latimes--2020-04-21--L.A. County courts launch video hearings during coronavirus crisis

Los Angeles County courts launched a program Tuesday to conduct arraignments via video , the latest in a series of actions to reduce traffic in the nation ’ s largest court system amid the coronavirus crisis .
The program , which will involve 32 courtrooms in 17 courthouses from the Antelope Valley to downtown L.A. , aims to cut down on prisoner transfers and promote social distancing as concerns continue to mount over how quickly the virus can spread in confined spaces .
A number of L.A. County Sheriff ’ s Department employees , jail staff and inmates have contracted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the need to maintain essential court functions with the safety of attorneys , judges , prosecutors and defendants has challenged the criminal justice system since March , when confirmed cases began to climb .
Presiding Judge Kevin Brazile said Tuesday that the video program came together in the last two weeks .
“ COVID-19 has led to extraordinary changes to how the world and how the Los Angeles Superior Court conducts business , ” he said .
“ Literally overnight , our court has had to reconfigure procedures which typically take place in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video arraignments , but can still opt to appear in person .
The remote hearings began Tuesday afternoon in downtown L.A. 's notoriously crowded arraignment court , Department 30 , where deputies had blocked off several rows in the gallery with caution tape to enforce social distancing .
A large TV monitor on the left-hand side of the room displayed multiple screens showing defense attorneys and defendants appearing through the online conferencing software Webex .
A man arrested last week on suspicion of attacking a security guard in Mid-Wilshire made an appearance from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The hearing was over and done in 10 minutes after a brief argument to reduce his bail was denied by Judge Miguel Espinoza .
Under the new program , only the sitting judge , a judicial assistant and court reporter must be present for arraignments .
Prosecutors and defense attorneys have the option to appear remotely , which several public defenders did Tuesday afternoon .
Only two dozen people were in the courtroom , and many of them were media or court media relations personnel on hand for the program ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a wider effort to limit exposure to the coronavirus inside L.A. County ’ s sprawling court system .
Last month , Brazile barred public access to the courts and delayed for 90 days all misdemeanor hearings for defendants who are out of custody .
Marquee trials , including the murder prosecution of New York real estate scion Robert Durst , have also been delayed .
Ann Donlan , a court spokeswoman , said the effort came at minimal cost to the county .
A few courtrooms needed to be outfitted with cameras , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of licenses for the Webex software .
Donlan said allowing the public remote access to court proceedings could be considered in the future , but had no specific plans to offer Tuesday .

Los Angeles County courts launched a program Tuesday to conduct arraignments via video, the latest in a series of actions to reduce traffic in the nation’s largest court system amid the coronavirus crisis.
The program, which will involve 32 courtrooms in 17 courthouses from the Antelope Valley to downtown L.A., aims to cut down on prisoner transfers and promote social distancing as concerns continue to mount over how quickly the virus can spread in confined spaces.
A number of L.A. County Sheriff’s Department employees, jail staff and inmates have contracted the coronavirus in recent weeks. Balancing the need to maintain essential court functions with the safety of attorneys, judges, prosecutors and defendants has challenged the criminal justice system since March, when confirmed cases began to climb.
Presiding Judge Kevin Brazile said Tuesday that the video program came together in the last two weeks.
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“COVID-19 has led to extraordinary changes to how the world and how the Los Angeles Superior Court conducts business,” he said. “Literally overnight, our court has had to reconfigure procedures which typically take place in person.”
Defendants must consent to the video arraignments, but can still opt to appear in person. The remote hearings began Tuesday afternoon in downtown L.A.’s notoriously crowded arraignment court, Department 30, where deputies had blocked off several rows in the gallery with caution tape to enforce social distancing.
A large TV monitor on the left-hand side of the room displayed multiple screens showing defense attorneys and defendants appearing through the online conferencing software Webex. A man arrested last week on suspicion of attacking a security guard in Mid-Wilshire made an appearance from the East L.A. sheriff’s station. The hearing was over and done in 10 minutes after a brief argument to reduce his bail was denied by Judge Miguel Espinoza.
Under the new program, only the sitting judge, a judicial assistant and court reporter must be present for arraignments. Prosecutors and defense attorneys have the option to appear remotely, which several public defenders did Tuesday afternoon. Only two dozen people were in the courtroom, and many of them were media or court media relations personnel on hand for the program’s debut.
The move is part of a wider effort to limit exposure to the coronavirus inside L.A. County’s sprawling court system. Last month, Brazile barred public access to the courts and delayed for 90 days all misdemeanor hearings for defendants who are out of custody. Marquee trials, including the murder prosecution of New York real estate scion Robert Durst, have also been delayed.
Ann Donlan, a court spokeswoman, said the effort came at minimal cost to the county. A few courtrooms needed to be outfitted with cameras, and the court had to buy a number of licenses for the Webex software. Donlan said allowing the public remote access to court proceedings could be considered in the future, but had no specific plans to offer Tuesday.


latimes--2020-04-20--Despite probation approval, L.A. blocks release of at-risk juvenile offenders

Dorian Martinez was sure her son was coming home .
The 17-year-old had been held in a La Verne juvenile camp for three months for a probation violation , the latest in a string of them stemming from a years-old drug possession charge , she said .
But with county and state officials trying to lower jail populations to reduce the risk of a coronavirus outbreak , her son seemed like the perfect candidate to be let out early .
Martinez ’ s son suffers from asthma severe enough to require nebulizer treatments , and his probation officer submitted a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teen early , according to Martinez and her son ’ s attorney .
And Martinez had what she thought to be a trump card — a picture of her son posing next to Los Angeles County Dist .
Atty .
Jackie Lacey , who presented the boy with an award in 2018 after his quick thinking helped police capture a sexual assault suspect .
But last week , a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge blocked his release .
The matter didn ’ t even see the inside of a courtroom , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who said the judge denied the petition without argument .
Despite concerns about how rapidly the coronavirus could spread in jails , attorneys and parents said juvenile judges have rejected numerous pleas for the early release of youths during the pandemic , even in cases supported by the L.A. County Probation Department .
In some cases , the pleas came from juveniles who had an elevated risk of contracting the virus or little time left on their sentence , yet judges declined to even hold a hearing .
“ They didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my concerns .
They didn ’ t give an opportunity to his probation officer or the camp to say why they want to send my son home now , ” Martinez said .
“ They just ... threw it out .
It ’ s kind of hard to understand right now , and I just don ’ t know what else to do.
” Concern about the spread of the virus in juvenile facilities has increased in recent days .
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases among Probation Department employees jumped to 16 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those employees were assigned to the Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar , where 37 youths remain under quarantine because of potential exposure to the virus , officials said .
The juveniles “ are doing well and not showing any symptoms , ” the Probation Department said in a statement .
Across California , elected officials have moved swiftly to lower jail and prison populations , hoping to reduce the risk of a rapid surge in coronavirus behind bars .
In late March , Gov .
Gavin Newsom ordered the early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convicted of nonviolent offenses and had less than 60 days left on their sentences .
Hundreds of adults have been released from L.A. County jails under similar circumstances .
Nationally , advocates , attorneys and relatives of youths in custody have expressed frustration that similar efforts have not gained traction in the juvenile justice system , even as reports of outbreaks begin to pop up in youth facilities .
On Friday , health officials confirmed that 25 juveniles had tested positive for the coronavirus at a facility outside Richmond , Va .
Juveniles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the illness in Maryland and Louisiana , according to published reports .
In recent weeks , L.A. County probation officials say they ’ ve made an effort to shrink the population of juvenile halls and camps , submitting to the courts a list of 59 young detainees to be considered for early release .
The court released 39 of the youths and set an additional 27 free last week without the Probation Department ’ s recommendation , Adam Wolfson , communications director for the agency , said .
Ann Donlan , a spokeswoman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said more stringent conditions must be met under California law to secure the release of young offenders .
“ Unlike adult inmate release , the court can not just release an underage person on their own recognizance , ” she said .
“ The court and Probation Department are responsible to ensure that minors who have committed serious criminal acts have participated in rehabilitative treatment programs , are no longer a danger to themselves and others and will return to a safe home with a responsible parent or guardian.
” Last week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issued a bulletin noting that probation officials can release juveniles from custody during “ an emergency endangering the lives of inmates , ” seemingly offering a way around a judge ’ s refusal .
Donlan referred questions about the bulletin to the Probation Department , which declined to comment .
Donlan also discounted concerns about petitions for release being dismissed without a hearing .
“ Any motion without merit is denied , ” she said , adding that judges who have made rulings from chambers were doing so to expedite the process .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ no rehabilitative value in continuing to detain youths , as most educational and counseling programs have been stalled because of the coronavirus .
Advocates also contend that bench rulings , especially those involving cases of juveniles with health issues , amount to due process violations .
“ The judge isn ’ t being forced to put their justification on the record , and that ’ s a problem , ” said Tim Curry , legal director of the National Juvenile Defender Center in Washington D.C. “ ‘ Because I said so ’ shouldn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national crisis.
” Defense attorney Rachel Steinback expressed similar frustrations when one of her clients was denied early release on April 10 .
The client , an asthmatic 17-year-old with less than five weeks left in custody for a nonviolent property crime , had the support of his probation officer when Steinback petitioned for his release .
Steinback said the teen became concerned earlier this month when another juvenile at Camp Afflerbaugh got sick and was removed from the facility .
Her client has been puffing on his inhaler frequently as a precaution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lone paper surgical mask he was provided by probation officers , before throwing it out after it became “ disgusting.
” “ Unless there ’ s a danger to society , they should absolutely let him go home , ” she said .
“ But the fact that the camp probation officer is supporting his release , and the fact that the judge is still refusing to release , is an outrage.
” The teen ’ s probation officer has filed a separate motion seeking his release , Steinback said .
Defense attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ client would be heading home from Camp Kilpatrick in early April .
The teen had served about five months in a juvenile camp after being sentenced to up to seven months in custody for a nonviolent property crime , Geil said .
Probation officials supported his release and even said they had received a court order allowing him to leave the camp on April 3 , according to an email reviewed by The Times .
Instead of walking free , the youth was ordered by a judge in Inglewood Juvenile Court to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Geil said .
The teen had received some negative reports inside the juvenile camp in recent weeks , but Geil said the camp director still supported his release .
“ What the heck is going on here ?
Why are they treating these kids worse than adults ?
” Geil asked .
“ The director of the camp told me in the emails that we were sending back and forth that she was very surprised that this was going on.
” The population of L.A. County ’ s juvenile halls and camps has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The number of youths in custody fell from 819 on March 1 to 590 on April 17 , a drop of 26 % .
It was not immediately clear how many of those releases were scheduled and unrelated to the coronavirus .
According to the Probation Department , 605 juveniles remain in custody .
About 246 of them are awaiting trial .
Some attorneys said juvenile judges aren ’ t taking the threat of the virus seriously .
“ I have heard a juvenile judge say , on the record , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk from COVID-19 by virtue of being in the juvenile halls and camps is just speculative , and in the same breath say that we ’ re all at some level of risk anyway , ” said Andy Bouvier-Brown , a criminal defense attorney who often represents juveniles .
“ Judges have pointed to the fact that there aren ’ t any confirmed positive tests of kids in the hall as evidence that they are not currently at risk.
” Last week , the Loyola Law School Center For Juvenile Law and Policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the California Supreme Court to release a wide category of youths being held in L.A. County .
The list includes any juveniles with a health condition that places them “ at higher risk of ” contracting the coronavirus , as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ; any juvenile exhibiting symptoms associated with the virus ; and any youths being held on either a probation violation or failure to appear in court .
The petition also highlighted a courtroom logjam in L.A. County that may be slowing hearings for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the county ’ s 18 juvenile judges are currently hearing cases , the court filing said .
The petition also suggested that youths and their attorneys were being given little chance to plead for early release , even with the support of the Probation Department .
Both the Probation Department and a court spokeswoman declined to comment on the petition .
Jim Gregory , the attorney representing Martinez ’ s son , said probation officers also seem to be growing frustrated with some juvenile judges ’ actions during the pandemic .
After learning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be going home , Gregory immediately called the teen ’ s probation officer .
“ He was livid , ” Gregory said .
“ He said people are dying ; he ’ s got to get out of here .
”

Dorian Martinez was sure her son was coming home.
The 17-year-old had been held in a La Verne juvenile camp for three months for a probation violation, the latest in a string of them stemming from a years-old drug possession charge, she said. But with county and state officials trying to lower jail populations to reduce the risk of a coronavirus outbreak, her son seemed like the perfect candidate to be let out early.
Martinez’s son suffers from asthma severe enough to require nebulizer treatments, and his probation officer submitted a petition asking the court to release the teen early, according to Martinez and her son’s attorney. And Martinez had what she thought to be a trump card — a picture of her son posing next to Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey, who presented the boy with an award in 2018 after his quick thinking helped police capture a sexual assault suspect.
But last week, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge blocked his release. The matter didn’t even see the inside of a courtroom, according to the boy’s attorney, who said the judge denied the petition without argument.
Despite concerns about how rapidly the coronavirus could spread in jails, attorneys and parents said juvenile judges have rejected numerous pleas for the early release of youths during the pandemic, even in cases supported by the L.A. County Probation Department. In some cases, the pleas came from juveniles who had an elevated risk of contracting the virus or little time left on their sentence, yet judges declined to even hold a hearing.
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“They didn’t give me the opportunity to talk about my concerns. They didn’t give an opportunity to his probation officer or the camp to say why they want to send my son home now,” Martinez said. “They just ... threw it out. It’s kind of hard to understand right now, and I just don’t know what else to do.”
Concern about the spread of the virus in juvenile facilities has increased in recent days. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases among Probation Department employees jumped to 16 last week, officials said.
Five employees of the Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall have tested positive for the coronavirus. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
Five of those employees were assigned to the Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar, where 37 youths remain under quarantine because of potential exposure to the virus, officials said. The juveniles “are doing well and not showing any symptoms,” the Probation Department said in a statement.
Across California, elected officials have moved swiftly to lower jail and prison populations, hoping to reduce the risk of a rapid surge in coronavirus behind bars. In late March, Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered the early release of 3,500 inmates who had been convicted of nonviolent offenses and had less than 60 days left on their sentences. Hundreds of adults have been released from L.A. County jails under similar circumstances.
Nationally, advocates, attorneys and relatives of youths in custody have expressed frustration that similar efforts have not gained traction in the juvenile justice system, even as reports of outbreaks begin to pop up in youth facilities. On Friday, health officials confirmed that 25 juveniles had tested positive for the coronavirus at a facility outside Richmond, Va. Juveniles in custody have also tested positive for the illness in Maryland and Louisiana, according to published reports.
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In recent weeks, L.A. County probation officials say they’ve made an effort to shrink the population of juvenile halls and camps, submitting to the courts a list of 59 young detainees to be considered for early release. The court released 39 of the youths and set an additional 27 free last week without the Probation Department’s recommendation, Adam Wolfson, communications director for the agency, said.
Ann Donlan, a spokeswoman for Los Angeles County Superior Court, said more stringent conditions must be met under California law to secure the release of young offenders.
“Unlike adult inmate release, the court cannot just release an underage person on their own recognizance,” she said. “The court and Probation Department are responsible to ensure that minors who have committed serious criminal acts have participated in rehabilitative treatment programs, are no longer a danger to themselves and others and will return to a safe home with a responsible parent or guardian.”
Last week, however, the California Department of Justice issued a bulletin noting that probation officials can release juveniles from custody during “an emergency endangering the lives of inmates,” seemingly offering a way around a judge’s refusal. Donlan referred questions about the bulletin to the Probation Department, which declined to comment.
Donlan also discounted concerns about petitions for release being dismissed without a hearing.
“Any motion without merit is denied,” she said, adding that judges who have made rulings from chambers were doing so to expedite the process.
Advocates and attorneys argue that there is no rehabilitative value in continuing to detain youths, as most educational and counseling programs have been stalled because of the coronavirus. Advocates also contend that bench rulings, especially those involving cases of juveniles with health issues, amount to due process violations.
“The judge isn’t being forced to put their justification on the record, and that’s a problem,” said Tim Curry, legal director of the National Juvenile Defender Center in Washington D.C. “‘Because I said so’ shouldn’t be the standard during a national crisis.”
Defense attorney Rachel Steinback expressed similar frustrations when one of her clients was denied early release on April 10. The client, an asthmatic 17-year-old with less than five weeks left in custody for a nonviolent property crime, had the support of his probation officer when Steinback petitioned for his release.
Steinback said the teen became concerned earlier this month when another juvenile at Camp Afflerbaugh got sick and was removed from the facility. Her client has been puffing on his inhaler frequently as a precaution and clung for a week to the lone paper surgical mask he was provided by probation officers, before throwing it out after it became “disgusting.”
“Unless there’s a danger to society, they should absolutely let him go home,” she said. “But the fact that the camp probation officer is supporting his release, and the fact that the judge is still refusing to release, is an outrage.”
The teen’s probation officer has filed a separate motion seeking his release, Steinback said.
Defense attorney Ed Geil said he expected his 15-year-old client would be heading home from Camp Kilpatrick in early April. The teen had served about five months in a juvenile camp after being sentenced to up to seven months in custody for a nonviolent property crime, Geil said. Probation officials supported his release and even said they had received a court order allowing him to leave the camp on April 3, according to an email reviewed by The Times.
Instead of walking free, the youth was ordered by a judge in Inglewood Juvenile Court to be detained until a May 1 hearing, Geil said. The teen had received some negative reports inside the juvenile camp in recent weeks, but Geil said the camp director still supported his release.
“What the heck is going on here? Why are they treating these kids worse than adults?” Geil asked. “The director of the camp told me in the emails that we were sending back and forth that she was very surprised that this was going on.”
The population of L.A. County’s juvenile halls and camps has dipped sharply in the past six weeks. The number of youths in custody fell from 819 on March 1 to 590 on April 17, a drop of 26%.
It was not immediately clear how many of those releases were scheduled and unrelated to the coronavirus. According to the Probation Department, 605 juveniles remain in custody. About 246 of them are awaiting trial.
Some attorneys said juvenile judges aren’t taking the threat of the virus seriously.
“I have heard a juvenile judge say, on the record, that the evidence a juvenile is at increased risk from COVID-19 by virtue of being in the juvenile halls and camps is just speculative, and in the same breath say that we’re all at some level of risk anyway,” said Andy Bouvier-Brown, a criminal defense attorney who often represents juveniles. “Judges have pointed to the fact that there aren’t any confirmed positive tests of kids in the hall as evidence that they are not currently at risk.”
Last week, the Loyola Law School Center For Juvenile Law and Policy and the Independent Juvenile Defender Program petitioned the California Supreme Court to release a wide category of youths being held in L.A. County. The list includes any juveniles with a health condition that places them “at higher risk of” contracting the coronavirus, as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; any juvenile exhibiting symptoms associated with the virus; and any youths being held on either a probation violation or failure to appear in court.
The petition also highlighted a courtroom logjam in L.A. County that may be slowing hearings for juvenile releases. Fewer than half of the county’s 18 juvenile judges are currently hearing cases, the court filing said. The petition also suggested that youths and their attorneys were being given little chance to plead for early release, even with the support of the Probation Department.
Both the Probation Department and a court spokeswoman declined to comment on the petition.
Jim Gregory, the attorney representing Martinez’s son, said probation officers also seem to be growing frustrated with some juvenile judges’ actions during the pandemic. After learning that Martinez’s son would not be going home, Gregory immediately called the teen’s probation officer.
“He was livid,” Gregory said. “He said people are dying; he’s got to get out of here.”


latimes--2020-04-22--Head of Garcetti's nonprofit Mayor's Fund for L.A. steps down

The head of a nonprofit founded by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti that is raising money for those affected by the coronavirus crisis has stepped down , a Garcetti advisor said Wednesday .
Mayor ’ s Fund for Los Angeles President Jeremy Bernard ’ s last day was Tuesday , said Garcetti advisor Yusef Robb .
Deidre Lind , the Mayor ’ s Fund ’ s founding president , has returned to serve as interim head , Robb said .
Robb declined to comment further , saying Bernard ’ s departure is a personnel issue .
“ We thank him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last month as the Mayor ’ s Fund swung into action to play a critical role in our community ’ s response to the pandemic , ” Robb said of Bernard .
Bernard was appointed president by the Mayor ’ s Fund ’ s board of directors in 2018 .
He previously worked as the White House Social Secretary under President Obama and was the first man and the first openly gay person to be appointed to the event-planning role .
He also previously worked as a community activist and Obama campaign fundraiser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a request for comment .
Founded in 2014 , the Mayor ’ s Fund raises money to support an array of programs , including those focused on youths , helping the homeless , the environment , and more .
The nonprofit ’ s staff work with city department heads to advance the mayor ’ s priorities .
Donations and grants come from individuals and outside groups , and contributions aren ’ t limited by city campaign finance rules .
That dynamic has raised red flags among ethics watchdogs , who argue that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Fund to curry favor with Garcetti .
In recent weeks , the fund has raised more than $ 30 million to help those affected by the coronavirus pandemic , including domestic violence survivors , seniors , medical workers and others .
Garcetti routinely thanks Mayor ’ s Fund donors at his nightly media briefings , a group that has included singer Rihanna and Twitter Chief Executive Jack Dorsey .
Robb said the Mayor ’ s Fund ’ s primary fundraisers are Garcetti , attorney and former Los Angeles police commissioner Matt Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced last week that the fund would raise money to provide free , prepaid debit cards worth $ 700 to $ 1,500 to some of city ’ s poorest residents .
More than 450,000 applications for the cards came into the city , Robb said .
The influx caused a city website to temporarily go down and phone callers to experience difficulties , sparking complaints on social media .
Robb said that the Mayor ’ s Fund raised more than $ 10 million for the debit card program .
About 10,000 to 15,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .

The head of a nonprofit founded by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti to raise money for civic programs has stepped down.
The head of a nonprofit founded by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti that is raising money for those affected by the coronavirus crisis has stepped down, a Garcetti advisor said Wednesday.
Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles President Jeremy Bernard’s last day was Tuesday, said Garcetti advisor Yusef Robb.
Deidre Lind, the Mayor’s Fund’s founding president, has returned to serve as interim head, Robb said. Robb declined to comment further, saying Bernard’s departure is a personnel issue.
“We thank him for his service, especially over the last month as the Mayor’s Fund swung into action to play a critical role in our community’s response to the pandemic,” Robb said of Bernard.
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Bernard was appointed president by the Mayor’s Fund’s board of directors in 2018. He previously worked as the White House Social Secretary under President Obama and was the first man and the first openly gay person to be appointed to the event-planning role. He also previously worked as a community activist and Obama campaign fundraiser.
He didn’t respond Wednesday to a request for comment.
Founded in 2014, the Mayor’s Fund raises money to support an array of programs, including those focused on youths, helping the homeless, the environment, and more.
The nonprofit’s staff work with city department heads to advance the mayor’s priorities. Donations and grants come from individuals and outside groups, and contributions aren’t limited by city campaign finance rules.
That dynamic has raised red flags among ethics watchdogs, who argue that donors might give to the Mayor’s Fund to curry favor with Garcetti.
In recent weeks, the fund has raised more than $30 million to help those affected by the coronavirus pandemic, including domestic violence survivors, seniors, medical workers and others. Garcetti routinely thanks Mayor’s Fund donors at his nightly media briefings, a group that has included singer Rihanna and Twitter Chief Executive Jack Dorsey.
Robb said the Mayor’s Fund’s primary fundraisers are Garcetti, attorney and former Los Angeles police commissioner Matt Johnson and Garcetti adviser Rick Jacobs.
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Garcetti announced last week that the fund would raise money to provide free, prepaid debit cards worth $700 to $1,500 to some of city’s poorest residents. More than 450,000 applications for the cards came into the city, Robb said.
The influx caused a city website to temporarily go down and phone callers to experience difficulties, sparking complaints on social media.
Robb said that the Mayor’s Fund raised more than $10 million for the debit card program. About 10,000 to 15,000 cards will be given out, Robb said.


latimes--2020-04-22--L.A. acts to keep some laid-off workers from being replaced by newer, cheaper labor

Hotels , sports arenas and selected other businesses that imposed layoffs in recent weeks could be required to offer those jobs to their former employees once they start rehiring , under a proposal backed Wednesday by the Los Angeles City Council .
Council members voted 15-0 to draft an ordinance requiring employers in the hospitality , property management and other targeted industries to reach out to their pool of workers who lost jobs during the coronavirus outbreak , with rehiring based on seniority .
The measure is meant to ensure that workers — especially those who are older and more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , cheaper labor once the economy rebounds , said Councilman Bob Blumenfield , who represents the west San Fernando Valley .
“ This is really important to protect vulnerable workers who ’ ve had these jobs for a long time , have given to the company , ” he said .
“ It makes sense for us to provide them basic protections so that they know that when this pandemic is over , their company will take them back.
” Backed by unions that represent custodians , hotel employees and airport workers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would apply to event venues with more than 1,000 seats , such as stadiums and concert halls ; hotels with at least 50 rooms ; some companies that operate at airports ; and commercial properties such as offices , shopping centers or factories that employ at least 25 janitorial , maintenance and security workers .
The council acted after hearing pleas from laid-off hotel workers , who said the proposal would provide them more certainty about their futures .
“ I don ’ t have any insurance .
I have a 7-month-old baby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she gets sick , how I ’ m gon na do it if I don ’ t have no money , ” said Walter Almendarez , a laid-off bellman at the Chateau Marmont .
Still , many other businesses would not be covered by the proposal , including restaurants that are not located on hotel properties .
The rehiring rules also would not apply to nonprofit higher education institutions that operate medical centers in the city .
Councilman Curren Price , whose district includes the University of Southern California , proposed that exemption @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would apply to such entities as USC and UCLA .
Unionized businesses are also exempt from the rules if workers already have retention rights under their contracts .
Once the city ’ s lawyers have drafted the ordinance , it will come back to the council for final approval .
Mayor Eric Garcetti has already publicly stated that he plans to sign such an ordinance , saying skilled workers “ need to be the first ones to be rehired.
” The council ’ s plan drew opposition from several business groups , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ board members include representatives of FedEx and Sempra Energy .
In a letter to the council ahead of Wednesday ’ s vote , the group said the measure would “ weaken ” the city ’ s largest private employers and violate state and federal law , sparking lawsuits against the city at a time when “ Los Angeles should be focusing on recovery.
” The Hotel Assn .
of Los Angeles also attacked the proposal , calling it “ a direct slap ” to their industry that would leave them vulnerable to lawsuits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , executive director of the association , said hotels should have the flexibility to decide who to rehire first — for instance , bringing back a newer employee who is a single parent before a longtime employee who has paid off their house .
The law “ really just micromanages the hiring process , ” she said .
The council also voted to draft a “ worker retention ” ordinance that would require businesses that change owners to rehire and retain workers employed by the previous company .
That measure is designed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
The proposal is also limited to hotels and other targeted industries .

The Los Angeles City Council voted Wednesday for new rehiring rules for laid-off workers, after hearing from former employees of the Chateau Marmont and other hotels.
Hotels, sports arenas and selected other businesses that imposed layoffs in recent weeks could be required to offer those jobs to their former employees once they start rehiring, under a proposal backed Wednesday by the Los Angeles City Council.
Council members voted 15-0 to draft an ordinance requiring employers in the hospitality, property management and other targeted industries to reach out to their pool of workers who lost jobs during the coronavirus outbreak, with rehiring based on seniority.
The measure is meant to ensure that workers — especially those who are older and more experienced — are not replaced by newer, cheaper labor once the economy rebounds, said Councilman Bob Blumenfield, who represents the west San Fernando Valley.
“This is really important to protect vulnerable workers who’ve had these jobs for a long time, have given to the company,” he said. “It makes sense for us to provide them basic protections so that they know that when this pandemic is over, their company will take them back.”
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1 / 21 Eugene’s Gulf Coast Cuisine in Houston begins serving customers again on May 1. Houston restaurants were allowed to reopen at 25% capacity. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle) 2 / 21 Protesters trying to enter the Michigan House of Representative chamber face off with Michigan State Police officers at the Capitol in Lansing. (Jeff Kowalsky / AFP/Getty Images ) 3 / 21 Armed protesters on the steps of the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing. (Jeff Kowalsky / AFP/Getty Images ) 4 / 21 Demonstrators at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. (Jeff Kowalsky / AFP/Getty Images) 5 / 21 Denise Gavitt, left, and Lauren Matheson attend to clients at Gavitt’s Beehive Salon in Edmond, Okla., the first day hair salons have been allowed to reopen. (Sue Ogrocki / Associated Press) 6 / 21 Waitress Fatima Hernandez, center, talks with Lulu Salcido, right, and Hamid Farzam at El Tiempo Cantina Friday, May 1, 2020, in Houston. The restaurant reopened their dining room for table service, with limited capacity. (David J. Phillip / Associated Press) 7 / 21 Dan Krisman, left, and Mark Bartlett eat lunch on the patio of Roasters in Atlanta. Roasters is open for dine-in service with social distancing. (Getty Images) 8 / 21 Wickenburg, Ariz., police officers inform Debra Thompson, owner of the Horseshoe Cafe, that she is violating the state’s stay-at-home order by allowing guests to dine in on May 1. (Christian Petersen / Getty Images) 9 / 21 A restaurant in Franklin, Tenn., reopens on Monday. (Jason Kempin / Getty Images) 10 / 21 People demonstrate against stay-at-home orders in Denver on Sunday. (Jason Connolly / AFP-Getty Images) 11 / 21 Natascha Updegrove, a stylist at Three-13 Salon, Spa and Boutique, cuts Karon Gilmore’s hair on the first day that Georgia reopened salons, spas, gyms and bowling alleys.
(Jenny Jarvie / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 21 An employee wearing gloves and a mask greets patrons at a restaurant in Franklin, Tenn., on Monday. (Jason Kempin / Getty Images) 13 / 21 Zenas Stalworth works out at a gym in Lilburn, Ga., on Friday. He was one of just two people in the gym. (Tami Chappell / AFP-Getty Images ) 14 / 21 Bartender Jake Glazier serves customers at a roadside bar in Atlanta. (Chandan Khanna / AFP-Getty Images) 15 / 21 Carter Vu is back in business at his Atlanta salon. (Michael Mathes / AFP-Getty Images ) 16 / 21 Protesters in Madison, Wis. (Kamil Krzaczynski / AFP-Getty Images) 17 / 21 Surin Nguyen works on the nails of a customer at a reopened salon in Atlanta. (Tami Chappell / AFP-Getty Images) 18 / 21 A salon in Marietta, Ga. (Ron Harris / Associated Press) 19 / 21 Reopening day at a Marietta, Ga., salon. (Ron Harris / Associated Press) 20 / 21 In Wisconsin, protesters opposed to the coronavirus shutdown demonstrate outside the Capitol in Madison. (Kamil Krzaczynski / AFP-Getty Images ) 21 / 21 A flight from Atlanta to Baltimore. (Rob Carr / Getty Images)
Backed by unions that represent custodians, hotel employees and airport workers, the “right of recall” proposal would apply to event venues with more than 1,000 seats, such as stadiums and concert halls; hotels with at least 50 rooms; some companies that operate at airports; and commercial properties such as offices, shopping centers or factories that employ at least 25 janitorial, maintenance and security workers.
The council acted after hearing pleas from laid-off hotel workers, who said the proposal would provide them more certainty about their futures.
“I don’t have any insurance. I have a 7-month-old baby ... and I’m worried if she gets sick, how I’m gonna do it if I don’t have no money,” said Walter Almendarez, a laid-off bellman at the Chateau Marmont.
André Balazs, the owner of the Chateau Marmont, could not be reached to discuss the measure. But on a GoFundMe page for his hotel’s laid off workers, he said this year’s “drastic and unspeakably painful layoffs” could not be avoided.
“The Chateau is committing to recall workers as needed and, when possible, by seniority when business returns to normal,” Balazs wrote.
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Many other businesses would not be covered by the council’s proposal, including restaurants that are not located on hotel properties.
The rehiring rules also would not apply to nonprofit higher education institutions that operate medical centers in the city.
Councilman Curren Price, whose district includes the University of Southern California, proposed that exemption; his spokeswoman Angelina Valencia said it would apply to such entities as USC and UCLA.
Unionized businesses are also exempt from the rules if workers already have retention rights under their contracts.
Once the city’s lawyers have drafted the ordinance, it will come back to the council for final approval. Mayor Eric Garcetti has already publicly stated that he plans to sign such an ordinance, saying skilled workers “need to be the first ones to be rehired.”
The council’s plan drew opposition from several business groups, including the California Employment Law Council, whose board members include representatives of FedEx and Sempra Energy.
In a letter to the council ahead of Wednesday’s vote, the group said the measure would “weaken” the city’s largest private employers and violate state and federal law, sparking lawsuits against the city at a time when “Los Angeles should be focusing on recovery.”
The Hotel Assn. of Los Angeles also attacked the proposal, calling it “a direct slap” to their industry that would leave them vulnerable to lawsuits when the crisis subsides.
Heather Rozman, executive director of the association, said hotels should have the flexibility to decide who to rehire first — for instance, bringing back a newer employee who is a single parent before a longtime employee who has paid off their house.
The law “really just micromanages the hiring process,” she said.
The council also voted to draft a “worker retention” ordinance that would require businesses that change owners to rehire and retain workers employed by the previous company. That measure is designed to prevent more turmoil for employees during the pandemic.
The proposal is also limited to hotels and other targeted industries.


latimes--2020-04-22--Donald Kennedy, former Stanford president and FDA chief, dies of COVID-19

Donald Kennedy , a former president of Stanford University who also led the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and served as editor-in-chief of the journal Science , has died at a care facility in Redwood City of complications of COVID-19 .
He was 88 .
Kennedy , who suffered a serious stroke in 2015 , died Tuesday at Gordon Manor , a residential care home where he had lived for the past two years , Stanford said in a statement .
Nursing and assisted living facilities have become hot spots for outbreaks of the coronavirus .
Kennedy , a neurobiologist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dedication to students and bold leadership , spent the bulk of his career in science and education at Stanford University .
Born in New York City and educated at Harvard , he taught at Syracuse before arriving at “ the Farm ” in 1960 as an assistant professor .
Kennedy climbed the ranks to become chair of the school ’ s biology department and also helped create and , for a time , direct Stanford ’ s interdisciplinary “ human biology program.
” Students recalled his unconventional teaching style in a published history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hum Bio memory is of Donald Kennedy demonstrating echolocation in bats by climbing up on the desk in the front of the room , making ‘ bat noises , ’ and flapping his arms , ” Catherine Garzio , class of 1979 , said .
“ It was very funny , given what an important person he was .
I ’ ve thought of it often over the years when other ‘ important people ’ take themselves too seriously.
” Kennedy took a break from Stanford to serve as commissioner of the Food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1977 to 1979 .
He was involved in debates about a ban on saccharin , the approval process for drugs and medical devices , and the use of antibiotics in animal feeds .
Of Congress ’ later reversal of the saccharin ban , he joked : “ That established a principle .
You shouldn ’ t have cancer-causing substances in the food supply unless people like them a lot , ” the Los Angeles Times reported in 1991 .
Kennedy returned to Stanford and became president in 1980 .
During his 12-year tenure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fundraising campaign , the largest attempted by a university at the time .
He emphasized teaching over research and oversaw a refashioning of the school ’ s “ Western culture ” curriculum to incorporate the achievements of women and minorities .
He invited students to join him on daily runs around “ the Dish , ” a radio antenna and landmark on the Stanford campus .
Kennedy withstood several controversies , including the university ’ s continued ownership of land leased by a farming operation that used migrant labor , investments in companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his relationship to the Hoover Institution .
During his tenure the university also weathered the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake , which caused $ 160 million in damage to the campus .
In 1991 , Kennedy announced his resignation amid allegations that Stanford had misspent millions of dollars in federal research grants , including billing for the depreciation of a 72-foot yacht , floral arrangements for the president ’ s residence and upkeep of a mausoleum where Stanford ’ s founding family was buried .
The university refunded the government for many of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrongdoing , but the controversy nonetheless dogged Kennedy .
“ It is very difficult , I have concluded , for a person identified with a problem to be the spokesman for its solution , ” Kennedy wrote in a resignation letter to the university ’ s board of trustees .
From 2000 to 2008 , Kennedy served as editor-in-chief of the journal Science .
He later returned to teaching undergraduates and served on the boards of numerous nonprofits and scientific organizations .
Kennedy is survived by his wife , Robin Kennedy ; children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Cameron Kennedy , Jamie Hamill ; and nine grandchildren .

Donald Kennedy, then head of the FDA, speaks at the Stanford commencement in 1978.
Donald Kennedy, a former president of Stanford University who also led the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and served as editor in chief of the journal Science, has died at a care facility in Redwood City of complications of COVID-19. He was 88.
Kennedy, who suffered a serious stroke in 2015, died Tuesday at Gordon Manor, a residential care home where he had lived for the last two years, Stanford said in a statement. Nursing and assisted living facilities have become hot spots for outbreaks of the disease, which is caused by the new coronavirus.
Kennedy, a neurobiologist who was known for his humor, dedication to students and bold leadership, spent the bulk of his career in science and education at Stanford University.
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Born Aug. 18, 1931, in New York City and educated at Harvard, he taught at Syracuse before arriving at “the Farm” in 1960 as an assistant professor. Kennedy climbed the ranks to become chair of the school’s biology department and helped create and, for a time, directed Stanford’s interdisciplinary human biology program.
Students recalled his unconventional teaching style in a published history of the program.
“My favorite Hum Bio memory is of Donald Kennedy demonstrating echolocation in bats by climbing up on the desk in the front of the room, making ‘bat noises,’ and flapping his arms,” Catherine Garzio, class of 1979, said. “It was very funny, given what an important person he was. I’ve thought of it often over the years when other ‘important people’ take themselves too seriously.”
Kennedy took a break from Stanford to serve as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration under President Carter from 1977 to 1979. He was involved in debates about a ban on saccharin, the approval process for drugs and medical devices, and the use of antibiotics in animal feeds.
Of Congress’ later reversal of the saccharin ban, he joked: “That established a principle. You shouldn’t have cancer-causing substances in the food supply unless people like them a lot,” The Times reported in 1991.
Kennedy returned to Stanford and became president in 1980. During his 12-year tenure, he presided over a $1.1-billion fundraising campaign, the largest attempted by a university at the time. He emphasized teaching over research and oversaw a refashioning of the school’s Western culture curriculum to incorporate the achievements of women and minorities. He invited students to join him on daily runs around “the Dish,” a radio antenna and landmark on the Stanford campus.
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Kennedy withstood several controversies, including the university’s continued ownership of land leased by a farming operation that used migrant labor, investments in companies that did business with South Africa, and his relationship to the Hoover Institution. During his tenure the university also weathered the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, which caused $160 million in damage to the campus.
In 1991, Kennedy announced his resignation amid allegations that Stanford had misspent millions of dollars in federal research grants, including billing for the depreciation of a 72-foot yacht, floral arrangements for the president’s residence and upkeep of a mausoleum where Stanford’s founding family was buried. The university refunded the government for many of the charges and was largely cleared of wrongdoing, but the controversy nonetheless dogged Kennedy.
“It is very difficult, I have concluded, for a person identified with a problem to be the spokesman for its solution,” Kennedy wrote in a resignation letter to the university’s board of trustees.
From 2000 to 2008, Kennedy served as editor in chief of the journal Science. He later returned to teaching undergraduates and served on the boards of numerous nonprofits and scientific organizations.
Kennedy is survived by his wife, Robin Kennedy; children Page Kennedy Rochon, Julia Kennedy Tussing, Cameron Kennedy, Jamie Hamill; and nine grandchildren.


latimes--2020-04-22--Driver leads LAPD on pursuit that somehow causes traffic jam, despite safer-at-home order

A police pursuit that ended Wednesday on the 91 Freeway caused a massive traffic jam near Cherry Avenue , reminding @ @ @ @ @ the region was like before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the majority of businesses more @ @ @ @ @ A man wanted on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon led police on a @ @ @ @ @ than an hour , according to the Los Angeles Police Department .
About 20 police @ @ @ @ @ vehicles could be seen parked about 4 p.m. on the freeway behind the blue Chrysler @ @ @ @ @ of commission after multiple crashes .
Authorities closed traffic on both sides of the 91 @ @ @ @ @ exit , causing traffic to back up for more than a mile , all the @ @ @ @ @ , according to reports from KNBC-TV Channel 4 .
About 4:22 p.m. , several officers @ @ @ @ @ soon handcuffed the man .
His identify has not been released by LAPD .
This @ @ @ @ @ , based off preliminary information .
City News Service contributed to this report .

A police pursuit that ended Wednesday on the 91 Freeway caused a massive traffic jam near Cherry Avenue, reminding drivers of what life in the region was like before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the majority of businesses more than a month ago.
A man wanted on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon led police on a chase that lasted for more than an hour, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
About 20 police SUVs and other law enforcement vehicles could be seen parked about 4 p.m. on the freeway behind the blue Chrysler 300, which was out of commission after multiple crashes.
Authorities closed traffic on both sides of the 91 Freeway near the Cherry Avenue exit, causing traffic to back up for more than a mile, all the way to the 710 Freeway, according to reports from KNBC-TV Channel 4.
About 4:22 p.m., several officers rushed toward the vehicle and soon handcuffed the man. His identify has not been released by LAPD.
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This is a breaking news story, based off preliminary information. City News Service contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-04-22--California to borrow federal money to cover soaring jobless claims

California has been approved to borrow what is expected to be billions of dollars from the federal government to pay unemployment benefits to those left jobless by the coronavirus pandemic , raising concerns about the cost of repaying the debt .
The state made the request as its reserves for paying unemployment benefits are being quickly depleted , requiring California to begin borrowing in just a few weeks , officials said Wednesday .
“ We have protocols in place for difficult moments such as this to ensure critical safety nets remain in place , ” California Labor Secretary Julie Su @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Californians filing new claims for unemployment benefits in the last month , experts say the state will probably have to borrow more than the $ 10.7 billion in loans it received from a federal trust fund during the Great Recession .
“ Without the help of the federal government , we wouldn ’ t be able to pay benefits unless we could come up with billions of dollars or dramatically cut benefits , neither of which is a positive scenario , ” said Maurice Emsellem , director of the Fair Chance Program at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It ’ s very likely that it is going to be more than we borrowed last time.
” On Wednesday , Gov .
Gavin Newsom highlighted the unprecedented number of unemployment insurance , or UI , claims being paid to Californians who lost jobs in the month since he ordered them to stay home to prevent the spread of the coronavirus .
“ Just this last week , $ 2 billion of UI claims were dispersed , just in one week , in the state of California to help support the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been directly impacted by COVID-19 , ” Newsom said .
Under a decades-old program , states apply to the U.S. Department of Labor for access to an unemployment trust fund holding revenue from business taxes .
The federal account can be tapped by states for loans whenever unemployment insurance claims exceed their reserves .
“ California has submitted a request and has been authorized to borrow , ” said Loree Levy , a spokeswoman for the state Employment Development Department , which processes unemployment insurance claims .
The states don ’ t ask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ applications , just for authority to borrow as needed to continue paying benefits , she added .
The state expects to start drawing on the borrowing authority “ in the next couple of weeks , meaning the revenue coming into the fund from employer contributions will be outweighed by the benefit payments being made out of the fund , ” Levy said .
California keeps a small reserve , but it is dwindling .
Last year , before the coronavirus pandemic , the state government collected $ 5.9 billion in unemployment insurance taxes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion in total benefits .
California was one of 36 states that had to borrow from the federal fund during the last recession .
The state then ended up borrowing $ 10.7 billion , which it only finished paying back in 2018 .
The principal borrowed was paid back with higher taxes on employers , on behalf of each worker on payroll .
More than $ 1.4 billion in interest was paid back from state general funds from 2011 through 2018 .
The higher taxes levied to pay the debt are a concern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ huge financial burden of lost revenue during the shutdown .
Robert Moutrie , a policy advocate for the California Chamber of Commerce , said the business group recognizes the importance of unemployment insurance to help residents meet living expenses .
Business advocates are hoping Congress will act to reduce the negative impact of the repayment , with options including a reduction or waiver of extra taxes .
“ Without federal or state legislation , California ’ s employers will end up paying for this shutdown for a decade or longer , and are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 10 billion that we paid after the 2008 recession , ” Moutrie said .
“ Those UI costs are going to make it that much harder for businesses that are already struggling to rebuild when this shelter-in-place [ order ] is over .
”

Elena Girotto walks past the boarded-up West Elm store on Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena on April 2, 2020. Nonessential businesses have shut down because of California’s stay-at-home order, creating a surge in unemployment claims that is forcing the state to borrow from the federal government.
California has been approved to borrow what is expected to be billions of dollars from the federal government to pay unemployment benefits to those left jobless by the coronavirus pandemic, raising concerns about the cost of repaying the debt.
The state made the request as its reserves for paying unemployment benefits are being quickly depleted, requiring California to begin borrowing in just a few weeks, officials said Wednesday.
“We have protocols in place for difficult moments such as this to ensure critical safety nets remain in place,” California Labor Secretary Julie Su said.
With more than 2.7 million Californians filing new claims for unemployment benefits in the last month, experts say the state will probably have to borrow more than the $10.7 billion in loans it received from a federal trust fund during the Great Recession.
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“Without the help of the federal government, we wouldn’t be able to pay benefits unless we could come up with billions of dollars or dramatically cut benefits, neither of which is a positive scenario,” said Maurice Emsellem, director of the Fair Chance Program at the National Employment Law Project in Berkeley. “It’s very likely that it is going to be more than we borrowed last time.”
On Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom highlighted the unprecedented number of unemployment insurance, or UI, claims being paid to Californians who lost jobs in the month since he ordered them to stay home to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
“Just this last week, $2 billion of UI claims were dispersed, just in one week, in the state of California to help support the financial needs of those individuals that have been directly impacted by COVID-19,” Newsom said.
Under a decades-old program, states apply to the U.S. Department of Labor for access to an unemployment trust fund holding revenue from business taxes. The federal account can be tapped by states for loans whenever unemployment insurance claims exceed their reserves.
“California has submitted a request and has been authorized to borrow,” said Loree Levy, a spokeswoman for the state Employment Development Department, which processes unemployment insurance claims. The states don’t ask for a specific amount when they file applications, just for authority to borrow as needed to continue paying benefits, she added.
The state expects to start drawing on the borrowing authority “in the next couple of weeks, meaning the revenue coming into the fund from employer contributions will be outweighed by the benefit payments being made out of the fund,” Levy said.
California keeps a small reserve, but it is dwindling. Last year, before the coronavirus pandemic, the state government collected $5.9 billion in unemployment insurance taxes from employers and issued about $5.5 billion in total benefits.
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California was one of 36 states that had to borrow from the federal fund during the last recession. The state then ended up borrowing $10.7 billion, which it only finished paying back in 2018. The principal borrowed was paid back with higher taxes on employers, on behalf of each worker on payroll.
More than $1.4 billion in interest was paid back from state general funds from 2011 through 2018.
The higher taxes levied to pay the debt are a concern for businesses that will already face a huge financial burden of lost revenue during the shutdown.
Robert Moutrie, a policy advocate for the California Chamber of Commerce, said the business group recognizes the importance of unemployment insurance to help residents meet living expenses.
Business advocates are hoping Congress will act to reduce the negative impact of the repayment, with options including a reduction or waiver of extra taxes.
“Without federal or state legislation, California’s employers will end up paying for this shutdown for a decade or longer, and are likely to pay substantially more than the $10 billion that we paid after the 2008 recession,” Moutrie said. “Those UI costs are going to make it that much harder for businesses that are already struggling to rebuild when this shelter-in-place [order] is over.”


latimes--2020-04-22--Coronavirus could be leveling off in L.A. County, new more optimistic forecast says

Los Angeles County health officials offered slightly rosier projections Wednesday about the trajectory of the virus in Los Angeles county , but cautioned that the improved outlook was contingent on residents continuing to practice physical distancing .
Presenting a new update to the county ’ s coronavirus model , Dr. Christina Ghaly , the county ’ s health services director , said that while COVID-19 cases are not yet decreasing here , “ it is leveling out , which is a good thing.
” “ Ten days ago , our best prediction was that we were going to see a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new patients , but we weren ’ t sure how rapid that rise would be and how steep that slope would be , ” Ghaly said .
“ Instead , as a result of physical distancing , our current projection is that the number of new cases will remain steady.
” Based on the new predictions — which Ghaly cautioned are inherently uncertain — officials continue to expect to meet demand for hospital beds and ventilators .
Notably , the county ’ s ability to meet demand for intensive care beds has improved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 50 % chance there would not be enough ICU beds , now the model indicates the current available beds will be sufficient .
Officials now predict roughly two in 20 Angelenos , or 11 % of the county , could contract the virus by Aug. 1 under the current level of physical distancing .
That ’ s a substantial reduction from the model ’ s original estimate that 30 % of county residents could be infected .
Dr. Roger Lewis , a biostatistician and chairman of the emergency medicine department at Harbor-UCLA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % prediction reflected the average of numerous possibilities , including a potential spike in cases or a slower spread .
“ Luckily — and this is good news — the number of cases has been in the lower range of the uncertainty we had with the prior model , ” said Lewis , who directs the county model .
Both Ghaly and Lewis emphasized the more optimistic projections are thanks to the county ’ s physical distancing measures — and warned that if such efforts were abandoned , the prospects could turn grimmer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this up , ” Ghaly said , noting that even as county officials look to relax their stay-at-home order in the coming weeks , there will still be a focus on maintaining distancing when people are out in public .
“ I know it ’ s hard .
I know a lot of us are feeling the weight of these restrictions and are eager to be able to get out of our houses more and back to work and back to school , ” Ghaly said .
“ But please know that your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protecting the life and health of those around you and those you love.
” “ This will end , and until then , thanks for your perseverance in these difficult times , ” she added .
The forecast comes despite an uptick in recent days in both deaths and confirmed cases .
Los Angeles County health officials announced an additional 66 coronavirus-linked deaths Wednesday , bringing the total number to 729 began .
Barbara Ferrer , the county ’ s public health director , also confirmed 1,318 new COVID-19 cases — pushing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victims include 48 people who were over the age of 65 , 13 people who were 41 to 65 years old and two people who were between 18 to 40 .
Ages were not available for the other three .
“ This underscores the need for all of us to do the best job possible to make sure people who have serious health conditions are able to stay home and stay safe , ” she said .
As of Wednesday , there were 1,791 COVID-19 patients hospitalized countywide — with 30 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on ventilators , according to Ferrer .

Los Angeles County health officials offered slightly rosier projections Wednesday about the trajectory of the virus in Los Angeles county, but cautioned that the improved outlook was contingent on residents continuing to practice physical distancing.
Presenting a new update to the county’s coronavirus model, Dr. Christina Ghaly, the county’s health services director, said that while COVID-19 cases are not yet decreasing here, “it is leveling out, which is a good thing.”
“Ten days ago, our best prediction was that we were going to see a continued increase in the daily number of new patients, but we weren’t sure how rapid that rise would be and how steep that slope would be,” Ghaly said. “Instead, as a result of physical distancing, our current projection is that the number of new cases will remain steady.”
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Based on the new predictions — which Ghaly cautioned are inherently uncertain — officials continue to expect to meet demand for hospital beds and ventilators. Notably, the county’s ability to meet demand for intensive care beds has improved; while initial modeling said there was a 50% chance there would not be enough ICU beds, now the model indicates the current available beds will be sufficient.
Officials now predict roughly two in 20 Angelenos, or 11% of the county, could contract the virus by Aug. 1 under the current level of physical distancing. That’s a substantial reduction from the model’s original estimate that 30% of county residents could be infected.
Dr. Roger Lewis, a biostatistician and chairman of the emergency medicine department at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, said the original 30% prediction reflected the average of numerous possibilities, including a potential spike in cases or a slower spread.
“Luckily — and this is good news — the number of cases has been in the lower range of the uncertainty we had with the prior model,” said Lewis, who directs the county model.
Both Ghaly and Lewis emphasized the more optimistic projections are thanks to the county’s physical distancing measures — and warned that if such efforts were abandoned, the prospects could turn grimmer.
“We do have to keep this up,” Ghaly said, noting that even as county officials look to relax their stay-at-home order in the coming weeks, there will still be a focus on maintaining distancing when people are out in public.
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“I know it’s hard. I know a lot of us are feeling the weight of these restrictions and are eager to be able to get out of our houses more and back to work and back to school,” Ghaly said. “But please know that your actions have saved lives, and are protecting the life and health of those around you and those you love.”
“This will end, and until then, thanks for your perseverance in these difficult times,” she added.
The forecast comes despite an uptick in recent days in both deaths and confirmed cases.
Los Angeles County health officials announced an additional 66 coronavirus-linked deaths Wednesday, bringing the total number to 729 since the outbreak began.
Barbara Ferrer, the county’s public health director, also confirmed 1,318 new COVID-19 cases — pushing the cumulative total to 16,435.
The latest victims include 48 people who were over the age of 65, 13 people who were 41 to 65 years old and two people who were between 18 to 40. Ages were not available for the other three.
“This underscores the need for all of us to do the best job possible to make sure people who have serious health conditions are able to stay home and stay safe,” she said.
As of Wednesday, there were 1,791 COVID-19 patients hospitalized countywide — with 30% of them in intensive care and 19% on ventilators, according to Ferrer.


latimes--2020-04-22--Amoeba Music will begin construction on new location in 'next week or so,' says owner

Earlier this week , indie retailing powerhouse Amoeba Music announced the creation of a GoFundMe page as a way to offset costs associated with the COVID-19 shutdown .
Like most businesses , the record store , which opened its massive Hollywood location in 2001 and has two locations in the San Francisco area , is still paying rent , bills and health insurance for some of its 400 employees .
Setting a goal of $ 400,000 , the company wrote , in part : “ We have weathered many storms — 911 , recessions , the Internet , downloading and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know that we can weather the COVID-19 storm.
” Their stores have been closed since mid-March , founders Marc Weinstein and Dave Prinz continued in the note , and with no “ no way to generate income , our savings are running out.
” They stressed that Amoeba is exploring “ every possible means of support , including federal and local grants and loans .
But these funds are not guaranteed to come in , and they won ’ t meet the needs of our short-term future .
So , we most humbly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plea has since gone viral .
Within 48 hours , Amoeba had raised more than one-third of its goal .
Speaking on Wednesday , Amoeba Music co-owner Jim Henderson acknowledged that Ameoba ’ s fundraising ask “ is a very unnatural and , frankly , uncomfortable position for us .
But , you know , pride and preference are taking a backseat right now to necessity and survival.
” In Amoeba ’ s case , the pandemic arrived as its Hollywood location was in transition .
In 2015 , the company sold its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developer GPI Companies for a reported $ 34 million .
Since then , Amoeba has been paying rent on Sunset as it scouted a new location .
Last year , the company announced that it had found one to lease a few blocks east at Hollywood and Argyle and received its building permits last month .
That means that the company is paying rent on two big spaces , neither of them generating money , in the heart of Hollywood .
“ We really feel like once we can get into the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have room to breathe and do all the things that we ’ ve been otherwise encumbered due to lack of finance , ” Henderson said .
Construction on the new spot will begin “ within the next week or so , ” he added , saying that he remains cautiously optimistic that the location will celebrate its grand opening in the fall .
Asked if he ’ d spoken to city officials about that hope , Henderson said that he had but that no one has been willing to guarantee a citywide retail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ range .
Most pressing , Henderson said , was ensuring that customers understood the plight of Amoeba ’ s staff , many of whose health benefits are no longer being paid by the company .
He called the GoFundMe campaign “ an opportunity to help keep our staff whole with health benefits being covered , and to help bridge the gap.
” Amoeba has applied for loans under the CARES Act , Henderson says , but has yet to receive a response .
Still , that $ 34-million sale price suggests Amoeba might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real estate transaction gave Amoeba ’ s ownership some wiggle room , Henderson said no .
Calling the reported sale price “ a bit of a thorn in our side , ” he noted that the number has “ always come without any context .
It is a nice number for people to throw out there and to put in print that paints a picture of eternal wealth.
” But , Henderson continued , “ the reality of it is , we got a great deal for the building , but we needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debts .
When the recession came along , we were impacted by the fallout from a traumatic national financial catastrophe .
That went hand-in-hand with the emergence of streaming services .
So we got double sucker-punched.
” He added that Amoeba ’ s rent on the Sunset location is “ above market rate , ” though he declined to offer details .
In a practical sense , the obligations and timetable puts into question whether it even makes financial sense for Amoeba to reopen at the 6400 Sunset Blvd .
location or focus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Hollywood .
Will customers be able to shop in the old location one last time ?
Will there be a closing party ?
“ We hope so , but we just don ’ t know , ” Henderson says .
Its customer base would likely show up for a send-off .
Since Amoeba ’ s Hollywood grand opening , the store has hosted hundreds of in-store concerts and album-signing events .
Among those who have graced the stage : Paul McCartney , Lana Del Rey , Gary Numan , Best Coast , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As well , the Sunset store has documented the shopping sprees of the famous with its popular “ What ’ s in My Bag ” series .
The YouTube clips , which show famous people such as Lena Dunham , Childish Gambino , Ice Cube , Bob Odenkirk and Sky Ferreira buying records with an Amoeba gift certificate , have generated millions of views .
Henderson explained that “ everybody is hoping that sometime this summer we ’ ll re-open , to some degree.
” But , he stressed , “ as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to look at what that ’ s going to look like for us.
” He predicts that “ there will be social distancing practices still in place , limitations to how many people can come into the building at any given time .
No gathering for shows , and a staff of nearly 200 people who are going to have varying degrees of health concerns and safety concerns.
” While the future is uncertain , he concluded , “ We ’ re still on track and moving forward with the Argyle plan .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fall opening .
”

Amoeba Music co-owner Jim Henderson acknowledged that their GoFundMe page was “a very uncomfortable position for us. But pride and preference are taking a backseat right now to necessity and survival.”
Earlier this week, indie retailing powerhouse Amoeba Music announced the creation of a GoFundMe page as a way to offset costs associated with the COVID-19 shutdown. Like most businesses, the record store, which opened its massive Hollywood location in 2001 and has two locations in the San Francisco area, is still paying rent, bills and health insurance for some of its 400 employees.
Setting a goal of $400,000, the company wrote, in part: “We have weathered many storms — 911, recessions, the Internet, downloading and streaming. But we don’t know that we can weather the COVID-19 storm.” Their stores have been closed since mid-March, founders Marc Weinstein and Dave Prinz continued in the note, and with no “no way to generate income, our savings are running out.”
For the record: An earlier version of this post incorrectly stated Amoeba employees’ health insurance status. The company continues to pay its salaried workers’ benefits.
They stressed that Amoeba is exploring “every possible means of support, including federal and local grants and loans. But these funds are not guaranteed to come in, and they won’t meet the needs of our short-term future. So, we most humbly ask for your help.”
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The funding plea has since gone viral. Within 48 hours, Amoeba had raised more than one-third of its goal.
Music The world’s a mess, and X is back On Wednesday, the original members of Los Angeles punk band X dropped their first new studio album in 35 years, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking on Wednesday, Amoeba Music co-owner Jim Henderson acknowledged that Ameoba’s fundraising ask “is a very unnatural and, frankly, uncomfortable position for us. But, you know, pride and preference are taking a backseat right now to necessity and survival.”
In Amoeba’s case, the pandemic arrived as its Hollywood location was in transition. In 2015, the company sold its 24,000-square-foot building at Sunset and Cahuenga to developer GPI Companies for a reported $34 million. Since then, Amoeba has been paying rent on Sunset as it scouted a new location. Last year, the company announced that it had found one to lease a few blocks east at Hollywood and Argyle and received its building permits last month. That means that the company is paying rent on two big spaces, neither of them generating money, in the heart of Hollywood.
“We really feel like once we can get into the new space, we’re going to have room to breathe and do all the things that we’ve been otherwise encumbered due to lack of finance,” Henderson said.
Construction on the new spot will begin “within the next week or so,” he added, saying that he remains cautiously optimistic that the location will celebrate its grand opening in the fall. Asked if he’d spoken to city officials about that hope, Henderson said that he had but that no one has been willing to guarantee a citywide retail reopening date or even offered a possible range.
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Most pressing, Henderson said, was ensuring that customers understood the plight of Amoeba’s staff. He called the GoFundMe campaign “an opportunity to help keep our staff whole with health benefits being covered, and to help bridge the gap.” Amoeba continues to pay its salaried employees’ health insurance, and has applied for loans under the CARES Act, Henderson says, but has yet to receive a response.
Still, that $34-million sale price suggests Amoeba might have a cushion. Asked whether the real estate transaction gave Amoeba’s ownership some wiggle room, Henderson said no. Calling the reported sale price “a bit of a thorn in our side,” he noted that the number has “always come without any context. It is a nice number for people to throw out there and to put in print that paints a picture of eternal wealth.”
But, Henderson continued, “the reality of it is, we got a great deal for the building, but we needed a great deal to pay off past debts. When the recession came along, we were impacted by the fallout from a traumatic national financial catastrophe. That went hand-in-hand with the emergence of streaming services. So we got double sucker-punched.” He added that Amoeba’s rent on the Sunset location is “above market rate,” though he declined to offer details.
In a practical sense, the obligations and timetable puts into question whether it even makes financial sense for Amoeba to reopen at the 6400 Sunset Blvd. location or focus its energy toward a reawakening at Argyle and Hollywood. Will customers be able to shop in the old location one last time? Will there be a closing party?
“We hope so, but we just don’t know,” Henderson says.
Its customer base would likely show up for a send-off. Since Amoeba’s Hollywood grand opening, the store has hosted hundreds of in-store concerts and album-signing events. Among those who have graced the stage: Paul McCartney, Lana Del Rey, Gary Numan, Best Coast, Charles Bradley and the Lonely Island. As well, the Sunset store has documented the shopping sprees of the famous with its popular “What’s in My Bag” series. The YouTube clips, which show famous people such as Lena Dunham, Childish Gambino, Ice Cube, Bob Odenkirk and Sky Ferreira buying records with an Amoeba gift certificate, have generated millions of views.
Henderson explained that “everybody is hoping that sometime this summer we’ll re-open, to some degree.” But, he stressed, “as a high-traffic, high-volume retailer, we have to look at what that’s going to look like for us.” He predicts that “there will be social distancing practices still in place, limitations to how many people can come into the building at any given time. No gathering for shows, and a staff of nearly 200 people who are going to have varying degrees of health concerns and safety concerns.”
While the future is uncertain, he concluded, “We’re still on track and moving forward with the Argyle plan. And I’m looking forward to a fall opening.”


latimes--2020-04-22--Signal Hill teenager pleads not guilty in fatal stabbing of vacationing Argentine man

A Signal Hill teenager pleaded not guilty Tuesday to fatally stabbing an Argentine man who had been vacationing in California and whom prosecutors said tried to detain the youth after he violated a domestic violence restraining order .
Edson Eduardo Rufino , 19 , faces one felony count of murder , two felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon and one misdemeanor count each for contempt of court and resisting arrest , the Los Angeles County District Attorney ’ s office said .
Prosecutors said that Rufino violated a restraining order when he visited his girlfriend on April 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Long Beach .
After the mother called the police , prosecutors said that Rufino threatened his girlfriend ’ s brother and a visitor at the home with a knife .
Rufino fled to another home nearby , and 31-year-old Leandro Maza , who prosecutors said had been staying at the same home where the incident began , allegedly tried to detain him .
Prosecutors said that Rufino then pushed his way out of the home and fatally stabbed Maza , who died from his injuries at a local hospital .
Police have reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home , Maza armed himself with a metal pole and chased Rufino .
Argentine media have identified Maza as a mechanic who resided in Mar del Plata .
He traveled to the United States for vacation and had recently gotten engaged , according to the Argentine newspaper La Nacion .
His family and friends have been organizing a fundraiser to bring his body back home .
“ My brother didn ’ t do anything , he only crossed paths with the person who assassinated him by stabbing him in the heart , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s bail has been set at $ 2 million , and he is scheduled to return to court May 12 .
If convicted as charged , he faces a possible maximum sentence of life in prison .
The case remains under investigation by the Long Beach Police Department .

A Signal Hill teenager pleaded not guilty Tuesday to fatally stabbing an Argentine man who had been vacationing in California and whom prosecutors said tried to detain the youth after he violated a domestic violence restraining order.
Edson Eduardo Rufino, 19, faces one felony count of murder, two felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon and one misdemeanor count each for contempt of court and resisting arrest, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office said.
Prosecutors said that Rufino violated a restraining order when he visited his girlfriend on April 2 at her mother’s home in Long Beach. After the mother called the police, prosecutors said that Rufino threatened his girlfriend’s brother and a visitor at the home with a knife.
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Rufino fled to another home nearby, and 31-year-old Leandro Maza, who prosecutors said had been staying at the same home where the incident began, allegedly tried to detain him. Prosecutors said that Rufino then pushed his way out of the home and fatally stabbed Maza, who died from his injuries at a local hospital.
Police have reported that after the incident at the first home, Maza armed himself with a metal pole and chased Rufino.
Argentine media have identified Maza as a mechanic who resided in Mar del Plata. He traveled to the United States for vacation and had recently gotten engaged, according to the Argentine newspaper La Nacion. His family and friends have been organizing a fundraiser to bring his body back home.
“My brother didn’t do anything, he only crossed paths with the person who assassinated him by stabbing him in the heart,” his sister told La Nacion.
Rufino’s bail has been set at $2 million, and he is scheduled to return to court May 12. If convicted as charged, he faces a possible maximum sentence of life in prison. The case remains under investigation by the Long Beach Police Department.


latimes--2020-04-22--Drive-through protest around L.A. City Hall calls for California to reopen economy

A group of protesters on Wednesday carried out a drive-through protest in downtown Los Angeles against California ’ s stay-at-home order , which has slowed the spread of the coronavirus .
They drove around City Hall , honking and waving signs reading “ Open Cali Now ” and “ Freedom is Contagious.
” Some also held signs supporting President Trump .
It ’ s the latest of several protests across the country , which come as both local and national polls show wide support for the social distancing rules .
Over the last few days , there have been protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sacramento , Huntington Beach and San Clemente .
Demonstrators have said it ’ s time to reopen the economy and ease the rules .
But many medical experts and officials in California have said there are grave dangers to reopening businesses too early .
A new Associated Press poll found an overwhelming majority of Americans support the stay-at-home orders , seeing them as helping combat coronavirus .
Recent national and local polls found that a vast majority of Americans showed .
A poll of 1,990 voters showed that 81 % supported continuing social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Only 10 % supported ending social distancing to stimulate the economy .
A poll of 2,000 Los Angeles residents released last week by Loyola Marymount University found that 95 % of respondents were in support of officials ’ decision to implement a stay-at-home-order .
During the protest , Los Angeles County health officials announced an additional 66 COVID-19 deaths Wednesday , bringing the total number to 729 began .
Barbara Ferrer , the county ’ s public health director , also confirmed 1,318 new COVID-19 cases — pushing the cumulative total to 16,435 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who were over the age of 65 , 13 people who were 41 to 65 years old and two people who were anywhere from 18 to 40 .
Ages were not available for the other three .
Of all those who have died from coronavirus infection in the county , 88 % had some kind of underlying health condition , according to Ferrer .
“ This underscores the need for all of us to do the best job possible to make sure people who have serious health conditions are able to stay home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As of Wednesday , there were 1,791 COVID-19 patients hospitalized countywide — with 30 % of them in intensive care and 19 % on ventilators , according to Ferrer .

A group of protesters including Alma Villanueva, left, and Gigi Wilcox, were part of a vehicle caravan Wednesday in downtown Los Angeles calling on state and local officials to reopen the economy.
A group of protesters on Wednesday carried out a drive-through protest in downtown Los Angeles against California’s stay-at-home order, which has slowed the spread of the coronavirus.
They drove around City Hall, honking and waving signs reading “Open Cali Now” and “Freedom is Contagious.” Some also held signs supporting President Trump.
It’s the latest of several protests across the country, which come as both local and national polls show wide support for the social distancing rules.
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Over the last few days, there have been protests in San Diego, Newport Beach, Sacramento, Huntington Beach and San Clemente.
Protestors in downtown Los Angeles want the economy to reopen. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times)
Demonstrators have said it’s time to reopen the economy and ease the rules. But many medical experts and officials in California have said there are grave dangers to reopening businesses too early.
A new Associated Press poll found an overwhelming majority of Americans support the stay-at-home orders, seeing them as helping combat coronavirus.
Maya Cruz with Revolution Club LA blocks a car taking part in the protest to reopen the economy along Spring Street in Los Angeles. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times)
Recent national and local polls found that a vast majority of Americans showed support for stay-at-home orders . A poll of 1,990 voters conducted by Politico/Morning Consult showed that 81% supported continuing social distancing for as long as needed. Only 10% supported ending social distancing to stimulate the economy.
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A poll of 2,000 Los Angeles residents released last week by Loyola Marymount University found that 95% of respondents were in support of officials’ decision to implement a stay-at-home-order.
During the protest, Los Angeles County health officials announced an additional 66 COVID-19 deaths Wednesday, bringing the total number to 729 since the outbreak began.
Barbara Ferrer, the county’s public health director, also confirmed 1,318 new COVID-19 cases — pushing the cumulative total to 16,435.
The latest victims include 48 people who were over the age of 65, 13 people who were 41 to 65 years old and two people who were anywhere from 18 to 40. Ages were not available for the other three.
Of all those who have died from coronavirus infection in the county, 88% had some kind of underlying health condition, according to Ferrer.
“This underscores the need for all of us to do the best job possible to make sure people who have serious health conditions are able to stay home and stay safe,” she said.
As of Wednesday, there were 1,791 COVID-19 patients hospitalized countywide — with 30% of them in intensive care and 19% on ventilators, according to Ferrer.


latimes--2020-04-22--Pharmacy tech accused of stealing hydroxychloroquine

A pharmacy technician is facing criminal charges after he allegedly stole a combination of anti-malaria tablets and antibiotics that have been promoted by President Trump as a potential treatment for coronavirus .
Christopher Mencias Agustin , 35 , of Torrance was charged this week with two felony counts of second-degree burglary during an emergency and one felony count of concealing or withholding stolen property exceeding $ 950 .
Agustin is accused of entering Harbor-UCLA Medical Center to steal prescription drugs on two occasions last month .
He is charged with taking more than 700 tablets of hydroxychloroquine , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ touted as a possible COVID-19 treatment , along with azithromycin .
It is a drug combination first held up by some European doctors as assisting the battle against COVID-19 and embraced as helpful by Trump .
But a recent advisory from the National Institutes of Health recommends against the use of hydroxychloroquine in conjunction with the antibiotic azithromycin in COVID-19 cases .
The advisory carries the code A-III , meaning that it ’ s a “ strong recommendation ” against its use , based on “ expert opinion.
” The NIH cites the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toxicities.
” Agustin is due to be arraigned in a downtown court Wednesday .
Deputy Dist .
Atty .
Michael Fern of the Cyber Crime Division , who is prosecuting the case , said the prescriptions were worth $ 6,700 .
If convicted of all charges , the now-former pharmacy technician could face up to four years and four months behind bars .

A pharmacy technician is facing criminal charges after he allegedly stole a combination of anti-malaria tablets and antibiotics that have been promoted by President Trump as a potential treatment for coronavirus.
Christopher Mencias Agustin, 35, of Torrance was charged this week with two felony counts of second-degree burglary during an emergency and one felony count of concealing or withholding stolen property exceeding $950.
Agustin is accused of entering Harbor-UCLA Medical Center to steal prescription drugs on two occasions last month. He is charged with taking more than 700 tablets of hydroxychloroquine, which is used to treat malaria and was recently touted as a possible COVID-19 treatment, along with azithromycin.
It is a drug combination first held up by some European doctors as assisting the battle against COVID-19 and embraced as helpful by Trump. But a recent advisory from the National Institutes of Health recommends against the use of hydroxychloroquine in conjunction with the antibiotic azithromycin in COVID-19 cases. The advisory carries the code A-III, meaning that it’s a “strong recommendation” against its use, based on “expert opinion.” The NIH cites the drug combination’s “potential for toxicities.”
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Agustin is due to be arraigned in a downtown court Wednesday. Deputy Dist. Atty. Michael Fern of the Cyber Crime Division, who is prosecuting the case, said the prescriptions were worth $6,700.
If convicted of all charges, the now-former pharmacy technician could face up to four years and four months behind bars.