latimes--2020-01-13--Fake Kylie Cosmetics lip products, other counterfeit makeup seized in L.A. Fashion District

More than $ 300,000 in counterfeit makeup and beauty products was confiscated in downtown Los Angeles last week , according to the Los Angles Police Department .
The makeup included dozens of bogus products , including ultra-popular lip kits purported to be from Kylie Jenner ’ s beauty line , Kylie Cosmetics .
“ Please purchase from an authorized retailer , ” LAPD Capt .
Lillian Carranza said .
“ Previous tests of counterfeit makeup reveled animal feces and chemicals that can be hazardous to your health.
” In 2018 , the LAPD seized roughly $ 700,000 in counterfeit cosmetics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fashion District .
Items dressed as Kylie Cosmetics and Urban Decay products were included in that bust .
Det .
Rick Ishitani said the products contained animal feces , bacteria and high levels of metals .
According to Ishitani , the counterfeit products had again made their way to the Fashion District ’ s Santee Alley .
After receiving various complaints , officers last week found the people involved in the sales were not the same as those arrested in 2018 .
No arrests were made , but the LAPD did distribute cease-and-desist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to go over there , arrest people and make a big scene , ” Ishitani said .
“ We wanted to give them a fair warning.
” Jenner , the creator of her namesake makeup line , has occasionally tweeted warnings to shoppers who purchase counterfeit items designed to look like her own .
And the FBI for years has warned shoppers from buying phony cosmetics and fragrances , items that often contain ingredients and bacteria that can cause acne , psoriasis , rashes and eye infections .
Warning signs that products @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the authentic brand , a slightly or drastically lower price and distribution of the product at unauthorized retailers , including flea markets , mall kiosks and over the internet .

More than $300,000 in counterfeit makeup and beauty products was confiscated in downtown Los Angeles last week, according to the Los Angles Police Department.
The makeup included dozens of bogus products, including ultra-popular lip kits purported to be from Kylie Jenner’s beauty line, Kylie Cosmetics.
“Please purchase from an authorized retailer,” LAPD Capt. Lillian Carranza said. “Previous tests of counterfeit makeup reveled animal feces and chemicals that can be hazardous to your health.”
In 2018, the LAPD seized roughly $700,000 in counterfeit cosmetics from 21 locations in downtown L.A.’s Fashion District. Items dressed as Kylie Cosmetics and Urban Decay products were included in that bust. Det. Rick Ishitani said the products contained animal feces, bacteria and high levels of metals.
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According to Ishitani, the counterfeit products had again made their way to the Fashion District’s Santee Alley. After receiving various complaints, officers last week found the people involved in the sales were not the same as those arrested in 2018. No arrests were made, but the LAPD did distribute cease-and-desist warnings.
“We didn’t want to go over there, arrest people and make a big scene,” Ishitani said. “We wanted to give them a fair warning.”
Jenner, the creator of her namesake makeup line, has occasionally tweeted warnings to shoppers who purchase counterfeit items designed to look like her own.
And the FBI for years has warned shoppers from buying phony cosmetics and fragrances, items that often contain ingredients and bacteria that can cause acne, psoriasis, rashes and eye infections.
Warning signs that products may be counterfeit include packaging that differs from the authentic brand, a slightly or drastically lower price and distribution of the product at unauthorized retailers, including flea markets, mall kiosks and over the internet.


latimes--2020-01-13--Vaccine protester accused of throwing blood on California senators ordered to stay away from Capitol

A woman who allegedly threw a menstrual cup filled with blood onto California state senators last September has been prohibited from going near the Capitol .
The “ stay away ” order was issued during a Monday arraignment where Rebecca Dalelio , 43 , appeared in Sacramento Superior Court to face two felony counts for the September incident .
Dalelio did not enter a plea during her first court appearance since being arrested .
Dalelio was charged with assault on a public official for allegedly hurling the feminine hygiene device off a balcony onto legislators below .
Ten senators were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Benjamin Allen ( D-Santa Monica ) , Cathleen Galgiani ( D-Stockton ) , Steve Glazer ( D-Orinda ) , Lena Gonzalez ( D- Long Beach ) , Melissa Hurtado ( D-Sanger ) , Hannah-Beth Jackson ( D-Santa Barbara ) , Holly Mitchell ( D-Los Angeles ) , Richard Pan ( D-Sacramento ) and Susan Rubio ( D-Baldwin Park ) .
Dalelio , who was also charged with one count of vandalism , left the courtroom soon after the hearing ended and declined to comment .
The September incident occurred while the Capitol was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Gavin Newsom signing legislation to rein in exemptions for childhood vaccinations .
The blood hit multiple legislators and splashed onto desks and carpet , forcing the chamber to be cleared so it could be cleaned .
As the contents of the cup were thrown , a voice in the crowd was heard saying the action was “ for the dead babies.
” At least one legislator was treated for blood exposure the next day .
Senators moved to a nearby hearing room hours later , and reconvened to finish the last day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dist .
Atty .
Paris Coleman declined further comment on the charges .
Though the judge inquired whether the D.A .
's office was also seeking a “ stay away ” order for the district offices of the 10 senators Dalelio is accused of assaulting , Coleman said his office was not at this time .
Dalelio remains free on $ 10,000 bail , and her next court appearance is Feb. 24 .

Rebecca Dalelio, 43, appeared in court on Jan. 13 to face two felony charges for allegedly throwing a menstrual cup full of blood onto state senators on the last day of the legislative session in 2019. She appeared with her lawyer, Chet Templeton.
A woman who allegedly threw a menstrual cup filled with blood onto California state senators last September has been prohibited from going near the Capitol.
The “stay away” order was issued during a Monday arraignment where Rebecca Dalelio, 43, appeared in Sacramento Superior Court to face two felony counts for the September incident. Dalelio did not enter a plea during her first court appearance since being arrested.
Dalelio was charged with assault on a public official for allegedly hurling the feminine hygiene device off a balcony onto legislators below. Ten senators were listed as victims of the assault: Benjamin Allen (D-Santa Monica), Cathleen Galgiani (D-Stockton), Steve Glazer (D-Orinda), Lena Gonzalez (D- Long Beach), Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger), Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara), Holly Mitchell (D-Los Angeles), Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) and Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park).
Dalelio, who was also charged with one count of vandalism, left the courtroom soon after the hearing ended and declined to comment.
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The September incident occurred while the Capitol was filled with demonstrators who were protesting Gov. Gavin Newsom signing legislation to rein in exemptions for childhood vaccinations.
The blood hit multiple legislators and splashed onto desks and carpet, forcing the chamber to be cleared so it could be cleaned. As the contents of the cup were thrown, a voice in the crowd was heard saying the action was “for the dead babies.”
At least one legislator was treated for blood exposure the next day. Senators moved to a nearby hearing room hours later, and reconvened to finish the last day of the session.
Sacramento County Deputy Dist. Atty. Paris Coleman declined further comment on the charges. Though the judge inquired whether the D.A.’s office was also seeking a “stay away” order for the district offices of the 10 senators Dalelio is accused of assaulting, Coleman said his office was not at this time.
Dalelio remains free on $10,000 bail, and her next court appearance is Feb. 24.


latimes--2020-01-13--Fearing the worst, authorities stop car with child's plea for help. It was a joke

Alarmed California Highway Patrol officers stopped a car on State Route 99 in Sacramento over the weekend after a child held up a sign from the backseat pleading for help .
Authorities received a call shortly after 5 p.m. Saturday after passing motorists saw a girl holding a piece of notebook paper that read : “ Help me , she ’ s not my mom !
Help !
” With the help of a K-9 unit , two CHP motorcycle officers from the Valley Division spotted the vehicle in Stockton , where they conducted a “ high risk enforcement stop.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the officers “ determined that the juvenile had made it all up ” as “ a fun thing to do , ” according to the CHP ’ s South Sacramento Division .
The child ’ s mother “ was unaware of what her daughter was doing , ” authorities said .
Both were subsequently allowed to leave the scene .
On Facebook , authorities reminded parents to be attuned to what their children are doing .
Six CHP units were assigned to the call instead of responding to legitimate calls or patrolling their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” law enforcement officials said .
More than 2,000 people responded to the Facebook post , which the agency marked with hashtags including # notfunny and # beawareofyourkids .
Most suggested the child to be required to perform community service as a consequence .
One commenter noted that the incident was akin to a British commercial , in which a young girl slyly tells a police officer the woman he has just stopped is not her mother after he asks , “ Mommy in a bit of a hurry , was she ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the line “ Born to create drama , ” has been seen more than 600,000 times .

Alarmed California Highway Patrol officers stopped a car on State Route 99 in Sacramento over the weekend after a child held up a sign from the backseat pleading for help.
Authorities received a call shortly after 5 p.m. Saturday after passing motorists saw a girl holding a piece of notebook paper that read: “Help me, she’s not my mom! Help!”
With the help of a K-9 unit, two CHP motorcycle officers from the Valley Division spotted the vehicle in Stockton, where they conducted a “high risk enforcement stop.”
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After speaking with the driver, the officers “determined that the juvenile had made it all up” as “a fun thing to do,” according to the CHP’s South Sacramento Division.
The child’s mother “was unaware of what her daughter was doing,” authorities said. Both were subsequently allowed to leave the scene.
On Facebook, authorities reminded parents to be attuned to what their children are doing. Six CHP units were assigned to the call instead of responding to legitimate calls or patrolling their beats because of this “hoax,” law enforcement officials said.
More than 2,000 people responded to the Facebook post, which the agency marked with hashtags including #notfunny and #beawareofyourkids. Most suggested the child to be required to perform community service as a consequence.
One commenter noted that the incident was akin to a British commercial, in which a young girl slyly tells a police officer the woman he has just stopped is not her mother after he asks, “Mommy in a bit of a hurry, was she?” The video, which ends with the line “Born to create drama,” has been seen more than 600,000 times.


latimes--2020-01-13--Deadly boat fire: Four families of victims file suit against Conception owners

Four families whose relatives were among the 34 people killed in a fire on Labor Day aboard the dive boat Conception are suing the vessel ’ s owners , alleging they failed to have a roving watch required by the Coast Guard , had insufficient fire suppression and detection , and had inadequate means of escape .
Documents filed in federal court allege that the vessel , which was owned by Truth Aquatics , was “ unseaworthy ” and that its captain , Jerry Boylan , failed to properly implement required watch policies and procedures meant to detect emergencies such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the National Transportation Safety Board found that no one was designated as a roving watch at the time the blaze engulfed the Conception off Santa Cruz Island , killing everyone who was sleeping below deck .
The captain and four other crew members sleeping above deck managed to escape .
The filings Monday come after attorneys for Truth Aquatics ’ owners , Glen and Dana Fritzler , filed a petition in federal court to limit the payout to the families of the Conception victims .
They cited a steamship maritime law , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in asking a judge to eliminate their financial liability or lower it to an amount equal to the post-fire value of the boat , or $ 0 .
But attorneys Robert Mongeluzzi , one of the nation ’ s leading experts on maritime liability , and Brian Panish contend in court papers that the conduct of Truth Aquatics means the vessel ’ s owners aren ’ t covered by that law .
Mongeluzzi contends the Limitation of Liability Act of 1851 doesn ’ t apply because the Conception was operated “ in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manner ” and that the “ unseaworthiness ” of the vessel caused and contributed to the deaths .
He added that the Fritzlers “ heartlessly and callously filed a limitation of liability action before the bodies had been recovered or identified.
” Boylan , Glen Fritzler and his attorney , Hilary Potashner , did not respond to requests for comment .
The cause of the fire remains under investigation , with the Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , Firearms and Explosives conducting extensive testing to assist .
It is believed to be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some boat safety experts have pointed to the charging of lithium-ion batteries — which have become a staple for divers who use them to power underwater equipment such as lights , cameras and scooters — as a possible starting point for the blaze .
The lawsuits allege Truth Aquatics “ encouraged crew members and passengers ” to use the ship ’ s electrical system to charge phones , cameras , strobe lights and other devices in an area directly above where the passengers slept .
They claim the company knew about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a year earlier on another of its boats , but took no steps to add safety measures , according to the filings .
The Times first reported the fire aboard the Truth Aquatics boat Vision last month .
In that incident , a lithium-ion battery began to smolder as it was charging .
An alarmed crew member quickly tossed it into the water , preventing the blaze from spreading , a witness and several sources told The Times .
Coast Guard inspectors in California didn ’ t know about the previous fire aboard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about it .
After the fire , the Coast Guard for the first time recommended that owners of passenger vessels immediately urge crews “ to reduce potential fire hazards and consider limiting the unsupervised charging of lithium-ion batteries and extensive use of power strips and extension cords.
” Among damages , the lawsuits seek compensation for medical , funeral and burial expenses , lost wages and the economic loss to the victims ’ estates .
The suits were filed by the families of passengers Yulia Krashennaya , Kaustubh Nirmal , Sanjeeri Deopujari and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Goodman , who is also representing relatives , said a roving watch on the Conception could have saved lives .
“ The lack of night watch is one of the truly egregious acts by the captain in this case , ” he said .
“ The issue is even more important in today ’ s day and age because at night while people are sleeping down below you have batteries that are charging that pose a safety risk , ” Mongeluzzi said .
“ Some of Truth Aquatics ’ own captains have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not have regular patrols .
That is a violation of federal law.
” A Times investigation found that other captains with Truth Aquatics said they didn ’ t have formal roving watch schedules even though the boats ’ certificate of inspection requires a crew member to be designated “ as a roving patrol at all times , whether or not the vessel is underway , when the passengers ’ bunks are occupied.
” In the days after the fire , a statement from an attorney representing Truth Aquatics said a crew member had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out about half an hour earlier and found nothing unusual .
The fire is now the subject of a criminal investigation by the Coast Guard and the FBI that ’ s overseen by the U.S. attorney ’ s office , in addition to probes by the National Transportation Safety Board and the Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation .
The NTSB ’ s preliminary investigation found that the crew members were sleeping in a berth behind the wheelhouse when the fire broke out .
By the time they awoke and jumped down to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ galley and salon engulfed in flames .
The main bunk room where their 33 customers and a fellow crew member slept lay directly below , in the belly of the boat .
Goodman pointed out there was no sufficient means of escape for the people below deck .
“ It gave them no way to get out and it resulted in 34 horrific , agonizing deaths , ” he said .
Mongeluzzi said Boylan should face charges of seaman ’ s manslaughter and that under the law all that is required is negligence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boating tragedies in Philadelphia and Branson , Mo.
, faced criminal charges .

Four families whose relatives were among the 34 people killed in a fire on Labor Day aboard the dive boat Conception are suing the vessel’s owners, alleging they failed to have a roving watch required by the Coast Guard, had insufficient fire suppression and detection, and had inadequate means of escape.
Documents filed in federal court allege that the vessel, which was owned by Truth Aquatics, was “unseaworthy” and that its captain, Jerry Boylan, failed to properly implement required watch policies and procedures meant to detect emergencies such as a fire.
A preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board found that no one was designated as a roving watch at the time the blaze engulfed the Conception off Santa Cruz Island, killing everyone who was sleeping below deck. The captain and four other crew members sleeping above deck managed to escape.
The filings Monday come after attorneys for Truth Aquatics’ owners, Glen and Dana Fritzler, filed a petition in federal court to limit the payout to the families of the Conception victims. They cited a steamship maritime law, the Limitation of Liability Act of 1851, in asking a judge to eliminate their financial liability or lower it to an amount equal to the post-fire value of the boat, or $0.
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But attorneys Robert Mongeluzzi, one of the nation’s leading experts on maritime liability, and Brian Panish contend in court papers that the conduct of Truth Aquatics means the vessel’s owners aren’t covered by that law.
Mongeluzzi contends the Limitation of Liability Act of 1851 doesn’t apply because the Conception was operated “in a willful, wanton, and reckless manner” and that the “unseaworthiness” of the vessel caused and contributed to the deaths.
He added that the Fritzlers “heartlessly and callously filed a limitation of liability action before the bodies had been recovered or identified.”
Boylan, Glen Fritzler and his attorney, Hilary Potashner, did not respond to requests for comment.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducting extensive testing to assist. It is believed to be the worst maritime disaster in modern California history.
Some boat safety experts have pointed to the charging of lithium-ion batteries — which have become a staple for divers who use them to power underwater equipment such as lights, cameras and scooters — as a possible starting point for the blaze.
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The lawsuits allege Truth Aquatics “encouraged crew members and passengers” to use the ship’s electrical system to charge phones, cameras, strobe lights and other devices in an area directly above where the passengers slept. They claim the company knew about the dangers of lithium-ion batteries from a fire a year earlier on another of its boats, but took no steps to add safety measures, according to the filings.
The Times first reported the fire aboard the Truth Aquatics boat Vision last month. In that incident, a lithium-ion battery began to smolder as it was charging. An alarmed crew member quickly tossed it into the water, preventing the blaze from spreading, a witness and several sources told The Times.
Coast Guard inspectors in California didn’t know about the previous fire aboard the Vision until The Times requested details about it.
After the fire, the Coast Guard for the first time recommended that owners of passenger vessels immediately urge crews “to reduce potential fire hazards and consider limiting the unsupervised charging of lithium-ion batteries and extensive use of power strips and extension cords.”
Among damages, the lawsuits seek compensation for medical, funeral and burial expenses, lost wages and the economic loss to the victims’ estates. The suits were filed by the families of passengers Yulia Krashennaya, Kaustubh Nirmal, Sanjeeri Deopujari and crew member Alexandra Kurtz.
Attorney Jeff Goodman, who is also representing relatives, said a roving watch on the Conception could have saved lives. “The lack of night watch is one of the truly egregious acts by the captain in this case,” he said.
“The issue is even more important in today’s day and age because at night while people are sleeping down below you have batteries that are charging that pose a safety risk,” Mongeluzzi said. “Some of Truth Aquatics’ own captains have been quoted in the press acknowledging they did not have regular patrols. That is a violation of federal law.”
A Times investigation found that other captains with Truth Aquatics said they didn’t have formal roving watch schedules even though the boats’ certificate of inspection requires a crew member to be designated “as a roving patrol at all times, whether or not the vessel is underway, when the passengers’ bunks are occupied.”
In the days after the fire, a statement from an attorney representing Truth Aquatics said a crew member had checked the area where the fire broke out about half an hour earlier and found nothing unusual.
The fire is now the subject of a criminal investigation by the Coast Guard and the FBI that’s overseen by the U.S. attorney’s office, in addition to probes by the National Transportation Safety Board and the Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation.
The NTSB’s preliminary investigation found that the crew members were sleeping in a berth behind the wheelhouse when the fire broke out. By the time they awoke and jumped down to the main deck, they found the galley and salon engulfed in flames. The main bunk room where their 33 customers and a fellow crew member slept lay directly below, in the belly of the boat.
Goodman pointed out there was no sufficient means of escape for the people below deck. “It gave them no way to get out and it resulted in 34 horrific, agonizing deaths,” he said.
Mongeluzzi said Boylan should face charges of seaman’s manslaughter and that under the law all that is required is negligence. He said that captains in other boating tragedies in Philadelphia and Branson, Mo., faced criminal charges.


latimes--2020-01-13--Bald eagle mama lays second egg in San Bernardino nest

“ And then there were two.
” The San Bernardino National Forest announced the arrival of its second bald eagle egg of the new year just before Saturday ’ s sunset .
Video captured proud mom Jackie perched above her eggs , taking a moment to gaze at the nearby lake after tending to her nest .
Her mate , Shadow , was likely nearby .
He will bring Jackie meals during the incubation period and sub in for her , sitting on the eggs , on occasion .
“ Based on nest-cam observations of their behavior over the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see Jackie doing the bulk of the incubation , ” San Bernardino National Forest tweeted last week .
“ She ’ s never let Shadow incubate overnight or during big storms.
” The second egg was laid three days after the first , as was expected .
The incubation period is roughly 35 days .
The chicks are expected to hatch close to Valentine ’ s Day .
The area on the northwest side of the lake where the nest is perched is closed to the public .
“ Nesting bald eagles that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the eggs , ” the park warned .
But those interested in keeping watch can get an up-close view of the birds via from Friends of Big Bear Valley .
The camera is perched 120 feet high in a pine tree in the community of Fawnskin .
Last year , Jackie also laid two eggs , which hatched within days of each other in April .
One of the chicks , however , died after enduring snow and cold temperatures in a late-season storm .

“And then there were two.”
The San Bernardino National Forest announced the arrival of its second bald eagle egg of the new year just before Saturday’s sunset.
Video captured proud mom Jackie perched above her eggs, taking a moment to gaze at the nearby lake after tending to her nest. Her mate, Shadow, was likely nearby. He will bring Jackie meals during the incubation period and sub in for her, sitting on the eggs, on occasion.
“Based on nest-cam observations of their behavior over the past two nesting seasons, we expect to see Jackie doing the bulk of the incubation,” San Bernardino National Forest tweeted last week. “She’s never let Shadow incubate overnight or during big storms.”
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The second egg was laid three days after the first, as was expected. The incubation period is roughly 35 days. The chicks are expected to hatch close to Valentine’s Day.
The area on the northwest side of the lake where the nest is perched is closed to the public.
“Nesting bald eagles that feel threatened by human activity may abandon the eggs,” the park warned.
But those interested in keeping watch can get an up-close view of the birds via live-streaming camera video on YouTube from Friends of Big Bear Valley. The camera is perched 120 feet high in a pine tree in the community of Fawnskin.
Last year, Jackie also laid two eggs, which hatched within days of each other in April. One of the chicks, however, died after enduring snow and cold temperatures in a late-season storm.


latimes--2020-01-13--After 15-year-old terrier is shot and left dead in gutter, Lakewood man is arrested

A Lakewood man has been arrested and charged with animal cruelty after authorities say he shot a 15-year-old dog and left it dead in a gutter in La Mirada last week .
Shane Dubyak , 23 , was arrested Friday after a pursuit through the cities of Artesia and Cerritos by Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s deputies from the Norwalk station .
Deputies were on their way to Long Beach in search of Dubyak when they spotted him driving a black Kia Forte near Artesia and Pioneer boulevards .
Authorities tried to stop Dubyak , who threw a .22-caliber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Det .
Mark Christiansen said .
Dubyak then abandoned the car in Cerritos and tried to flee but was apprehended , Christiansen said .
Authorities say Dubyak was in a white Jeep Grand Cherokee when he and a woman stopped in an industrial area in the 16400 block of Phoebe Avenue in La Mirada about 12:40 p.m. Jan. 5 .
A witness told authorities he saw a man get out of the passenger side of the vehicle , place something on the ground near the gutter and fire two gunshots .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the two drove south on Phoebe , turning left on Firestone Boulevard and driving out of sight , authorities said .
The witness went to the gutter after the Jeep left and found a small terrier dead on a dog bed , officials said .
The dog , which police said was at least 15 years old , had been shot twice .
With recovered surveillance video and multiple tips from the public , deputies identified Dubyak .
The female driver of the Jeep was arrested Wednesday and released the following day pending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further details about the woman were provided .
Dubyak has been charged with felony animal cruelty , evading arrest and being an ex-felon in possession of a firearm , according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff ’ s Department .
His bail is set at $ 75,000 .
Anyone with additional information can call Christiansen at ( 562 ) 466-5419 .

A Lakewood man has been arrested and charged with animal cruelty after authorities say he shot a 15-year-old dog and left it dead in a gutter in La Mirada last week.
Shane Dubyak, 23, was arrested Friday after a pursuit through the cities of Artesia and Cerritos by Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies from the Norwalk station.
Deputies were on their way to Long Beach in search of Dubyak when they spotted him driving a black Kia Forte near Artesia and Pioneer boulevards. Authorities tried to stop Dubyak, who threw a .22-caliber revolver at them from his moving vehicle, Det. Mark Christiansen said.
Dubyak then abandoned the car in Cerritos and tried to flee but was apprehended, Christiansen said.
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Authorities say Dubyak was in a white Jeep Grand Cherokee when he and a woman stopped in an industrial area in the 16400 block of Phoebe Avenue in La Mirada about 12:40 p.m. Jan. 5. A witness told authorities he saw a man get out of the passenger side of the vehicle, place something on the ground near the gutter and fire two gunshots.
The shooter got back in the car and the two drove south on Phoebe, turning left on Firestone Boulevard and driving out of sight, authorities said. The witness went to the gutter after the Jeep left and found a small terrier dead on a dog bed, officials said. The dog, which police said was at least 15 years old, had been shot twice.
With recovered surveillance video and multiple tips from the public, deputies identified Dubyak.
The female driver of the Jeep was arrested Wednesday and released the following day pending further investigation, Christiansen said. No further details about the woman were provided.
Dubyak has been charged with felony animal cruelty, evading arrest and being an ex-felon in possession of a firearm, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. His bail is set at $75,000.
Anyone with additional information can call Christiansen at (562) 466-5419.


latimes--2020-01-13--Snow levels dipping and widespread rain is on tap for Southern California this week

Break out the umbrellas and hang onto those heavy coats because the region ’ s first significant winter storm of 2020 is expected to unleash rain and snow Thursday .
After what has been a mostly dry January , a chilly winter storm is expected to move into the northern portion of the state Tuesday before making its way down the coast to Los Angeles County by late Thursday morning .
The system , which originated just south of Alaska , is expected to dampen the coasts and valleys with up to three-quarters of an inch of rain .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tap to get a bit more precipitation : one-half to 1½ inches , said Lisa Phillips , a meteorologist with the National Weather Service .
“ It looks like there ’ s some good moisture with this system , so we ’ ll be getting some good rainfall amounts , ” she said .
“ Definitely more than just a sprinkle.
” The storm is also expected to drop snow levels to 3,500 feet .
From 3 to 6 inches of fresh powder are expected to fall at elevations of 4,000 to 5,500 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could see up to 12 inches of snowfall , Phillips said .
With low snow levels come the seemingly inevitable worries about traffic issues across mountain roadways .
Forecasters are predicting possible travel delays on the 5 Freeway through the Grapevine on Thursday .
For those heading out of town , the National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for much of the Sierra Nevada mountain range , beginning Wednesday afternoon and extending through early Friday for elevations above 3,000 feet .
The weather service is warning of travel delays , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be road closures .
Forecasters are discouraging any mountain travel beginning Wednesday night through Thursday .
Temperatures across Los Angeles County , which have been hovering in the low to mid-60s — slightly below normal — over the past week , are expected to stay chilly through Friday .
But by Sunday , the mercury could creep up to 70 degrees again , Phillips said .

Break out the umbrellas and hang onto those heavy coats because the region’s first significant winter storm of 2020 is expected to unleash rain and snow Thursday.
After what has been a mostly dry January, a chilly winter storm is expected to move into the northern portion of the state Tuesday before making its way down the coast to Los Angeles County by late Thursday morning.
The system, which originated just south of Alaska, is expected to dampen the coasts and valleys with up to three-quarters of an inch of rain. The foothills and coastal mountain slopes are on tap to get a bit more precipitation: one-half to 1½ inches, said Lisa Phillips, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
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“It looks like there’s some good moisture with this system, so we’ll be getting some good rainfall amounts,” she said. “Definitely more than just a sprinkle.”
The storm is also expected to drop snow levels to 3,500 feet. From 3 to 6 inches of fresh powder are expected to fall at elevations of 4,000 to 5,500 feet, while those above 5,500 feet could see up to 12 inches of snowfall, Phillips said.
With low snow levels come the seemingly inevitable worries about traffic issues across mountain roadways. Forecasters are predicting possible travel delays on the 5 Freeway through the Grapevine on Thursday.
For those heading out of town, the National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for much of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, beginning Wednesday afternoon and extending through early Friday for elevations above 3,000 feet. The weather service is warning of travel delays, chains may be required, and there could be road closures. Forecasters are discouraging any mountain travel beginning Wednesday night through Thursday.
Temperatures across Los Angeles County, which have been hovering in the low to mid-60s — slightly below normal — over the past week, are expected to stay chilly through Friday. But by Sunday, the mercury could creep up to 70 degrees again, Phillips said.


latimes--2020-01-13--Missing 11-year-old boy found dead in Placerville

A missing Northern California child was found dead Saturday , but police are not disclosing many details .
Roman Lopez @ @ @ @ @ seen Saturday morning at his home on Coloma Street in Placerville , the Placerville Police @ @ @ @ @ persons bulletin .
After an extensive search of the area by multiple law enforcement agencies @ @ @ @ @ dead later in the day , police said in a news release .
The department @ @ @ @ @ child ’ s body was found or how he died .
His death is being @ @ @ @ @ said .
Placerville police announced the boy ’ s death at a news conference Sunday @ @ @ @ @ John Meuser read a prepared statement but took no questions from reporters .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ all involved , and we appreciate your patience while we conduct a thorough investigation , @ @ @ @ @ with information about the boy ’ s death should call Det .
Luke Gadow at @ @ @ @ @ ext .
116 .

A missing Northern California child was found dead Saturday, but police are not disclosing many details.
Roman Lopez, 11, was last seen Saturday morning at his home on Coloma Street in Placerville, the Placerville Police Department said in a missing persons bulletin.
After an extensive search of the area by multiple law enforcement agencies, the boy was found dead later in the day, police said in a news release. The department did not say where the child’s body was found or how he died. His death is being investigated as suspicious, authorities said.
Placerville police announced the boy’s death at a news conference Sunday afternoon during which Sgt. John Meuser read a prepared statement but took no questions from reporters.
“The event is very tragic for all involved, and we appreciate your patience while we conduct a thorough investigation,” Meuser said.
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Anyone with information about the boy’s death should call Det. Luke Gadow at (530) 642-5210, ext. 116.


latimes--2020-01-13--Passenger's leg severed and driver flees after police chase in Koreatown, authorities say

A man who was riding in a car that police said was stolen had his leg severed when he jumped @ @ @ @ @ Monday morning during a police pursuit .
Authorities are now searching for the driver , @ @ @ @ @ car .
Los Angeles police began pursuing the vehicle shortly after 2 a.m .
The @ @ @ @ @ the driver crashed into a row of parked cars near 7th and Berendo streets , @ @ @ @ @ bailed out of the car after the crash and ran off .
The passenger , @ @ @ @ @ out of the vehicle and was left behind , was taken to a hospital for @ @ @ @ @ Authorities set up a perimeter in the area with the help of LAPD K-9 units @ @ @ @ @ driver was not immediately available .

A man who was riding in a car that police said was stolen had his leg severed when he jumped out of the vehicle early Monday morning during a police pursuit. Authorities are now searching for the driver, who fled after crashing the car.
Los Angeles police began pursuing the vehicle shortly after 2 a.m. The chase ended within minutes when the driver crashed into a row of parked cars near 7th and Berendo streets, authorities said.
The driver bailed out of the car after the crash and ran off. The passenger, who was injured after jumping out of the vehicle and was left behind, was taken to a hospital for treatment, police said.
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Authorities set up a perimeter in the area with the help of LAPD K-9 units. A description of the driver was not immediately available.
City News Service contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-01-13--Admissions scandal: Charged parents try to drag USC into the fray

From the start , federal prosecutors have tried to make the college admissions case a straightforward story about greed .
But in the nine months since , the case has turned murky .
In the government ’ s telling , wealthy parents , college coaches , and others conspired with William “ Rick ” Singer , a Newport Beach consultant who used bribes and fraud to rig college entrance exams and buy spots at top-tier schools for the children of clients .
The case generated national outrage when it was unveiled in March , as people railed against the unfair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it comes to college admissions .
Prosecutors scored early victories : Many of the 54 people charged in the case pleaded guilty , and all but two of them were sentenced to prison .
Lawyers for parents whose children were admitted to USC through alleged fraud and bribery are now trying to drag the school into the fray , seeking — among other things — sensitive internal documents that they believe will shed light on how the school has courted wealthy donors and the role donations play in admissions .
A lawyer for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paying $ 250,000 to Singer and an accomplice to get his daughter into USC , made the first move for this information in August , when he tried to subpoena the school for fundraising and admissions records , including a database of donors and the percentage of applicants admitted within a year of their families donating $ 50,000 or more .
USC has fought to quash the subpoena , arguing it is overly broad and seeks information irrelevant to the case .
A judge instructed the two sides to try to reach a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for other parents charged in the case followed up with demands for a slew of records from the government , including information about USC ’ s fundraising .
The attempt to turn the focus onto USC makes sense , defense experts said , but it remains to be seen how far judges in the case will allow defendants to pursue it .
“ You can ’ t blame them for trying , ” said James Felman , an attorney and expert on fraud crimes who isn ’ t involved in the case .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are going to turn this into a trial about how a school seeks donations is hard to see.
” A spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney ’ s office in Boston , which is handling the case , declined to comment .
Even if parents succeed at drawing attention to the influence fundraising bears on USC ’ s admissions decisions , some defendants must still account for seemingly deliberate steps they took to perpetrate the alleged fraud , such as staged or manipulated photographs used to pass their children off as top athletes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were familiar with the details of the recruiting scheme .
Singer has admitted orchestrating the scam and cooperated extensively with the government .
Fifteen parents charged in the case have pleaded not guilty .
In preparation for possible trials this year , their attorneys have asked that a judge order prosecutors to hand over documents they believe could be helpful to their defense .
Prosecutors have told defense attorneys they have not withheld any relevant documents , according to court papers .
Some of the records in question deal with Singer , whose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s chief witness is expected to come under fire .
A deceitful and self-serving Singer , defense attorneys have argued , duped his clients into believing their payments were legitimate donations to universities , even as he repurposed the money into bribes to coaches and school officials .
Of the 15 parents who have pleaded not guilty , 11 are accused of exploiting Singer ’ s athletic recruiting scam to get their children into USC .
Singer operated differently at the Los Angeles campus than at other schools .
At Georgetown , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100,000 checks directly to the tennis coach in exchange for admission spots that were earmarked for tennis recruits .
Singer had similar arrangements with two former USC soccer coaches who have pleaded guilty , Ali Khosroshahin and Laura Janke .
But he instructed most of his clients seeking to get their children into USC to send checks to him and to university accounts that prosecutors say were controlled by two alleged conspirators , Donna Heinel , a former top administrator in the athletic department , and Jovan Vavic , the school ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vavic have pleaded not guilty .
The fact that money was funneled into USC bank accounts has given parents a toehold to make the case that they believed their payments were legitimate donations .
They also contend USC could not have been the victim of an alleged conspiracy if money was flowing into its coffers .
Attorneys for Gamal Abdelaziz , a casino magnate whose daughter was allegedly admitted to USC as a fake basketball recruit , called it a “ dubious ” and “ novel ” reading of the law that “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is allegedly defrauded of its employee ’ s honest services is a bribe.
” Between 2014 and 2018 , Singer ’ s clients paid more than $ 1.3 million “ to USC accounts controlled by Heinel , ” according to an indictment charging her and Vavic with conspiracy to commit racketeering , fraud and bribery .
The account that funded Vavic ’ s water polo program was infused with $ 250,000 , the indictment says .
Prosecutors have said in filings and in court that Heinel and Vavic benefited from payments to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times , attorneys for both former USC employees cast doubt on that assertion .
Nina Marino , who represents Heinel , said she does not understand “ how the government can demonstrate that our client personally benefited from any donation made to USC for the benefit of programs and facilities for the school.
” Stephen G. Larson , who represents Vavic , said the coach was “ not only encouraged but effectively required ” to raise money for his program , and that those efforts were “ fully endorsed and facilitated by university @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took part in fraud , accepted a bribe or recruited an applicant with substandard athletic or academic credentials .
Other USC coaches and administrators faced similar expectations of fundraising , Larson said , and the case brought against Vavic “ ignores the reality that at USC , a parent ’ s ability and willingness to contribute to the university , including to athletics , influenced admissions decisions.
” Glenn Osaki , a spokesman for the school , said that like at all major universities , coaches at USC can raise money for their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ university policy.
” “ When it became clear that Vavic ’ s actions were inconsistent with university policy , he was terminated , ” Osaki said .
Prosecutors have also pointed to payments Singer allegedly made directly to Heinel and Vavic .
In July 2018 , Singer began paying Heinel $ 20,000 per month in what prosecutors allege was a sham consulting retainer .
Singer also paid for the private school tuition of Vavic ’ s children “ under the guise of a fabricated scholarship , ” the indictment says .
Abdelaziz ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s alleged monthly payments to Heinel , calling the arrangement “ essentially a side deal ” to redirect what Abdelaziz believed was a donation to USC toward a bribe to Heinel .
The lawyers have demanded the government turn over records of its interviews with Singer regarding the alleged retainer .
A magistrate judge said she wants to review those records before making a ruling .
After making sweeping arguments early in the case that Singer and his conspirators robbed universities of valuable property and business rights , prosecutors have scaled back the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Eric S. Rosen , an assistant U.S. attorney , wrote in a filing that the harm the universities suffered amounted largely to the salaries they paid to employees accused of working with Singer .
USC paid Heinel , Vavic , Khosroshahin and Janke more than $ 2.8 million in salary while they were “ secretly acting to their employers ’ detriment by selling admission to athletically unqualified students in exchange for bribes , ” Rosen wrote .
USC also had to hire lawyers “ at great expense , ” Rosen said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his office ’ s investigation .
Documenting the alleged losses to USC is an important aspect to the government ’ s case ; in order to win convictions , prosecutors must convince jurors there were victims who were harmed financially .

Of the 15 parents who have pleaded not guilty, 11 are accused of exploiting Rick Singer’s athletic recruiting scam to get their children into USC.
From the start, federal prosecutors have tried to make the college admissions case a straightforward story about greed.
But in the nine months since, the case has turned murky.
In the government’s telling, wealthy parents, college coaches, and others conspired with William “Rick” Singer, a Newport Beach consultant who used bribes and fraud to rig college entrance exams and buy spots at top-tier schools for the children of clients.
The case generated national outrage when it was unveiled in March, as people railed against the unfair advantage the rich and powerful enjoy when it comes to college admissions. Prosecutors scored early victories: Many of the 54 people charged in the case pleaded guilty, and all but two of them were sentenced to prison.
Lawyers for parents whose children were admitted to USC through alleged fraud and bribery are now trying to drag the school into the fray, seeking — among other things — sensitive internal documents that they believe will shed light on how the school has courted wealthy donors and the role donations play in admissions.
A lawyer for Robert Zangrillo, a father accused of paying $250,000 to Singer and an accomplice to get his daughter into USC, made the first move for this information in August, when he tried to subpoena the school for fundraising and admissions records, including a database of donors and the percentage of applicants admitted within a year of their families donating $50,000 or more.
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USC has fought to quash the subpoena, arguing it is overly broad and seeks information irrelevant to the case. A judge instructed the two sides to try to reach a compromise.
Earlier this month, lawyers for other parents charged in the case followed up with demands for a slew of records from the government, including information about USC’s fundraising.
The attempt to turn the focus onto USC makes sense, defense experts said, but it remains to be seen how far judges in the case will allow defendants to pursue it.
“You can’t blame them for trying,” said James Felman, an attorney and expert on fraud crimes who isn’t involved in the case. “The idea, though, that they are going to turn this into a trial about how a school seeks donations is hard to see.”
A spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney’s office in Boston, which is handling the case, declined to comment.
Even if parents succeed at drawing attention to the influence fundraising bears on USC’s admissions decisions, some defendants must still account for seemingly deliberate steps they took to perpetrate the alleged fraud, such as staged or manipulated photographs used to pass their children off as top athletes, and recorded phone calls indicating they were familiar with the details of the recruiting scheme.
Singer has admitted orchestrating the scam and cooperated extensively with the government.
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Fifteen parents charged in the case have pleaded not guilty. In preparation for possible trials this year, their attorneys have asked that a judge order prosecutors to hand over documents they believe could be helpful to their defense. Prosecutors have told defense attorneys they have not withheld any relevant documents, according to court papers.
Some of the records in question deal with Singer, whose honesty and reliability as the government’s chief witness is expected to come under fire. A deceitful and self-serving Singer, defense attorneys have argued, duped his clients into believing their payments were legitimate donations to universities, even as he repurposed the money into bribes to coaches and school officials.
Of the 15 parents who have pleaded not guilty, 11 are accused of exploiting Singer’s athletic recruiting scam to get their children into USC.
Singer operated differently at the Los Angeles campus than at other schools. At Georgetown, for example, prosecutors say he sent $100,000 checks directly to the tennis coach in exchange for admission spots that were earmarked for tennis recruits.
Singer had similar arrangements with two former USC soccer coaches who have pleaded guilty, Ali Khosroshahin and Laura Janke. But he instructed most of his clients seeking to get their children into USC to send checks to him and to university accounts that prosecutors say were controlled by two alleged conspirators, Donna Heinel, a former top administrator in the athletic department, and Jovan Vavic, the school’s former water polo coach. Heinel and Vavic have pleaded not guilty.
The fact that money was funneled into USC bank accounts has given parents a toehold to make the case that they believed their payments were legitimate donations. They also contend USC could not have been the victim of an alleged conspiracy if money was flowing into its coffers.
Attorneys for Gamal Abdelaziz, a casino magnate whose daughter was allegedly admitted to USC as a fake basketball recruit, called it a “dubious” and “novel” reading of the law that “a payment to the very same institution that is allegedly defrauded of its employee’s honest services is a bribe.”
Between 2014 and 2018, Singer’s clients paid more than $1.3 million “to USC accounts controlled by Heinel,” according to an indictment charging her and Vavic with conspiracy to commit racketeering, fraud and bribery. The account that funded Vavic’s water polo program was infused with $250,000, the indictment says.
Prosecutors have said in filings and in court that Heinel and Vavic benefited from payments to those accounts. In statements to The Times, attorneys for both former USC employees cast doubt on that assertion. Nina Marino, who represents Heinel, said she does not understand “how the government can demonstrate that our client personally benefited from any donation made to USC for the benefit of programs and facilities for the school.”
Stephen G. Larson, who represents Vavic, said the coach was “not only encouraged but effectively required” to raise money for his program, and that those efforts were “fully endorsed and facilitated by university officials.” He denied that Vavic ever took part in fraud, accepted a bribe or recruited an applicant with substandard athletic or academic credentials.
Other USC coaches and administrators faced similar expectations of fundraising, Larson said, and the case brought against Vavic “ignores the reality that at USC, a parent’s ability and willingness to contribute to the university, including to athletics, influenced admissions decisions.”
Glenn Osaki, a spokesman for the school, said that like at all major universities, coaches at USC can raise money for their athletic programs “in manners consistent with university policy.”
California Parents changing pleas as prosecutors threaten more charges in college admissions case Federal prosecutors are ratcheting up pressure on parents who have maintained their innocence in the college admissions scandal with a warning they intend to file additional criminal charges as early as next week.
“When it became clear that Vavic’s actions were inconsistent with university policy, he was terminated,” Osaki said.
Prosecutors have also pointed to payments Singer allegedly made directly to Heinel and Vavic. In July 2018, Singer began paying Heinel $20,000 per month in what prosecutors allege was a sham consulting retainer. Singer also paid for the private school tuition of Vavic’s children “under the guise of a fabricated scholarship,” the indictment says.
Abdelaziz’s attorneys have seized on Singer’s alleged monthly payments to Heinel, calling the arrangement “essentially a side deal” to redirect what Abdelaziz believed was a donation to USC toward a bribe to Heinel. The lawyers have demanded the government turn over records of its interviews with Singer regarding the alleged retainer. A magistrate judge said she wants to review those records before making a ruling.
After making sweeping arguments early in the case that Singer and his conspirators robbed universities of valuable property and business rights, prosecutors have scaled back the damage they say the schools have suffered. Eric S. Rosen, an assistant U.S. attorney, wrote in a filing that the harm the universities suffered amounted largely to the salaries they paid to employees accused of working with Singer.
USC paid Heinel, Vavic, Khosroshahin and Janke more than $2.8 million in salary while they were “secretly acting to their employers’ detriment by selling admission to athletically unqualified students in exchange for bribes,” Rosen wrote. USC also had to hire lawyers “at great expense,” Rosen said, to review the fraud internally and cooperate with his office’s investigation.
California Full Coverage: The college admissions scheme Federal prosecutors accused top CEOs, two Hollywood actresses and others of taking part in an audacious scheme to get their children into elite universities through fraud, bribes and lies.
Documenting the alleged losses to USC is an important aspect to the government’s case; in order to win convictions, prosecutors must convince jurors there were victims who were harmed financially.


latimes--2020-01-13--Slugfest at a California conference has inspired a politician to propose a new law

It wouldn ’ t be the most conventional way for politicians to help create a law .
In May , two councilmen got into an argument at a conference in Indian Wells that turned into a brawl .
The slugfest ended up involving four of the politicians from the City of Commerce and left one councilman , Leonard Mendoza , lying on the ground unconscious , his arms and legs splayed out for everyone to see on social media .
There were ripple effects : the California Contract Cities Assn.
, the nonprofit advocacy group that hosted the conference , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminal investigation was launched by the Riverside County Sheriff ’ s Department , though no charges have been filed .
Now , Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia ( D-Bell Gardens ) , whose district includes Commerce , plans to introduce legislation aimed at giving the California auditor the authority to examine the finances of government lobbying organizations such as Contract Cities .
“ These groups are extensions of governments and therefore taxpayers themselves — who don ’ t expect governmental activities in drunken brawls and mismanagement of funds , ” Garcia said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that brought elected officials from all over the state had education panels , but it also included a golf tournament and swag bags containing wine and tickets for free alcoholic drinks at sponsored events , Garcia said .
The cost to attend was $ 600 per person .
“ For local governments and school boards to be bankrolling parties and padding personal bank accounts is a slap in the face to California residents , who are often working-class and struggling to make ends meet , ” she said .
It certainly isn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials to inspire the creation of new laws .
The most well known recent example in Southern California happened as a result of the 2010 corruption scandal in the city of Bell .
The revelation of huge salaries for some council members and city administrators — including one making well over $ 1 million a year — led to new laws , including pension reform and requirements to post government salaries on official websites .
The city of Vernon avoided being disincorporated by the state , but the politically colorful industrial town inspired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ True Detective.
” Were it to come to fruition , Garcia ’ s proposed legislation would expand Assembly Bill 187 , which established the High-Risk Local Government Agency program within the state auditor ’ s office .
The program , created as a result of the salary scandal in Bell , has led to the identification of more than a dozen government agencies with fiscal problems such as Compton , San Gabriel and San Fernando , to name a few .
As of now , the state does not have direct oversight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Marcel Rodarte , executive director of the California Contract Cities Assn.
, said the organization was not contacted by Garcia or her office about any potential concerns regarding its operation .
“ We are disappointed about the gross mischaracterization and slanderous comments directed at the California Contract Cities Assn.
, ” Rodarte said .
“ The [ association ] has advocated to strengthen local control for more than 63 years and makes every effort to be transparent and prudent with all taxpayers and other funds invested into the organization.
” Long before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mendoza and Mayor Pro Tem Ivan Altamirano , who was accused of sucker-punching his colleague and starting the melee , had been at odds with each other over marijuana businesses operating in their city .
The issue had divided not only the council but residents of Commerce , a working-class industrial town southeast of downtown L.A .
Many residents believe this tension played a key role in the fight .
Mendoza said that he was in the middle of a conversation when Altamirano interrupted .
He said he told his council colleague to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he felt a blow and woke up in a hospital .
In the room were his wife and a law enforcement officer .
An attorney for Altamirano disputed Mendoza ’ s account and said his client was the first to be punched .
The brawl also involved Mayor John Soria , Councilman Hugo Argumedo and about seven other people , including political consultants , government vendors and elected officials .
Soria , Argumedo and Altamirano could not be reached for comment .
The Sheriff ’ s Department submitted the case to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in July 2019 for possible prosecution , said John Hall , spokesman for the office .
The agency would not say why the case has not progressed since .
“ All I can say is that it is still under review , ” Hall said .
In a phone interview Friday , Mendoza said the seminar feels more like a weekend party because so few elected officials attend the panels and vendors entertain officials .
That sentiment has been echoed by council members from other cities who told The Times they have stopped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hopes officials will now take conferences more seriously .
“ This is going to be a good thing , ” he said of Garcia ’ s proposed bill .
“ The way I see it , if something gets audited , then whatever is wrong will get fixed .
”

Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens) plans to introduce legislation that would give the California auditor the authority to examine the finances of government lobbying organizations.
It wouldn’t be the most conventional way for politicians to help create a law.
In May, two councilmen got into an argument at a conference in Indian Wells that turned into a brawl. The slugfest ended up involving four of the politicians from the City of Commerce and left one councilman, Leonard Mendoza, lying on the ground unconscious, his arms and legs splayed out for everyone to see on social media.
There were ripple effects: the California Contract Cities Assn., the nonprofit advocacy group that hosted the conference, suspended Commerce’s membership and a criminal investigation was launched by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, though no charges have been filed.
Now, Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens), whose district includes Commerce, plans to introduce legislation aimed at giving the California auditor the authority to examine the finances of government lobbying organizations such as Contract Cities.
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“These groups are extensions of governments and therefore taxpayers themselves — who don’t expect governmental activities in drunken brawls and mismanagement of funds,” Garcia said in a statement.
The seminar held in Indian Wells that brought elected officials from all over the state had education panels, but it also included a golf tournament and swag bags containing wine and tickets for free alcoholic drinks at sponsored events, Garcia said. The cost to attend was $600 per person.
“For local governments and school boards to be bankrolling parties and padding personal bank accounts is a slap in the face to California residents, who are often working-class and struggling to make ends meet,” she said.
It certainly isn’t unusual for bad behavior by local officials to inspire the creation of new laws.
The most well known recent example in Southern California happened as a result of the 2010 corruption scandal in the city of Bell. The revelation of huge salaries for some council members and city administrators — including one making well over $1 million a year — led to new laws, including pension reform and requirements to post government salaries on official websites.
The city of Vernon avoided being disincorporated by the state, but the politically colorful industrial town inspired the second season of HBO’s “True Detective.”
Were it to come to fruition, Garcia’s proposed legislation would expand Assembly Bill 187, which established the High-Risk Local Government Agency program within the state auditor’s office. The program, created as a result of the salary scandal in Bell, has led to the identification of more than a dozen government agencies with fiscal problems such as Compton, San Gabriel and San Fernando, to name a few. As of now, the state does not have direct oversight of taxpayer dollars in local government associations.
Marcel Rodarte, executive director of the California Contract Cities Assn., said the organization was not contacted by Garcia or her office about any potential concerns regarding its operation.
“We are disappointed about the gross mischaracterization and slanderous comments directed at the California Contract Cities Assn.,” Rodarte said. “The [association] has advocated to strengthen local control for more than 63 years and makes every effort to be transparent and prudent with all taxpayers and other funds invested into the organization.”
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Long before the shoving, cursing and punching, Mendoza and Mayor Pro Tem Ivan Altamirano, who was accused of sucker-punching his colleague and starting the melee, had been at odds with each other over marijuana businesses operating in their city.
The issue had divided not only the council but residents of Commerce, a working-class industrial town southeast of downtown L.A. Many residents believe this tension played a key role in the fight.
Mendoza said that he was in the middle of a conversation when Altamirano interrupted. He said he told his council colleague to step away. Shortly after, Mendoza said he felt a blow and woke up in a hospital. In the room were his wife and a law enforcement officer.
An attorney for Altamirano disputed Mendoza’s account and said his client was the first to be punched.
The brawl also involved Mayor John Soria, Councilman Hugo Argumedo and about seven other people, including political consultants, government vendors and elected officials. Soria, Argumedo and Altamirano could not be reached for comment.
The Sheriff’s Department submitted the case to the Riverside County district attorney’s office in July 2019 for possible prosecution, said John Hall, spokesman for the office. The agency would not say why the case has not progressed since.
“All I can say is that it is still under review,” Hall said.
In a phone interview Friday, Mendoza said the seminar feels more like a weekend party because so few elected officials attend the panels and vendors entertain officials.
That sentiment has been echoed by council members from other cities who told The Times they have stopped attending the seminars.
Mendoza said he hopes officials will now take conferences more seriously.
“This is going to be a good thing,” he said of Garcia’s proposed bill. “The way I see it, if something gets audited, then whatever is wrong will get fixed.”


latimes--2020-01-13--Beverage makers have dodged California's recycling crisis. That may soon change

Across California , can and bottle redemption centers have closed .
Consumers struggle to find places to get nickels and dimes for their containers .
Supermarkets are obliged to redeem cans and bottles not deposited elsewhere .
Trash companies take the remainder .
Standing apart in California ’ s recycling crisis are drink manufacturers .
They have never been required to find a permanent repository or reuse for the billions of bottles and cans they produce .
California ’ s 3-decade-old “ Bottle Bill ” — the law that seeks to boost recycling by putting a 5- or 10-cent bounty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left that work to everyone else .
That soon could change .
This year , some in the state Legislature want to overhaul the Bottle Bill .
On Wednesday , a state Senate committee is slated to hold hearings on a bill that could make beverage manufacturers more responsible for helping consumers recycle , and also extend the Bottle Bill provisions to wine and liquor makers .
The legislation comes after more than half of California ’ s recycling centers have closed in the last six years , even as residents register their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Forty-five of Los Angeles County ’ s 88 cities have no recycling centers .
None are left on Los Angeles ’ Westside .
San Francisco has only four centers to serve nearly 900,000 residents .
And Sacramento suburbs like Carmichael do without .
The recycling centers have a particularly hard time in high-rent areas .
“ West of the 405 [ Freeway ] there are now no centers , ” said Susan V. Collins of the Culver City-based Container Recycling Institute .
“ Is somebody in Malibu really supposed to drive all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and bottles ?
” The breakdown has inspired calls for reform of a once-groundbreaking program and a proposal that beverage makers — rather than consumers or retailers — take the lead in designing a revamped container-recycling program .
The push to fix the Bottle Bill comes at a time when lawmakers will also consider forcing drink makers to increase the use of recycled plastic in their bottles .
The clamor for action is strong because of intense media attention on plastic pollution and its damaging effects on the ocean and sea life .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ off solving this ever-growing crisis , ” Assemblyman Phil Ting ( D-San Francisco ) said last week in introducing a bill he said will strive to prop up struggling recyclers and demand greater reuse of plastic by the beverage industry .
In signing an interim repair to the recycling system last year , Gov .
Gavin Newsom pledged that he was looking for a “ comprehensive solution for this program.
” California ’ s Environmental Protection secretary , Jared Blumenfeld , said he supports the idea of “ extended producer responsibility ” — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they produce — though the details of such systems are critical .
On Wednesday , a state Senate committee is scheduled to review a proposal by Sen. Bob Wieckowski ( D-Fremont ) to make two fundamental changes .
One would require drink makers to build a recycling program , one that ultimately would be more convenient for consumers .
The other would make bottles for wine and distilled liquor subject to the California Redemption Value rules .
Wieckowski ’ s Senate Bill 372 seeks to mimic Oregon ’ s recycling law .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back and pay the state ’ s 10-cent-per-container reimbursement .
The nearly 50-year-old law also created the Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative , an agency that helps retailers band together to open larger redemption centers that can redeem hundreds of cans and bottles at a time .
Oregon recently enhanced convenience again with Customers can leave bags filled with a mix of aluminum , glass and plastic containers .
Without waiting , they get redemption money deposited electronically into their accounts .
Wieckowksi said his proposal “ eliminates carve-outs and requires all industry stakeholders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Many in the industry already participate in similar programs outside of California .
There is no reason we can not create one here.
” The proposal appears to have broad support among consumer and environmental groups .
Soda , beer and water bottlers , which have helped create recycling programs in Canada and Europe , have signaled they might be open to such a program in California .
But activists who have watched past reform efforts worry that the addition of liquor and wine bottles will draw stiff opposition from those interests .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ help them in the short run .
The problems with the CRV program became undeniable last August , when the largest recycler in the state , Ontario-based RePlanet , closed all 284 of its centers .
Additional shutdowns have left California with 1,208 recycling centers , fewer than half the 2,578 centers that were in operation at the end of 2013 .
Red ink sank many recyclers as the prices for scrap aluminum and plastic declined , while state payments meant to cover a portion of their operating costs did not keep up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money to support the centers comes from bottle deposits paid by consumers that are never collected . )
The drooping price of aluminum has been particularly problematic .
Recyclers that once got 80 to 90 cents per pound for aluminum cans now get a little more than 40 cents .
“ That was the meat that was on the bone , and with the scrap price dropping so much there is no way to recoup that at all , ” said Jeff Donlevy , general manager in the East Bay for Ming ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and processes containers into new bottles .
Prices for recycled plastic also dipped sharply , in part as a result of China ’ s decision to stop accepting imports of the material from the U.S. and other countries .
The Chinese said the imported plastic was contaminated with other materials .
On the expense side , many recycling centers have also been stretched thin as they ship containers long distances and have to pay higher wages , with California ’ s minimum wage now reaching up to $ 13 an hour .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faces is an outdated state payment formula that results in significantly inadequate processing payments to redemption centers , ” said Collins , the recycling activist .
“ That prevents them from remaining solvent.
” After a yearlong investigation , the nonprofit Consumer Watchdog published a study of the California system in November , concluding that the redemption program would “ collapse without fundamental reform.
” California ’ s container recycling rate has declined from 85 % in 2013 to 75 % in 2018 .
That includes cans and bottles placed in blue curbside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already is frowned upon by bottlers , who find that broken and soiled cans and bottles often aren ’ t fit for reprocessing .
Consumer advocates say the disappearance of recycling centers has meant that the CRV charges — 5 cents for most containers , 10 cents for those larger than 20 ounces — often go unclaimed .
That effectively makes the CRV a tax , says Consumer Watchdog , which estimated that Californians recover only about half of the extra nickels and dimes they pay for beverages .
The Department of Resources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put the redemption rate at 68 % for the $ 1.35 billion collected in fiscal year that ended in 2019 .
With centers closing , California law envisions supermarkets and other retailers stepping up to redeem cans and bottles .
But many don ’ t .
An audit by Consumer Watchdog found that up to two-thirds of stores won ’ t complete the transactions , leaving many customers with no easy way to get their money back .
The state tried to increase pressure on retailers to take back empties in December , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chain after dozens of its stores declined to redeem cans and bottles .
CVS has not said publicly how it will respond .
But Consumer Watchdog said stores remain in a bind because the California law made them the ultimate recyclers while leaving a “ gaping hole ” by not clarifying how they should dispose of the cans and bottles .
That leads some markets and stores to simply trash the containers , the consumer group said .
Wieckowski ’ s bill envisions a four-year period in which drink makers and distributors design @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Beverage Container Stewardship Organization by October 2021 and submit a recycling plan to CalRecycle by the following spring .
By 2023 , the state agency would set up regulations to transition from the current system to the new one .
The new program would launch in January 2024 .
Consumer advocates said improved financial support will be needed for recyclers .
The operators agreed .
They note that the state fund , built with unredeemed can and bottle deposits , has grown to $ 309 million .
It is projected to increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the current fiscal year .
Recycling companies say some of that money should go to provide support of the remaining recycling centers and encourage others to reopen .
“ Without quick action , ” said Donlevy , the Hayward-based recycler , “ more recycling centers will probably close .
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When RePlanet closed last August, the state instantly lost one-fifth of its can and bottle deposit redemption centers. The closure has sparked debate about California’s beverage container recycling program and whether it can be revived.
Across California, can and bottle redemption centers have closed. Consumers struggle to find places to get nickels and dimes for their containers. Supermarkets are obliged to redeem cans and bottles not deposited elsewhere. Trash companies take the remainder.
Standing apart in California’s recycling crisis are drink manufacturers. They have never been required to find a permanent repository or reuse for the billions of bottles and cans they produce. California’s 3-decade-old “Bottle Bill” — the law that seeks to boost recycling by putting a 5- or 10-cent bounty on most cans and bottles — has left that work to everyone else.
For the record: A previous version of this article mistakenly said the redemption rate for the California Redemption Value program was 68%. That figure reflects the share of CRV payments made to customers at recycling centers.
That soon could change. This year, some in the state Legislature want to overhaul the Bottle Bill. On Wednesday, a state Senate committee is slated to hold hearings on a bill that could make beverage manufacturers more responsible for helping consumers recycle, and also extend the Bottle Bill provisions to wine and liquor makers.
The legislation comes after more than half of California’s recycling centers have closed in the last six years, even as residents register their alarm about waste fouling the environment.
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Forty-five of Los Angeles County’s 88 cities have no recycling centers. None are left on Los Angeles’ Westside. San Francisco has only four centers to serve nearly 900,000 residents. And Sacramento suburbs like Carmichael do without.
The recycling centers have a particularly hard time in high-rent areas. “West of the 405 [Freeway] there are now no centers,” said Susan V. Collins of the Culver City-based Container Recycling Institute. “Is somebody in Malibu really supposed to drive all the way to Inglewood to redeem their cans and bottles?”
The breakdown has inspired calls for reform of a once-groundbreaking program and a proposal that beverage makers — rather than consumers or retailers — take the lead in designing a revamped container-recycling program.
The push to fix the Bottle Bill comes at a time when lawmakers will also consider forcing drink makers to increase the use of recycled plastic in their bottles. The clamor for action is strong because of intense media attention on plastic pollution and its damaging effects on the ocean and sea life.
“The state can no longer put off solving this ever-growing crisis,” Assemblyman Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) said last week in introducing a bill he said will strive to prop up struggling recyclers and demand greater reuse of plastic by the beverage industry.
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In signing an interim repair to the recycling system last year, Gov. Gavin Newsom pledged that he was looking for a “comprehensive solution for this program.” California’s Environmental Protection secretary, Jared Blumenfeld, said he supports the idea of “extended producer responsibility” — making manufacturers ultimately responsible for the containers they produce — though the details of such systems are critical.
On Wednesday, a state Senate committee is scheduled to review a proposal by Sen. Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont) to make two fundamental changes. One would require drink makers to build a recycling program, one that ultimately would be more convenient for consumers. The other would make bottles for wine and distilled liquor subject to the California Redemption Value rules.
Wieckowski’s Senate Bill 372 seeks to mimic Oregon’s recycling law. That state requires almost all stores to take back and pay the state’s 10-cent-per-container reimbursement. The nearly 50-year-old law also created the Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative, an agency that helps retailers band together to open larger redemption centers that can redeem hundreds of cans and bottles at a time.
Oregon recently enhanced convenience again with “BottleDrop Express” kiosks. Customers can leave bags filled with a mix of aluminum, glass and plastic containers. Without waiting, they get redemption money deposited electronically into their accounts.
Wieckowksi said his proposal “eliminates carve-outs and requires all industry stakeholders to play on the same field. Many in the industry already participate in similar programs outside of California. There is no reason we cannot create one here.”
The proposal appears to have broad support among consumer and environmental groups. Soda, beer and water bottlers, which have helped create recycling programs in Canada and Europe, have signaled they might be open to such a program in California.
But activists who have watched past reform efforts worry that the addition of liquor and wine bottles will draw stiff opposition from those interests. And recycling companies want more done to help them in the short run.
The problems with the CRV program became undeniable last August, when the largest recycler in the state, Ontario-based RePlanet, closed all 284 of its centers. Additional shutdowns have left California with 1,208 recycling centers, fewer than half the 2,578 centers that were in operation at the end of 2013.
Red ink sank many recyclers as the prices for scrap aluminum and plastic declined, while state payments meant to cover a portion of their operating costs did not keep up with their actual expenses. (The money to support the centers comes from bottle deposits paid by consumers that are never collected.)
The drooping price of aluminum has been particularly problematic. Recyclers that once got 80 to 90 cents per pound for aluminum cans now get a little more than 40 cents. “That was the meat that was on the bone, and with the scrap price dropping so much there is no way to recoup that at all,” said Jeff Donlevy, general manager in the East Bay for Ming’s Resources, a company that redeems and processes containers into new bottles.
Prices for recycled plastic also dipped sharply, in part as a result of China’s decision to stop accepting imports of the material from the U.S. and other countries. The Chinese said the imported plastic was contaminated with other materials.
On the expense side, many recycling centers have also been stretched thin as they ship containers long distances and have to pay higher wages, with California’s minimum wage now reaching up to $13 an hour.
“The biggest problem California’s system faces is an outdated state payment formula that results in significantly inadequate processing payments to redemption centers,” said Collins, the recycling activist. “That prevents them from remaining solvent.”
After a yearlong investigation, the nonprofit Consumer Watchdog published a study of the California system in November, concluding that the redemption program would “collapse without fundamental reform.”
The recycling rate for the California Redemption Value program has declined from 85% in 2013 to 76% in 2018. That includes cans and bottles placed in blue curbside bins. But that sort of recycling already is frowned upon by bottlers, who find that broken and soiled cans and bottles often aren’t fit for reprocessing.
Consumer advocates say the disappearance of recycling centers has meant that the CRV charges — 5 cents for most containers, 10 cents for those larger than 24 ounces — often go unclaimed. That effectively makes the CRV a tax, says Consumer Watchdog, which estimated that Californians recover only about half of the extra nickels and dimes they pay for beverages. The Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, or CalRecycle, said that 68% of the redemption payments made went to customers at recycling centers.
With centers closing, California law envisions supermarkets and other retailers stepping up to redeem cans and bottles. But many don’t. An audit by Consumer Watchdog found that up to two-thirds of stores won’t complete the transactions, leaving many customers with no easy way to get their money back.
The state tried to increase pressure on retailers to take back empties in December, when it proposed a record $3.6-million penalty against the CVS pharmacy chain after dozens of its stores declined to redeem cans and bottles. CVS has not said publicly how it will respond.
But Consumer Watchdog said stores remain in a bind because the California law made them the ultimate recyclers while leaving a “gaping hole” by not clarifying how they should dispose of the cans and bottles. That leads some markets and stores to simply trash the containers, the consumer group said.
Wieckowski’s bill envisions a four-year period in which drink makers and distributors design a new system. They would establish a Beverage Container Stewardship Organization by October 2021 and submit a recycling plan to CalRecycle by the following spring. By 2023, the state agency would set up regulations to transition from the current system to the new one. The new program would launch in January 2024.
In the meantime?
Consumer advocates said improved financial support will be needed for recyclers. The operators agreed. They note that the state fund, built with unredeemed can and bottle deposits, has grown to $309 million. It is projected to increase to $358 million by the end of the current fiscal year. Recycling companies say some of that money should go to provide support of the remaining recycling centers and encourage others to reopen.
“Without quick action,” said Donlevy, the Hayward-based recycler, “more recycling centers will probably close.”