least seven troops in Arizona in metro Phoenix and Tucson , according to attorneys .
The suits were all filed earlier this month — six in Maricopa County Superior Court and one in Pima County Superior Court .
The allegations of sexual abuse touch all troops between 1972 and 2009 .
The church was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America troops and its greatest ally until the Utah-based faith ended the partnership on Jan. 1 , 2020 , and pulled out more than 400,000 young people .
The faith moved them into its own global youth program that focuses on religion and spiritual development , while weaving in camping and other outdoor activities in parts of the world where that ’ s feasible .
The split between the Boy Scouts and the faith known widely as the Mormon church ended a nearly century-old relationship between two organizations that were brought together by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Amid declining membership , the Boy Scouts of America opened its arms to openly gay youth members and adult volunteers as well as girls and transgender boys , while the church believes that same-sex intimacy is a sin .
In its first step toward creating a compensation fund for men who were molested as youngsters years ago by scoutmasters or other leaders , the Boy Scouts of America filed for bankruptcy protection in February .
Around 90,000 sexual abuse claims have been filed against the Boy Scouts .
It ’ s the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protection amid mounting legal pressures over allegations of sexual abuse .
Roman Catholic dioceses across the country and some universities have paid out hundreds of millions of dollars in recent years .
These suits come as a window to pursue litigation for some victims of childhood sexual abuse in Arizona is about to close .
The state joined several others last year in extending the rights of now-adult victims to sue their alleged assailants and any churches , youth groups or other institutions that turned a blind eye at the time of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30th birthday to sue — a decade longer than before .
Victims who missed the cutoff have a one-time opportunity to file suit before the end of the year .
Arizona has no deadline for criminal charges in child sexual abuse cases .
Andrew Van Arsdale , a lawyer with Abused in Scouting , says the legal network is filing 261 sex abuse lawsuits in Arizona on Monday against various local Scout councils .
Associated Press writers Brady McCombs in Salt Lake City and David Crary in New York contributed to this report @

By Terry Tang | Associated Press
PHOENIX — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was hit with several lawsuits Monday for allegedly covering up decades of sexual abuse among Boy Scout troops in Arizona, marking the latest litigation before the state’s end-of-year deadline for adult victims to sue.
The church “must be held accountable in order to bring healing and closure to Mormon victims of childhood sexual abuse,” Hurley McKenna & Mertz, a law firm that focuses on church sex abuse, said in a statement.
In the seven lawsuits each representing seven different male victims, attorneys say church officials never notified authorities about abuse allegations. Public records show members of church-sponsored Boy Scout troops who were abused would tell church bishops about what they had experienced. The lawsuits allege bishops would then tell the victims to keep quiet so the church could conduct its own investigation. In the meantime, troop leaders and volunteers accused of sex abuse would be allowed to continue in their roles or be assigned to another troop, the suits said.
Church spokesman Sam Penrod said in a statement that the faith has zero tolerance for abuse of any kind and that the serious allegations require thorough investigation. He called it inaccurate to say the faith had access to files that had names of banned Scout leaders and said the church hasn’t seen the records that allegedly back the accusations.
“The claim that the church has had access to the BSA ineligible volunteer files for many decades is simply false,” Penrod said. “The church learned about the details of those files at the same time as the general public. These claims will be carefully evaluated and appropriately addressed.”
All seven victims are asking for a jury to award an unspecified sum for medical expenses, pain and suffering. They are also seeking punitive damages for the “outrageous conduct” of church officials.
The church sponsored at least seven troops in Arizona in metro Phoenix and Tucson, according to attorneys. The suits were all filed earlier this month — six in Maricopa County Superior Court and one in Pima County Superior Court. The allegations of sexual abuse touch all troops between 1972 and 2009.
The church was the largest sponsor of Boy Scouts of America troops and its greatest ally until the Utah-based faith ended the partnership on Jan. 1, 2020, and pulled out more than 400,000 young people. The faith moved them into its own global youth program that focuses on religion and spiritual development, while weaving in camping and other outdoor activities in parts of the world where that’s feasible.
The split between the Boy Scouts and the faith known widely as the Mormon church ended a nearly century-old relationship between two organizations that were brought together by shared values that diverged in recent years. Amid declining membership, the Boy Scouts of America opened its arms to openly gay youth members and adult volunteers as well as girls and transgender boys, while the church believes that same-sex intimacy is a sin.
In its first step toward creating a compensation fund for men who were molested as youngsters years ago by scoutmasters or other leaders, the Boy Scouts of America filed for bankruptcy protection in February. Around 90,000 sexual abuse claims have been filed against the Boy Scouts. It’s the latest major American institution to seek bankruptcy protection amid mounting legal pressures over allegations of sexual abuse. Roman Catholic dioceses across the country and some universities have paid out hundreds of millions of dollars in recent years.
These suits come as a window to pursue litigation for some victims of childhood sexual abuse in Arizona is about to close. The state joined several others last year in extending the rights of now-adult victims to sue their alleged assailants and any churches, youth groups or other institutions that turned a blind eye at the time of the abuse.
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Big Sur man sentenced to 30 years for child sexual abuse National News | Facing more than 500 abuse lawsuits, San Francisco Archdiocese says bankruptcy ‘very likely’ Lawmakers gave victims until their 30th birthday to sue — a decade longer than before. Victims who missed the cutoff have a one-time opportunity to file suit before the end of the year. Arizona has no deadline for criminal charges in child sexual abuse cases.
Andrew Van Arsdale, a lawyer with Abused in Scouting, says the legal network is filing 261 sex abuse lawsuits in Arizona on Monday against various local Scout councils.
Associated Press writers Brady McCombs in Salt Lake City and David Crary in New York contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-12-29--Bay Area man carjacked people, collided with police car, ran across freeways, and tried to gouge K9’

Bay Area man carjacked people, collided with police car, ran across freeways, and tried to gouge K9’s eyes during two-day manhunt, police say

CLICK HERE if you ’ re viewing on a mobile device .
MARTINEZ — A 28-year-old East Bay man who was out on bail in a manslaughter case last June when he allegedly committed multiple carjackings , a kidnapping , head-on collided with a police SUV , and ran across multiple freeways — one after falling roughly 20 feet onto pavement and being hit by a car — is expected to stand trial early next year .
Victor Topete , of Pittsburg , is facing 15 felonies and three misdemeanor charges , all stemming from a two-day period last June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chases across city streets and Bay Area freeways in an ultimately failed attempt to escape .
During the ordeal , which started in Pittsburg and ended in Oakland , Topete allegedly told people he believed the pursuing officers wanted to hurt him .
Judge Rebecca Hardie ordered Topete to stand trial after his preliminary hearing last October , which he attended in a wheelchair due to injuries sustained during the chase , according to a transcript .
The manhunt culminated on June 13 , 2020 , at Fish Ranch Road in Orinda , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement videos that were recently obtained by this newspaper .
Topete allegedly drove a Ford F250 he ’ d stolen from his dad into an SUV being driven by Lafayette Ofc .
Kevin White , resulting in a head-on crash .
Minutes earlier , the truck had been seen driving in the wrong direction on the shoulder of Highway 24 .
“ When you saw the white truck coming at you , what did you think ?
What was going through your head ?
” deputy district attorney Chris Sansoe asked White at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was going to get seriously injured , ” replied White , who suffered a wound to his head but has recovered .
Instead of surrendering at that point , video shows the man identified as Topete exiting the car , hopping a short fence , and dropping an estimated 20 feet onto the pavement below , near the Contra Costa side of the Caldecott Tunnel entrance .
There , he attempted to run across the freeway but was struck by an oncoming truck , which knocked him down .
But he rose again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him at freeway speeds .
After allegedly attempting to carjack one woman , Topete — wearing a neon green vest he allegedly swiped from his father ’ s truck — approached a white car and is seen on video speaking to the driver .
Topete then goes around the side of the car , and the driver rolls his window down , allowing Topete to reach into the vehicle and unbuckle the man ’ s seatbelt , police said .
The man later told police he was confused and believed Topete was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the testimony of Contra Costa Sheriff ’ s Dep .
Anthony Paredes .
By the time he realized that wasn ’ t the case and hit the gas , it was too late ; the man identified as Topete is seen on video wrapping his arms and legs around the door of the now-moving car , until the man slows down and gets out , later telling police he figured at that point the situation wasn ’ t worth dying over .
“ The police are trying to hurt me .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegedly told the man , Paredes said on the stand .
Topete then climbs into the car and drives off .
He went through the tunnel and got on Highway 13 .
Once in Oakland , he exited the freeway , crossed on an overpass , and got on headed back toward Berkeley , but crashed his car while merging with traffic , police said .
There , the man identified as Topete is seen on video exiting the stolen car and once again running across the freeway .
This time , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chase ended soon after that .
Police say Topete hid in a shack on a nearby water treatment facility , and that a Contra Costa Sheriff ’ s deputy sicced a K9 on him when he refused to come out .
Prosecutors added a charge of attempting to injure a police animal because the deputy later said he witnessed Topete using his thumbs to try and gouge the dog ’ s eyes .
Topete ’ s attorney argued at the preliminary hearing that his client was trying to get the dog to stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ events leading up to the crash on Fish Ranch Road are responsible for several of the felony charges : Topete allegedly kidnapped a Pittsburg man — his friend — and stole his car after asking for a ride .
Then he allegedly went to his parents ’ house in Pittsburg , and took the truck , which had a Bobcat excavator or tractor attached on a trailer .
Hours later , he allegedly led police on a chase through Concord city streets in the truck , but officers stopped the pursuit and let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the excavator was going to break loose .
“ I saw the tractor go left to right wobbling , that ’ s when I was like , ‘ Enough is enough .
There ’ s more value to life than chasing a stolen vehicle , ' ” Concord Ofc .
Isidro Llanos testified at the preliminary hearing , according to the transcript .
At the time of the chase , Topete was out on bail in a manslaughter case in Fresno , stemming from an April arrest where he allegedly struck his 54-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died from injuries sustained during the fight , according to the Fresno Bee .

CLICK HERE if you’re viewing on a mobile device.
MARTINEZ — A 28-year-old East Bay man who was out on bail in a manslaughter case last June when he allegedly committed multiple carjackings, a kidnapping, head-on collided with a police SUV, and ran across multiple freeways — one after falling roughly 20 feet onto pavement and being hit by a car — is expected to stand trial early next year.
Victor Topete, of Pittsburg, is facing 15 felonies and three misdemeanor charges, all stemming from a two-day period last June when Topete allegedly led police on multiple chases across city streets and Bay Area freeways in an ultimately failed attempt to escape. During the ordeal, which started in Pittsburg and ended in Oakland, Topete allegedly told people he believed the pursuing officers wanted to hurt him.
Judge Rebecca Hardie ordered Topete to stand trial after his preliminary hearing last October, which he attended in a wheelchair due to injuries sustained during the chase, according to a transcript.
The manhunt culminated on June 13, 2020, at Fish Ranch Road in Orinda, in an incident captured on multiple law enforcement videos that were recently obtained by this newspaper. Topete allegedly drove a Ford F250 he’d stolen from his dad into an SUV being driven by Lafayette Ofc. Kevin White, resulting in a head-on crash. Minutes earlier, the truck had been seen driving in the wrong direction on the shoulder of Highway 24.
“When you saw the white truck coming at you, what did you think? What was going through your head?” deputy district attorney Chris Sansoe asked White at his preliminary hearing.
“That I was going to get seriously injured,” replied White, who suffered a wound to his head but has recovered.
Instead of surrendering at that point, video shows the man identified as Topete exiting the car, hopping a short fence, and dropping an estimated 20 feet onto the pavement below, near the Contra Costa side of the Caldecott Tunnel entrance. There, he attempted to run across the freeway but was struck by an oncoming truck, which knocked him down. But he rose again and continued to dodge cars coming at him at freeway speeds.
After allegedly attempting to carjack one woman, Topete — wearing a neon green vest he allegedly swiped from his father’s truck — approached a white car and is seen on video speaking to the driver. Topete then goes around the side of the car, and the driver rolls his window down, allowing Topete to reach into the vehicle and unbuckle the man’s seatbelt, police said.
The man later told police he was confused and believed Topete was a roadway worker because of the vest, according to the testimony of Contra Costa Sheriff’s Dep. Anthony Paredes. By the time he realized that wasn’t the case and hit the gas, it was too late; the man identified as Topete is seen on video wrapping his arms and legs around the door of the now-moving car, until the man slows down and gets out, later telling police he figured at that point the situation wasn’t worth dying over.
“The police are trying to hurt me. I need your car,” Topete allegedly told the man, Paredes said on the stand.
Topete then climbs into the car and drives off. He went through the tunnel and got on Highway 13. Once in Oakland, he exited the freeway, crossed on an overpass, and got on headed back toward Berkeley, but crashed his car while merging with traffic, police said. There, the man identified as Topete is seen on video exiting the stolen car and once again running across the freeway. This time, he gets across without being hit.
The chase ended soon after that. Police say Topete hid in a shack on a nearby water treatment facility, and that a Contra Costa Sheriff’s deputy sicced a K9 on him when he refused to come out. Prosecutors added a charge of attempting to injure a police animal because the deputy later said he witnessed Topete using his thumbs to try and gouge the dog’s eyes. Topete’s attorney argued at the preliminary hearing that his client was trying to get the dog to stop biting his leg.
The sequence of events leading up to the crash on Fish Ranch Road are responsible for several of the felony charges: Topete allegedly kidnapped a Pittsburg man — his friend — and stole his car after asking for a ride. Then he allegedly went to his parents’ house in Pittsburg, and took the truck, which had a Bobcat excavator or tractor attached on a trailer. Hours later, he allegedly led police on a chase through Concord city streets in the truck, but officers stopped the pursuit and let him get away because it looked like the excavator was going to break loose.
“I saw the tractor go left to right wobbling, that’s when I was like, ‘Enough is enough. There’s more value to life than chasing a stolen vehicle,'” Concord Ofc. Isidro Llanos testified at the preliminary hearing, according to the transcript.
At the time of the chase, Topete was out on bail in a manslaughter case in Fresno, stemming from an April arrest where he allegedly struck his 54-year-old neighbor during an argument. The man died from injuries sustained during the fight, according to the Fresno Bee.


mercurynews--2020-12-29--House votes to override Trump veto of defense bill

The House of Representatives on Monday voted to override President Donald Trump ’ s veto of the sweeping defense bill known as the National Defense Authorization Act , delivering a bipartisan rebuke to the President .
The bill initially passed both the House and Senate with veto-proof majorities , but amid Trump ’ s continued opposition , it had been unclear if the override attempt would be successful or if the veto would be sustained .
The vote forced Republican lawmakers to choose between loyalty to the President and legislation that sets defense policy for the country .
Democrats had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have the votes they needed to override the veto .
The bill will next head to the Senate for the chamber ’ s veto override attempt .
The $ 740 billion bill includes pay raises for America ’ s soldiers , modernizations for equipment and provisions to require more scrutiny before troops are withdrawn from Germany or Afghanistan , but that hasn ’ t stopped Trump ’ s threats against it .
Trump had threatened to veto the bill because it doesn ’ t include a repeal of Section 230 , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liable for what is posted on their websites by them or third parties .
The bill also includes provisions to limit how much money Trump can move around for his border wall and another that would require the military to rename bases that were named after figures from the Confederacy .
The President ultimately moved to veto the legislation earlier this month , setting up a clash with Congress and putting Republican lawmakers in a difficult spot , while paving the way for the override attempt on Capitol Hill .

By Kritsin Wilson, Clare Foran and Lauren Fox | CNN
The House of Representatives on Monday voted to override President Donald Trump’s veto of the sweeping defense bill known as the National Defense Authorization Act, delivering a bipartisan rebuke to the President.
The bill initially passed both the House and Senate with veto-proof majorities, but amid Trump’s continued opposition, it had been unclear if the override attempt would be successful or if the veto would be sustained. The vote forced Republican lawmakers to choose between loyalty to the President and legislation that sets defense policy for the country.
Democrats had expressed confidence, however, that they would have the votes they needed to override the veto. The bill will next head to the Senate for the chamber’s veto override attempt.
The $740 billion bill includes pay raises for America’s soldiers, modernizations for equipment and provisions to require more scrutiny before troops are withdrawn from Germany or Afghanistan, but that hasn’t stopped Trump’s threats against it.
Trump had threatened to veto the bill because it doesn’t include a repeal of Section 230, a law that shields internet companies from being liable for what is posted on their websites by them or third parties. The bill also includes provisions to limit how much money Trump can move around for his border wall and another that would require the military to rename bases that were named after figures from the Confederacy.
The President ultimately moved to veto the legislation earlier this month, setting up a clash with Congress and putting Republican lawmakers in a difficult spot, while paving the way for the override attempt on Capitol Hill.


mercurynews--2020-12-29--49ers lose Brandon Aiyuk, Trent Williams to injury ahead of season finale

Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and left tackle Trent Williams , arguably the 49ers ’ best offensive players this season , won ’ t play in Sunday ’ s season finale against Seattle because of injuries .
Aiyuk ’ s rookie year is over because of a high ankle sprain , the 49ers ’ most common injury this season and one that Aiyuk played through in Saturday ’ s win over Arizona .
Williams sprained an elbow while blocking on the 49ers ’ first touchdown drive in Saturday ’ s 20-12 win at Arizona .
He won ’ t require surgery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for free agency for the first time in his 10-year career .
Cornerback Richard Sherman ( calf ) , wide receiver Deebo Samuel ( hamstring ) and defensive end Jordan Willis ( high ankle sprain ) are also out for the season finale , as is likely quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo , barring an unexpected clearance from team medical officials .
C.J .
Beathard will make a second straight start at quarterback , and the 49ers will decide later this week if Josh Johnson can come off the COVID-19 reserve list to serve as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be Josh Rosen .
This will be the fourth game missed by Aiyuk in a still highly productive rookie season : 60 receptions ( second-most by a 49ers rookie ) for 748 yards ( third most ) and five touchdowns , plus two rushing touchdowns .
He missed two games for two separate stints on COVID-19 reserve , and he skipped the opener with a hamstring strain .
Shanahan said Aiyuk got hurt on Saturday ’ s third snap — a low pass that went off his hands — but had his ankle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then to alert Shanahan on Monday that he won ’ t play the finale .
“ I was really happy with Aiyuk , ” coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday in a media video conference .
“ Obviously we ’ d do it ( draft him in the first round ) all over again if we had a chance .
I am real excited about him going into Year 2 , and just talking to him before ( Saturday ’ s ) game , just understanding what the expectations are for him .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and it ’ s to really help us out , which he did this year .
Both he and Deebo go their rookie years out of the way.
” Samuel , the 49ers ’ other starting wide receiver , had 33 catches for 391 yards and one touchdown in seven games .
He ’ s battled foot and hamstring injuries , plus he missed one game on COVID-19 reserve as a precautionary measure .
“ I expect both those guys to have a very good offseason and come back ready to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offense , ” Shanahan said .
Other injuries the 49ers are watching : defensive linemen Javon Kinlaw ( knee swelling ) , Dion Jordan ( knee ) ; cornerbacks Jimmie Ward ( concussion ) and K ’ Waun Williams ( shin ) ; offensive lineman Justin Skule ( knee ) ; safety Tarvarius Moore ( ankle ) ; and , running back Jeff Wilson ( nerve stinger ) .
Long snapper Taybor Pepper and offensive linemen Hroniss Grasu went on the NFL ’ s COVID-19 reserve list , Grasu ’ s second time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ running back Austin Walter and practice squad fullback Josh Hokit .
• NFL analyst : 49ers could trade for No .
2 overall pick , then deal Garoppolo • How will 49ers ’ cornerbacks parlay Saturday ’ s success into 2021 free agency ?
• 49ers ’ C.J .
Beathard says of emotional victory : ‘ You couldn ’ t write a script like this ’ • 49ers report card : Heroics abound at Arizona in what could be Robert Saleh ’ s penultimate act

Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and left tackle Trent Williams, arguably the 49ers’ best offensive players this season, won’t play in Sunday’s season finale against Seattle because of injuries.
Aiyuk’s rookie year is over because of a high ankle sprain, the 49ers’ most common injury this season and one that Aiyuk played through in Saturday’s win over Arizona.
Williams sprained an elbow while blocking on the 49ers’ first touchdown drive in Saturday’s 20-12 win at Arizona. He won’t require surgery for it as he’s slated for free agency for the first time in his 10-year career.
Cornerback Richard Sherman (calf), wide receiver Deebo Samuel (hamstring) and defensive end Jordan Willis (high ankle sprain) are also out for the season finale, as is likely quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, barring an unexpected clearance from team medical officials.
C.J. Beathard will make a second straight start at quarterback, and the 49ers will decide later this week if Josh Johnson can come off the COVID-19 reserve list to serve as his backup, otherwise it will again be Josh Rosen.
MORE ON AIYUK
This will be the fourth game missed by Aiyuk in a still highly productive rookie season: 60 receptions (second-most by a 49ers rookie) for 748 yards (third most) and five touchdowns, plus two rushing touchdowns.
He missed two games for two separate stints on COVID-19 reserve, and he skipped the opener with a hamstring strain. Shanahan said Aiyuk got hurt on Saturday’s third snap — a low pass that went off his hands — but had his ankle taped. It swelled up enough since then to alert Shanahan on Monday that he won’t play the finale.
“I was really happy with Aiyuk,” coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday in a media video conference. “Obviously we’d do it (draft him in the first round) all over again if we had a chance. I am real excited about him going into Year 2, and just talking to him before (Saturday’s) game, just understanding what the expectations are for him.
“He’s here for a reason, and it’s to really help us out, which he did this year. Both he and Deebo go their rookie years out of the way.”
Samuel, the 49ers’ other starting wide receiver, had 33 catches for 391 yards and one touchdown in seven games. He’s battled foot and hamstring injuries, plus he missed one game on COVID-19 reserve as a precautionary measure.
“I expect both those guys to have a very good offseason and come back ready to take it to another level to help our offense,” Shanahan said.
HEALTH CENTER
Other injuries the 49ers are watching: defensive linemen Javon Kinlaw (knee swelling), Dion Jordan (knee); cornerbacks Jimmie Ward (concussion) and K’Waun Williams (shin); offensive lineman Justin Skule (knee); safety Tarvarius Moore (ankle); and, running back Jeff Wilson (nerve stinger).
COVID UPDATE
Long snapper Taybor Pepper and offensive linemen Hroniss Grasu went on the NFL’s COVID-19 reserve list, Grasu’s second time this season. Activated off it were running back Austin Walter and practice squad fullback Josh Hokit.


mercurynews--2020-12-29--Sponsored: Bella Estates features private and gated homes in Los Gatos

Bella Estates , brand-new construction in Los Gatos , is true to its name as it captures the beauty of its surroundings and showcases brilliant finishes and features sure to dazzle the most discerning homebuyer .
Named after the developer ’ s 10-year-old daughter , the enclave of three homes was created by Terra Holdings , a team of talent including Samir Sharma , Joe Velasco and Margaret Betchart , and features three homes in a private and gated street just off Union Avenue .
The interiors were designed by Viridiana Velasco .
Each home is meticulously designed with acute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level lots .
They blend beautifully with Los Gatos ’ desirable and coveted lifestyle and charming neighborhoods .
Walk to top-rated schools , including Alta Vista Elementary and Leigh High School within .6 of a mile , or Union Middle School less than a half-mile away .
The enclave is also within 2.5 miles of downtown Los Gatos ’ many shopping and dining options .
Enjoy the convenient proximity to local tech giants and San Jose International Airport , only about 12 miles away .
From a contemporary villa with a Mediterranean flair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chic sophistication , these estates feature open floor plans , great rooms and main-level bedrooms suites .
Conducive to today ’ s lifestyle and multigenerational living , the homes also offer fabulous backyard venues to celebrate California ’ s quintessential indoor-outdoor living .
Each home has a loggia with an outdoor kitchen complete with grill , refrigerator and sink .
The homes brim with gorgeous finishes , from 6-inch planked hardwood floors to 14-foot coffered ceilings , smooth textured walls and Andersen windows .
Gourmet kitchens are well-appointed with high-end Thermador appliances , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , decorative subway tile backsplashes , and selected designer light fixtures .
Finishes were hand-selected by interior designer Viridiana Velasco .
One home at the corner of Union and Palo Colorado features five en suite bedrooms and five-and-a-half bathrooms with almost 3,400 square feet of living space on two levels .
The second available home at 100 Palo Colorado also features five bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms with about 3,368 square feet of living space on two levels .
Three bedrooms are en suite .
Two bedrooms share a Jack and Jill bathroom .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ also features five bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms with about 3,368 square feet of living space on two levels .
Master bedroom suites on the upper level showcase luxurious finishes , generous-size walk-in closets and spa-inspired bathrooms with free-standing bathtubs , walls of designer tile , oversize showers , and dual-sink vanities with chic fixtures .
Price : $ 3,398,000 , $ 3,452,200 , and $ 3,536,400 Where : 15975 Union Ave. , 100 Palo Colorado , and 102 Palo Colorado , Los Gatos Website : Bella Estates Shown by appointment only .
Listing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DRE # 01309200 , 650-833-8498 , joe @ joevelasco.com

Bella Estates, brand-new construction in Los Gatos, is true to its name as it captures the beauty of its surroundings and showcases brilliant finishes and features sure to dazzle the most discerning homebuyer.
Named after the developer’s 10-year-old daughter, the enclave of three homes was created by Terra Holdings, a team of talent including Samir Sharma, Joe Velasco and Margaret Betchart, and features three homes in a private and gated street just off Union Avenue. The interiors were designed by Viridiana Velasco.
Each home is meticulously designed with acute attention to detail on more than quarter-acre level lots. They blend beautifully with Los Gatos’ desirable and coveted lifestyle and charming neighborhoods.
Walk to top-rated schools, including Alta Vista Elementary and Leigh High School within .6 of a mile, or Union Middle School less than a half-mile away. The enclave is also within 2.5 miles of downtown Los Gatos’ many shopping and dining options. Enjoy the convenient proximity to local tech giants and San Jose International Airport, only about 12 miles away.
From a contemporary villa with a Mediterranean flair to the iconic American Craftsman meeting with chic sophistication, these estates feature open floor plans, great rooms and main-level bedrooms suites. Conducive to today’s lifestyle and multigenerational living, the homes also offer fabulous backyard venues to celebrate California’s quintessential indoor-outdoor living. Each home has a loggia with an outdoor kitchen complete with grill, refrigerator and sink.
The homes brim with gorgeous finishes, from 6-inch planked hardwood floors to 14-foot coffered ceilings, smooth textured walls and Andersen windows. Gourmet kitchens are well-appointed with high-end Thermador appliances, sleek quartz counters and expansive islands/breakfast bars, decorative subway tile backsplashes, and selected designer light fixtures. Finishes were hand-selected by interior designer Viridiana Velasco.
One home at the corner of Union and Palo Colorado features five en suite bedrooms and five-and-a-half bathrooms with almost 3,400 square feet of living space on two levels.
The second available home at 100 Palo Colorado also features five bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms with about 3,368 square feet of living space on two levels. Three bedrooms are en suite. Two bedrooms share a Jack and Jill bathroom.
The third home at 102 Palo Colorado also features five bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms with about 3,368 square feet of living space on two levels.
Master bedroom suites on the upper level showcase luxurious finishes, generous-size walk-in closets and spa-inspired bathrooms with free-standing bathtubs, walls of designer tile, oversize showers, and dual-sink vanities with chic fixtures.
Additional features include three-car garages, indoor laundry rooms, mudrooms, paver driveways and fenced yards.
Price: $3,398,000, $3,452,200, and $3,536,400
Where: 15975 Union Ave., 100 Palo Colorado, and 102 Palo Colorado, Los Gatos
Website: Bella Estates Shown by appointment only.
Listing agent: Compass. Joe Velasco, DRE# 01309200, 650-833-8498, joe@joevelasco.com


mercurynews--2020-12-28--Here’s who will be next in line to receive California’s coronavirus vaccines

As California ’ s public health providers brace for another nightmarish surge of COVID-19 cases and deaths , state officials are refining the list of who will be next in line to receive a coveted vaccine over the coming weeks .
Under the latest plan unveiled by Gov .
Gavin Newsom on Monday , the next phase will include a mix of people at least 75 years old and some essential workers — a proposal slated to protect those at the greatest risk of dying while also aiming to help schools and businesses return to a semblance of normalcy in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disruptions .
The plan falls in line with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and marks a slight diversion from last week , when the group in charge of deciding how the state should divvy up its limited supply of vaccines was leaning toward delaying protections for the state ’ s elderly residents and giving top priority to its expansive number of essential workers .
Expected to be finalized by the state ’ s Drafting Guidelines Workgroup and released in detail on Wednesday , the plan will guide the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of vaccines following those first reserved for California ’ s 2.4 million health care workers and patients in skilled nursing facilities .
The anticipated decision on vaccine distribution comes at a trying time , as state officials are preparing to extend regional stay-at-home orders to curb the ever-growing spread of the virus while also trying to determine whether a new strain is fueling the state ’ s most alarming surge .
And although there are some small signs of a post-Thanksgiving plateau in the rate of rising cases and hospitalizations , a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could hit by mid-January due to ill-advised holiday gatherings , California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly warned Monday .
According to Newsom , next up on the state ’ s vaccine campaign will be Californians 75 years and older as well as essential workers in three categories — education and childcare , emergency services and high-priority essential businesses such as farming and grocery stores .
Following those groups will come Californians 65 years and older with underlying health conditions or disabilities , incarcerated individuals , the homeless , and workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , residential and commercial sector , and critical manufacturing .
During a news conference Monday , Newsom said he was “ not naive ” that there would be some issues with vaccine-seeking people attempting to cut in line — or worse , trying to bribe their way to the top — but he warned that those who do would be sanctioned and lose their professional licenses .
“ You will not only lose your license , we will be very aggressive in terms of highlighting the reputational impacts as well , ” Newsom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a total of 1.76 million vaccines by the end of this week , available beds in many of the state ’ s intensive care units remain critically low .
Newsom warned that the state ’ s stay-at-home order would be extended in the Southern California and San Joaquin Valley regions as early as Tuesday and that restrictions in the Bay Area could similarly be extended on Jan. 8 .
As of Monday , California ’ s record-breaking COVID-19 surge was continuing with tens of thousands of new cases reported and nearly three times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a month ago .
Over the past week , the state has averaged about 37,500 new coronavirus cases per day and about 230 deaths a day from the virus .
California ’ s case count remains about 17 % shy of its pre-Christmas peak but still three times higher than a month ago .
Several Bay Area hospitals , including Kaiser Permanente , Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose and John Muir Health centers in Concord and Walnut Creek , all announced in recent days they were postponing elective surgeries through at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 patients continues to inundate hospital rooms and ICUs .
In the Bay Area , health officials are beginning to see a “ subtle but important trend ” where the rate of rise in cases and hospitalizations is beginning to plateau .
But how long it will last and how the winter holiday travel and gatherings will affect the trend remains to be seen .
“ We ’ re worried not just about what happened over the past couple of weeks — that piece of good news — but what ’ s really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases from the Christmas holiday and Hanukkah coming up now with the New Year ’ s celebration , ” Ghaly said during the news briefing .
“ What we likely will experience in two weeks is this surge stacked on top of these other surges related to holiday activities , ” Newsom said .
California officials meanwhile are beginning to collect and test samples of the coronavirus from patients across the state to determine whether a new , potentially more contagious strain of COVID-19 discovered in Britain has made its way to California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s latest surge .
The California Department of Public Health has asked health care providers to collect and submit samples from COVID-19 patients who have recently traveled or have been exposed to people who have traveled to the United Kingdom or Europe , patients who have marked differences in their virus sequencing and patients who have tested positive for the virus twice within 90 days and may have been reinfected .
In areas with higher rates of infection , such as California , there is a higher possibility for new strains to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a professor and chair of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at UCSF .
New strains could make it more difficult to curb the spread of the virus and potentially make the vaccine less effective .
“ While we ’ re in the midst of a surge is exactly the type of environment for a new strain or variant emerge , ” Bibbins-Domingo said in an interview Monday .
“ That ’ s what we saw in Britain and that ’ s why we have to be worried right now and get this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ensure that a new variant does not emerge .
”

As California’s public health providers brace for another nightmarish surge of COVID-19 cases and deaths, state officials are refining the list of who will be next in line to receive a coveted vaccine over the coming weeks.
Under the latest plan unveiled by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday, the next phase will include a mix of people at least 75 years old and some essential workers — a proposal slated to protect those at the greatest risk of dying while also aiming to help schools and businesses return to a semblance of normalcy in the wake of nearly a year of disruptions.
The plan falls in line with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and marks a slight diversion from last week, when the group in charge of deciding how the state should divvy up its limited supply of vaccines was leaning toward delaying protections for the state’s elderly residents and giving top priority to its expansive number of essential workers.
Expected to be finalized by the state’s Drafting Guidelines Workgroup and released in detail on Wednesday, the plan will guide the state’s rollout of a second round of vaccines following those first reserved for California’s 2.4 million health care workers and patients in skilled nursing facilities.
The anticipated decision on vaccine distribution comes at a trying time, as state officials are preparing to extend regional stay-at-home orders to curb the ever-growing spread of the virus while also trying to determine whether a new strain is fueling the state’s most alarming surge.
And although there are some small signs of a post-Thanksgiving plateau in the rate of rising cases and hospitalizations, a “surge on top of a surge” could hit by mid-January due to ill-advised holiday gatherings, California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly warned Monday.
According to Newsom, next up on the state’s vaccine campaign will be Californians 75 years and older as well as essential workers in three categories — education and childcare, emergency services and high-priority essential businesses such as farming and grocery stores.
Following those groups will come Californians 65 years and older with underlying health conditions or disabilities, incarcerated individuals, the homeless, and workers in transportation and logistics, the industrial, residential and commercial sector, and critical manufacturing.
During a news conference Monday, Newsom said he was “not naive” that there would be some issues with vaccine-seeking people attempting to cut in line — or worse, trying to bribe their way to the top — but he warned that those who do would be sanctioned and lose their professional licenses.
“You will not only lose your license, we will be very aggressive in terms of highlighting the reputational impacts as well,” Newsom said.
Although California expects to receive a total of 1.76 million vaccines by the end of this week, available beds in many of the state’s intensive care units remain critically low.
Newsom warned that the state’s stay-at-home order would be extended in the Southern California and San Joaquin Valley regions as early as Tuesday and that restrictions in the Bay Area could similarly be extended on Jan. 8.
As of Monday, California’s record-breaking COVID-19 surge was continuing with tens of thousands of new cases reported and nearly three times as many patients hospitalized as on Thanksgiving a month ago.
Over the past week, the state has averaged about 37,500 new coronavirus cases per day and about 230 deaths a day from the virus. California’s case count remains about 17% shy of its pre-Christmas peak but still three times higher than a month ago.
Several Bay Area hospitals, including Kaiser Permanente, Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose and John Muir Health centers in Concord and Walnut Creek, all announced in recent days they were postponing elective surgeries through at least the next week as a rise in COVID-19 patients continues to inundate hospital rooms and ICUs.
In the Bay Area, health officials are beginning to see a “subtle but important trend” where the rate of rise in cases and hospitalizations is beginning to plateau. But how long it will last and how the winter holiday travel and gatherings will affect the trend remains to be seen.
“We’re worried not just about what happened over the past couple of weeks — that piece of good news — but what’s really going to happen as we see the cases from the Christmas holiday and Hanukkah coming up now with the New Year’s celebration,” Ghaly said during the news briefing.
“What we likely will experience in two weeks is this surge stacked on top of these other surges related to holiday activities,” Newsom said.
California officials meanwhile are beginning to collect and test samples of the coronavirus from patients across the state to determine whether a new, potentially more contagious strain of COVID-19 discovered in Britain has made its way to California, potentially helping to fuel the state’s latest surge.
The California Department of Public Health has asked health care providers to collect and submit samples from COVID-19 patients who have recently traveled or have been exposed to people who have traveled to the United Kingdom or Europe, patients who have marked differences in their virus sequencing and patients who have tested positive for the virus twice within 90 days and may have been reinfected.
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“While we’re in the midst of a surge is exactly the type of environment for a new strain or variant emerge,” Bibbins-Domingo said in an interview Monday. “That’s what we saw in Britain and that’s why we have to be worried right now and get this surge under control both to protect Californians and ensure that a new variant does not emerge.”


mercurynews--2020-12-28--Shanahan gives Garoppolo ringing endorsement as 49ers’ 2021 quarterback, downplays contract price

As Kyle Shanahan explained Monday why Jimmy Garoppolo will return next season as the 49ers ’ starting quarterback , each reason came with justification for 2021 optimism .
One , Shanahan referred to Garoppolo ’ s 24-9 overall record with the 49ers , including last year ’ s 15-4 run that ended in Super Bowl defeat .
Second , and most pertinent for a team strapped with salary cap woes , Shanahan repeatedly downplayed Garoppolo ’ s $ 24 million salary , saying “ it ’ s not like it ’ s something ridiculous ” and that is the going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ Look at Jimmy , what he ’ s done , look at where he ’ s at financially , ” Shanahan said on Monday ’ s video conference with reporters ahead of the 49ers ’ season finale Sunday .
“ We better have a very good answer if you ’ re going to find somebody better than that , because Jimmy ’ s shown in one year , he ’ s somebody who can take us to the Super Bowl , and I also think Jimmy ’ s going to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” High ankle sprains derailed Garoppolo ’ s season , starting with a first-quarter sack against the New York Jets in Week 2 and seemingly ending with a Nov. 1 injury to the same right ankle at Seattle .
Unless the 49ers ’ doctors call an audible , Shanahan said he ’ d be shocked if Garoppolo is cleared to return for Sunday ’ s finale against the NFC West champion Seattle Seahawks , a game held at State Farm Stadium in Glendale , Ariz. because of Santa Clara County ’ s COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commented to the media the past two months .
An interview request by this news organization Monday was deferred to a more likely session next week , as players check out for the offseason .
“ The injuries he had , I mean , kind of took the year from him , ” Shanahan said .
“ It was unfortunate for Jimmy and for our team .
I know it ’ s frustrating for him .
That ’ s why he ’ s got to go into this offseason to do everything he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next year .
“ Hopefully we ’ ll get an offseason so we can make sure we give him ( practices ) , because he didn ’ t get that ( during 2019 ACL recovery ) , which was tougher.
” This past offseason ’ s practices were scuttled by the COVID-19 pandemic .
This upcoming offseason will offer the 49ers a chance to improve on their backup situation ; Nick Mullens went 2-6 before a significant elbow injury , and C.J .
Beathard won Saturday in his first start since 2018 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarterback or bringing in a veteran , though he said they ’ d have to be “ a ton better.
” “ You can ’ t say anything with certainty .
You don ’ t sit here and make promises on anything , ” Shahanan said .
“ We build football teams and it ’ s your job to put the best team together year in and year out .
“ People talk about Jimmy ’ s contract .
Jimmy is like one of the middle quarterbacks in the league right now in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just how much they cost .
So it ’ s not like it ’ s something ridiculous .
We can work all that out.
” That could mean a contract extension to diminish his 2021 cap charge of $ 26 million , which ranks 11th among NFL quarterbacks , according to financial numbers via Spotrac.com .
• NFL analyst : 49ers could trade for No .
2 overall pick , then deal Garoppolo • How will 49ers ’ cornerbacks parlay Saturday ’ s success into 2021 free agency ?
• 49ers ’ C.J @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ You couldn ’ t write a script like this ’ • 49ers report card : Heroics abound at Arizona in what could be Robert Saleh ’ s penultimate act It certainly did not sound like Shanahan is angling to cut Garoppolo , who reportedly has a no-trade clause in the five-year , $ 137.5 million contract he signed in 2018 .
The 49ers would endure only a $ 2.8 million cap hit if they part ways .
Added Shanahan : “ Look at Jimmy ’ s record when he ’ s been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with .
He ’ s proven he ’ s a starting quarterback in this league.
” Garoppolo , who arrived in a Halloween 2017 trade from New England , officially went 3-3 this season with 12 touchdown passes and five interceptions .
He ’ s otherwise been rehabbing ( often while sitting in on the offensive installation meetings on Zoom ) .
During games , he ’ s been taking notes from a luxury suite while sitting with other injured players , and Shanahan said that note-taking habit has produced countless notebooks by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a reason his record is what it is .
That ’ s why we pay for him to be our starting quarterback , ” Shanahan said .
“ To think that ’ s ridiculous as for his contract , this isn ’ t his fist year .
That ’ s how much quarterbacks cost in this league .
He ’ s right there , somewhere between like 13th and 19th , so that ’ s nothing too big .
That ’ s how much they cost .
”

As Kyle Shanahan explained Monday why Jimmy Garoppolo will return next season as the 49ers’ starting quarterback, each reason came with justification for 2021 optimism.
One, Shanahan referred to Garoppolo’s 24-9 overall record with the 49ers, including last year’s 15-4 run that ended in Super Bowl defeat.
Second, and most pertinent for a team strapped with salary cap woes, Shanahan repeatedly downplayed Garoppolo’s $24 million salary, saying “it’s not like it’s something ridiculous” and that is the going rate for “how much they cost.”
“Look at Jimmy, what he’s done, look at where he’s at financially,” Shanahan said on Monday’s video conference with reporters ahead of the 49ers’ season finale Sunday.
“We better have a very good answer if you’re going to find somebody better than that, because Jimmy’s shown in one year, he’s somebody who can take us to the Super Bowl, and I also think Jimmy’s going to get a lot better the more he plays.”
High ankle sprains derailed Garoppolo’s season, starting with a first-quarter sack against the New York Jets in Week 2 and seemingly ending with a Nov. 1 injury to the same right ankle at Seattle.
Unless the 49ers’ doctors call an audible, Shanahan said he’d be shocked if Garoppolo is cleared to return for Sunday’s finale against the NFC West champion Seattle Seahawks, a game held at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. because of Santa Clara County’s COVID-19 restrictions this month.
Garoppolo has not commented to the media the past two months. An interview request by this news organization Monday was deferred to a more likely session next week, as players check out for the offseason.
“The injuries he had, I mean, kind of took the year from him,” Shanahan said. “It was unfortunate for Jimmy and for our team. I know it’s frustrating for him. That’s why he’s got to go into this offseason to do everything he can to get ready for Week 1 next year.
“Hopefully we’ll get an offseason so we can make sure we give him (practices), because he didn’t get that (during 2019 ACL recovery), which was tougher.”
This past offseason’s practices were scuttled by the COVID-19 pandemic. This upcoming offseason will offer the 49ers a chance to improve on their backup situation; Nick Mullens went 2-6 before a significant elbow injury, and C.J. Beathard won Saturday in his first start since 2018.
Shanahan did not rule out drafting a quarterback or bringing in a veteran, though he said they’d have to be “a ton better.”
“You can’t say anything with certainty. You don’t sit here and make promises on anything,” Shahanan said. “We build football teams and it’s your job to put the best team together year in and year out.
“People talk about Jimmy’s contract. Jimmy is like one of the middle quarterbacks in the league right now in terms of salary. That’s just how much they cost. So it’s not like it’s something ridiculous. We can work all that out.”
That could mean a contract extension to diminish his 2021 cap charge of $26 million, which ranks 11th among NFL quarterbacks, according to financial numbers via Spotrac.com.
It certainly did not sound like Shanahan is angling to cut Garoppolo, who reportedly has a no-trade clause in the five-year, $137.5 million contract he signed in 2018. The 49ers would endure only a $2.8 million cap hit if they part ways.
Added Shanahan: “Look at Jimmy’s record when he’s been here. Jimmy, you can win with. He’s proven he’s a starting quarterback in this league.”
Garoppolo, who arrived in a Halloween 2017 trade from New England, officially went 3-3 this season with 12 touchdown passes and five interceptions. He’s otherwise been rehabbing (often while sitting in on the offensive installation meetings on Zoom). During games, he’s been taking notes from a luxury suite while sitting with other injured players, and Shanahan said that note-taking habit has produced countless notebooks by Garoppolo over the years.
“There’s a reason his record is what it is. That’s why we pay for him to be our starting quarterback,” Shanahan said. “To think that’s ridiculous as for his contract, this isn’t his fist year. That’s how much quarterbacks cost in this league. He’s right there, somewhere between like 13th and 19th, so that’s nothing too big. That’s how much they cost.”


mercurynews--2020-12-28--Officer who shot, killed Andre Hill fired from Ohio force

COLUMBUS , Ohio — A white Ohio police officer was fired Monday after bodycam footage showed him fatally shooting 47-year-old Andre Hill — a Black man who was holding a cellphone — and refusing to administer first aid for several minutes .
Columbus police officer Adam Coy was fired hours after a hearing was held to determine his employment , Columbus Public Safety Director Ned Pettus Jr. said in a statement .
“ The actions of Adam Coy do not live up to the oath of a Columbus Police officer , or the standards we , and the community , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement read .
“ The shooting of Andre Hill is a tragedy for all who loved him in addition to the community and our Division of Police.
” Coy remains under criminal investigation for last week ’ s shooting .
The decision came after Pettus concluded a hearing to determine whether the actions taken by Coy in the moments before and after the fatal shooting of Hill on Tuesday were justified .
The public safety director upheld the recommendation of Police Chief Thomas Quinlan , who made a video statement Christmas Eve , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coy be terminated .
Quinlan expedited the investigation and bypassed procedure to file two departmental charges alleging critical misconduct against Coy in the death of Hill .
“ This is what accountability looks like .
The evidence provided solid rationale for termination , ” Quinlan said after Coy ’ s termination Monday afternoon .
“ Mr .
Coy will now have to answer to the state investigators for the death of Andre Hill.
” Members of the local Fraternal Order of Police attended the hearing on behalf of Coy , who was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Pettus ’ office .
“ Officer Coy was given the opportunity today to come and participate , ” Brian Steel , vice president of the police union , told reporters Monday .
He elected not to participate .
I do not know why … I would have liked to have him here , but it ’ s his decision.
” Coy and another officer responded to a neighbor ’ s nonemergency call after 1 a.m. Tuesday about a car in front of his house in the city ’ s northwest side that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , then turned back on , according to a copy of the call released Wednesday .
Mayor Andrew Ginther said it remains unclear if that car had anything to do with Hill .
Police bodycam footage showed Hill emerging from a garage and holding up a cellphone in his left hand seconds before he was fatally shot by Coy .
There is no audio because the officer hadn ’ t activated the body camera ; an automatic “ look back ” feature captured the shooting without audio .
An investigation is also being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the call that ended in Hill being shot , who Quinlan said also appear to have either failed to activate their body cameras or to render Hill aid .
He said any others who violated department protocols will be held accountable .
Officers must activate their body cameras as soon as they are dispatched to a major incident such as a shooting , robbery or burglary , under departmental policy .
Although Coy was dispatched on a nonemergency call , the call became an enforcement action when the officer interacted with Hill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call , said police department spokesperson Sgt .
James Fuqua .
In addition to an internal police investigation , Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost was appointed a special prosecutor in the death of Hill on Thursday .
“ We will do our duty based on the facts and the law , ” Yost said in a tweet .
“ Whatever the outcome , someone will be angry — but the decision will be objective.
” • Bay Area man carjacked people , collided with police car , ran across freeways , and tried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two-day manhunt , police say • Nashville bomber : World is ‘ never going to forget me ’ • San Jose : Police seeking two drivers who hit and killed pedestrian over the weekend There is also an investigation under the state ’ s criminal investigations unit , under Yost , with assistance from the U.S. attorney ’ s office and the FBI ’ s Civil Rights Division .
Coy , a 17-year member of the force , was relieved of duty , ordered to turn in his gun and badge , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The killing of Hill at the hands of Columbus police follows the fatal shooting of Casey Goodson Jr. on Dec. 4 by a white Franklin County Sheriff ’ s deputy .
The two back-to-back shootings have resulted in an outpour of criticism from advocates and the Black community in Columbus for wider and more comprehensive police reform .
Farnoush Amiri is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative .
Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered @ @

By Farnoush Amiri | Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A white Ohio police officer was fired Monday after bodycam footage showed him fatally shooting 47-year-old Andre Hill — a Black man who was holding a cellphone — and refusing to administer first aid for several minutes.
Columbus police officer Adam Coy was fired hours after a hearing was held to determine his employment, Columbus Public Safety Director Ned Pettus Jr. said in a statement.
“The actions of Adam Coy do not live up to the oath of a Columbus Police officer, or the standards we, and the community, demand of our officers,” the statement read. “The shooting of Andre Hill is a tragedy for all who loved him in addition to the community and our Division of Police.”
Coy remains under criminal investigation for last week’s shooting.
The decision came after Pettus concluded a hearing to determine whether the actions taken by Coy in the moments before and after the fatal shooting of Hill on Tuesday were justified. The public safety director upheld the recommendation of Police Chief Thomas Quinlan, who made a video statement Christmas Eve, saying he had seen enough to recommend Coy be terminated.
Quinlan expedited the investigation and bypassed procedure to file two departmental charges alleging critical misconduct against Coy in the death of Hill.
“This is what accountability looks like. The evidence provided solid rationale for termination,” Quinlan said after Coy’s termination Monday afternoon. “Mr. Coy will now have to answer to the state investigators for the death of Andre Hill.”
Members of the local Fraternal Order of Police attended the hearing on behalf of Coy, who was not in attendance, according to a statement from Pettus’ office.
“Officer Coy was given the opportunity today to come and participate,” Brian Steel, vice president of the police union, told reporters Monday. He elected not to participate. I do not know why … I would have liked to have him here, but it’s his decision.”
Coy and another officer responded to a neighbor’s nonemergency call after 1 a.m. Tuesday about a car in front of his house in the city’s northwest side that had been running, then shut off, then turned back on, according to a copy of the call released Wednesday.
Mayor Andrew Ginther said it remains unclear if that car had anything to do with Hill.
Police bodycam footage showed Hill emerging from a garage and holding up a cellphone in his left hand seconds before he was fatally shot by Coy. There is no audio because the officer hadn’t activated the body camera; an automatic “look back” feature captured the shooting without audio.
An investigation is also being conducted into the other officers who responded to the call that ended in Hill being shot, who Quinlan said also appear to have either failed to activate their body cameras or to render Hill aid. He said any others who violated department protocols will be held accountable.
Officers must activate their body cameras as soon as they are dispatched to a major incident such as a shooting, robbery or burglary, under departmental policy. Although Coy was dispatched on a nonemergency call, the call became an enforcement action when the officer interacted with Hill because that was separate from the original call, said police department spokesperson Sgt. James Fuqua.
In addition to an internal police investigation, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost was appointed a special prosecutor in the death of Hill on Thursday.
“We will do our duty based on the facts and the law,” Yost said in a tweet. “Whatever the outcome, someone will be angry — but the decision will be objective.”
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Coy, a 17-year member of the force, was relieved of duty, ordered to turn in his gun and badge, and stripped of police powers last week.
The killing of Hill at the hands of Columbus police follows the fatal shooting of Casey Goodson Jr. on Dec. 4 by a white Franklin County Sheriff’s deputy. The two back-to-back shootings have resulted in an outpour of criticism from advocates and the Black community in Columbus for wider and more comprehensive police reform.
Farnoush Amiri is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.