latimes--2020-06-23--Cash, casino chips, hotel rooms and an affair: Inside the Jose Huizar indictment

The arrest of Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar marks the biggest domino to fall in a multiyear federal investigation of corruption and alleged pay-to-play practices at City Hall .
If convicted , Huizar could face up to 20 years in federal prison , according to the U.S. Department of Justice .
Many of the allegations laid out by federal prosecutors on Tuesday have been described in previous court filings .
But there are some new and noteworthy allegations , including : 1 .
Massages , hotel stays and an affair .
Prosecutors have already alleged that Councilman Huizar took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from developers with business in his district .
But the newest filing says that one businessman also provided Huizar with hotel stays that allowed the councilman to conduct “ discreet encounters with a woman with whom he was having an affair.
” The same businessman also paid for Huizar to receive “ massage services ” on a number of occasions , which ran $ 300 per visit , prosecutors said in their filing .
2 .
Opposition research from a developer .
One real estate developer provided Huizar with opposition research on two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him for harassment , according to prosecutors .
The developer , who was seeking to build a 35-story project in L.A. 's Arts District , later boasted in an email that the city had required “ minimal ” affordable housing compared to other local projects , the filing stated .
Tuesday marks the first time an Arts District project has been mentioned in the corruption probe .
3 .
Cash in a closet .
Federal prosecutors have now revealed at least some of what they found when FBI agents raided Huizar ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago : Nearly $ 130,000 in cash hidden in a closet , according to the filing .
Photographs in the federal affidavit show cash in the pocket of his suit jacket , concealed in large envelopes and wrapped in a T-shirt , as well as money tucked into red envelopes with Chinese characters .
4 .
Money funneled through family .
Investigators also allege that Huizar hid money that he received as part of the pay-to-play scheme by funneling cash through his family members to deposit into their accounts , which they then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other expenses .
Two of his relatives had initially denied that Huizar gave them cash , before admitting to it earlier this year , according to prosecutors .
5 .
The investigation is not over .
Speaking to reporters , federal investigators repeatedly emphasized that the pay-to-play probe is “ ongoing ” — and that they want members of the public to contact the FBI with any information at their email hotline : pctips-losangeles @ fbi.gov .
“ We intend to bring to justice everyone who was involved in the criminal activity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hanna .
Beyond that , however , things are murky .
Hanna declined to say whether prosecutors would seek criminal charges against any of the real estate developers who figure into the case , or whether any other council members are under investigation .
He also would not say how Richelle Huizar , the councilman ’ s wife , figures into the case .

The arrest of Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar marks the biggest domino to fall in a multiyear federal investigation of corruption and alleged pay-to-play practices at City Hall. If convicted, Huizar could face up to 20 years in federal prison, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Many of the allegations laid out by federal prosecutors on Tuesday have been described in previous court filings. But there are some new and noteworthy allegations, including:
1. Massages, hotel stays and an affair. Prosecutors have already alleged that Councilman Huizar took cash, casino chips and other bribes from developers with business in his district. But the newest filing says that one businessman also provided Huizar with hotel stays that allowed the councilman to conduct “discreet encounters with a woman with whom he was having an affair.” The same businessman also paid for Huizar to receive “massage services” on a number of occasions, which ran $300 per visit, prosecutors said in their filing.
2. Opposition research from a developer. One real estate developer provided Huizar with opposition research on two of his former staffers who were suing him for harassment, according to prosecutors. The developer, who was seeking to build a 35-story project in L.A.’s Arts District, later boasted in an email that the city had required “minimal” affordable housing compared to other local projects, the filing stated. Tuesday marks the first time an Arts District project has been mentioned in the corruption probe.
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3. Cash in a closet. Federal prosecutors have now revealed at least some of what they found when FBI agents raided Huizar’s home in Boyle Heights nearly two years ago: Nearly $130,000 in cash hidden in a closet, according to the filing. Photographs in the federal affidavit show cash in the pocket of his suit jacket, concealed in large envelopes and wrapped in a T-shirt, as well as money tucked into red envelopes with Chinese characters.
VIDEO | 01:24 L.A. Councilman Jose Huizar arrested by FBI At a press conference, U.S. Attorney Nick Hanna speaks about the man who worked in city politics for nearly two decades. Huizar is the most prominent figure to face charges in the federal investigation into corruption charges at City Hall.
4. Money funneled through family. Investigators also allege that Huizar hid money that he received as part of the pay-to-play scheme by funneling cash through his family members to deposit into their accounts, which they then used to pay his credit card bills and other expenses. Two of his relatives had initially denied that Huizar gave them cash, before admitting to it earlier this year, according to prosecutors.
5. The investigation is not over. Speaking to reporters, federal investigators repeatedly emphasized that the pay-to-play probe is “ongoing” — and that they want members of the public to contact the FBI with any information at their email hotline: pctips-losangeles@fbi.gov. “We intend to bring to justice everyone who was involved in the criminal activity,” said U.S. Atty. Nick Hanna.
Beyond that, however, things are murky. Hanna declined to say whether prosecutors would seek criminal charges against any of the real estate developers who figure into the case, or whether any other council members are under investigation.
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He also would not say how Richelle Huizar, the councilman’s wife, figures into the case.


latimes--2020-06-23--Following coronavirus outbreaks, Vernon faces county pressure to protect its workers

Responding to coronavirus outbreaks plaguing the industrial city of Vernon , the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday asked local health officials to do more to protect the small town ’ s workers , many of whom live in surrounding working-class communities .
Supervisor Hilda Solis introduced an order requesting that the Los Angeles County Health Department work with Vernon officials and the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health to recommend safety measures .
The largest outbreak happened at the Smithfield Foods-owned Farmer John pork-processing plant , where more than 150 of 1,837 employees tested positive for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other Vernon facilities experienced outbreaks , for a total of more than 200 known infections in the city .
Vernon has only about 200 residents but its approximately 2,000 businesses employ 54,000 people , according to the county .
The majority of workers live in southeast L.A. County cities , such as Huntington Park , Bell , Cudahy and South Gate .
The order comes after a June 2 report requested by Solis found that of 165 sick employees at Vernon plants , 157 of them live in cities under the county ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beach .
The report also noted that , before June 15 , Vernon ’ s health department was the only one in the state to not have a physician in a health officer role .
Because the majority of infected workers live in working-class , heavily Latino communities , which are already disproportionately affected by COVID-19 , “ further protections and safety measures are needed to ensure our residents and workers at industrial facilities , and other businesses in Vernon , including factories and plants are protected , ” Solis said in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Vernon officials identify strategies that ensure workers are being properly informed about the resources available to them and that a “ standardized notification protocol ” be established or improved .
The county expects a report of findings and recommendations within two weeks , according to the motion .

Responding to coronavirus outbreaks plaguing the industrial city of Vernon, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday asked local health officials to do more to protect the small town’s workers, many of whom live in surrounding working-class communities.
Supervisor Hilda Solis introduced an order requesting that the Los Angeles County Health Department work with Vernon officials and the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health to recommend safety measures.
The largest outbreak happened at the Smithfield Foods-owned Farmer John pork-processing plant, where more than 150 of 1,837 employees tested positive for COVID-19 between March and June. Eight other Vernon facilities experienced outbreaks, for a total of more than 200 known infections in the city.
Vernon has only about 200 residents but its approximately 2,000 businesses employ 54,000 people, according to the county. The majority of workers live in southeast L.A. County cities, such as Huntington Park, Bell, Cudahy and South Gate.
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The order comes after a June 2 report requested by Solis found that of 165 sick employees at Vernon plants, 157 of them live in cities under the county’s jurisdiction and two live in Long Beach. The report also noted that, before June 15, Vernon’s health department was the only one in the state to not have a physician in a health officer role.
Because the majority of infected workers live in working-class, heavily Latino communities, which are already disproportionately affected by COVID-19, “further protections and safety measures are needed to ensure our residents and workers at industrial facilities, and other businesses in Vernon, including factories and plants are protected,” Solis said in the motion.
The motion requests that CAL/OSHA and Vernon officials identify strategies that ensure workers are being properly informed about the resources available to them and that a “standardized notification protocol” be established or improved. The county expects a report of findings and recommendations within two weeks, according to the motion.
Times staff writer Jaclyn Cosgrove contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-06-23--Dad and two kids thrown out of Walmart in Turlock after defying mask rules

One family has learned that a local Walmart takes its face mask policy seriously .
After a father refused the store manager ’ s request that his two children wear face coverings while inside the retailer , the Turlock , Calif. , police escorted the family outside .
Customer Bobbie Carne , who caught the incident on video , was running errands early Saturday when she heard a man yelling profanities at the manager near the front of the store .
The manager had asked that the man ’ s daughter and son put on face coverings or leave the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t comply , the manager called in reinforcement in the form of Turlock police officers .
Police arrived soon after — but not to enforce mask-wearing rules , which are now mandated throughout the state , Chief Nino Amirfar said .
“ The Turlock Police Department is not issuing citations for not wearing masks , nor are we going to respond to businesses simply because someone is not wearing a mask , ” Amirfar said .
“ However , if that business refuses to serve you and asks you to leave , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave , that business will request us to respond for trespassing.
” Carne watched as three officers followed the still-screaming dad toward the back of the store .
“ And I ’ m like , ‘ This could be bad , ’ ” she said .
“ I turned on the video because the officers were handling themselves very well .
And I thought that if something goes wrong , they ’ re gon na get backlash and everything.
” As she held up her phone , she recorded the children walking by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scared look on their face .
I felt bad for them .
You know , to have cops following you when you ’ re a kid , that ’ s scary .
But then you have a dad yelling and making this whole scene , ” she said .
Confused about the interaction , Carne turned to speak with a woman next to her .
An officer then noticed the women ’ s discussion and approached them to explain the situation .
“ Essentially what we will do is we will come and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let them know what is going on .
Let them know that the store requires people to wear a mask , so we have to ask people to wear a mask to come into the store , ” the officer said in the video .
“ Gavin Newsom has kind of thrown this on us , and we are trying to respond accordingly.
” Carne said she was grateful for the officer ’ s explanation but thought the manager overreacted by calling police .
After the incident , she posted the videos on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people would understand the police ’ s role .
Despite those efforts , she said people had been focusing too much on the family getting kicked out of the store .
One of her videos has been viewed over 170,000 times .
“ This video has gone bigger than my video of saving the baby mountain lion from one of the wildfires .
I carried it out in my arms , ” said Carne , an independent animal rescuer .

One family has learned that a local Walmart takes its face mask policy seriously.
After a father refused the store manager’s request that his two children wear face coverings while inside the retailer, the Turlock, Calif., police escorted the family outside.
Customer Bobbie Carne, who caught the incident on video, was running errands early Saturday when she heard a man yelling profanities at the manager near the front of the store. The manager had asked that the man’s daughter and son put on face coverings or leave the building.
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When the man didn’t comply, the manager called in reinforcement in the form of Turlock police officers.
Police arrived soon after — but not to enforce mask-wearing rules, which are now mandated throughout the state, Chief Nino Amirfar said.
“The Turlock Police Department is not issuing citations for not wearing masks, nor are we going to respond to businesses simply because someone is not wearing a mask,” Amirfar said.
“However, if that business refuses to serve you and asks you to leave, you should leave. If you refuse to leave, that business will request us to respond for trespassing.”
Carne watched as three officers followed the still-screaming dad toward the back of the store.
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“And I’m like, ‘This could be bad,’” she said. “I turned on the video because the officers were handling themselves very well. And I thought that if something goes wrong, they’re gonna get backlash and everything.”
As she held up her phone, she recorded the children walking by.
“They have that poor, scared look on their face. I felt bad for them. You know, to have cops following you when you’re a kid, that’s scary. But then you have a dad yelling and making this whole scene,” she said.
Confused about the interaction, Carne turned to speak with a woman next to her. An officer then noticed the women’s discussion and approached them to explain the situation.
“Essentially what we will do is we will come and educate people, talk to them, let them know what is going on. Let them know that the store requires people to wear a mask, so we have to ask people to wear a mask to come into the store,” the officer said in the video. “Gavin Newsom has kind of thrown this on us, and we are trying to respond accordingly.”
Carne said she was grateful for the officer’s explanation but thought the manager overreacted by calling police. After the incident, she posted the videos on Facebook for “educational purposes” so people would understand the police’s role.
Despite those efforts, she said people had been focusing too much on the family getting kicked out of the store. One of her videos has been viewed over 170,000 times.
“This video has gone bigger than my video of saving the baby mountain lion from one of the wildfires. I carried it out in my arms,” said Carne, an independent animal rescuer.


latimes--2020-06-23--L.A. County leaders call for independent investigation into Andres Guardado's death

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is calling for an independent investigation into the death of an 18-year-old security guard who was fatally shot by a sheriff ’ s deputy last week .
A motion that passed unanimously at Tuesday ’ s board meeting aims to ensure that “ the truth is uncovered and justice is served ” for Andres Guardado , said Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas , referring to the security guard who , according to the motion , was shot six or seven times by a deputy .
Ridley-Thomas , who authored the motion , said the L.A. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record of failing to fully comply with requests from the county ’ s Office of the Inspector General and its Civilian Oversight Commission when they attempt to investigate the agency .
“ This is a disturbing trend that can not be tolerated and that raises questions into whether the [ inspector general ’ s office ] will be able to fulfill its mandated role in overseeing investigations , ” Ridley-Thomas said in the motion .
U.S. Reps. Nanette Barragán ( D-San Pedro ) and Maxine Waters ( D-Los Angeles ) have also called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requests that the sheriff give the inspector general “ immediate and full access to all evidence requested in order to provide independent oversight , ” and directs the county ’ s attorneys to investigate “ alternative plans to ensure an independent investigation in this case.
” During the board meeting , Sheriff Alex Villanueva said in a statement posted to Instagram that he did not agree with the motion , and that his agency was already thoroughly investigating Guardado ’ s death .
“ We ’ re using our homicide bureau who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nation and second to none , ” Villanueva said .
In a statement last week , Villanueva said the Sheriff ’ s Department is “ more transparent than ever before ” under his leadership , touting his cooperation with the inspector general ’ s office .
That inspector general ’ s office , however , has repeatedly complained that it has been denied records it needs to monitor the agency .
Inspector General Max Huntsman has said that the department failed to provide records related to the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boone in Rosamond last week .
In response to demands for outside oversight , Villanueva said on Twitter on Monday that he had , “ out of an abundance of caution , ” reached out to California Atty .
Gen. Xavier Becerra to ask his office to monitor the Guardado investigation .
“ I am committed to transparency and strengthening community faith in the investigative process , ” he wrote .
But that transparency is being questioned by critics who say the department appears to be planning to block the release of Guardado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s spokeswoman Sarah Ardalani said the Sheriff ’ s Department put a “ security hold ” on the case of Guardado , who was to be examined on Monday .
She said the coroner ’ s office could not release the results of the autopsy — which would reveal how many times and where on his body Guardado was shot — until the hold was lifted .
It ’ s not uncommon for law enforcement agencies to place security holds on official reports in high-profile police shootings , but critics point out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expire and can last months or even years .
At any given time , there may be dozens of cases with security holds .
There have been growing demands for answers from Guardado ’ s family and community leaders , who held a protest Sunday that ended with deputies firing less-than-lethal weapons at them .
“ Why ’ d you kill that kid ?
” the crowd chanted after marching to the Compton sheriff ’ s station .
Villanueva has provided few details about what led up to the shooting .
The Sheriff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was shot about 6 p.m. Thursday near a Gardena auto body shop .
The agency alleges that Guardado was speaking with someone in a car that was blocking the location when deputies arrived .
Guardado is alleged to have fled after he “ produced a handgun , ” according to the Sheriff ’ s Department .
Two deputies gave chase and when they caught up to him , one of them fired six rounds at him , authorities said .
Guardado was pronounced dead at the scene .
Authorities have said they don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun at the deputy , but “ don ’ t believe ” Guardado fired any shots .
Times staff writers Ruben Vives and Dorany Pineda contributed to this report .

Hundreds of people marched to the L.A. County sheriff’s Compton station on Sunday to protest the fatal shooting of Andres Guardado, an 18-year-old security guard, by deputies last week.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is calling for an independent investigation into the death of an 18-year-old security guard who was fatally shot by a sheriff’s deputy last week.
A motion that passed unanimously at Tuesday’s board meeting aims to ensure that “the truth is uncovered and justice is served” for Andres Guardado, said Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, referring to the security guard who, according to the motion, was shot six or seven times by a deputy.
Ridley-Thomas, who authored the motion, said the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department has a record of failing to fully comply with requests from the county’s Office of the Inspector General and its Civilian Oversight Commission when they attempt to investigate the agency.
“This is a disturbing trend that cannot be tolerated and that raises questions into whether the [inspector general’s office] will be able to fulfill its mandated role in overseeing investigations,” Ridley-Thomas said in the motion.
U.S. Reps. Nanette Barragán (D-San Pedro) and Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) have also called for an independent investigation.
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The motion requests that the sheriff give the inspector general “immediate and full access to all evidence requested in order to provide independent oversight,” and directs the county’s attorneys to investigate “alternative plans to ensure an independent investigation in this case.”
During the board meeting, Sheriff Alex Villanueva said in a statement posted to Instagram that he did not agree with the motion, and that his agency was already thoroughly investigating Guardado’s death.
“We’re using our homicide bureau who are the most experienced homicide investigators in the nation and second to none,” Villanueva said.
In a statement last week, Villanueva said the Sheriff’s Department is “more transparent than ever before” under his leadership, touting his cooperation with the inspector general’s office.
That inspector general’s office, however, has repeatedly complained that it has been denied records it needs to monitor the agency.
Inspector General Max Huntsman has said that the department failed to provide records related to the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant and to the fatal shooting of Terron Boone in Rosamond last week.
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In response to demands for outside oversight, Villanueva said on Twitter on Monday that he had, “out of an abundance of caution,” reached out to California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra to ask his office to monitor the Guardado investigation.
“I am committed to transparency and strengthening community faith in the investigative process,” he wrote.
But that transparency is being questioned by critics who say the department appears to be planning to block the release of Guardado’s autopsy.
L.A. County coroner’s spokeswoman Sarah Ardalani said the Sheriff’s Department put a “security hold” on the case of Guardado, who was to be examined on Monday. She said the coroner’s office could not release the results of the autopsy — which would reveal how many times and where on his body Guardado was shot — until the hold was lifted.
It’s not uncommon for law enforcement agencies to place security holds on official reports in high-profile police shootings, but critics point out that such holds don’t automatically expire and can last months or even years. At any given time, there may be dozens of cases with security holds.
There have been growing demands for answers from Guardado’s family and community leaders, who held a protest Sunday that ended with deputies firing less-than-lethal weapons at them.
“Why’d you kill that kid?” the crowd chanted after marching to the Compton sheriff’s station.
Villanueva has provided few details about what led up to the shooting.
The Sheriff’s Department has said that Guardado was shot about 6 p.m. Thursday near a Gardena auto body shop.
The agency alleges that Guardado was speaking with someone in a car that was blocking the location when deputies arrived.
Guardado is alleged to have fled after he “produced a handgun,” according to the Sheriff’s Department. Two deputies gave chase and when they caught up to him, one of them fired six rounds at him, authorities said. Guardado was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities have said they don’t know whether Guardado pointed the gun at the deputy, but “don’t believe” Guardado fired any shots.
Times staff writers Ruben Vives and Dorany Pineda contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-06-23--California lawmakers shelve effort this year to legalize sports betting

Two years after the U.S. Supreme Court opened the door for states to allow sports betting , political squabbles between rival gambling interests have left California stalemated on the issue , with the latest effort fizzling this week in the state Legislature .
While betting on sports has been legalized in nearly two dozen other states , including New York , New Jersey and Oregon , efforts have bogged down in California , where influential Native American tribes that operate more than 60 casinos have clashed with competing card clubs over how to share the nation ’ s largest gambling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newsom have tried to broker a compromise , but this week , state Sen. Bill Dodd ( D-Napa ) said there was not enough time to finish the complicated negotiations to get a sports betting measure on the November ballot .
So he is shelving legislation for the year .
“ Given the deadlines for getting a measure on the November ballot and the impact of COVID-19 on the public ’ s ability to weigh in , we were not able to get the bill across the finish line this year , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It remains important that we lift this widespread practice out of the shadows to make it safer and to generate money for the people of California.
” Dodd ’ s constitutional amendment needed a two-thirds vote of both houses of the Legislature by Thursday to make the ballot this year , but the Assembly will not be back in session until Friday .
The senator said he would try again next year with the aim of putting a measure on the 2022 ballot , noting his legalization proposal would generate up to $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for state coffers .
The deadlock in California is not surprising to Chris Grove , a gambling industry analyst and partner with Eilers and Krejcik Gaming , which has advised the Legislature on the issue .
“ The bottom line in California is that too many stakeholders in the state ’ s gambling industry have too many existing high-stakes conflicts to allow sports betting to move forward , ” Grove said Tuesday .
“ In many ways , sports betting is a footnote for tribal and commercial gambling interests in the larger conversation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday that his office had been involved in working with legislators and the various gambling interests for almost a year .
“ It ’ s more complicated than it appears because there ’ s so many different players , ” the governor said .
“ And we ’ ve got to accommodate for those concerns — card rooms , tribal interests — [ and ] obviously address all those issues together.
” Dodd ’ s bill was opposed by a coalition of 25 Native American tribes that argue that the legislation would allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ games that the tribes say violate their exclusive compacts with the state .
The tribes objected that the bill would offer online sports betting , which members were concerned could take business away from brick-and-mortar tribal casinos .
“ We appreciate that legislators saw through the smoke and mirrors and stopped SCA 6 — the effort to break yet another agreement between California and Native American Tribes and expand Nevada-style games to card rooms , ” said a statement by the tribal group , the Coalition to Authorize Regulated Sports Wagering .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which would limit sports betting to tribal casinos and horse-racing tracks , but the coronavirus pandemic forced it to stop collecting signatures before it reached the 997,139 needed to make the 2020 ballot .
The initiative would also expand the tribal gaming compact to allow craps and roulette at tribal casinos , and to pay for state enforcement of sports betting with a 10 % tax on sports gaming revenue at the racetracks .
The tribes say they too are now aiming to get a measure on the 2022 ballot , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their request for an extension of a July 20 deadline to add to the 971,373 signatures they had collected by mid-March .
A court hearing has been set for July 2 .
The tribal initiative is opposed by card clubs , which have formed a political committee called “ No on the Gambling Power Grab.
” The card clubs said Dodd ’ s bill could have provided hundreds of millions of dollars to avoid cuts in state programs caused by reduced revenues amid California ’ s pandemic-triggered recession .
“ Yet , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vegas-style casinos , that don ’ t pay taxes , have prevailed in the Legislature in preventing a desperately needed new source of revenue from flowing to the state , ” said Steven Maviglio , a spokesman for the card club committee .
The tribal initiative , by barring online sports betting , “ incentivizes the online black market to continue , ” Maviglio said , adding , “ Californians should know their interests in this time of crisis have been spoiled by powerful special interests.
” Native American tribes have long been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the biggest tribal donors pushing the initiative spent a total of $ 2.1 million on political contributions last year , as well as $ 1.1 million on lobbying state government .
In 2004 , the tribes spent $ 33 million to defeat a ballot measure that would have allowed racetracks and card clubs to operate slot machines , preserving the law that allows the machines to be operated only at tribal casinos .
Dodd ’ s bill had support from some cities , law enforcement groups and professional sports leagues , and card @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislation , according to Kyle Kirkland , president of the clubs ’ California Gaming Assn .
“ The failure to pass this legislation is the loss of the opportunity for the state to generate billions in revenues that are desperately needed for housing , homeless , health care and emergency services , ” Kirkland said in a statement .
“ As representatives of the cardroom industry , we will continue to support comprehensive proposals that benefit Californians , not just one special interest .
”

People make bets in the sports book at the South Point hotel and casino in Las Vegas in 2018.
Two years after the U.S. Supreme Court opened the door for states to allow sports betting, political squabbles between rival gambling interests have left California stalemated on the issue, with the latest effort fizzling this week in the state Legislature.
While betting on sports has been legalized in nearly two dozen other states, including New York, New Jersey and Oregon, efforts have bogged down in California, where influential Native American tribes that operate more than 60 casinos have clashed with competing card clubs over how to share the nation’s largest gambling market.
Advisers to Gov. Gavin Newsom have tried to broker a compromise, but this week, state Sen. Bill Dodd (D-Napa) said there was not enough time to finish the complicated negotiations to get a sports betting measure on the November ballot. So he is shelving legislation for the year.
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“Given the deadlines for getting a measure on the November ballot and the impact of COVID-19 on the public’s ability to weigh in, we were not able to get the bill across the finish line this year,” Dodd said in a statement. “It remains important that we lift this widespread practice out of the shadows to make it safer and to generate money for the people of California.”
Dodd’s constitutional amendment needed a two-thirds vote of both houses of the Legislature by Thursday to make the ballot this year, but the Assembly will not be back in session until Friday.
The senator said he would try again next year with the aim of putting a measure on the 2022 ballot, noting his legalization proposal would generate up to $700 million a year in tax revenue for state coffers.
The deadlock in California is not surprising to Chris Grove, a gambling industry analyst and partner with Eilers and Krejcik Gaming, which has advised the Legislature on the issue.
“The bottom line in California is that too many stakeholders in the state’s gambling industry have too many existing high-stakes conflicts to allow sports betting to move forward,” Grove said Tuesday. “In many ways, sports betting is a footnote for tribal and commercial gambling interests in the larger conversation around gambling in California.”
Newsom said Friday that his office had been involved in working with legislators and the various gambling interests for almost a year.
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“It’s more complicated than it appears because there’s so many different players,” the governor said. “And we’ve got to accommodate for those concerns — card rooms, tribal interests — [and] obviously address all those issues together.”
Dodd’s bill was opposed by a coalition of 25 Native American tribes that argue that the legislation would allow competing card clubs to continue offering card games that the tribes say violate their exclusive compacts with the state. The tribes objected that the bill would offer online sports betting, which members were concerned could take business away from brick-and-mortar tribal casinos.
“We appreciate that legislators saw through the smoke and mirrors and stopped SCA 6 — the effort to break yet another agreement between California and Native American Tribes and expand Nevada-style games to card rooms,” said a statement by the tribal group, the Coalition to Authorize Regulated Sports Wagering.
The coalition has proposed its own ballot measure, which would limit sports betting to tribal casinos and horse-racing tracks, but the coronavirus pandemic forced it to stop collecting signatures before it reached the 997,139 needed to make the 2020 ballot.
The initiative would also expand the tribal gaming compact to allow craps and roulette at tribal casinos, and to pay for state enforcement of sports betting with a 10% tax on sports gaming revenue at the racetracks.
The tribes say they too are now aiming to get a measure on the 2022 ballot, and they are awaiting a court decision on their request for an extension of a July 20 deadline to add to the 971,373 signatures they had collected by mid-March. A court hearing has been set for July 2.
The tribal initiative is opposed by card clubs, which have formed a political committee called “No on the Gambling Power Grab.”
The card clubs said Dodd’s bill could have provided hundreds of millions of dollars to avoid cuts in state programs caused by reduced revenues amid California’s pandemic-triggered recession.
“Yet, the will of a few rich tribes with Vegas-style casinos, that don’t pay taxes, have prevailed in the Legislature in preventing a desperately needed new source of revenue from flowing to the state,” said Steven Maviglio, a spokesman for the card club committee.
The tribal initiative, by barring online sports betting, “incentivizes the online black market to continue,” Maviglio said, adding, “Californians should know their interests in this time of crisis have been spoiled by powerful special interests.”
Native American tribes have long been major players in Sacramento. Five of the biggest tribal donors pushing the initiative spent a total of $2.1 million on political contributions last year, as well as $1.1 million on lobbying state government.
In 2004, the tribes spent $33 million to defeat a ballot measure that would have allowed racetracks and card clubs to operate slot machines, preserving the law that allows the machines to be operated only at tribal casinos.
Dodd’s bill had support from some cities, law enforcement groups and professional sports leagues, and card clubs plan to continue pushing for the legislation, according to Kyle Kirkland, president of the clubs’ California Gaming Assn.
“The failure to pass this legislation is the loss of the opportunity for the state to generate billions in revenues that are desperately needed for housing, homeless, health care and emergency services,” Kirkland said in a statement. “As representatives of the cardroom industry, we will continue to support comprehensive proposals that benefit Californians, not just one special interest.”


latimes--2020-06-23--Mountain lion spotted roaming Monrovia neighborhood

A stray cat by the school or in the frontyard isn ’ t typically much of a problem .
But in Monrovia , where multiple sightings of a mountain lion have been reported , police are cautioning residents to keep an eye out .
Over the past four days , several Monrovia residents have reported seeing a big cat around the 800 block of West Olive and the 600 block of South Monterey to police .
The most recent report came in early Tuesday .
“ It ’ s been reported in several parts of the town .
This morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it on their lawn , ” Monrovia police Lt. Jaime Alfaro said .
In a video shared on a local Facebook page , the mountain lion is seen in sleek silhouette , black in the night and low to the ground .
“ Be careful with your pets , ” user Stephanie Armenta warns in the post .
Another clip broadcast by KTTV-TV shows the big cat strolling up a driveway and then hopping a fence into a backyard .
Police said although there have been several sightings , it ’ s the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been kind of a nuisance for these last couple of days , ” Alfaro said .
Monrovia officers searched for the lion Monday night but didn ’ t find it .
Police did offer residents advice in case they come across the big cat .
“ If you see the mountain lion in your yard , make loud noises and avoid approaching the animal , ” the Monrovia Police Department said in a Tuesday morning release .
Alfaro said agents from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife were in Monrovia and would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ That cat has not posed a threat to any residents directly .
The fact that it ’ s there is a danger , but we haven ’ t received any phone calls that it has tracked any residents or pets , ” Alfaro said .
The search continued Tuesday , but the big cat was still on the loose at midday .
“ Residents are cautioned to be extra vigilant and not to leave pets or small children unattended , ” the Police Department ’ s release said .

A mountain lion feeds in Malibu Creek State Park in a 2014 photo. Over the past four days, another mountain lion has been spotted in Monrovia.
A stray cat by the school or in the frontyard isn’t typically much of a problem. But in Monrovia, where multiple sightings of a mountain lion have been reported, police are cautioning residents to keep an eye out.
Over the past four days, several Monrovia residents have reported seeing a big cat around the 800 block of West Olive and the 600 block of South Monterey to police. The most recent report came in early Tuesday.
“It’s been reported in several parts of the town. This morning, a resident stepped outside and saw it on their lawn,” Monrovia police Lt. Jaime Alfaro said.
In a video shared on a local Facebook page, the mountain lion is seen in sleek silhouette, black in the night and low to the ground.
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“Be careful with your pets,” user Stephanie Armenta warns in the post.
California Mountain lion captured in downtown San Francisco A young mountain lion that was spotted looking at his reflection in the glass of an office tower in downtown San Francisco was safely captured Thursday.
Another clip broadcast by KTTV-TV shows the big cat strolling up a driveway and then hopping a fence into a backyard.
Police said although there have been several sightings, it’s the same animal.
“It’s been kind of a nuisance for these last couple of days,” Alfaro said.
Monrovia officers searched for the lion Monday night but didn’t find it.
Police did offer residents advice in case they come across the big cat.
“If you see the mountain lion in your yard, make loud noises and avoid approaching the animal,” the Monrovia Police Department said in a Tuesday morning release.
An adult mountain lion has been sighted near the 800 block of West Olive. Fish and Game Wardens are onsite and evaluating the situation.
Residents are cautioned to be extra vigilant and not to leave pets or small children unattended. pic.twitter.com/fpeaIa6vrj — Monrovia Police (@MonroviaPolice) June 23, 2020
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Alfaro said agents from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife were in Monrovia and would try to tranquilize and relocate the animal.
“That cat has not posed a threat to any residents directly. The fact that it’s there is a danger, but we haven’t received any phone calls that it has tracked any residents or pets,” Alfaro said.
The search continued Tuesday, but the big cat was still on the loose at midday.
“Residents are cautioned to be extra vigilant and not to leave pets or small children unattended,” the Police Department’s release said.


latimes--2020-06-23--Column: A city councilman is charged with racketeering, and we just yawn. That's how bad things are

How have we gotten to a point in Los Angeles where the arrest of a City Councilman is not just unsurprising , but anti-climactic ?
Councilman Jose Huizar , once a political rising star , crashed and burned Tuesday morning when he was arrested on a charge of federal racketeering , accused of running “ a criminal enterprise that used his powerful position at City Hall to solicit and accept lucrative bribes and other financial benefits to enrich himself and his close associates.
” Ho-hum and what else is new , right ?
If you ’ re keeping score at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in just three months at City Hall .
Councilman Mitch Englander has already agreed to plead guilty to corruption charges after being plied with cash and other favors that included a trip to Vegas , where he filled his pockets and ruined his name .
Can you imagine an easier job than being a federal investigator assigned to L.A. City Hall , where a pay-to-play culture has been entrenched for years ?
I mean , you don ’ t even have to bait the hook to reel in the lunkers , left and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Los Angeles , Nick Hanna , said Tuesday of the building housing our city ’ s government : “ Unfortunately , its grand exterior has concealed a cancer.
” The most amazing thing about all this is that the alleged perps could have done pretty well for themselves without breaking the law .
The rules of doing business at City Hall and making donations to candidates are so notoriously toothless in Los Angeles , there ’ s little need to go rogue .
Currying favor is legal .
Donating either directly to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the candidate is associated with is simple .
Reforms proposed recently by Councilman David Ryu were pecked at by City Hall piranhas until they were practically useless .
I once saw Huizar at Philippe ’ s and he said hello .
I mentioned to him that I had just gotten an invitation to a campaign fundraiser for him sponsored by a developer attorney who had business before the Council .
He didn ’ t seem to find anything remarkable in all that coziness .
That ’ s the history at City Hall , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was on the city Ethics Commission in the early 2000s , he was so frustrated by resistance to reform , he became cynical about the possibility of things ever changing .
“ The problem at City Hall is that the whole attitude is that it ’ s a club , with primarily developers being the greatest power , ” said Boyarsky , who was an editor and columnist at The Times before serving on the ethics panel .
“ They have the most money at stake because they ’ re building stuff , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the developers and the building trades , and they ’ re very skilled lobbyists.
” Boyarsky said he was appointed to the commission by then-City Controller Laura Chick , who asked him to raise a ruckus .
That just wasn ’ t possible , he said , because any serious attempts at serious reform were rebuffed by those whose mission was to protect the entrenched culture .
Reform proposals that made it out of the panel were sent to the City Hall rules committee , which was headed at times by then-councilman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called that committee the “ graveyard ” of all good reform ideas .
Boyarsky said he remains cynical about the chance of real reform .
When I asked what he thought might work best , he said “ arrest people.
” OK , so now the feds are trying that .
There ’ s another thing or two that might work , too .
The system of land-use decision-making is an invitation to corruption .
What can be built here or there is often a subjective decision .
Variances and exceptions are constantly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that if they can persuade a single councilman to back a project , other council members are likely to roll over .
It ’ s a culture of you scratch my back , I ’ ll scratch yours .
And in the cases of both Englander and Huizar , prosecutors allege , developers won over the councilmen with what was essentially sacks of money .
And speaking of the culture , Garcetti and Council President Nury Martinez were as quiet as mice while the rats played .
Nobody stands up to anyone else @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are most needed .
The code of silence is rarely broken , and at the very least , city leaders worth their salaries should have been leading the call for campaign finance and land-use reforms to avoid the embarrassing debacles we ’ re seeing now .
It ’ s been known for months that Huizar was going down .
His office and home were raided by authorities in 2018 .
A former aide , a political fundraiser and a real estate consultant all felt the heat and struck plea deals with the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheme that was the equivalent of thumbing his nose at taxpayers .
The allegations have him shaking down real estate developers for cash bribes and campaign donations in exchange for his help in pushing high-rise projects through .
The lubrication allegedly included free plane travel and high-end meals as well as poker chips .
But he doesn ’ t seem to have played his hand so well .
And for once , taxpayers are holding a royal flush .

How have we gotten to a point in Los Angeles where the arrest of a City Councilman is not just unsurprising, but anti-climactic?
Councilman Jose Huizar, once a political rising star, crashed and burned Tuesday morning when he was arrested on a charge of federal racketeering, accused of running “a criminal enterprise that used his powerful position at City Hall to solicit and accept lucrative bribes and other financial benefits to enrich himself and his close associates.”
Ho-hum and what else is new, right?
If you’re keeping score at home, this makes two fallen heroes in just three months at City Hall. Councilman Mitch Englander has already agreed to plead guilty to corruption charges after being plied with cash and other favors that included a trip to Vegas, where he filled his pockets and ruined his name.
Can you imagine an easier job than being a federal investigator assigned to L.A. City Hall, where a pay-to-play culture has been entrenched for years? I mean, you don’t even have to bait the hook to reel in the lunkers, left and right. As the U.S. attorney in Los Angeles, Nick Hanna, said Tuesday of the building housing our city’s government: “Unfortunately, its grand exterior has concealed a cancer.”
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The most amazing thing about all this is that the alleged perps could have done pretty well for themselves without breaking the law. The rules of doing business at City Hall and making donations to candidates are so notoriously toothless in Los Angeles, there’s little need to go rogue.
Currying favor is legal. Donating either directly to a candidate or to a fund or cause the candidate is associated with is simple. Reforms proposed recently by Councilman David Ryu were pecked at by City Hall piranhas until they were practically useless.
I once saw Huizar at Philippe’s and he said hello. I mentioned to him that I had just gotten an invitation to a campaign fundraiser for him sponsored by a developer attorney who had business before the Council. He didn’t seem to find anything remarkable in all that coziness.
That’s the history at City Hall, and when my former colleague Bill Boyarsky was on the city Ethics Commission in the early 2000s, he was so frustrated by resistance to reform, he became cynical about the possibility of things ever changing.
“The problem at City Hall is that the whole attitude is that it’s a club, with primarily developers being the greatest power,” said Boyarsky, who was an editor and columnist at The Times before serving on the ethics panel. “They have the most money at stake because they’re building stuff, and so it’s a combination of the developers and the building trades, and they’re very skilled lobbyists.”
Boyarsky said he was appointed to the commission by then-City Controller Laura Chick, who asked him to raise a ruckus. That just wasn’t possible, he said, because any serious attempts at serious reform were rebuffed by those whose mission was to protect the entrenched culture.
Reform proposals that made it out of the panel were sent to the City Hall rules committee, which was headed at times by then-councilman and current Mayor Eric Garcetti. Boyarsky called that committee the “graveyard” of all good reform ideas.
Advertisement
Boyarsky said he remains cynical about the chance of real reform. When I asked what he thought might work best, he said “arrest people.” OK, so now the feds are trying that.
There’s another thing or two that might work, too. The system of land-use decision-making is an invitation to corruption. What can be built here or there is often a subjective decision. Variances and exceptions are constantly being sought by developers, who know that if they can persuade a single councilman to back a project, other council members are likely to roll over.
It’s a culture of you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours. And in the cases of both Englander and Huizar, prosecutors allege, developers won over the councilmen with what was essentially sacks of money.
And speaking of the culture, Garcetti and Council President Nury Martinez were as quiet as mice while the rats played. Nobody stands up to anyone else at City Hall, even when rebukes are most needed. The code of silence is rarely broken, and at the very least, city leaders worth their salaries should have been leading the call for campaign finance and land-use reforms to avoid the embarrassing debacles we’re seeing now.
It’s been known for months that Huizar was going down. His office and home were raided by authorities in 2018. A former aide, a political fundraiser and a real estate consultant all felt the heat and struck plea deals with the government.
Huizar is accused of a blatant scheme that was the equivalent of thumbing his nose at taxpayers. The allegations have him shaking down real estate developers for cash bribes and campaign donations in exchange for his help in pushing high-rise projects through. The lubrication allegedly included free plane travel and high-end meals as well as poker chips.
But he doesn’t seem to have played his hand so well.
And for once, taxpayers are holding a royal flush.
steve.lopez@latimes.com


latimes--2020-06-23--Coronavirus devastates Koreatown family, one by one

It had been five years since the Kim family had lived together in their Koreatown apartment , but the coronavirus brought them all back home .
First , grandmother Soon Sun came home in mid-April after checking out of Olympia Convalescent Hospital , where she had lived for five years .
The family worried , particularly her daughter Eun-Ju , about the spread of the virus in assisted living facilities .
Then the father , Timothy , closed up his acupuncture practice and started delivering sermons from home for his weekend job as a pastor at L.A. Nasung Church in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took care of the household while her children , 22-year-old Hannah Haein and 17-year-old Joseph , finished the school year at home , their classes now online .
But the homecoming was short-lived .
After contact with sick patients through the nursing home and Timothy ’ s acupuncture practice , both Soon Sun and Timothy tested positive for COVID-19 in April .
Eun-Ju also came down with serious symptoms of the illness .
The rest of the family tested positive later that month , including Hannah and Joseph .
One after another , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admitted to Good Samaritan Hospital by the end of the month , leaving Hannah and Joseph alone in the apartment .
Although her parents were older — Timothy was 68 ; Eun-Ju , 60 — Hannah felt that the women in her mom ’ s family were particularly strong , since many had lived to be more than 100 .
“ We have a lot of grit and passion , ” Hannah said .
“ My grandmother was alive and well , up until this virus.
” But when Soon Sun died just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital at age 85 , Hannah took to Instagram to give her friends a warning : “ This virus is not a joke.
” Hannah grew up with her grandmother , who immigrated from Seoul to live with the family in the small town of Randle , Wash .
Soon Sun would always make “ old school ” Korean dishes like galbijjim and yakgwa for the family .
Soon Sun and the kids would bring a ladder from their house to a local park to pick nuts from a huge gingko tree to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
With their parents and grandmother hospitalized , Hannah and Joseph fended for themselves in the apartment .
“ At the beginning , it was really frightening , ” Hannah said .
“ Not because we were scared of anything , but we were so lonely , and it was really quiet.
” They focused on the hospitalized members of their family , hoping they would be home again soon .
But when their father died May 21 , they scrambled for support .
Hannah , who is finishing her coursework at Cal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ barely had time to mourn .
“ He was my favorite person , ” Hannah said of her father , who was born just as the Korean War was ending and , she said , always had stories to tell .
Hannah and Joseph said their father ’ s sense of humor was powerful and that he could turn a sour conversation around .
“ We would be so mad one second , and the next second we ’ d be laughing , ” Hannah recalled .
“ That ’ s what he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family sometimes struggled financially , their father always found work so that Eun-Ju could focus on taking care of the children and her mother .
At one point , he worked as a real estate agent , and once as a businessman for a solar panel company .
When they first moved to Los Angeles , he worked for World Vision , a nonprofit that provides humanitarian aid for children .
The children tried to keep news of their father ’ s death from their mother as she battled the virus in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was wrong .
After all , the couple had been married more than 20 years .
Hannah has vowed to take care of her mother now .
“ I ’ ve already lost my dad , and I promised my dad I would take care of my mom , ” she said .
“ And that ’ s what I ’ m going to do.
” Although Eun-Ju finally beat COVID-19 , her lungs were so severely damaged she was placed on a ventilator , in need of a double-lung transplant .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by UCLA Medical Center , the hospital tied to her insurance .
Last week , however , she was admitted to LAC+USC Medical Center , where she is now doing physical therapy while being evaluated for a transplant .
She is still on a ventilator , unable to speak .
“ I am my mother ’ s voice , ” Hannah said .
“ I ’ m fighting for my mom ’ s life , and it ’ s not going to be over until she comes home.
” When Eun-Ju was admitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see if they would be allowed into the hospital to see her , but they only managed to catch a glimpse of their mother being taken from an ambulance and disappearing into an elevator .
“ I am determined to bring her home , ” Hannah said .
“ There ’ s no question about her getting a lung transplant ; she ’ s going to get it , and she ’ s going to come home , whatever it takes.
” Right before Eun-Ju was sent to the hospital , Hannah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purchased their apartment building and that they were to be evicted in August .
Hannah said she told the developers about her family ’ s situation , but they refused to slow their plans to demolish the building .
“ It made my blood boil , ” Hannah said .
Hannah ’ s supervisor and mentor for her internship at the Koreatown Youth and Community Center , Katherine Kim , started a GoFundMe page , which has raised more than $ 480,000 from over 10,000 donors .
The donations will be used for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , living expenses , a college fund and savings .
Hannah also raised funds selling stickers on her art Instagram , but she received so many orders , she had to close her store as she worked to keep up with her busy schedule of meetings on her mom ’ s medical care , as well as talking with the media in an effort to further her mother ’ s cause .
With Hannah taking care of the “ business ” side of things , Joseph has been helping cook and clean at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to make it as comfortable as we can for my mom ’ s homecoming , ” Hannah said .
They also have been attending online services at Mijoo Peace Church , where they ’ ve been members since they came to L.A. 10 years ago .
“ We need that kind of support , and they ’ ve done that for us spiritually , ” Hannah said .
Renew LA , a youth support group , and Joseph ’ s high school , the Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies , have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Now , the family ’ s main concerns are finding housing and getting a lung transplant for Eun-Ju .
“ I ’ ll rip out my lung for her if I have to , ” Hannah said .
“ She ’ s our family ’ s rock , and she ’ s the strongest person I know .
”

Joseph and Hannah with their father, Timothy, and grandmother Soon Sun in Washington in 2005.
It had been five years since the Kim family had lived together in their Koreatown apartment, but the coronavirus brought them all back home.
First, grandmother Soon Sun came home in mid-April after checking out of Olympia Convalescent Hospital, where she had lived for five years. The family worried, particularly her daughter Eun-Ju, about the spread of the virus in assisted living facilities.
Then the father, Timothy, closed up his acupuncture practice and started delivering sermons from home for his weekend job as a pastor at L.A. Nasung Church in La Crescenta. Eun-Ju, meanwhile, took care of the household while her children, 22-year-old Hannah Haein and 17-year-old Joseph, finished the school year at home, their classes now online.
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But the homecoming was short-lived. After contact with sick patients through the nursing home and Timothy’s acupuncture practice, both Soon Sun and Timothy tested positive for COVID-19 in April. Eun-Ju also came down with serious symptoms of the illness.
The rest of the family tested positive later that month, including Hannah and Joseph. One after another, Soon Sun, Timothy and Eun-Ju were admitted to Good Samaritan Hospital by the end of the month, leaving Hannah and Joseph alone in the apartment.
Although her parents were older — Timothy was 68; Eun-Ju, 60 — Hannah felt that the women in her mom’s family were particularly strong, since many had lived to be more than 100. “We have a lot of grit and passion,” Hannah said. “My grandmother was alive and well, up until this virus.”
But when Soon Sun died just one week after being admitted to the hospital at age 85, Hannah took to Instagram to give her friends a warning: “This virus is not a joke.”
Hannah grew up with her grandmother, who immigrated from Seoul to live with the family in the small town of Randle, Wash. Soon Sun would always make “old school” Korean dishes like galbijjim and yakgwa for the family. Soon Sun and the kids would bring a ladder from their house to a local park to pick nuts from a huge gingko tree to add to their meals, Hannah remembered.
With their parents and grandmother hospitalized, Hannah and Joseph fended for themselves in the apartment. “At the beginning, it was really frightening,” Hannah said. “Not because we were scared of anything, but we were so lonely, and it was really quiet.”
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They focused on the hospitalized members of their family, hoping they would be home again soon. But when their father died May 21, they scrambled for support. Hannah, who is finishing her coursework at Cal State Los Angeles, said the family barely had time to mourn.
“He was my favorite person,” Hannah said of her father, who was born just as the Korean War was ending and, she said, always had stories to tell.
Hannah and Joseph said their father’s sense of humor was powerful and that he could turn a sour conversation around. “We would be so mad one second, and the next second we’d be laughing,” Hannah recalled. “That’s what he did for our family.”
Although the family sometimes struggled financially, their father always found work so that Eun-Ju could focus on taking care of the children and her mother. At one point, he worked as a real estate agent, and once as a businessman for a solar panel company. When they first moved to Los Angeles, he worked for World Vision, a nonprofit that provides humanitarian aid for children.
The children tried to keep news of their father’s death from their mother as she battled the virus in the ICU. But she could tell something was wrong. After all, the couple had been married more than 20 years.
Hannah has vowed to take care of her mother now.
“I’ve already lost my dad, and I promised my dad I would take care of my mom,” she said. “And that’s what I’m going to do.”
Hannah Kim and her mom, Eun-Ju, in Washington state in 2000. (Kim family)
Although Eun-Ju finally beat COVID-19, her lungs were so severely damaged she was placed on a ventilator, in need of a double-lung transplant. But she was rejected as a transplant candidate by UCLA Medical Center, the hospital tied to her insurance. Last week, however, she was admitted to USC Keck Hospital, where she is now doing physical therapy while being evaluated for a transplant. She is still on a ventilator, unable to speak.
“I am my mother’s voice,” Hannah said. “I’m fighting for my mom’s life, and it’s not going to be over until she comes home.”
When Eun-Ju was admitted, Hannah and Joseph waited five hours to see if they would be allowed into the hospital to see her, but they only managed to catch a glimpse of their mother being taken from an ambulance and disappearing into an elevator.
“I am determined to bring her home,” Hannah said. “There’s no question about her getting a lung transplant; she’s going to get it, and she’s going to come home, whatever it takes.”
Right before Eun-Ju was sent to the hospital, Hannah and Joseph found out that developers had purchased their apartment building and that they were to be evicted in August. Hannah said she told the developers about her family’s situation, but they refused to slow their plans to demolish the building. “It made my blood boil,” Hannah said.
Hannah’s supervisor and mentor for her internship at the Koreatown Youth and Community Center, Katherine Kim, started a GoFundMe page, which has raised more than $480,000 from over 10,000 donors. The donations will be used for housing and moving costs, funeral expenses, living expenses, a college fund and savings.
Hannah also raised funds selling stickers on her art Instagram, but she received so many orders, she had to close her store as she worked to keep up with her busy schedule of meetings on her mom’s medical care, as well as talking with the media in an effort to further her mother’s cause.
Hannah Kim and her brother, Joseph, live in the Koreatown apartment they shared with their parents and grandmother before the pandemic. (Hannah Kim)
With Hannah taking care of the “business” side of things, Joseph has been helping cook and clean at home. “We’re just trying to make it as comfortable as we can for my mom’s homecoming,” Hannah said.
They also have been attending online services at Mijoo Peace Church, where they’ve been members since they came to L.A. 10 years ago. “We need that kind of support, and they’ve done that for us spiritually,” Hannah said.
Renew LA, a youth support group, and Joseph’s high school, the Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies, have also provided support for the family.
Now, the family’s main concerns are finding housing and getting a lung transplant for Eun-Ju.
“I’ll rip out my lung for her if I have to,” Hannah said. “She’s our family’s rock, and she’s the strongest person I know.”


latimes--2020-06-23--Record high of new coronavirus cases reported in California: More than 6,000 in a day

California shattered a daily record for new coronavirus cases with more than 6,000 infections reported Monday — the largest single-day count in the state since the pandemic hit the U.S .
In Los Angeles County , officials on Tuesday reported more than 2,000 new cases for the fourth time in the last week , bringing the total number of infections to more than 88,200 .
Officials also reported 34 additional deaths , increasing the death toll to 3,171 — the bulk of the state ’ s total .
In San Diego County , officials reported more than 300 new cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after breaking a record with more than 310 cases Sunday .
The case count is only one metric in tracking the spread of the virus , and , while increased testing capacity may account for part of the increase , officials have said the surge can not be pegged to testing alone .
Officials have repeatedly warned that they expect transmission rates to increase as more businesses reopen and people resume normal activities after months-long stay-at-home orders .
L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer has said that while it is impossible to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public setting , it is “ highly likely ” that the overall increase is related to mass protests that erupted over the death of George Floyd as well as clusters of social gatherings at restaurants and private parties .
In Riverside County , which has the second-highest number of cases in the state , public health officials have reported 4,001 new cases in 14 days .
Although the metric fails to meet Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s standard for reopening , the county voted last month to approve a “ Readiness and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toward reopening .
Officials announced Monday that they will randomly select about 3,500 Riverside County residents for an antibody study to determine whether they ’ ve been exposed to the virus .
The study will help the county ’ s planning efforts for reopening .
“ We are asking those who are contacted to strongly consider taking part in the study , ” said Kim Saruwatari , the county ’ s public health director .
“ It ’ s important to know the extent of the spread of the virus [ and how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information is vital as we move forward .
Across the state , the positivity rate among those tested for coronavirus increased from 4.5 % to 4.8 % in the last week , and the number of hospitalizations jumped by 16 % .
In L.A. County , the daily positivity rate over a seven-day average jumped to 8.8 % .
Officials reported Tuesday there are 1,515 people hospitalized , 27 % in intensive care .
While that number is a far cry from the highs of 1,900 patients in past months , it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,350 to 1,450 in the past few weeks .
Despite the uptick in cases , more cities and counties are continuing to expand their reopening plans .
In San Francisco , Mayor London Breed and Health Director Dr. Grant Colfax announced this week that the city would move up its next phase of reopening from mid-July to June 29 .
Hair and nail salons , barbershops , museums , zoos , tattoo parlors , massage establishments and outdoor bars will be able to reopen , provided they follow safety protocols .
“ Thanks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health requirements , wear face coverings and practice social distancing , our COVID-19 health indicators are in a good place , and we can continue reopening our city , ” Breed said .
“ We know a lot of businesses and residents are struggling financially , and this next step will help get more San Franciscans back to work while still balancing safety.
” Newsom said state health officials are keeping a close eye on the numbers , adding that he felt confident the state would be able to respond to the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We ’ ve always walked into this with our eyes wide open .
We ’ ve always prepared for a surge , ” the governor said .
“ We ’ re in that band , where I feel like we anticipated the likelihood as we ’ ve reopened , of the numbers increasing , and they have.
” However , he said it ’ s possible for the state to reverse course if case counts continue to climb .
“ We are prepared to do that , if we must , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for people to wear face coverings , which is now a statewide mandate , and to report businesses and restaurants that are not following safety protocols .
“ When you go to a restaurant and it ’ s clear that they ’ re not practicing what we are preaching , report them .
Give us the tools to enforce , ” he said .
Last week , L.A. County officials said that roughly 1,000 restaurants were found to be violating regulations for reopening , with tables placed too closely together .
The state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Imperial , Kings , Los Angeles , Riverside , San Bernardino , San Joaquin , Santa Barbara , Stanislaus and Tulare — for surges in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations .
In L.A. County , Director of Health Services Dr. Christina Ghaly said Monday that , while the county currently has enough available hospital beds , the number of intensive care units may become limited in coming weeks if COVID-19 patients have to compete for space with other patients .
Officials are closely monitoring those numbers .
Additionally , officials estimate that about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without knowing it as so-called asymptomatic spread remains a risk .
“ Angelenos over the course of a typical day are likely going to interact with individuals who are infectious , ” Ghaly said .
“ These people might not seem sick .
”

Aerial views cars lined up for drive-through coronavirus testing inside a parking lot on Stadium Way near Dodger Stadium. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
Riverside County medical personnel screen a car of load of four people at a coronavirus drive-though testing facility for Coachella Valley residents in the parking lot of the Southwest in Indian Wells. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)
Members of the Los Angeles Fire Dept. wear protective gear while handing out kits to people to swab the inside of their mouths to test for the coronavirus, inside a parking lot on Stadium Way, near Dodger Stadium. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times)
Motorists, line up on Stadium Way, near Dodger Stadium, waiting to enter a parking lot and be tested for the coronavirus. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times)
San Bernardino County health care worker takes a sample at a coronavirus drive-thru sample collection that took place at the county fairgrounds in Victorville. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)
A woman shows her notice from her doctor that allows her to obtain a test for COVID-19 at a new drive-up testing site in a parking lot at the South Bay Galleria in Redondo Beach. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)
Cassidy Roosen, with Beach Cities Health District, holds up a sign that says, “We’re All In This Together,” while waiting to direct cars at a drive-through, appointment-only coronavirus testing location, at the South Bay Galleria, in Redondo Beach. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)
A man misses the blue bin while dropping off his self-administered COVID-19 test at a drive-up test site at the Veterans Administration Parking Lot 15 outside of Jackie Robinson Stadium in Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)
Workers direct drivers at a drive-up test site for COVID-19 at the Veterans Administration Parking Lot 15 outside of Jackie Robinson Stadium in Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)
A man drops off his self-administered COVID-19 test in a blue bin at a drive-up test site at the Veterans Administration Parking Lot 15 outside of Jackie Robinson Stadium in Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina/Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)
Francis Gon-Gibbs, of LA County Fire Department Lifeguard Division, stands at the entrance of a new mobile testing site for people with symptoms of the coronavirus at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in South Los Angeles. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times)
Gessie Lurlay is working as a coronavirus screener at the Camarena Health Center in Madera. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times)
Healthcare workers tend to a driver in line at a drive-through Coronavirus testing site at the Westminster Mall in Westminster. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
Healthcare workers tend to a driver in line at a drive-through Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing site at the Westminster Mall in Westminster. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
Nurses pose for a fun photo between breaks at a drive-through public testing for coronavirus at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)
Julie Montez, right, sits in her car as a nurse administers a coronavirus test at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)
A portrait and quote by Martin Luther King, Jr. overlooks a new mobile testing site for people with symptoms of the coronavirus at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in South Los Angeles. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times)
A specimen is turned in at the new mobile testing site for people with symptoms of the coronavirus at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in South Los Angeles. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times)
A man talks with a healthcare worker outside Kedren Community Health Center in South LA, where they are offering walk-up coronavirus testing along with other medical services. (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)
Carson residents Kaeli Burks, 3, left, and her cousin Bailey Watson, 5, look out the window of their car after their mothers helped them with self-testing at a drive-up testing site for COVID-19 in Carson. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Carson City Mayor Albert Robles does self-testing at a new drive-up testing site for COVID-19 outside of a community center in Carson. Free COVID-19 testing is available to all city residents. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Juan Infante, a certified medical assistant, takes the temperature of a patient before she gets tested. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
Drive-through COVID-19 testing in Boyle Heights. Experts say widespread testing is crucial for states to be able to safely reopen their economies. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
California shattered a daily record for new coronavirus cases with more than 6,000 infections reported Monday — the largest single-day count in the state since the pandemic hit the U.S.
In Los Angeles County, officials on Tuesday reported more than 2,000 new cases for the fourth time in the last week, bringing the total number of infections to more than 88,200. Officials also reported 34 additional deaths, increasing the death toll to 3,171 — the bulk of the state’s total.
In San Diego County, officials reported more than 300 new cases for the second day in a row after breaking a record with more than 310 cases Sunday.
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The case count is only one metric in tracking the spread of the virus, and, while increased testing capacity may account for part of the increase, officials have said the surge cannot be pegged to testing alone.
Officials have repeatedly warned that they expect transmission rates to increase as more businesses reopen and people resume normal activities after months-long stay-at-home orders.
L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer has said that while it is impossible to track the origin of spread in a public setting, it is “highly likely” that the overall increase is related to mass protests that erupted over the death of George Floyd as well as clusters of social gatherings at restaurants and private parties.
In Riverside County, which has the second-highest number of cases in the state, public health officials have reported 4,001 new cases in 14 days. Although the metric fails to meet Gov. Gavin Newsom’s standard for reopening, the county voted last month to approve a “Readiness and Reopening Framework” that outlines alternative benchmarks toward reopening.
Officials announced Monday that they will randomly select about 3,500 Riverside County residents for an antibody study to determine whether they’ve been exposed to the virus. The study will help the county’s planning efforts for reopening.
“We are asking those who are contacted to strongly consider taking part in the study,” said Kim Saruwatari, the county’s public health director. “It’s important to know the extent of the spread of the virus [and how many] have developed antibodies. That information is vital as we move forward.
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Tracking the coronavirus in California The latest maps and charts on the spread of COVID-19 in California.
Across the state, the positivity rate among those tested for coronavirus increased from 4.5% to 4.8% in the last week, and the number of hospitalizations jumped by 16%.
In L.A. County, the daily positivity rate over a seven-day average jumped to 8.8%. Officials reported Tuesday there are 1,515 people hospitalized, 27% in intensive care. While that number is a far cry from the highs of 1,900 patients in past months, it is higher than the daily hospitalization counts of 1,350 to 1,450 in the past few weeks.
Despite the uptick in cases, more cities and counties are continuing to expand their reopening plans.
In San Francisco, Mayor London Breed and Health Director Dr. Grant Colfax announced this week that the city would move up its next phase of reopening from mid-July to June 29. Hair and nail salons, barbershops, museums, zoos, tattoo parlors, massage establishments and outdoor bars will be able to reopen, provided they follow safety protocols.
“Thanks to San Franciscans’ efforts to follow health requirements, wear face coverings and practice social distancing, our COVID-19 health indicators are in a good place, and we can continue reopening our city,” Breed said. “We know a lot of businesses and residents are struggling financially, and this next step will help get more San Franciscans back to work while still balancing safety.”
Newsom said state health officials are keeping a close eye on the numbers, adding that he felt confident the state would be able to respond to the virus in the weeks and months ahead.
“We’ve always walked into this with our eyes wide open. We’ve always prepared for a surge,” the governor said. “We’re in that band, where I feel like we anticipated the likelihood as we’ve reopened, of the numbers increasing, and they have.”
However, he said it’s possible for the state to reverse course if case counts continue to climb.
“We are prepared to do that, if we must,” he said.
California Alarmed by spiking coronavirus numbers? Here’s why officials insist they aren’t worried Health officials say the total in new cases is not the best measure of community spread because of aggressive levels of new testing. They point to other metrics they say shows that the local outbreak has stabilized.
Newsom repeated a plea for people to wear face coverings, which is now a statewide mandate, and to report businesses and restaurants that are not following safety protocols.
“When you go to a restaurant and it’s clear that they’re not practicing what we are preaching, report them. Give us the tools to enforce,” he said.
Last week, L.A. County officials said that roughly 1,000 restaurants were found to be violating regulations for reopening, with tables placed too closely together.
The state is currently monitoring 10 counties — Fresno, Imperial, Kings, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Joaquin, Santa Barbara, Stanislaus and Tulare — for surges in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations.
In L.A. County, Director of Health Services Dr. Christina Ghaly said Monday that, while the county currently has enough available hospital beds, the number of intensive care units may become limited in coming weeks if COVID-19 patients have to compete for space with other patients. Officials are closely monitoring those numbers.
Additionally, officials estimate that about 1 in 400 Angelenos may be sick without knowing it as so-called asymptomatic spread remains a risk.
“Angelenos over the course of a typical day are likely going to interact with individuals who are infectious,” Ghaly said. “These people might not seem sick.”
Times staff writer Taryn Luna contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-06-23--Hundreds protest outside LAUSD headquarters as board weighs defunding school police

Outside L.A. Unified headquarters , hundreds of students , activists and community members rallied Tuesday to demand that the school board eliminate the school police department .
On the ground , they waved signs and danced to music about police brutality .
Above , a sky-writing plane spelled “ Defund LASPD.
” Inside the boardroom , almost all the 25 available , socially-distanced seats were occupied by off-duty school police or their supporters who had managed to get into the room before a long line of anti-school police demonstrators , who began gathering at least an hour before the meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The only board member there in person was Monica Garcia , who authored a resolution to defund school police by 90 % within four years .
Other board members joined via video call to consider three competing resolutions related to school police .
For the first 90 minutes of the board meeting , public speakers called in to overwhelmingly support Garcia ’ s resolution .
Fifty-six callers had their say , but more than 100 others could not get in during the allotted time .
As the meeting moved to speakers waiting on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s resolution continued , but many parents , school employees and police officers spoke in support of keeping the force .
“ School police does not make us any more comfortable , ” said Amara Abdullah , co-founder of the Black Lives Matter Los Angeles Youth Vanguard and a rising freshman at Hamilton High .
“ You can ’ t expect us to do as well in school as white students if we feel criminalized every time we walk into campus.
” “ Black students feel criminalized , have been pepper sprayed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
” Mya said .
“ Do you want an accidental death like George Floyd ’ s ?
Do you want to see that on campus ?
” Garcia ’ s plan has backing from activist groups , students and community members who ’ ve long called for .
The California Charter Schools Assn .
and the leadership of the two largest L.A. Unified unions , representing teachers and classified workers , including bus drivers and classroom aides , also back Garcia ’ s resolution .
“ It ’ s not the intended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students are saying the armed officer on campus creates for them a barrier to learning , ” Garcia said before the meeting .
“ So the solution to eradicate racism and classism is helping all communities be well with reading and writing at the core .
And our responsibility is to invest every single dollar we got towards that goal.
” Many speakers and callers , including school police officers , mental health workers and parents , advocated to keep the department and said school police officers made them and their children feel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and when they were victimized on campus .
Police officers described putting themselves at risk to get students home safely , and building relationships that helped students get to college .
“ We should be changing together , not be against each other .
She ’ s imploding the school district from within , and you know what , I ’ ll make my voice heard .
And we ’ re ... not going to put up with that kind of stuff , ” L.A. School Police Sgt .
Nestor Gonzalez said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I ’ m about to lose my livelihood , my insurance , my way of living here in Los Angeles , all my life , because you ’ re trying to get rid of us instead of working together and coming up with a great solution.
” Lakisha Johnson , a psychiatric social worker who works with the police department ’ s mental health response team , said that as a Black woman she understands the issue of institutional racism and the need to root it out assertively .
But the school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unfairly scapegoated as the source of the problem within L.A. Unified .
She called for every division , “ because we have all collectively failed Black students over the past several decades , ” to relinquish 5 % of their budgets , making every unit accountable “ to move the meter ” and if they don ’ t , reallocate the budget to departments that are making a difference .
Under Garcia ’ s resolution , the $ 70-million school police budget would decrease by 90 % by 2023-24 .
The funding would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools considered to have the highest needs .
Two other proposals , one from board member Jackie Goldberg and one from board member George McKenna , call for a panel to study policing ; Goldberg ’ s includes additional changes , such as a hiring freeze and a preliminary ban on the use of pepper spray .
School police Officer Travis Fenderson , who recently formed the Black School Police Officers Coalition for Justice , Reform and Accountability , said he supported McKenna ’ s resolution.
“ The things that we do , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far beyond the understanding ” of those calling for defunding , he said , and includes mentoring students .
Venice High junior Daryl Action II was among some students who spoke in support of school police .
“ Me as a Black youth has never felt threatened by school police , ” said Daryl , whose ambition is to become a criminal defense attorney .
“ These officers don ’ t just protect us ... .
They understand us.
” “ As education workers whose jobs are to ensure clean , safe and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Los Angeles Unified School , SEIU Local 99 members support board member Monica Garcia ’ s resolution , ” local President Max Arias said in a statement Tuesday morning .
The teachers union House of Representatives , the union ’ s official governing body , is scheduled to vote Thursday on whether to adopt a policy that supports eliminating the police department .
The union ’ s Board of Directors leadership already voted to support this policy .
The L.A. School Police Department , founded in 1984 , employs 366 sworn officers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the largest school police departments in the country — behind that of Miami-Dade Schools Police , which employs 455 sworn and 75 non-sworn officers , according to an L.A. Unified analysis .
In other large school districts nationwide , such as New York and Chicago , local police departments place officers in schools .
Leadership in both school districts have faced pressure to eliminate their municipal police presence on campuses .

Liliana Ruiz, left, and Jacqueline Ramirez, center, join members of Black Lives Matter-L.A. and others at the protest. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times)
Teacher Johana Cervantes and others at Tuesday’s meeting recite the Pledge of Allegiance. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times)
Melina Abdullah, co-founder of Black Lives Matter-L.A., speaks to supporters at the demonstration outside LAUSD headquarters. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times)
Los Angeles School Police Sgt. Nestor Gonzalez and school board member Monica Garcia have a discussion before the LAUSD Zoom meeting in Los Angeles. Garcia was the only board member who was at L.A. Unified headquarters in person. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times)
Students, activists and others march to LAUSD headquarters Tuesday to urge the school board to defund school police. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times)
A deeply divided Los Angeles school board on Tuesday failed to agree on proposed reforms to the school police, effectively leaving the matter to a task force created by Supt. Austin Beutner and disappointing activists who had called for eliminating the department.
The lack of consensus capped a day of intense passions as students and activist groups called for terminating the department and using its $70 million annual budget for other student needs, especially those that would benefit Black students.
The school police had a smaller number of equally passionate defenders, including officers, social workers, school administrators and even a few students.
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The Board of Education debate revolved around three resolutions.
The most aggressive was brought forward by Monica Garcia, who proposed phasing out funding for school police over the next four years. This was the proposal favored by activists critical of the police.
“This is not about you personally, Mr. Officer,” she said at one point. “This is about systemic racism and classism.” The district, she said, needed to transition away from a police department “to another safety strategy.”
“I do believe that we have the best school department in the country,” she said. “That is not enough.”
Only one of the six other board members, Nick Melvoin, joined with Garcia.
× Nationwide, protesters and activists have been calling to “defund the police.” But what does it actually mean? And why are so many people calling for it to happen?
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The proposal that seemed to have the best chance of passing was from Jackie Goldberg. It would have banned the use of pepper spray, cut the police budget by $20 million and imposed a hiring freeze, among other provisions.
She added the budget cut to her resolution to win the support of board members Nick Melvoin and Kelly Gonez. She also was willing to abandon the cut to win over board members, but no combination added up to the necessary four-vote majority.
A third resolution — to study the issue and provide recommendations to the board — had three solid votes from George McKenna, its author, Scott Schmerelson and board president Richard Vladovic.
“I think we need to be practical about what we’re doing rather than reactionary,” McKenna said. “Being loud doesn’t mean you’re right,” he said, referring to the day’s demonstration against police.
His resolution — which was favored by all three retired school administrators on the board — never had a chance at the fourth vote needed to claim a majority.
“If we don’t do anything today, it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do anything,” Goldberg said in resignation hours into the debate.
Anti-school police activists vowed to continue their efforts, calling Garcia’s resolution the “Freedom Motion.”
“All those who voted against the Freedom Motion lost and represent the racist past,” said Channing Martinez, director of organizing for the Labor/Community Strategy Center. “They cannot stop this moving bus.”
“I’m mad that LAUSD did not do anything about the ways that Black students are being policed,” said Dorsey High student Sarah Djato, an organizer for the youth-led group Students Deserve.
Juan Flecha, the head of the administrators union, was cautiously optimistic about striking the right balance between policing and students’ concerns after watching the day’s events.
“I have high hopes for the superintendent’s task force and appreciate that labor partners will be a part of the conversation,” Flecha said. “I’m happy there will be multiple perspectives. We do have to look at safety and budget matters and what police can do differently — what we all can do differently.”
He said it will be critically important to keep Black lives at the center of the conversation.
The decision came after contentious debate and passionate appeals from multiple sides of the issue.
Outside L.A. Unified headquarters, hundreds of students, activists and community members had rallied in the morning to demand that the school board eliminate the school police department. On the ground, they waved signs and danced to music about police brutality. Above, a sky-writing plane spelled “Defund LASPD.”
Inside the boardroom, almost all the 25 available, socially distanced seats were occupied by off-duty school police or their supporters. The only board member there in person was Garcia, who authored the resolution to defund school police by 90% within four years. It would have redistributed funding according to a formula that ranked schools most in need.
Public speakers overwhelmingly voiced support for Garcia’s resolution, but many parents, school employees and police officers defended the department, referring to officers’ experiences risking their lives to keep students safe and building community relationships.
“School police does not make us any more comfortable,” said Amara Abdullah, co-founder of the Black Lives Matter Los Angeles Youth Vanguard and a rising freshman at Hamilton High. “You can’t expect us to do as well in school as white students if we feel criminalized every time we walk into campus.”
Mya Edwards, a recent Venice High School graduate, echoed Amara.
“Black students feel criminalized, have been pepper sprayed, arrested. What else do you need?” Mya said. “Do you want an accidental death like George Floyd’s? Do you want to see that on campus?”
Garcia’s plan had backing from activist groups, students and community members who’ve long called for defunding the school police . The California Charter Schools Assn. and the leadership of the two largest L.A. Unified unions, representing teachers and most non-teaching workers, including bus drivers and classroom aides, also backed Garcia’s resolution. The leadership of other employee unions, including the one representing principals and other administrators, wants to keep the school police.
“We should be changing together, not be against each other,” said L.A. School Police Sgt. Nestor Gonzalez, a district graduate who said he felt betrayed by Garcia. “I’m about to lose my livelihood, my insurance, my way of living here in Los Angeles” and students, he asserted, would be less safe.
Lakisha Johnson, a psychiatric social worker who works with the police department’s mental health response team, said that as a Black woman she understands the issue of institutional racism and the need to root it out assertively. But the school police, she said, are being unfairly scapegoated.
She called for every division, “because we have all collectively failed Black students over the past several decades,” to relinquish 5% of their budgets, making every unit accountable “to move the meter” and if they don’t, reallocate the budget to departments that are making a difference.
The L.A. School Police Department, founded in 1984, employs 366 sworn officers and 95 non-sworn officers. It is one of the largest school police departments in the country — behind that of Miami-Dade Schools Police, which employs 455 sworn and 75 non-sworn officers, according to an L.A. Unified analysis.