washingtontimes--2020-05-12--Gun control group starts faith-driven push ahead of election

NEW YORK ( AP ) - A leading gun control advocacy group has enlisted more than a dozen religious leaders to boost voter turnout this fall in support of candidates who support measures to prevent gun violence .
Everytown for Gun Safety , which expects to spend $ 60 million on this year ’ s elections , is forging its interfaith effort amid ongoing concerns about shootings at houses of worship .
The group ’ s partners include representatives from Christian , Jewish , Muslim , Hindu and Sikh backgrounds , several of them well-known progressive activists .
Among those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of which were shared with The Associated Press ahead of its official announcement , are evangelical Shane Claiborne , president of the group Red Letter Christians , and Rev .
Traci Blackmon , a United Church of Christ executive minister and a central member of the Black Lives Matter movement .
Another is Rev .
Rob Schenck , a former evangelical anti-abortion activist who has since shifted to support the Roe v. Wade decision and sought to redefine a “ pro-life ” agenda as one that supports gun control .
Schenck described gun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue , which makes it a supreme moral consideration.
” “ Churches , especially white evangelical churches , have largely ignored this question — I think , much to their own detriment and to the detriment of the people they ’ re called to serve , ” said Schenck , president of the Washington-based nonprofit Dietrich Bonhoeffer Institute .
In addition to reaching out to clergy on gun policy issues , Schenck said , the Everytown interfaith project would aim to educate rank-and-file faith voters about candidates ’ stances on gun matters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ something you ’ re unwilling to be the answer to , ” he added .
“ So if we pray for a reduction in gun violence , we have to be ready to act on that prayer.
” Everytown , co-founded by former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg , counts 6 million supporters and already has endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden , the presumptive Democratic nominee for president .
Biden released a proposal last month to boost security at houses of worship .
“ The faith community has seen firsthand the devastating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worship and feels more than ever that they have an urgent moral responsibility to stop the scourge of gun violence in America - and they ’ re doing so by mobilizing their networks around candidates who support broadly popular gun safety measures in 2020 , “ Angela Ferrell-Zabala , chief equity , outreach and partnerships officer at Everytown , said in a statement .
President Donald Trump is campaigning for reelection as a proponent of gun rights after previously weighing , then walking back , calls for Congress to strengthen gun laws .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ initiative are known as religious critics of Trump ’ s record , including Schenck , Blackmon and Michael McBride , a California-based pastor who ’ s active in helping communities of color during the pandemic .
Whether gun control advocates can make new inroads with voters of faith remains an open question .
Michael Hammond , legislative counsel at the Gun Owners of America , recalled then-presidential candidate Barack Obama ’ s 2008 comment that some disaffected working-class voters “ cling to guns or religion ” to help identify a nexus between faith-driven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sees “ a social milieu , a series of values that surround the sorts of people who value the Second Amendment .
Those values normally include a deep faith , a love of country - generally a conservative social issue outlook.
” Asked about the resonance of gun control with religious voters following attacks at houses of worship , Hammond pointed to the role of an armed churchgoer in acting quickly to end last year ’ s shooting at a Texas church service .
Congregations that “ voluntarily disarm themselves have ended up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Collectively , partners in Everytown ’ s project are planning to host at least 50 events designed to engage Americans of faith on gun issues and promote voter registration ahead of November ’ s elections .
The effort is particularly focused on a dozen-plus states that will prove battlegrounds in presidential and congressional contests , including Arizona , Florida , Georgia , Michigan , North Carolina , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin .
Associated Press religion coverage receives support from the Lilly Endowment through the Religion News Foundation .
The AP is solely responsible @ @ @ @

NEW YORK (AP) - A leading gun control advocacy group has enlisted more than a dozen religious leaders to boost voter turnout this fall in support of candidates who support measures to prevent gun violence.
Everytown for Gun Safety, which expects to spend $60 million on this year’s elections, is forging its interfaith effort amid ongoing concerns about shootings at houses of worship. The group’s partners include representatives from Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Sikh backgrounds, several of them well-known progressive activists.
Among those joining Everytown’s initiative, details of which were shared with The Associated Press ahead of its official announcement, are evangelical Shane Claiborne, president of the group Red Letter Christians, and Rev. Traci Blackmon, a United Church of Christ executive minister and a central member of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Another is Rev. Rob Schenck, a former evangelical anti-abortion activist who has since shifted to support the Roe v. Wade decision and sought to redefine a “pro-life” agenda as one that supports gun control.
Schenck described gun violence as a “life or death issue, which makes it a supreme moral consideration.”
“Churches, especially white evangelical churches, have largely ignored this question — I think, much to their own detriment and to the detriment of the people they’re called to serve,” said Schenck, president of the Washington-based nonprofit Dietrich Bonhoeffer Institute.
In addition to reaching out to clergy on gun policy issues, Schenck said, the Everytown interfaith project would aim to educate rank-and-file faith voters about candidates’ stances on gun matters.
“You never want to pray for something you’re unwilling to be the answer to,” he added. “So if we pray for a reduction in gun violence, we have to be ready to act on that prayer.”
Everytown, co-founded by former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, counts 6 million supporters and already has endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president. Biden released a proposal last month to boost security at houses of worship.
“The faith community has seen firsthand the devastating effects of gun violence in places of worship and feels more than ever that they have an urgent moral responsibility to stop the scourge of gun violence in America - and they’re doing so by mobilizing their networks around candidates who support broadly popular gun safety measures in 2020,“ Angela Ferrell-Zabala, chief equity, outreach and partnerships officer at Everytown, said in a statement.
President Donald Trump is campaigning for reelection as a proponent of gun rights after previously weighing, then walking back, calls for Congress to strengthen gun laws. Several members of Everytown’s interfaith initiative are known as religious critics of Trump’s record, including Schenck, Blackmon and Michael McBride, a California-based pastor who’s active in helping communities of color during the pandemic.
Whether gun control advocates can make new inroads with voters of faith remains an open question. Michael Hammond, legislative counsel at the Gun Owners of America, recalled then-presidential candidate Barack Obama’s 2008 comment that some disaffected working-class voters “cling to guns or religion” to help identify a nexus between faith-driven and gun-rights voters.
Hammond said he sees “a social milieu, a series of values that surround the sorts of people who value the Second Amendment. Those values normally include a deep faith, a love of country - generally a conservative social issue outlook.”
Asked about the resonance of gun control with religious voters following attacks at houses of worship, Hammond pointed to the role of an armed churchgoer in acting quickly to end last year’s shooting at a Texas church service. Congregations that “voluntarily disarm themselves have ended up suffering a catastrophe,” Hammond said.
Collectively, partners in Everytown’s project are planning to host at least 50 events designed to engage Americans of faith on gun issues and promote voter registration ahead of November’s elections. The effort is particularly focused on a dozen-plus states that will prove battlegrounds in presidential and congressional contests, including Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
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Associated Press religion coverage receives support from the Lilly Endowment through the Religion News Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
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washingtontimes--2020-05-12--China cuts Australian beef imports amid virus tension

CANBERRRA , Australia ( AP ) - China suspended imports of beef from four Australian producers on Tuesday following a threat by Beijing of possible trade retaliation if Australia pushed for an inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic .
Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said the suspensions appear to be based on “ highly technical issues , ” some of which date back more than one year .
Birmingham said he was talking with the industry to “ formulate a comprehensive response.
” Beijing has rejected calls by Australia and other governments for an international inquiry into the origin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December in central China .
Ambassador Cheng Jingye told The Australian Financial Review last month the country might face a Chinese boycott of its tourism and exports of wine , beef and other goods if Prime Minister Scott Morrison ’ s government pressed for an inquiry .
China is the No .
1 market for Australian beef , accounting for about 30 % of exports .
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman , Zhao Lijian , criticized Australia ’ s “ erroneous words and deeds.
” Zhao said Tuesday the pandemic shouldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engage in political manipulation , ” which he said would disrupt international disease prevention .
Australia grain exporters said Sunday they were told China is preparing to raise duties on imports of Australian barley .

CANBERRRA, Australia (AP) - China suspended imports of beef from four Australian producers on Tuesday following a threat by Beijing of possible trade retaliation if Australia pushed for an inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic.
Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said the suspensions appear to be based on “highly technical issues,” some of which date back more than one year. Birmingham said he was talking with the industry to “formulate a comprehensive response.”
Beijing has rejected calls by Australia and other governments for an international inquiry into the origin of the coronavirus, which emerged in December in central China.
Ambassador Cheng Jingye told The Australian Financial Review last month the country might face a Chinese boycott of its tourism and exports of wine, beef and other goods if Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s government pressed for an inquiry.
China is the No. 1 market for Australian beef, accounting for about 30% of exports.
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, Zhao Lijian, criticized Australia’s “erroneous words and deeds.” Zhao said Tuesday the pandemic shouldn’t be used as a reason to “engage in political manipulation,” which he said would disrupt international disease prevention.
Australia grain exporters said Sunday they were told China is preparing to raise duties on imports of Australian barley.


washingtontimes--2020-05-12--Health aide charged with murder in woman's stabbing death

ELIZABETH , N.J. ( AP ) - A home health aide fatally stabbed one of her patients inside the victim @ @ @ @ @ , authorities said .
Myrlande Dornelus , 41 , is charged with murder and weapons @ @ @ @ @ Anna M. Pollard , 62 , whose body was found April 13 in her Elizabeth @ @ @ @ @ Union County Prosecutor ’ s Office .
Pollard was stabbed multiple times , authorities said @ @ @ @ @ not clear what sparked the attack .
The slaying and Dornelus ’ arrest , which @ @ @ @ @ made public by prosecutors on Monday .
Authorities have not said how long Dornelus had @ @ @ @ @ she got the job .
She has been a state-certified home health aide since March @ @ @ @ @ is active and she had no disciplinary actions .
Dornelus remains jailed pending a detention @ @ @ @ @ t known Tuesday if she ’ s retained an attorney .

ELIZABETH, N.J. (AP) - A home health aide fatally stabbed one of her patients inside the victim’s home last month, authorities said.
Myrlande Dornelus, 41, is charged with murder and weapons offenses in the death of Anna M. Pollard, 62, whose body was found April 13 in her Elizabeth home, according to the Union County Prosecutor’s Office.
Pollard was stabbed multiple times, authorities said, but it’s not clear what sparked the attack. The slaying and Dornelus’ arrest, which occurred Friday, were both made public by prosecutors on Monday.
Authorities have not said how long Dornelus had worked for Pollard or how she got the job. She has been a state-certified home health aide since March of 2007, her license is active and she had no disciplinary actions.
Dornelus remains jailed pending a detention hearing. It wasn’t known Tuesday if she’s retained an attorney.


washingtontimes--2020-05-12--Concern mounts that border measures threaten EU free travel

BRUSSELS ( AP ) - The future of ID-check free travel across 26 European countries is at risk if governments do not ease soon the emergency border restrictions they introduced to halt the spread of the coronavirus , European Union lawmakers and officials warned Tuesday .
As the virus outbreaks expanded in Italy in February , the country ’ s neighbors imposed border measures to keep the disease out , without any consultation .
Others then followed suit until almost half the members of the zone known as the Schengen area had reintroduced controls of some kind .
Free movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crown which helps business flourish by allowing goods and people to seamlessly cross borders .
Schengen came under pressure as countries introduced measures after the arrival of more than 1 million migrants in 2015 , and in response to a series of extremist attacks .
Some countries have kept those controls in place .
European officials fear that the coronavirus could be a nail its coffin .
“ The risk we are facing seriously today is the death of Schengen , ” Tanja Fajon , a leading EU lawmaker on the border measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a very poor and problematic state .
It has been hit years ago by the refugee crisis and the virus delivered another blow.
” “ We have to restore free travel as soon as possible once the pandemic is over , ” the lawmaker from Slovenia said , adding that countries need to quickly draw lessons about whether the “ very chaotic , selfish and egotistical approach at the borders ” early in Europe ’ s outbreak were worth it .
The EU ’ s executive arm , the European Commission , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 26 countries to lift any border restrictions they have in place .
It ’ s likely to recommend that they open in areas of similar low infection rates and based on the resilience of health care systems .
“ The challenge which lies ahead of us is restore the integrity of the Schengen area , ” said Monique Pariat , the commission ’ s Director General of Migration and Home Affairs .
“ The process will be complicated .
Member states have introduced different measures in a very uncoordinated manner and unwinding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time.
” A serious challenge is that some Schengen members appear to be willing to lift controls only to people from countries that they consider to be safe from the virus or which might make up an important part of their tourism market .
The EU insists that when a border between two countries opens , every resident should be allow to cross , regardless of their nationality .
Chancellor Sebastian Kurz , for example , said last week that he intends to reopen Austria ’ s borders to “ safe countries ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as he seeks to encourage tourists to spend the summer in his Alpine country .
Austria ’ s Tourism Minister Elisabeth Koestinger said Tuesday that “ closed borders can ’ t be an ongoing situation .
We have always pushed for considerations on how and under which conditions borders could be reopened , ” according to the APA news agency .
In the past few weeks the minister has pushed for the reopening of borders to countries that are as “ successful in combating the coronavirus as Austria .
This means that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – should go back to open border step by step.
” Thousands of German tourists visit Austria each summer , and tourism accounted for 15.3 % of Austria ’ s GDP in 2018 .
EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson , however , warned that there can be no discrimination .
“ Member states can not open borders for citizens of one EU country but not for others .
This is essential , ” she told EU lawmakers last Thursday .
Regardless of what happens inside the Schengen area , people from outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until at least June 15 .
Geir Moulson in Berlin and Philipp Jenne in Vienna contributed to this report .

BRUSSELS (AP) - The future of ID-check free travel across 26 European countries is at risk if governments do not ease soon the emergency border restrictions they introduced to halt the spread of the coronavirus, European Union lawmakers and officials warned Tuesday.
As the virus outbreaks expanded in Italy in February, the country’s neighbors imposed border measures to keep the disease out, without any consultation. Others then followed suit until almost half the members of the zone known as the Schengen area had reintroduced controls of some kind.
Free movement is a jewel in Europe’s crown which helps business flourish by allowing goods and people to seamlessly cross borders. Schengen came under pressure as countries introduced measures after the arrival of more than 1 million migrants in 2015, and in response to a series of extremist attacks. Some countries have kept those controls in place.
European officials fear that the coronavirus could be a nail its coffin.
“The risk we are facing seriously today is the death of Schengen,” Tanja Fajon, a leading EU lawmaker on the border measures, said Tuesday. “It is in a very poor and problematic state. It has been hit years ago by the refugee crisis and the virus delivered another blow.”
“We have to restore free travel as soon as possible once the pandemic is over,” the lawmaker from Slovenia said, adding that countries need to quickly draw lessons about whether the “very chaotic, selfish and egotistical approach at the borders” early in Europe’s outbreak were worth it.
The EU’s executive arm, the European Commission, is unveiling on Wednesday its guidelines for the 26 countries to lift any border restrictions they have in place. It’s likely to recommend that they open in areas of similar low infection rates and based on the resilience of health care systems.
“The challenge which lies ahead of us is restore the integrity of the Schengen area,” said Monique Pariat, the commission’s Director General of Migration and Home Affairs. “The process will be complicated. Member states have introduced different measures in a very uncoordinated manner and unwinding these different national decisions will take some time.”
A serious challenge is that some Schengen members appear to be willing to lift controls only to people from countries that they consider to be safe from the virus or which might make up an important part of their tourism market. The EU insists that when a border between two countries opens, every resident should be allow to cross, regardless of their nationality.
Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, for example, said last week that he intends to reopen Austria’s borders to “safe countries” like Germany and the Czech Republic, as he seeks to encourage tourists to spend the summer in his Alpine country.
Austria’s Tourism Minister Elisabeth Koestinger said Tuesday that “closed borders can’t be an ongoing situation. We have always pushed for considerations on how and under which conditions borders could be reopened,” according to the APA news agency.
In the past few weeks the minister has pushed for the reopening of borders to countries that are as “successful in combating the coronavirus as Austria. This means that we – under continuous observation of infection figures – should go back to open border step by step.”
Thousands of German tourists visit Austria each summer, and tourism accounted for 15.3 % of Austria’s GDP in 2018.
EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson, however, warned that there can be no discrimination.
“Member states cannot open borders for citizens of one EU country but not for others. This is essential,” she told EU lawmakers last Thursday.
Regardless of what happens inside the Schengen area, people from outside Europe will not be permitted to enter until at least June 15.
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Geir Moulson in Berlin and Philipp Jenne in Vienna contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-05-12--Dr. Anthony Fauci to warn of 'needless suffering and death' if U.S. reopens too soon

Dr. Anthony Fauci , a key member of the White House coronavirus task force , plans to tell the Senate health committee on Tuesday that the U.S. risks “ needless suffering and death ” if the country reopens too quickly amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Dr. Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , said the major message he wants to convey to the committee is the danger of trying to open the country prematurely .
“ If we skip over the checkpoints in the guidelines to ‘ Open America Again , ’ then we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country , ” Dr. Fauci told The New York Times .
“ This will not only result in needless suffering and death , but would actually set us back on our quest to return to normal.
” Dr. Fauci is testifying remotely along with Dr. Stephen Hahn , U.S. commissioner of Food and Drugs , Dr. Robert Redfield , director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , and Adm. Brett Giroir , the coronavirus “ testing czar.
” Dr. Fauci , Dr. Hahn and Dr. Redfield are all in some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vice President Mike Pence tested positive for the coronavirus last week .
The testimony comes as virtually all states , even particularly hard-hit spots like New York and Massachusetts , are moving toward relaxing some of their coronavirus-related restrictions .

Dr. Anthony Fauci, a key member of the White House coronavirus task force, warned Tuesday of unnecessary “suffering and death” if states open their economies too early during the COVID-19 pandemic, striking a more cautious tone than President Trump, who has prodded some states to loosen lockdowns and cheered on protesters and complaining businesses.
“My concern is that we will start to see little spikes that then turn into outbreaks,” Dr. Fauci told the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. “The consequences could be really serious.”
Ten states are reopening, or about to do so, even though they have not met a key White House benchmark for loosening restrictions: a 14-day downward trajectory in new cases or positive test rates, according to an Associated Press analysis. They are Alabama, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Utah.
Dr. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said states that disregard federal prescriptions on lifting societal restrictions could, paradoxically, impair their own goals if they need to go back into shutdown mode.
“There is a real risk you’ll trigger an outbreak that you may not be able to control, which, in fact, will set you back — not only leading to some suffering and death that could be avoided, but could even set you back on the road to trying to get economic recovery,” he said. “It would almost turn the clock back rather than going forward.”
Dr. Fauci said the U.S. death toll is likely higher than what has been reported and that it would be “a bridge too far” to bank on drug treatments or a vaccine by the time the next academic year begins. He said Americans should look to expanded testing to keep students safe.
The scientist testified about the dangers of being hasty even as Mr. Trump paints an optimistic portrait of and goads blue states to reopen their economies despite a lack of specific guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“California should let Tesla & @elonmusk open the plant, NOW. It can be done Fast & Safely!” Mr. Trump tweeted Tuesday, wading into a fight between the automaker and local regulators.
Dr. Fauci and other top officials testified that the president listens to their advice and that their relationship is not “confrontational.”
Though the administration has largely deferred to governors on plans to reopen, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Mr. Trump wants states to follow federal guidelines that recommend a phased-in approach.
She said, however, that some people are delaying needed medical care or potential cancer diagnoses because of shutdowns.
The coronavirus was discovered in Wuhan, China, in December before it swept the globe. It has infected over 1.3 million people in the U.S. and killed nearly 81,000.
“Most of us feel the number of deaths is likely higher than that number,” said Dr. Fauci, responding to questions from Sen. Bernard Sanders of Vermont.
Dr. Fauci cited the rush of cases in New York City, where people likely died at home and weren’t included in the COVID-19 numbers.
He said the virus won’t simply disappear so preparations for a potential second wave this fall will be vital.
The doctor testified remotely along with Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn, CDC Director Dr. Robert R. Redfield and Adm. Brett Giroir, the coronavirus “testing czar.”
Dr. Fauci, Dr. Hahn and Dr. Redfield are all in some level of self-quarantine after a staffer for Vice President Mike Pence tested positive for coronavirus infection last week. All three said they are considered critical workers and will attend meetings at the White House complex as needed as long as they are asymptomatic, screened and monitored for fever and other symptoms.
Testing for COVID-19 is viewed as a critical piece in helping states identify cases and isolate infections in order to slow transmission of the disease.
Virtually all states, even particularly hard-hit spots such as New York and Massachusetts, are moving toward relaxing some of their restrictions.
Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander, Tennessee Republican, is cheering a competition at the National Institutes of Health to generate testing technologies to check millions of Americans before they head back to their work sites or campuses in the coming months.
“All roads back to work and back to school run through testing,” he said. “What our country has done so far on testing is impressive but not nearly enough.”
Adm. Giroir said his goal is to conduct 40 million to 50 million tests per month by September.
Mr. Trump is hailing the U.S. as a world leader in testing after complaints that the administration was slow to set up its disease surveillance system.
Sen. Mitt Romney, Utah Republican, scolded Adm. Giroir for comparing the U.S. testing rate favorably with South Korea’s on Monday. He said South Korea was more aggressive early on and kept its death count low.
“They accomplished theirs at the beginning of the outbreak while we treaded water during February and March,” the senator said. “They have 256 deaths, and we have almost 80,000 deaths. I find our testing record nothing to celebrate whatsoever. The fact is their test numbers are going down, down, down, down now because they don’t have the kind of outbreaks we have. Ours are going up, up, up because they have to.”
Ms. McEnany reiterated the comparison at her briefing. She said every state is now conducting more per capita testing than South Korea.
“Every state is better off than South Korea at this moment, and that is a very good thing and something to be celebrated,” she said.
On Capitol Hill, senators pressed Dr. Redfield to release specific guidelines for businesses and institutions that want to reopen safety.
“When are we going to get this expertise from the federal government?” asked Sen. Christopher Murphy, Connecticut Democrat.
Dr. Redfield said the guidance will be posted “soon.” Mr. Murphy said that timeline was unhelpful.
Mr. Alexander urged senators at the start of the hearing to refrain from finger-pointing. He said almost all countries underestimated the coronavirus, including its rate of contagion and dangers to vulnerable people, such as the elderly.
But Sen. Patty Murray, Washington Democrat, said the president is guilty of early missteps and ignoring health experts. She said Mr. Trump has been more focused on “fighting against the truth than fighting this virus.”
Mrs. Murray said the federal government needs to “step up” and provide supplies and personnel to states trying to reopen. She also called on Congress to provide more stimulus relief.
“What good is a bridge that only gets you to the middle of the river?” she said. “We don’t need to wait around to see if people need more help. We know they do.”
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com. • David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-12--US gives 'up to 1,000' ventilators to South Africa for virus

JOHANNESBURG ( AP ) - The U.S. government is donating “ up to 1,000 ” ventilators to South Africa to help the country respond to COVID-19 as the Trump administration addresses criticism that it hasn ’ t done enough for countries in need .
“ South Africa is the first country in the world to receive this state-of-the-art equipment ” from the National Security Council and USAID , the U.S. Embassy said in a tweet .
Last week , however , Mexico said it received a U.S. shipment of 211 ventilators as part of aid promised by President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ donations to countries around the world , according to embassy officials .
South Africa has the most confirmed coronavirus cases in Africa with more than 11,300 , including more than 200 deaths .
Virus cases across the 54-nation continent are now above 66,000 .
For weeks , U.S. officials have indicated that the virus crisis at home has delayed the shipment of crucial medical equipment to other countries .
But in recent days the Trump administration has been making plans to ship some 8,000 of the breathing machines to foreign countries by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has not said how many have been shipped , and it ’ s unclear if some nations would pay for the ventilators , which cost $ 5,000 to $ 30,000 , depending on the model .
Trump has spoken with the leaders of South Africa , Ethiopia , Nigeria and Kenya in recent days about the pandemic .
“ Nigeria just called .
We ’ re giving them 250 ventilators , ” Trump said last week .
In a tweet , he said Ethiopia also had asked for the machines .
Africa has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health systems , and experts have warned they would be rapidly overwhelmed by the virus .
African countries have joined forces with each other and the private sector to compete with richer countries around the world for scarce medical equipment , including badly needed testing kits .
Some African nations also are turning to manufacturing needed equipment themselves , a development that could help speed up industrialization of a continent that has long imported much of its medicines and other health items from abroad .
The U.S.-produced ventilators donated to South Africa are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with accessories , service plans and shipping the total donation is worth $ 20 million , the U.S. Embassy said in a statement Tuesday .
The donation brings the total U.S. government financial support to South Africa ’ s COVID-19 response to more than $ 41 million , according to the statement .

JOHANNESBURG (AP) - The U.S. government is donating “up to 1,000” ventilators to South Africa to help the country respond to COVID-19 as the Trump administration addresses criticism that it hasn’t done enough for countries in need.
“South Africa is the first country in the world to receive this state-of-the-art equipment” from the National Security Council and USAID, the U.S. Embassy said in a tweet. Last week, however, Mexico said it received a U.S. shipment of 211 ventilators as part of aid promised by President Donald Trump.
The U.S. soon will make similar donations to countries around the world, according to embassy officials.
South Africa has the most confirmed coronavirus cases in Africa with more than 11,300, including more than 200 deaths. Virus cases across the 54-nation continent are now above 66,000.
For weeks, U.S. officials have indicated that the virus crisis at home has delayed the shipment of crucial medical equipment to other countries.
But in recent days the Trump administration has been making plans to ship some 8,000 of the breathing machines to foreign countries by the end of July. The White House has not said how many have been shipped, and it’s unclear if some nations would pay for the ventilators, which cost $5,000 to $30,000, depending on the model.
Trump has spoken with the leaders of South Africa, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Kenya in recent days about the pandemic. “Nigeria just called. We’re giving them 250 ventilators,” Trump said last week. In a tweet, he said Ethiopia also had asked for the machines.
Africa has some of the world’s weakest health systems, and experts have warned they would be rapidly overwhelmed by the virus. African countries have joined forces with each other and the private sector to compete with richer countries around the world for scarce medical equipment, including badly needed testing kits.
Some African nations also are turning to manufacturing needed equipment themselves, a development that could help speed up industrialization of a continent that has long imported much of its medicines and other health items from abroad.
The U.S.-produced ventilators donated to South Africa are valued at $14 million, and with accessories, service plans and shipping the total donation is worth $20 million, the U.S. Embassy said in a statement Tuesday.
The donation brings the total U.S. government financial support to South Africa’s COVID-19 response to more than $41 million, according to the statement.
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Follow AP pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-05-12--3 teens charged with attacking woman at transit stop

ST. PAUL , Minn. ( AP ) - Three teenagers have been charged with attacking a woman at a transit @ @ @ @ @ week .
The teens , all 15 , are charged with harassment with intent to @ @ @ @ @ The attack captured on video and circulated on social media shows the teens surrounding the @ @ @ @ @ platform May 4 and one kicking her in the face .
The St. Paul Pioneer @ @ @ @ @ Organizing Project , based in St. Paul , issued a statement that said some members @ @ @ @ @ appeared to be racially motivated .
The woman is Asian and the suspects are black @ @ @ @ @ say that doesn ’ t appear to be the case .
There was insufficient evidence @ @ @ @ @ in the case at this time and prosecutors did not find any indication that “ @ @ @ @ @ involved , ” according to a statement released Monday .
Each of them made their @ @ @ @ @ Juvenile Court on Monday .

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Three teenagers have been charged with attacking a woman at a transit stop in St. Paul last week.
The teens, all 15, are charged with harassment with intent to injure and fifth-degree assault.
The attack captured on video and circulated on social media shows the teens surrounding the woman on a transit stop platform May 4 and one kicking her in the face.
The St. Paul Pioneer Press reported the Asian American Organizing Project, based in St. Paul, issued a statement that said some members expressed the concern the attack appeared to be racially motivated. The woman is Asian and the suspects are black.
Prosecutors in Ramsey County say that doesn’t appear to be the case.
There was insufficient evidence to support a felony-level charge in the case at this time and prosecutors did not find any indication that “racial or ethnic bias was involved,” according to a statement released Monday.
Each of them made their initial appearance in Ramsey County Juvenile Court on Monday.


washingtontimes--2020-05-12--Mitch McConnell: Barack Obama should have 'kept his mouth shut' on Trump coronavirus critique

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Monday said it was “ a little bit classless ” for former President Barack Obama to critique the Trump administration ’ s response to the coronavirus pandemic and that Mr. Obama “ should have kept his mouth shut.
” “ I think President Obama should have kept his mouth shut , ” Mr. McConnell , Kentucky Republican , said in a livestream hosted by the Trump campaign .
“ We know he doesn ’ t like much this administration been doing — that ’ s understandable , ” Mr. McConnell said .
“ But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bit classless , frankly , to critique an administration that comes after you .
“ You had your shot , you were there for eight years .
I think the tradition that the Bushes set up of not critiquing the president that comes after you is a good tradition , ” he said .
Mr. Obama made the comments in a conversation Friday night with former members of his administration .
“ It would have been bad even with the best of governments , ” the former president said .
“ It has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mindset — of ‘ what ’ s in it for me ’ and ‘ to heck with everybody else ’ — when that mindset is operationalized in our government .
”

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Monday said it was “a little bit classless” for former President Barack Obama to critique the Trump administration’s response to the coronavirus pandemic and that Mr. Obama “should have kept his mouth shut.”
“I think President Obama should have kept his mouth shut,” Mr. McConnell, Kentucky Republican, said in a livestream hosted by the Trump campaign.
“We know he doesn’t like much this administration been doing — that’s understandable,” Mr. McConnell said. “But I think it’s a little bit classless, frankly, to critique an administration that comes after you.
“You had your shot, you were there for eight years. I think the tradition that the Bushes set up of not critiquing the president that comes after you is a good tradition,” he said.
Mr. Obama made the comments in a conversation Friday night with former members of his administration.
“It would have been bad even with the best of governments,” the former president said. “It has been an absolute chaotic disaster when that mindset — of ‘what’s in it for me’ and ‘to heck with everybody else’ — when that mindset is operationalized in our government.”
SEE ALSO: Obama slams Trump coronavirus response as ‘absolute chaotic disaster’
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-12--Does Atlantic City need a mayor? Voters to weigh in by mail

ATLANTIC CITY , N.J. ( AP ) - The legacy of political corruption and ineptitude in this seaside resort is so long and colorful that HBO based a long-running hit series on it .
But the city whose “ Boardwalk Empire ” entertained TV viewers could get a vastly different form of government through an election Tuesday to be conducted solely through the mail due to the coronavirus outbreak .
Results are not likely to be known for a few days ; ballots postmarked May 12 have until Thursday night to be received at a post office .
At issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s government : whether to eliminate an elected mayor in favor of an appointed municipal manager .
The nine-member City Council would be shrunk to five , and voters would lose the right to seek changes through initiative and referendum campaigns .
Backers of the change cite Atlantic City ’ s long history of government corruption and mismanagement and say a city manager would bring much-needed professionalism to City Hall .
Opponents view it as yet another attempt by out-of-towners to seize power and money from a city led by minority officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Mayor Marty Small .
“ Atlantic City is not going to be pushed around by outsiders seeking special privileges .
We can run ourselves.
” Small , a Democrat , took office in October after his predecessor , Frank Gilliam Jr. , pleaded guilty to stealing $ 87,000 from a youth basketball team he founded .
Gilliam , also a Democrat , became the fifth Atlantic City mayor to be busted on corruption charges since the 1970s .
A group calling itself Atlantic City Residents for Good Government collected petition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the changes .
It is led by Bob McDevitt , president of the city ’ s main casino workers ’ union ; Morris Bailey , owner of Resorts Casino , and a retired state Senator , Raymond Lesniak .
McDevitt has called the long line of city administrations “ a cartel of ignoramuses ” that needs to be ousted before the city can grow and prosper .
“ The outcome of this question will determine the direction Atlantic City goes in for the next couple decades , ” McDevitt said .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ realize they ’ ve had terrible leadership on the municipal side for 35 , 40 years now.
” The change-of-government drive survived a court challenge ; a state judge allowed the election to go forward as planned , saying that voters should be given the greatest possible voice in their own affairs .
The stakes are considerably higher than they were when the petition drive began last fall : the coronavirus outbreak has shuttered all nine of Atlantic City ’ s casinos , devastating the local economy and blowing a huge hole in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as is the case with local and state governments around the country .
On Wednesday , state gambling regulators will release April revenue figures for the casinos , whose in-person premises were shut down for the entire month .
Only those with internet or sports betting operations will show any revenue at all for the month , which is sure to be the worst in the 42-year history of legalized gambling here .
If the change-of-government proposal fails , Atlantic City will then host a primary election on July 7 .

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) - The “Boardwalk Empire” may have struck back.
It could be next week before all the votes are counted, but Atlantic City’s mayor declared victory Tuesday night in a special election in which early returns showed voters strongly rejecting a proposal to eliminate a mayor in favor of an appointed manager.
And the leader of the drive conceded defeat.
“The people have rejected change,” said Bob McDevitt, president of the main Atlantic City casino workers union. “We accept without qualification their decision.”
The election on a proposal to change Atlantic City’s form of government was conducted via mail because of the coronavirus outbreak, and additional votes will still be arriving at election headquarters through Thursday.
But the 4,260 votes counted on Tuesday were running more than 3-to-1 against the proposal, meaning voters were showing strong support for keeping the current system.
“We sent a loud and clear message that you can’t come into Atlantic City from out of town and tell us what form of government to choose,” Mayor Marty Small said Tuesday night. “This was about money-power versus people-power. We had no money at all. And we smoked them!”
The legacy of political corruption and ineptitude in this seaside resort is so long and colorful that HBO based a long-running hit series on it. And that history was part of a drive to wrest control from an elected mayor, a job title that has been met with mixed success at best in recent decades.
Small, a Democrat, took office in October after his predecessor, Frank Gilliam Jr., pleaded guilty to stealing $87,000 from a youth basketball team he founded. Gilliam, also a Democrat, became the fifth Atlantic City mayor to be busted on corruption charges since the 1970s. (On Tuesday, Gilliam’s sentencing date was postponed due to the virus outbreak yet again, until July. He was first due to appear in court in early January.)
A group calling itself Atlantic City Residents for Good Government collected petition signatures seeking a special election to force the changes. It was led by McDevitt; Morris Bailey, owner of Resorts Casino, and a retired state Senator, Raymond Lesniak.
The proposed change also would have shrunk the nine-member City Council to five, and voters would have lost the right to seek changes through initiative and referendum campaigns.
Backers of the change said a city manager would bring much-needed professionalism to City Hall. Opponents viewed it as yet another attempt by out-of-towners to seize power and money from a city led by minority officials.
McDevitt has called the long line of city administrations “a cartel of ignoramuses” that needs to be ousted before the city can grow and prosper.
Tuesday night, he predicted Small’s victory would be short-lived because he faces a July 7 Democratic primary in which party leadership endorsed one of Small’s challengers, Pamela Thomas-Fields.
The stakes are considerably higher than they were when the petition drive began last fall: the coronavirus outbreak has shuttered all nine of Atlantic City’s casinos, devastating the local economy and blowing a huge hole in the city’s financial projections, as is the case with local and state governments around the country.
On Wednesday, state gambling regulators will release April revenue figures for the casinos, whose in-person premises were shut down for the entire month. The numbers are sure to be the worst in the 42-year history of legalized gambling here.
___
Follow Wayne Parry at http://twitter.com/WayneParryAC


washingtontimes--2020-05-12--German court rejects Iraqi's appeal over killing of teen

BERLIN ( AP ) - A German federal court said Tuesday it has thrown out a rejected Iraqi asylum-seeker ’ s appeal against his conviction for raping and murdering a 14-year-old local girl .
Ali Bashar was convicted by the Wiesbaden state court in July following a four-month trial in a case that fueled tensions over migration .
The court ruled there was a “ particular severity of guilt , ” meaning that he likely won ’ t be released after 15 years as is common in Germany .
Bashar , who was 21 at the time of the killing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Susanna Feldman in Wiesbaden in May 2018 .
Bashar and his family abruptly left a home for asylum applicants in Germany after the killing , and he was later arrested by Kurdish forces in Iraq , handed over to German police officers and flown back to Germany .
Bashar is believed to have arrived in Germany in October 2015 .
The Federal Court of Justice said it threw out Bashar ’ s appeal in an April 28 ruling .
Among other objections to his conviction , he had argued that his return from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

BERLIN (AP) - A German federal court said Tuesday it has thrown out a rejected Iraqi asylum-seeker’s appeal against his conviction for raping and murdering a 14-year-old local girl.
Ali Bashar was sentenced to life in prison by the Wiesbaden state court in July following a four-month trial in a case that fueled tensions over migration. The court ruled there was a “particular severity of guilt,” meaning that he likely won’t be released after 15 years as is common in Germany.
Bashar, who was 21 at the time of the killing, was convicted of assaulting and murdering Susanna Feldman in Wiesbaden in May 2018.
Bashar and his family abruptly left a home for asylum applicants in Germany after the killing, and he was later arrested by Kurdish forces in Iraq, handed over to German police officers and flown back to Germany. Bashar is believed to have arrived in Germany in October 2015.
The Federal Court of Justice said it threw out Bashar’s appeal in an April 28 ruling. Among other objections to his conviction, he had argued that his return from Iraq constituted a “procedural impediment.”


washingtontimes--2020-05-12--Maryland ping pong firm now sells face masks in pandemic

Ping pong equipment and personal protective equipment may share the same initials , but they remain vastly different forms of PPE .
Still , a Rockville distributor of table tennis supplies now is procuring and shipping millions of face masks to aid in the fight against the coronavirus .
Richard Lee , owner of the JOOLA table tennis supply company , says his sister — Dr. Vivian Lee — approached him several weeks ago about using his global procurement contacts to order face masks .
She and her colleagues , like other health care workers around the country , were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he says .
Since that conversation with his sister , Mr. Lee has sold more than 3 million masks to health care providers and the general public across the country .
“ We ’ re definitely bringing them in at a lower margin , ” he said of the face masks .
“ [ We are ] covering our costs to get as much out to the general public as possible.
” A set of 200 masks sells for $ 129 , and a set of 400 sells for $ 239 .
Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sister company JOOLA Medical , found two Chinese factories to work with and immediately placed an order of 600,000 face masks to be shipped to the United States .
The first order , although more expensive , was flown to the U.S. to fill an immediate need .
A subsequent order was placed to be delivered by boat , which can take a month to deliver , to save money on transportation and build up the supply .
The supply chain for the table tennis equipment and the face masks have been completely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for raw materials , factories and shipping have all gone up .
At the start of the pandemic , Mr. Lee said factories in China shut down , making it impossible for JOOLA to fill ping pong orders from its bigger customers , like Walmart and Amazon , resulting in a loss of cash flow .
Demand for ping pong equipment started to increase because people were spending more time at home , and JOOLA quickly sold out of its stock in two weeks .
Because of the disruption in the supply chain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months to fill orders .
Mr. Lee had to furlough five of his more than 100 employees in March , and the cash flow from the mask business made it so he didn ’ t have to lay off any others , he said .
Meanwhile , a Chantilly dental equipment manufacturer is using its 3D printer to craft face shields for health care workers in the region .
Virginia ’ s coronavirus halt on non-emergency medical and dental procedures slowed business at dental supply company YM Dental , so its managers decided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make face shields for local hospitals .
“ It drastically slowed our businesses , we work with dentists not only in the local area , we have clients across the U.S. and outside the country too , ” said Lisa Speros , office manager at YM Dental .
“ Once the outbreak started it forced our clients to shut down and we no longer generated sales.
” YM Dental furloughed all but seven of its 60 employees to fill orders for clients who were treating only emergency dental patients .
Ms. Speros @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the shortages of PPE and knew her company ’ s 3D printer could help the situation .
Since the beginning of April , YM Dental has spent about $ 2,000 on resin to make about 250 face shields .
Of those , 150 were donated to Inova Fairfax Hospital .
“ We are doing this as our small act of kindness , ” Ms. Speros said .
“ We are giving back to our community basically .
I just want to emphasize working with local businesses is very important because that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and work for .
”

Ping pong equipment and personal protective equipment may share the same initials, but they remain vastly different forms of PPE.
Still, a Rockville distributor of table tennis supplies now is procuring and shipping millions of face masks to aid in the fight against the coronavirus.
Richard Lee, owner of the JOOLA table tennis supply company, says his sister — Dr. Vivian Lee — approached him several weeks ago about using his global procurement contacts to order face masks. She and her colleagues, like other health care workers around the country, were running low on personal protective equipment, he says.
Since that conversation with his sister, Mr. Lee has sold more than 3 million masks to health care providers and the general public across the country.
“We’re definitely bringing them in at a lower margin,” he said of the face masks. “[We are] covering our costs to get as much out to the general public as possible.”
A set of 200 masks sells for $129, and a set of 400 sells for $239.
Mr. Lee’s team quickly launched the sister company JOOLA Medical, found two Chinese factories to work with and immediately placed an order of 600,000 face masks to be shipped to the United States.
The first order, although more expensive, was flown to the U.S. to fill an immediate need. A subsequent order was placed to be delivered by boat, which can take a month to deliver, to save money on transportation and build up the supply.
The supply chain for the table tennis equipment and the face masks have been completely disrupted, Mr. Lee said. Costs for raw materials, factories and shipping have all gone up.
At the start of the pandemic, Mr. Lee said factories in China shut down, making it impossible for JOOLA to fill ping pong orders from its bigger customers, like Walmart and Amazon, resulting in a loss of cash flow.
Demand for ping pong equipment started to increase because people were spending more time at home, and JOOLA quickly sold out of its stock in two weeks. Because of the disruption in the supply chain, it can take up to two months to fill orders.
Mr. Lee had to furlough five of his more than 100 employees in March, and the cash flow from the mask business made it so he didn’t have to lay off any others, he said.
Meanwhile, a Chantilly dental equipment manufacturer is using its 3D printer to craft face shields for health care workers in the region.
Virginia’s coronavirus halt on non-emergency medical and dental procedures slowed business at dental supply company YM Dental, so its managers decided to put its 3D printer to use to make face shields for local hospitals.
“It drastically slowed our businesses, we work with dentists not only in the local area, we have clients across the U.S. and outside the country too,” said Lisa Speros, office manager at YM Dental. “Once the outbreak started it forced our clients to shut down and we no longer generated sales.”
YM Dental furloughed all but seven of its 60 employees to fill orders for clients who were treating only emergency dental patients.
Ms. Speros said she came across news articles about the shortages of PPE and knew her company’s 3D printer could help the situation.
Since the beginning of April, YM Dental has spent about $2,000 on resin to make about 250 face shields. Of those, 150 were donated to Inova Fairfax Hospital.
“We are doing this as our small act of kindness,” Ms. Speros said. “We are giving back to our community basically. I just want to emphasize working with local businesses is very important because that’s where your friends, your neighbors work and work for.”
• Sophie Kaplan can be reached at skaplan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-12--Family of Guatemalan woman shot dead by border agent sues

LAREDO , Texas ( AP ) - The family of a 20-year-old Guatemalan woman shot dead in 2018 by a U.S. Border Patrol agent filed a civil rights lawsuit Tuesday against the agent and the U.S. government .
The family of Claudia Gómez González is suing in federal court in Laredo , Texas for unspecified actual and punitive damages .
The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas filed the lawsuit one year after filing a $ 100 million federal claim on the family ’ s behalf .
The claim was filed one year after the May 23 , 2018 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ border with several other migrants when border agents confronted them in a vacant lot near Laredo .
One agent shot Gómez González in the head , and she took moments to die , according to the lawsuit .
The lawsuit only refers to one of the 21 defendant agents by name , referring to the others as “ Does 1-20.
” The lawsuit alleges that one of the agents , or a combination of them , were responsible for the woman ’ s death and that she was the victim of excessive violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ email to the named agent seeking comment was not answered immediately .

LAREDO, Texas (AP) - The family of a 20-year-old Guatemalan woman shot dead in 2018 by a U.S. Border Patrol agent filed a civil rights lawsuit Tuesday against the agent and the U.S. government.
The family of Claudia Gómez González is suing in federal court in Laredo, Texas for unspecified actual and punitive damages.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas filed the lawsuit one year after filing a $100 million federal claim on the family’s behalf. The claim was filed one year after the May 23, 2018, shooting.
Gómez González crossed the Texas-Mexico border with several other migrants when border agents confronted them in a vacant lot near Laredo. One agent shot Gómez González in the head, and she took moments to die, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit only refers to one of the 21 defendant agents by name, referring to the others as “Does 1-20.” The lawsuit alleges that one of the agents, or a combination of them, were responsible for the woman’s death and that she was the victim of excessive violence and a civil rights violation.
An email to the named agent seeking comment was not answered immediately.


washingtontimes--2020-05-12--Arizona governor opens door for pro sports return in state

PHOENIX ( AP ) - Arizona Gov .
Doug Ducey has opened the door for professional sports to return to the state .
Ducey said on Tuesday that professional sports , including MLB , NBA , NHL and NFL can resume without fans on Saturday .
The state is slowly starting to reopen during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic with Ducey saying on social media that Arizona is “ trending in the right direction.
” Ducey said he ’ s had discussions with “ leaders of some of these leagues ” but did not say which ones or elaborate on what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Last month , he said he ’ d spoken with Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred and was open to hosting games .
Other sports like basketball and hockey have considered playing the remainder of the regular season in hubs with several teams playing games in one location .
“ It would be at this point in time , according to the CDC guidelines , without fans , ” Ducey said at a press conference .
Citing his public health director , he said “ we could do that safely in the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Press writer Jonathan J. Cooper contributed to this story .

PHOENIX (AP) - Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has opened the door for professional sports to return to the state.
Ducey said on Tuesday that professional sports, including MLB, NBA, NHL and NFL can resume without fans on Saturday. The state is slowly starting to reopen during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic with Ducey saying on social media that Arizona is “trending in the right direction.”
Ducey said he’s had discussions with “leaders of some of these leagues” but did not say which ones or elaborate on what activities might take place in Arizona. Last month, he said he’d spoken with Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred and was open to hosting games.
Other sports like basketball and hockey have considered playing the remainder of the regular season in hubs with several teams playing games in one location.
“It would be at this point in time, according to the CDC guidelines, without fans,” Ducey said at a press conference. Citing his public health director, he said “we could do that safely in the state of Arizona beginning May 16.”
___
Associated Press writer Jonathan J. Cooper contributed to this story.


washingtontimes--2020-05-12--California outlines changes for restaurants as they reopen

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - Two California counties , Butte and El Dorado , won state approval Tuesday to reopen dining rooms in restaurants - with a long list of new rules to prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
More than two dozen counties have asked the state for similar approval to more quickly reopen , and more approvals are expected soon .
A statewide reopening of restaurants hasn ’ t yet been announced .
Here ’ s a look at the new restaurant requirements for approved counties : Traditional restaurants that have mostly been open for takeout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Breweries , brewpubs , wineries and other bars can only reopen if they are serving sit-down meals , and alcohol can only be served as part of a meal .
For now , all of this only applies to counties that win specific approval from the state .
WHAT PRECAUTIONS MUST BE TAKEN ?
The state suggests restaurants frequently disinfect surfaces and reconfigure their space to maximize physical distancing .
But California is not setting a cap on individual restaurants ’ maximum capacity .
Restaurants should ensure workers that need to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and wash their hands more often .
They should prioritize outdoor seating if possible , and the guidelines say bar areas should remain closed .
Dirty linens should be thrown away after each use by an individual party .
Workers should be screened or screen themselves for symptoms before their shift begins and stay home if they are sick .
WHAT CHANGES FOR CUSTOMERS ?
The state guidelines recommend restaurants even screen diners , though it doesn ’ t give explicit rules on how .
Restaurants are asked to display clear signs urging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face masks when not eating .
Guests will only get cutlery , napkins and other table settings as needed , and traditional salt , pepper or ketchup bottles likely won ’ t be on tables .
Menus may be disposable or digital .

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Two California counties, Butte and El Dorado, won state approval Tuesday to reopen dining rooms in restaurants - with a long list of new rules to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
More than two dozen counties have asked the state for similar approval to more quickly reopen, and more approvals are expected soon. A statewide reopening of restaurants hasn’t yet been announced.
Here’s a look at the new restaurant requirements for approved counties:
WHO CAN OPEN?
Traditional restaurants that have mostly been open for takeout can now allow customers to dine in. Breweries, brewpubs, wineries and other bars can only reopen if they are serving sit-down meals, and alcohol can only be served as part of a meal. For now, all of this only applies to counties that win specific approval from the state.
WHAT PRECAUTIONS MUST BE TAKEN?
The state suggests restaurants frequently disinfect surfaces and reconfigure their space to maximize physical distancing. But California is not setting a cap on individual restaurants’ maximum capacity. Restaurants should ensure workers that need to be within 6 feet of customers wear masks and wash their hands more often. They should prioritize outdoor seating if possible, and the guidelines say bar areas should remain closed. Dirty linens should be thrown away after each use by an individual party.
Workers should be screened or screen themselves for symptoms before their shift begins and stay home if they are sick.
WHAT CHANGES FOR CUSTOMERS?
The state guidelines recommend restaurants even screen diners, though it doesn’t give explicit rules on how. Restaurants are asked to display clear signs urging customers to use hand sanitizer and wear face masks when not eating. Guests will only get cutlery, napkins and other table settings as needed, and traditional salt, pepper or ketchup bottles likely won’t be on tables. Menus may be disposable or digital.


washingtontimes--2020-05-12--AP source: No MLB economic plan in 1st session with players

NEW YORK ( AP ) - As Major League Baseball made an opening presentation to the players ’ union Tuesday on terms to start the coronavirus-delayed season , Illinois Gov .
J.B. Pritzker criticized major leaguers for not being willing to cut pay further .
MLB did not made an economic proposal during its opening presentation , a person familiar with the discussion told The Associated Press .
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no details were announced .
The meeting lasted between three and four hours .
An agreement with the players ’ association is needed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Doug Ducey said professional sports can be played in his state starting Saturday , but without spectators .
Baseball owners gave their go-ahead to their proposal on Monday , a plan that could lead to the coronavirus-delayed season starting around the Fourth of July weekend in ballparks without fans .
Players agreed March 26 to a deal in which they would be paid a prorated share of salaries based on the portion of the 162-game schedule that is played .
As part of the deal , if no games are played they would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they earned last year .
Teams will propose that players receive the percentage of their 2020 salaries based on a 50-50 split of revenues MLB receives during the regular-season and postseason , a person familiar with the plan told the AP on Monday , also speaking on condition of anonymity because the plan was not announced .
The union views that concept as a salary cap , which it has said it will never agree to .
The average MLB salary is $ 4.4 million at full price if the season had started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the players have the right to haggle over their salaries , but we do live in a moment where the people of Illinois and the people of the United States deserve to get their pastime back , to watch , anyway , on television , ” Pritzker said in response to the last question of his news conference .
“ If they ’ re able to come up with safety precautions , as has been suggested by Major League Baseball , that works , I hope that the players will understand that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to recognize that this is an important part of leisure time that all of us want to have during the summer , to watch them play baseball , to root for our favorite teams , ” the Illinois Democrat said .
“ We need that back , that normalcy back , and I hope they ’ ll be reasonable as they negotiate .
But I must say I ’ m disappointed in many ways that players are holding out for these very , very high salaries and payments during a time when I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the family that controls Hyatt hotels , Pritzker ’ s net worth has been estimated by Forbes at $ 3.4 billion .
The players ’ association declined comment on his remarks , spokesman Chris Dahl said .
Players and teams committed in the March deal to “ discuss in good faith the economic feasibility of playing games in the absence of spectators or at appropriate neutral sites.
” Union head Tony Clark has said that negotiation is over , and many players have said they already have deal with terms for 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred has said about 40 % of MLB revenue is tied to gate , including concessions , parking , ballpark advertising , luxury suites and programs .
Union officials and players have cited the March agreement as setting economic terms and say they have no inclination for additional cuts .
Players are more interested in medical protocols and testing designed to protect them from and detect the new coronavirus .
Ducey announced “ Major League Baseball , the NBA , the NHL , the NFL , MLS are able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Arizona after May 15.
” “ Of course , this would be with CDC guidelines , and protecting the public health.
” the Republican said .
“ We have had discussions with leaders of some of these leagues and they all know they are welcome to operate , play and perform in the state of Arizona.
” .
Associated Press writer Jonathan J. Cooper in Phoenix contributed to this report .

NEW YORK — Major League Baseball did not include an economic proposal during its opening presentation to the players’ union on terms to start the coronavirus-delayed season.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker criticized big leaguers for not being willing to cut pay further at a news conference on Tuesday, and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey said his state is open to games without spectators for all the major sports starting Saturday.
The electronic meeting of MLB and the players’ association lasted between three and four hours and consisted of baseball officials explaining their view of the economics, science and logistics of getting the season under way, several people familiar with the session told The Associated Press. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because no details were announced.
Owners gave the go-ahead Monday for a proposal that players receive the percentage of their 2020 salaries based on a 50-50 split of revenues MLB receives during the regular season and postseason, a person familiar with that plan told the AP. That person also spoke on condition of anonymity because the plan was not announced.
The concept would cut the expenses of teams worried about playing in empty ballparks due to the pandemic. The union views revenue sharing as a salary cap, which it has said it will never agree to, and the concept was not presented.
If empty stadiums or neutral sites are used, an agreement with the players’ association is needed to play ball.
Opening day was to have been March 26. MLB’s plan could lead to the season starting around the Fourth of July with an 82-game regular season, playoffs expanding from 10 teams to 14 and the designated hitter used for the first time in games between National League teams.
MLB officials showed slides during the meeting and the union delegation, which included players, caucused and asked questions. Baseball officials explained how they would use a lab in Utah to give the sport its own testing ability, the people said.
Baseball officials also expressed concern about a second wave of the coronavirus in the fall and their worries it could force cancellation of the postseason. While players are paid their salaries during the regular season, the bulk of MLB’s national broadcasting revenue derives from the postseason.
Players agreed March 26 to a deal in which they would be paid prorated shares of salaries based on the portion of the 162-game regular-season schedule that is played. As part of that agreement, if no games are played they would receive service time for 2020 matching what they earned last year.
The average MLB salary is $4.4 million at full price if the season had started on time.
“I realize that the players have the right to haggle over their salaries, but we do live in a moment where the people of Illinois and the people of the United States deserve to get their pastime back, to watch, anyway, on television,” Pritzker said in response to the last question of his news conference.
“If they’re able to come up with safety precautions, as has been suggested by Major League Baseball, that works, I hope that the players will understand that the people of our United States need them to recognize that this is an important part of leisure time that all of us want to have during the summer, to watch them play baseball, to root for our favorite teams,” the Illinois Democrat said. “We need that back, that normalcy back, and I hope they’ll be reasonable as they negotiate. But I must say I’m disappointed in many ways that players are holding out for these very, very high salaries and payments during a time when I think everybody is sacrificing.”
A member of the family that controls Hyatt hotels, Pritzker’s net worth has been estimated by Forbes at $3.4 billion.
The players’ association declined comment on his remarks, spokesman Chris Dahl said.
Players and teams committed in the March deal to “discuss in good faith the economic feasibility of playing games in the absence of spectators or at appropriate neutral sites.” Union head Tony Clark has said that negotiation is over, and many players have said they already have deal with terms for 2020 and see no need to bargain more.
Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred has said about 40% of MLB revenue is tied to gate, including concessions, parking, ballpark advertising, luxury suites and programs.
Union officials and players have cited the March agreement as setting economic terms and say they have no inclination for additional cuts.
Players are more interested in medical protocols and testing designed to protect them from and detect the new coronavirus.
Ducey announced “Major League Baseball, the NBA, the NHL, the NFL, MLS are able to participate and play in the state of Arizona after May 15.” Under some of baseball’s possible plans, a portion of teams and possibly all would be based in the Phoenix area, but the first preference of late is to play in empty regular-season ballparks.
“Of course, this would be with CDC guidelines, and protecting the public health,” the Republican said. “We have had discussions with leaders of some of these leagues and they all know they are welcome to operate, play and perform in the state of Arizona.”


washingtontimes--2020-05-12--Armed man shot by deputies after fleeing traffic stop

DELTONA , Fla. ( AP ) - Florida deputies fatally shot an armed man Tuesday afternoon shortly after he fled a traffic stop , authorities said .
Four deputies opened fire on the 37-year-old man outside his Deltona home after he pointed a rifle at them , Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said during a news conference .
Deltona is located between Daytona Beach and Orlando .
The man had initially been pulled over in neighboring DeLand by a patrol officer for a traffic violation , Chitwood said .
The man drove off after the officer discovered the man had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his truck .
The sheriff ’ s office was called to help with the pursuit .
Deputies deployed stop sticks to flatten at least one of the truck ’ s tires , Chitwood said .
The man continued to drive , eventually arriving at his house with deputies right behind him .
Deputies surrounded the truck with their own vehicles , and at least 20 shots were fired by deputies , Chitwood said .
Investigators didn ’ t know whether the man fired his gun .
No deputies were injured , Chitwood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the shooting will be placed on administrative leave while state law enforcement officials investigate the case .
Officials haven ’ t released the names or races of the deputies or the man who was shot .
Daytona Beach police arrested the man on a weapons charge earlier this month , Chitwood said .
The man also matches the description of someone connected to an Orange City shooting last month , officials said .
The man was medically discharged from the Navy in 2012 .

DELTONA, Fla. (AP) - Florida deputies fatally shot an armed man Tuesday afternoon shortly after he fled a traffic stop, authorities said.
Four deputies opened fire on the 37-year-old man outside his Deltona home after he pointed a rifle at them, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said during a news conference. Deltona is located between Daytona Beach and Orlando.
The man had initially been pulled over in neighboring DeLand by a patrol officer for a traffic violation, Chitwood said. The man drove off after the officer discovered the man had a suspended license and ordered him out of his truck. The sheriff’s office was called to help with the pursuit.
Deputies deployed stop sticks to flatten at least one of the truck’s tires, Chitwood said. The man continued to drive, eventually arriving at his house with deputies right behind him. Deputies surrounded the truck with their own vehicles, and at least 20 shots were fired by deputies, Chitwood said. Investigators didn’t know whether the man fired his gun.
No deputies were injured, Chitwood said. The four officers involved in the shooting will be placed on administrative leave while state law enforcement officials investigate the case.
Officials haven’t released the names or races of the deputies or the man who was shot.
Daytona Beach police arrested the man on a weapons charge earlier this month, Chitwood said. The man also matches the description of someone connected to an Orange City shooting last month, officials said.
The man was medically discharged from the Navy in 2012.


washingtontimes--2020-05-12--Inside the Beltway: Pandemic politics: Presidential election goes viral

Some now believe the coronavirus pandemic will be the ultimate influence on the outcome of the presidential election .
“ The 2020 election will be decided by the virus , ” writes Gary Meltz , a contributor to RealClear Politics .
“ Democrats are now the party of ‘ closed ’ and Republicans the party of ‘ open.
’ Generally speaking , Democrats believe we need to keep restrictions in place to slow the spread of COVID-19 , and Republicans demand we open businesses to save the economy .
Both have a point , and time will tell which side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he says .
“ If the Republican states open up , and death rates do not spike , then President Trump can claim that Democrats were overly cautious and demonstrated poor judgment .
On the flip side , if the red states experience higher death rates after opening up , residents may lament their decision .
Whichever side has the upper hand will scold the other , ” Mr. Meltz reasons .
“ Ultimately , the trajectory of the pandemic will determine which political party was right or wrong .
The virus will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election , ” he said “ While the partisanship in our society is discouraging , perhaps the pandemic ’ s role in the political dynamic has a silver lining .
Whichever political party has the best plan for managing this crisis will be rewarded at the ballot box .
This is exactly how a democracy is supposed to work , ” Mr. Meltz later concludes .
Voters , however , may believe otherwise .
A new poll from National Public Radio , PBS and Marist College finds that only 14 % of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic would be a major factor which could influence their decision in November .
Another 20 % said the response would be a minor factor in their decision .
More telling for everybody , though : 64 % of the respondents said they have already decided who they will vote for in the presidential race , coronavirus or not .
That includes 74 % of Republicans , 56 % of independents and 68 % of Democrats .
The poll of 1,008 U.S. adults was conducted April 21-26 .
President Trump is definitely winning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 61.7 million in April , bringing the total haul for this election cycle to an unprecedented $ 742 million , the Republican National Committee announced Tuesday .
This is $ 288 million more than former President Barack Obama at this point in his reelection campaign eight years ago , by the way .
The GOP credits the “ largest field program and data operation in party history ” for the fundraising success .
That effort includes an army of 1 million volunteers who are both “ trained and activated ” and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also has made more than 20 million voter contacts , according to new statistics .
The campaign has allocated $ 20 million to a new legal budget , the funds destined to “ combat the Democrats ’ assault on the integrity of our elections.
” The efforts are outlined at ProtectTheVote.com .
“ Democrats are trying to use coronavirus and the courts to legalize ballot harvesting , implement a nationwide mail-in ballot system , and eliminate nearly every safeguard in our elections , ” noted a mission statement for the site .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past month , enthusiasm and support for this president has not .
With their time , resources , and ultimately their vote , Americans across this country continue to put their faith in President Trump , ” says Ronna McDaniel , chairman of the Republican National Committee .
An unusual event of note in the nation ’ s capital : Some 800 motorcoaches from all 50 states will arrive in the city Wednesday for a “ rolling rally ” around the National Mall and U.S. Capitol .
The unusual event has been organized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United Motorcoach Association — meant to draw attention to the fact that 90 % of the workforce in the bus and motorcoach industry has been laid off during the coronavirus pandemic .
The organization also point out that 90 % of motorcoach companies are small , family-owned businesses and that 36,000 of these vehicles are now idle during what should be the industry ’ s busiest season , which is March to June .
Consider their issues at BusesMoveAmerica.com .
BIDEN : MAYBE , MAYBE NOT The voting public has mixed feelings about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democratic presidential nominee — and three-out-of-10 say the Democratic Party should find another nominee , according to a Rasmussen Reports survey released Tuesday .
Just over half are sure Mr. Biden is the right man for the job .
The poll found that 54 % likely Democratic voters are satisfied with him as the Democrats ’ 2020 nominee .
A notable 28 % think the party should find someone else to be their nominee ; the rest are undecided .
Democrats appear resigned to Mr. Biden as their flag bearer , though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are convinced that Mr. Biden will be the nominee when the time comes .
Feelings are more pronounced among the rest of the population .
Over one-third of all voters now believe that the Democratic Party should bypass Mr. Biden .
“ Among all likely voters , 36 % think Democrats need to find someone other than Biden to be their nominee ; 45 % disagree , and 19 % are undecided .
But 82 % think Biden is the likely nominee , ” the analysis said .
The poll of 1,000 likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • 43 % of U.S. adults say Americans are not taking the risks of coronavirus “ seriously enough ” ; 27 % of Republicans , 42 % of independents and 58 % of Democrats agree .
• 32 % overall say the public is “ behaving appropriately ; 39 % of Republicans , 28 % of independents and 30 % of Democrats agree .
• 18 % overall say the public is “ overreacting ” to the possible risks ; 26 % of Republicans , 22 % of independents and 7 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are not sure how the public is reacting ; 8 % of Republicans , 8 % of independents and 4 % of Democrats agree .
Source : An Economist/YouGov poll of 1,500 U.S. adults conducted April 26-28 and released Monday .

NEWS AND OPINION:
Some now believe the coronavirus pandemic will be the ultimate influence on the outcome of the presidential election.
“The 2020 election will be decided by the virus,” writes Gary Meltz, a contributor to RealClear Politics.
“Democrats are now the party of ‘closed’ and Republicans the party of ‘open.’ Generally speaking, Democrats believe we need to keep restrictions in place to slow the spread of COVID-19, and Republicans demand we open businesses to save the economy. Both have a point, and time will tell which side is advocating the wiser plan,” he says.
“If the Republican states open up, and death rates do not spike, then President Trump can claim that Democrats were overly cautious and demonstrated poor judgment. On the flip side, if the red states experience higher death rates after opening up, residents may lament their decision. Whichever side has the upper hand will scold the other,” Mr. Meltz reasons.
“Ultimately, the trajectory of the pandemic will determine which political party was right or wrong. The virus will determine the outcome of the 2020 presidential election,” he said
“While the partisanship in our society is discouraging, perhaps the pandemic’s role in the political dynamic has a silver lining. Whichever political party has the best plan for managing this crisis will be rewarded at the ballot box. This is exactly how a democracy is supposed to work,” Mr. Meltz later concludes.
Voters, however, may believe otherwise.
A new poll from National Public Radio, PBS and Marist College finds that only 14% of the respondents said the political response to the pandemic would be a major factor which could influence their decision in November. Another 20% said the response would be a minor factor in their decision.
More telling for everybody, though: 64% of the respondents said they have already decided who they will vote for in the presidential race, coronavirus or not. That includes 74% of Republicans, 56% of independents and 68% of Democrats.
The poll of 1,008 U.S. adults was conducted April 21-26.
A BODACIOUS WAR CHEST
President Trump is definitely winning the donations war.
His campaign raised $61.7 million in April, bringing the total haul for this election cycle to an unprecedented $742 million, the Republican National Committee announced Tuesday.
This is $288 million more than former President Barack Obama at this point in his reelection campaign eight years ago, by the way.
The GOP credits the “largest field program and data operation in party history” for the fundraising success. That effort includes an army of 1 million volunteers who are both “trained and activated” and a formidable public outreach. The Trump campaign also has made more than 20 million voter contacts, according to new statistics.
The campaign has allocated $20 million to a new legal budget, the funds destined to “combat the Democrats’ assault on the integrity of our elections.” The efforts are outlined at ProtectTheVote.com.
“Democrats are trying to use coronavirus and the courts to legalize ballot harvesting, implement a nationwide mail-in ballot system, and eliminate nearly every safeguard in our elections,” noted a mission statement for the site.
“While day-to-day life may have slowed this past month, enthusiasm and support for this president has not. With their time, resources, and ultimately their vote, Americans across this country continue to put their faith in President Trump,” says Ronna McDaniel, chairman of the Republican National Committee.
ROLLING RALLY: BUSES READY TO RUMBLE
An unusual event of note in the nation’s capital: Some 800 motorcoaches from all 50 states will arrive in the city Wednesday for a “rolling rally” around the National Mall and U.S. Capitol. The unusual event has been organized by the American Bus Association and the United Motorcoach Association — meant to draw attention to the fact that 90% of the workforce in the bus and motorcoach industry has been laid off during the coronavirus pandemic.
The organization also point out that 90% of motorcoach companies are small, family-owned businesses and that 36,000 of these vehicles are now idle during what should be the industry’s busiest season, which is March to June.
Consider their issues at BusesMoveAmerica.com.
BIDEN: MAYBE, MAYBE NOT
The voting public has mixed feelings about the prospect of Joseph R. Biden as the Democratic presidential nominee — and three-out-of-10 say the Democratic Party should find another nominee, according to a Rasmussen Reports survey released Tuesday.
Just over half are sure Mr. Biden is the right man for the job. The poll found that 54% likely Democratic voters are satisfied with him as the Democrats’ 2020 nominee. A notable 28% think the party should find someone else to be their nominee; the rest are undecided.
Democrats appear resigned to Mr. Biden as their flag bearer, though. The survey found that 92% are convinced that Mr. Biden will be the nominee when the time comes.
Feelings are more pronounced among the rest of the population. Over one-third of all voters now believe that the Democratic Party should bypass Mr. Biden.
“Among all likely voters, 36% think Democrats need to find someone other than Biden to be their nominee; 45% disagree, and 19% are undecided. But 82% think Biden is the likely nominee,” the analysis said.
The poll of 1,000 likely U.S. voters was conducted May 10-11.
POLL DU JOUR
• 43% of U.S. adults say Americans are not taking the risks of coronavirus “seriously enough”; 27% of Republicans, 42% of independents and 58% of Democrats agree.
• 32% overall say the public is “behaving appropriately; 39% of Republicans, 28% of independents and 30% of Democrats agree.
• 18% overall say the public is “overreacting” to the possible risks; 26% of Republicans, 22% of independents and 7% of Democrats agree.
• 7% overall are not sure how the public is reacting; 8% of Republicans, 8% of independents and 4% of Democrats agree.
Source: An Economist/YouGov poll of 1,500 U.S. adults conducted April 26-28 and released Monday.
• Helpful information to jharper@washingtontimes.com.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-12--Ex-San Francisco building commissioner charged with fraud

SAN FRANCISCO ( AP ) - A former San Francisco city building commissioner has been charged with bank fraud after he allegedly pocketed $ 478,000 intended for city agencies , federal prosecutors announced .
Rodrigo Santos , 61 , was arrested Tuesday and booked into jail but was later released on a $ 100,000 bond , the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office said in a statement .
His attorney , David Ericksen , did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press .
Santos , co-founder of Santos and Urrutia Structural Engineers , Inc. , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Inspection Commission by Mayor Willie Brown in 2000 , and was promoted to commission president by Mayor Gavin Newsom in 2004 .
Santos allegedly collected 261 checks from clients that were written to city departments , companies or another individual , then forged signatures on the checks and deposited them in his bank account , according to a complaint by the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office .
When confronted with the evidence , Santos submitted forged invoices to the Federal Bureau of Investigation , the complaint said .
The criminal case against Santos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dennis Herrera announced in March .
In the suit , Herrera accused Santos of stealing money from his clients and also alleged he and his associates engaged in permit fraud regarding at least nine different properties in San Francisco .
“ Our case against Mr. Santos exposed both how he undermined public safety and how he defrauded his own clients , ” Herrera said .
“ Our team developed a detailed case against Mr. Santos , and I ’ m glad the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office used that information to help build @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the federal charges , Santos faces a statutory maximum of 30 years in prison and a $ 1 million fine .

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A former San Francisco city building commissioner has been charged with bank fraud after he allegedly pocketed $478,000 intended for city agencies, federal prosecutors announced.
Rodrigo Santos, 61, was arrested Tuesday and booked into jail but was later released on a $100,000 bond, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a statement.
His attorney, David Ericksen, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press.
Santos, co-founder of Santos and Urrutia Structural Engineers, Inc., was appointed to the city’s Building Inspection Commission by Mayor Willie Brown in 2000, and was promoted to commission president by Mayor Gavin Newsom in 2004.
Santos allegedly collected 261 checks from clients that were written to city departments, companies or another individual, then forged signatures on the checks and deposited them in his bank account, according to a complaint by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
When confronted with the evidence, Santos submitted forged invoices to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the complaint said.
The criminal case against Santos follows a civil suit by City Attorney Dennis Herrera announced in March. In the suit, Herrera accused Santos of stealing money from his clients and also alleged he and his associates engaged in permit fraud regarding at least nine different properties in San Francisco.
“Our case against Mr. Santos exposed both how he undermined public safety and how he defrauded his own clients,” Herrera said. “Our team developed a detailed case against Mr. Santos, and I’m glad the U.S. Attorney’s Office used that information to help build their criminal case.”
If convicted of the federal charges, Santos faces a statutory maximum of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.