latimes--2020-02-18--Boy Scouts seek bankruptcy under wave of new sex abuse lawsuits

The Boy Scouts of America , one of the nation ’ s oldest and largest youth organizations , filed for bankruptcy protection late Monday as former Scouts ’ legal claims of past sexual abuse continue to mount .
The Scouts ’ Chapter 11 petition , filed in Bankruptcy Court in Delaware , comes amid declining membership and a wave of new sex-abuse lawsuits after several states , including California , New York and New Jersey , recently expanded legal options for childhood victims to sue .
California ’ s law , AB 218 , took effect in January and , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ lookback window ” for victims to sue for damages on claims previously barred by statutes of limitation .
It also relaxes age restrictions on filing claims , giving victims until age 40 or five years after they become aware of injury caused by abuse .
The Boy Scouts of America “ cares deeply about all victims of abuse and sincerely apologizes to anyone who was harmed during their time in Scouting .
We are outraged that there have been times when individuals took advantage of our programs to harm innocent children , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president and chief executive officer , said in a statement .
“ While we know nothing can undo the tragic abuse that victims suffered , we believe the Chapter 11 process — with the proposed Trust structure — will provide equitable compensation to all victims while maintaining the BSA ’ s important mission , ” he said .
Scouts officials will not say how many abuse lawsuits have been filed in recent years or how much has been paid out in settlements and judgments .
Plaintiffs attorneys say the lawsuits number well into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were settled with confidential agreements before lawsuits were filed .
The bankruptcy petition , filed on behalf of Delaware BSA LLC early Tuesday , Eastern Standard Time , lists assets of zero to $ 50,000 and liabilities of $ 100 million to $ 500 million .
The Scouts statement noted that local Scouts councils are not part of the bankruptcy .
Some of the Scouts ’ insurers have refused to cover payouts in sex abuse cases , contending that the 110-year-old organization could have prevented the abuse that led to the claims , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bankruptcy is not likely to affect local Scouting activities but will halt ongoing lawsuits while settlements are negotiated .
It also will require new abuse claims to be handled in that venue rather than in state courts .
Gilion Dumas , a Portland , Ore. , attorney who has more than a dozen lawsuits pending against the Scouts in California , said the automatic stay on litigation will plunge her clients into legal limbo .
Those who have filed lawsuits will join the ranks of other creditors , which could delay resolution of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One of her cases , involving a former Scout who allegedly was sexually abused when he was 9 and 10 years old , was scheduled for trial in March , she said .
“ He was finally going to get his day in court , and that is going to be yanked away from him and he will be stuck in line with a lot of other people in bankruptcy court , ” she said .
“ He will have to wait another two years to get any kind of compensation for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which has a membership of 2.2 million Scouts , still has assets of $ 1.4 billion , the looming liabilities were large enough that officials had considered for about a year whether to file for bankruptcy protection .
As recently as last week , the Boy Scouts of America said “ no decisions have been made ” on bankruptcy and that it “ does not comment on rumors or speculation.
” “ The Boy Scouts of America is working with experts and exploring all options available so we can live up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compensate victims who suffered abuse during their time in Scouting , while also ensuring that we carry out our mission to serve youth , families and local communities through our programs , ” the organization said in a statement to The Times .
Besides lawsuits , the organization also has been buffeted by declining membership , including the departure of some 400,000 Scouts in troops sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , which has cut ties to the program .
Those numbers are not likely to be offset any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who have been eligible to join since February 2019 .
The Chapter 11 action will allow the Boy Scouts of America to reorganize and restructure its finances .
Lawyers for accusers say the move also is aimed at shielding billions more in real estate and other assets held separately by local Boy Scout councils from being tapped to settle abuse claims .
Some Catholic dioceses caught up in the church ’ s sex abuse scandal employed the same tactic , in part to protect parish assets against claims .
Many of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publication in 2012 of internal Scout records involving about 5,000 men on a blacklist known as the “ perversion files , ” a closely guarded trove of documents that details sexual abuse allegations against troop leaders and others dating back a century .
Attorney Paul Mones used about 1,200 of the files in a Portland courtroom to win a landmark $ 19.9-million verdict against the Scouts in 2010 on behalf of a man who was sexually abused as a boy in the 1980s .
“ The biggest takeaway from that trial was that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the BSA had this vast knowledge base of sexual abuse that they sat on and did not educate the Scouts or their parents , and kept it from the public , ” he said .
“ The importance of The Times ’ release of those files was that people then had the ability to do a search online.
” In its yearlong examination of the files , The Times documented hundreds of cases in which the Boy Scouts failed to report accusations to authorities , hid the allegations from parents and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resign — and then helped cover their tracks with bogus reasons for their departures .
Accusers cited the files — formally known for decades as the “ ineligible volunteer files ” and now called the Volunteer Screening Database — as evidence the organization knew of pedophiles in its ranks but failed to protect children .
Scouting officials have fought hard in court to keep the files from public view , contending that confidentiality was necessary to protect victims , witnesses and anyone falsely accused .
It was not necessary to be charged with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ files , nor were all allegations substantiated .
A researcher hired by the Scouts to analyze a more complete set of records from 1944 to 2016 said last year that she had identified 7,819 suspected abusers and 12,254 victims .
Plaintiffs ’ lawyers and others contend those numbers understate the extent of the abuse in Scouting .
They note that most offenders were accused of molesting multiple boys and that many instances of abuse were never reported .
The Scouts also have acknowledged destroying an unknown number of files over the years .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country have signed on hundreds of new clients who are expected to sue the Scouts .
Lawyers who launched a recent national TV ad campaign say they have taken on more than 1,600 new clients with sexual abuse claims against the Scouts , including hundreds of previously unidentified “ hidden predators ” whose names are not on the blacklist of alleged offenders .
In a previous statement to The Times , Scouts officials acknowledged there were “ instances in our organization ’ s history when cases were not addressed or handled in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect Scouts.
” But they emphasized enhanced youth protection measures now in place , including criminal background checks for leaders and volunteers and mandatory reporting of incidents .
“ We care deeply about all victims of abuse and sincerely apologize to anyone who was harmed during their time in Scouting , ” the statement said .
“ We believe victims , we support them , we pay for counseling by a provider of their choice , and we encourage them to come forward.
” Mones said such statements ring hollow for many of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to heart the Boy Scout oath “ to help other people at all times ; to keep myself physically strong , mentally awake , and morally straight.
” “ The sadness for them is that the organization didn ’ t live up to the Boy Scout oath , ” he said .
“ That will be the epitaph of this bankruptcy .
”

The Boy Scouts of America, one of the nation’s oldest and largest youth organizations, filed for bankruptcy protection late Monday as former Scouts’ legal claims of past sexual abuse continue to mount.
The Scouts’ Chapter 11 petition, filed in Bankruptcy Court in Delaware, comes amid declining membership and a wave of new sex-abuse lawsuits after several states, including California, New York and New Jersey, recently expanded legal options for childhood victims to sue.
California’s law, AB 218, took effect in January and, among other provisions, opens a three-year “lookback window” for victims to sue for damages on claims previously barred by statutes of limitation. It also relaxes age restrictions on filing claims, giving victims until age 40 or five years after they become aware of injury caused by abuse.
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The Boy Scouts of America “cares deeply about all victims of abuse and sincerely apologizes to anyone who was harmed during their time in Scouting. We are outraged that there have been times when individuals took advantage of our programs to harm innocent children,” Roger Mosby, the Scouts’ president and chief executive officer, said in a statement.
“While we know nothing can undo the tragic abuse that victims suffered, we believe the Chapter 11 process — with the proposed Trust structure — will provide equitable compensation to all victims while maintaining the BSA’s important mission,” he said.
Scouts officials will not say how many abuse lawsuits have been filed in recent years or how much has been paid out in settlements and judgments. Plaintiffs attorneys say the lawsuits number well into the hundreds and that many other claims were settled with confidential agreements before lawsuits were filed.
The bankruptcy petition for Boy Scouts of America, filed early Tuesday, Eastern Standard Time, lists assets of $1 billion to $10 billion and liabilities of $500 million to $1 billion. The Scouts statement noted that local Scouts councils are not part of the bankruptcy.
Some of the Scouts’ insurers have refused to cover payouts in sex abuse cases, contending that the 110-year-old organization could have prevented the abuse that led to the claims, court records show.
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The Scouts’ bankruptcy is not likely to affect local Scouting activities but will halt ongoing lawsuits while settlements are negotiated. It also will require new abuse claims to be handled in that venue rather than in state courts.
Gilion Dumas, a Portland, Ore., attorney who has more than a dozen lawsuits pending against the Scouts in California, said the automatic stay on litigation will plunge her clients into legal limbo. Those who have filed lawsuits will join the ranks of other creditors, which could delay resolution of their claims for years, Dumas said.
One of her cases, involving a former Scout who allegedly was sexually abused when he was 9 and 10 years old, was scheduled for trial in March, she said.
“He was finally going to get his day in court, and that is going to be yanked away from him and he will be stuck in line with a lot of other people in bankruptcy court,” she said. “He will have to wait another two years to get any kind of compensation for his injuries.”
Looming liabilities
Although the national organization, which has a membership of 2.2 million Scouts, still has assets of $1.4 billion, the looming liabilities were large enough that officials had considered for about a year whether to file for bankruptcy protection.
As recently as last week, the Boy Scouts of America said “no decisions have been made” on bankruptcy and that it “does not comment on rumors or speculation.”
“The Boy Scouts of America is working with experts and exploring all options available so we can live up to our social and moral responsibility to equitably compensate victims who suffered abuse during their time in Scouting, while also ensuring that we carry out our mission to serve youth, families and local communities through our programs,” the organization said in a statement to The Times.
Besides lawsuits, the organization also has been buffeted by declining membership, including the departure of some 400,000 Scouts in troops sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which has cut ties to the program. Those numbers are not likely to be offset any time soon by the admission of girls, who have been eligible to join since February 2019.
The Chapter 11 action will allow the Boy Scouts of America to reorganize and restructure its finances. Lawyers for accusers say the move also is aimed at shielding billions more in real estate and other assets held separately by local Boy Scout councils from being tapped to settle abuse claims.
Some Catholic dioceses caught up in the church’s sex abuse scandal employed the same tactic, in part to protect parish assets against claims.
Many of the lawsuits followed the Los Angeles Times’ publication in 2012 of internal Scout records involving about 5,000 men on a blacklist known as the “perversion files,” a closely guarded trove of documents that details sexual abuse allegations against troop leaders and others dating back a century.
Attorney Paul Mones used about 1,200 of the files in a Portland courtroom to win a landmark $19.9-million verdict against the Scouts in 2010 on behalf of a man who was sexually abused as a boy in the 1980s.
“The biggest takeaway from that trial was that the public saw for the first time that the BSA had this vast knowledge base of sexual abuse that they sat on and did not educate the Scouts or their parents, and kept it from the public,” he said. “The importance of The Times’ release of those files was that people then had the ability to do a search online.”
In its yearlong examination of the files, The Times documented hundreds of cases in which the Boy Scouts failed to report accusations to authorities, hid the allegations from parents and the public or urged admitted abusers to quietly resign — and then helped cover their tracks with bogus reasons for their departures.
Accusers cited the files — formally known for decades as the “ineligible volunteer files” and now called the Volunteer Screening Database — as evidence the organization knew of pedophiles in its ranks but failed to protect children.
The sadness for [victims] is that the organization didn’t live up to the Boy Scout Oath. That will be the epitaph of this bankruptcy. — Paul Mones, attorney for sexual abuse victims
Scouting officials have fought hard in court to keep the files from public view, contending that confidentiality was necessary to protect victims, witnesses and anyone falsely accused. It was not necessary to be charged with a crime to be placed in the files, nor were all allegations substantiated.
A researcher hired by the Scouts to analyze a more complete set of records from 1944 to 2016 said last year that she had identified 7,819 suspected abusers and 12,254 victims.
Plaintiffs’ lawyers and others contend those numbers understate the extent of the abuse in Scouting. They note that most offenders were accused of molesting multiple boys and that many instances of abuse were never reported. The Scouts also have acknowledged destroying an unknown number of files over the years.
During the last year, attorneys across the country have signed on hundreds of new clients who are expected to sue the Scouts.
Lawyers who launched a recent national TV ad campaign say they have taken on more than 1,600 new clients with sexual abuse claims against the Scouts, including hundreds of previously unidentified “hidden predators” whose names are not on the blacklist of alleged offenders.
In a previous statement to The Times, Scouts officials acknowledged there were “instances in our organization’s history when cases were not addressed or handled in a manner consistent with our commitment to protect Scouts.”
But they emphasized enhanced youth protection measures now in place, including criminal background checks for leaders and volunteers and mandatory reporting of incidents.
“We care deeply about all victims of abuse and sincerely apologize to anyone who was harmed during their time in Scouting,” the statement said. “We believe victims, we support them, we pay for counseling by a provider of their choice, and we encourage them to come forward.”
Mones said such statements ring hollow for many of his clients, who as children took to heart the Boy Scout oath “to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.”
“The sadness for them is that the organization didn’t live up to the Boy Scout oath,” he said. “That will be the epitaph of this bankruptcy.”


latimes--2020-02-17--Riverside County homicide detectives launch investigation after 3 dead bodies discovered next to gra

Riverside County homicide detectives launch investigation after 3 dead bodies discovered next to gravesite

Homicide detectives are investigating three dead bodies that were found Monday morning near a gravesite in a Perris cemetery .
The victims , described only as three men , were discovered sometime before 10:30 a.m. at the Perris Valley Cemetery in the 900 block of North Perris Boulevard , according to the Riverside County Sheriff ’ s Department .
Sheriff ’ s deputies roped off the cemetery , and police activity in the area has been heavy all day .
No information about the cause of death , or how the bodies were discovered , has been released .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the investigation , ” the Sheriff ’ s Department said .
“ While they are processing the scene , the Perris Valley Cemetery remains closed to the public.
” Aerial footage from TV news outlets showed the bodies lying on the grass on cemetery grounds .
Onlookers watched with disbelief and horror .
“ One of them was hunched over , the other one was laying down and the other one looked like he ... was wrapped up in a sleeping bag type , ” Randy Rios told KTLA-TV , Channel 5 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement Monday afternoon , said he has been in touch with law enforcement officials and is monitoring the latest developments .
“ I am heartbroken by the horrific crimes that have taken place today in our hometown of Perris , ” he said .
“ Our deepest sympathies lie with the families of the victims of these horrible crimes ... and we are committed to seeing those responsible for these horrific acts brought to justice .
”

Homicide detectives are investigating three dead bodies that were found Monday morning near a gravesite in a Perris cemetery.
The victims, described only as three men, were discovered sometime before 10:30 a.m. at the Perris Valley Cemetery in the 900 block of North Perris Boulevard, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.
Sheriff’s deputies roped off the cemetery, and police activity in the area has been heavy all day. No information about the cause of death, or how the bodies were discovered, has been released.
“Central Homicide Investigators are on scene assuming the investigation,” the Sheriff’s Department said. “While they are processing the scene, the Perris Valley Cemetery remains closed to the public.”
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#Perris final update:
Investigators remain on scene for the triple homicide and confirm the victims are 3 adult males. No additional information is available at this time. https://t.co/gpEhcTAUhD — Riverside County Sheriff's Dept (@RSO) February 17, 2020
Aerial footage from TV news outlets showed the bodies lying on the grass on cemetery grounds. Onlookers watched with disbelief and horror.
“One of them was hunched over, the other one was laying down and the other one looked like he ... was wrapped up in a sleeping bag type,” Randy Rios told KTLA-TV, Channel 5.
Perris Mayor Michael Vargas, in a statement Monday afternoon, said he has been in touch with law enforcement officials and is monitoring the latest developments.
“I am heartbroken by the horrific crimes that have taken place today in our hometown of Perris,” he said. “Our deepest sympathies lie with the families of the victims of these horrible crimes ... and we are committed to seeing those responsible for these horrific acts brought to justice.”


latimes--2020-02-17--Bernie Sanders and Michael Bloomberg's attacks turn sharper, online and at Bay Area rally

Tensions between Bernie Sanders and Michael R. Bloomberg took on a nasty edge Monday as each sought to establish a dominant position in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination .
Sanders continued his attacks at a rally in the Bay Area .
After denouncing Bloomberg ’ s “ racist ” policy of having New York police stop and frisk young minority men , he told the exuberant crowd in Richmond : “ Imagine a multibillionaire opposing a raise in the minimum wage .
Imagine a multibillionaire asking for cuts to Social Security , Medicare and Medicaid.
” Sanders , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has sought to highlight Bloomberg ’ s status as one of America ’ s richest men as he denounces what he sees as a corrupt political system that favors the wealthy and the corporate elite .
He also has sought to undercut Bloomberg , a former Republican , by reminding Democrats of the more conservative stands he took during his 12 years as New York mayor .
On Monday afternoon , Sanders tweeted a photo of Bloomberg with Trump on a golf outing .
Bloomberg now supports an increase in the federal minimum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Social Security benefits pegged to inflation and an expansion of healthcare services covered by Medicare and Medicaid .
His advisors denounced a series of tweets by Sanders advisors calling Bloomberg a racist authoritarian oligarch over the last couple weeks .
“ In the face of the most consequential election of our lifetimes , it is unfortunate that we are even talking about such slanderous attacks from other Democrats , ” Bloomberg ’ s campaign said in a statement .
Bloomberg also released a video featuring vulgar online attacks by Sanders supporters , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ targeting critics of the Vermont senator .
The former New York mayor also took exception to Sanders ’ statement that Bloomberg could not create the excitement and energy needed to oust President Trump .
“ We need to unite to defeat Trump in November , ” Bloomberg wrote in a tweet linking to the video .
“ This type of ‘ energy ’ is not going to get us there.
” David Sirota , a senior Sanders communications advisor , wrote on Twitter that Bloomberg ’ s shots at Sanders “ can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a billionaire who has up until now been able to buy everything he wants — but who is now worried he may not be able to buy the presidency , and so he ’ s lashing out in an effort to silence critics.
” At the rally in Richmond , held in a pavilion that was once a Ford assembly plant , Sanders lashed back .
“ Mr .
Bloomberg , like anybody else , has a right to run for president , ” Sanders said .
“ He does not have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders ’ message went over well with supporters in the working-class city where the median household income is about $ 65,000 , according to U.S. census data , and the majority of residents are black or Latino .
“ I would not vote for Bloomberg , ” said Clarissa Katko , a student at Diablo Valley College .
“ I ’ m tired of the Democratic Party compromising their ideals just for the sake of appearing moderate .
It ’ s not helping the climate .
It ’ s not helping students .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ LGBTQ people.
” The 45,000-square-foot Craneway Pavilion overflowed for the get-out-the-vote rally ahead of California ’ s March 3 primary and following Sanders ’ win in last week ’ s New Hampshire primary .
Chants of “ I believe that we can win ” and “ Si , se puede ” filled the pavilion .
California is likely to be particularly friendly territory for Sanders when the votes are counted , given its diverse and liberal electorate ; he is especially popular with Latinos and young people .
He urged supporters who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a Democratic ballot .
“ This is the most consequential election in our history … and on Super Tuesday , California is voting , ” Sanders said .
“ And I don ’ t have to tell any of you , you are the largest state in this country .
You have the most delegates in the Democratic National Convention .
And the candidate who wins here in California stands a pretty good chance of [ becoming ] the president of the nation.
” Razvan Mihalache , a student at Diablo Valley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first time in a presidential election , said Sanders had the “ most consistent record ” of any of the candidates .
“ He ’ s actually the candidate who ’ s going to fight for this stuff , whereas other candidates are lukewarm on it and are going to back off of these policies.
” John Myles , a lifetime Richmond resident , said the crowd was not an accurate reflection of the largely black and Latino population of his hometown .
But he said it was “ huge ” that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that once employed many of the families in the city .
“ It exemplifies that he ’ s the candidate that actually is promoting the working class , ” said Myles , whose grandparents worked at the plant where in the 1940s Ford assembled military vehicles down the street from the rally .
Myles said he believed the nation often discounted and forgot about the working class .
He also said he felt Sanders was the only real option for black voters .
“ We always get the same kind of person that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president and I ’ ll give you more status quo BS , ” he said .
Sanders ’ appearance in California , instead of in Nevada , where the race ’ s next contest is to be held on Saturday , appears to be part of a farther-looking bid to boost support in the more delegate-rich states that hold in-person voting March 3 .
His other appearances have included stops in North Carolina , Texas and Colorado .
Bloomberg , who entered the presidential race late and skipped the four early-voting states , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Super Tuesday contests on March 3 .
He has spent more than $ 124 million on television and radio ads in the 14 states that hold primaries that day and millions more on ground operations .
Bhuiyan reported from Richmond and Finnegan from Los Angeles .
Times staff writer Matt Pearce in Las Vegas contributed to this report .

Tensions between Bernie Sanders and Michael R. Bloomberg took on a nasty edge Monday as each sought to establish a dominant position in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Sanders continued his attacks at a rally in the Bay Area. After denouncing Bloomberg’s “racist” policy of having New York police stop and frisk young minority men, he told the exuberant crowd in Richmond: “Imagine a multibillionaire opposing a raise in the minimum wage. Imagine a multibillionaire asking for cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.”
Sanders, the favorite candidate of progressive Democrats, has sought to highlight Bloomberg’s status as one of America’s richest men as he denounces what he sees as a corrupt political system that favors the wealthy and the corporate elite.
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He also has sought to undercut Bloomberg, a former Republican, by reminding Democrats of the more conservative stands he took during his 12 years as New York mayor. On Monday afternoon, Sanders tweeted a photo of Bloomberg with Trump on a golf outing.
Bloomberg now supports an increase in the federal minimum wage, as well as a rise in Social Security benefits pegged to inflation and an expansion of healthcare services covered by Medicare and Medicaid.
His advisors denounced a series of tweets by Sanders advisors calling Bloomberg a racist authoritarian oligarch over the last couple weeks. “In the face of the most consequential election of our lifetimes, it is unfortunate that we are even talking about such slanderous attacks from other Democrats,” Bloomberg’s campaign said in a statement.
Bloomberg also released a video featuring vulgar online attacks by Sanders supporters, described as “Bernie Bros,” targeting critics of the Vermont senator. The former New York mayor also took exception to Sanders’ statement that Bloomberg could not create the excitement and energy needed to oust President Trump.
“We need to unite to defeat Trump in November,” Bloomberg wrote in a tweet linking to the video. “This type of ‘energy’ is not going to get us there.”
We need to unite to defeat Trump in November. This type of "energy" is not going to get us there. https://t.co/bPuUZMs2d6 pic.twitter.com/Tdp6mpWjcX — Mike Bloomberg (@MikeBloomberg) February 17, 2020
David Sirota, a senior Sanders communications advisor, wrote on Twitter that Bloomberg’s shots at Sanders “can be best understood as the enraged temper tantrum of a billionaire who has up until now been able to buy everything he wants — but who is now worried he may not be able to buy the presidency, and so he’s lashing out in an effort to silence critics.”
At the rally in Richmond, held in a pavilion that was once a Ford assembly plant, Sanders lashed back.
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“Mr. Bloomberg, like anybody else, has a right to run for president,” Sanders said. “He does not have a right to buy the presidency.”
Sanders’ message went over well with supporters in the working-class city where the median household income is about $65,000, according to U.S. census data, and the majority of residents are black or Latino.
“I would not vote for Bloomberg,” said Clarissa Katko, a student at Diablo Valley College. “I’m tired of the Democratic Party compromising their ideals just for the sake of appearing moderate. It’s not helping the climate. It’s not helping students. It’s not helping minorities or LGBTQ people.”
The 45,000-square-foot Craneway Pavilion overflowed for the get-out-the-vote rally ahead of California’s March 3 primary and following Sanders’ win in last week’s New Hampshire primary. Chants of “I believe that we can win” and “Si, se puede” filled the pavilion.
California is likely to be particularly friendly territory for Sanders when the votes are counted, given its diverse and liberal electorate; he is especially popular with Latinos and young people. He urged supporters who are independents to register as Democrats or ask for a Democratic ballot.
“This is the most consequential election in our history … and on Super Tuesday, California is voting,” Sanders said. “And I don’t have to tell any of you, you are the largest state in this country. You have the most delegates in the Democratic National Convention. And the candidate who wins here in California stands a pretty good chance of [becoming] the president of the nation.”
Razvan Mihalache, a student at Diablo Valley College who will be voting for the first time in a presidential election, said Sanders had the “most consistent record” of any of the candidates. “He’s actually the candidate who’s going to fight for this stuff, whereas other candidates are lukewarm on it and are going to back off of these policies.”
John Myles, a lifetime Richmond resident, said the crowd was not an accurate reflection of the largely black and Latino population of his hometown. But he said it was “huge” that the campaign held the rally at the plant that once employed many of the families in the city.
Politics Who is the Democratic candidate for president? The field is down to Joe Biden now that Bernie Sanders ended his presidential campaign. Here is the Democrat heading for a battle with President Trump.
“It exemplifies that he’s the candidate that actually is promoting the working class,” said Myles, whose grandparents worked at the plant where in the 1940s Ford assembled military vehicles down the street from the rally. Myles said he believed the nation often discounted and forgot about the working class. He also said he felt Sanders was the only real option for black voters.
“We always get the same kind of person that says, well, let me be president and I’ll give you more status quo BS,” he said.
Sanders’ appearance in California, instead of in Nevada, where the race’s next contest is to be held on Saturday, appears to be part of a farther-looking bid to boost support in the more delegate-rich states that hold in-person voting March 3. His other appearances have included stops in North Carolina, Texas and Colorado.
Bloomberg, who entered the presidential race late and skipped the four early-voting states, is making his first real stand in Super Tuesday contests on March 3. He has spent more than $124 million on television and radio ads in the 14 states that hold primaries that day and millions more on ground operations.
Bhuiyan reported from Richmond and Finnegan from Los Angeles. Times staff writer Matt Pearce in Las Vegas contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-02-18--Drew Carey endorses petition to reform domestic violence laws following death of ex-fiancee Amie Har

Drew Carey endorses petition to reform domestic violence laws following death of ex-fiancee Amie Harwick

An online petition to reform domestic violence laws following the death of Amie Harwick , a prominent marriage and family therapist who authorities allege was attacked by an ex-boyfriend , had attracted more than 16,000 supporters as of Tuesday afternoon — including Harwick ’ s former fiance , TV star Drew Carey .
Carey endorsed the “ Justice 4 Amie ” petition on Twitter , asking his more than 600,000 followers to sign and support the effort .
The “ Price is Right ” host had previously said in a statement that he was “ overcome with grief ” over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outlined in the petition , which is addressed to a cadre of California lawmakers and elected officials , include requiring mandatory in-person , long-term counseling for domestic violence perpetrators , providing accommodations so victims do not have to testify in close proximity to their abusers and establishing a registry , similar to the one in place for sex offenders , “ to warn others of the deviant behavior.
” Diana Arias , who started the petition , wrote that “ domestic violence is a serious concern for everyone ” and Harwick “ was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not protecting the victims and treating the offenders.
” “ I refuse to let her death be in vain , ” Arias wrote .
Harwick , 38 , died of blunt force injuries to her head and torso after she was attacked at her Hollywood Hills home , officials said .
Authorities allege that her ex-boyfriend Gareth Pursehouse , 41 , of Playa del Rey attacked her early Saturday morning .
Officers found Harwick on the ground , beneath a third-story balcony at a home in the 2000 block of Mound Street .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fall , police said , and was taken to a hospital , where she later died .
According to a statement , investigators found possible evidence of a struggle in the home .
Pursehouse was arrested on suspicion of murder and is being held on $ 2-million bail , county jail records show .
Pursehouse and Harwick had shared a home for a couple of years a decade ago , friends said , but their relationship deteriorated and Harwick twice applied for restraining orders against him , according to court records .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ryan contributed to this report .

Drew Carey and Amie Harwick at the Artists Project at Rock to Recovery holiday party at Avalon on Dec. 17, 2017, in Hollywood.
An online petition to reform domestic violence laws following the death of Amie Harwick, a prominent marriage and family therapist who authorities allege was attacked by an ex-boyfriend, had attracted more than 16,000 supporters as of Tuesday afternoon — including Harwick’s former fiance, TV star Drew Carey.
Carey endorsed the “Justice 4 Amie” petition on Twitter, asking his more than 600,000 followers to sign and support the effort. The “Price Is Right” host had previously said in a statement that he was “overcome with grief” over Harwick’s death.
Please sign this petition and chip in if you can. #JusticeForAmie
Thank you and bless you 🙏https://t.co/3eOfWhU5gb — 🅳🆁🅴🆆 🅲🅰🆁🅴🆈 (@DrewFromTV) February 18, 2020
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The proposals outlined in the petition, which is addressed to a cadre of California lawmakers and elected officials, include requiring mandatory in-person, long-term counseling for domestic violence perpetrators; providing accommodations so victims do not have to testify in close proximity to their abusers; and establishing a registry, similar to the one in place for sex offenders, “to warn others of the deviant behavior.”
Diana Arias, who started the petition, wrote that “domestic violence is a serious concern for everyone” and Harwick “was murdered as a result of poor laws not protecting the victims and treating the offenders.”
“I refuse to let her death be in vain,” Arias wrote.
Harwick, 38, died of blunt force injuries to her head and torso after she was attacked at her Hollywood Hills home, officials said. Authorities allege that her ex-boyfriend Gareth Pursehouse, 41, of Playa del Rey attacked her early Saturday morning.
Officers found Harwick on the ground, beneath a third-story balcony at a home in the 2000 block of Mound Street. She had suffered grave injuries consistent with a fall, police said, and was taken to a hospital, where she later died.
According to a statement, investigators found possible evidence of a struggle in the home. Pursehouse was arrested on suspicion of murder and was being held on $2-million bail, county jail records show.
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Pursehouse and Harwick had shared a home for a couple of years a decade ago, friends said, but their relationship deteriorated and Harwick twice applied for restraining orders against him, according to court records.
Times staff writers Hannah Fry and Harriet Ryan contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-02-18--California loosens its individual mandate for health insurance

Concerned too many Californians were unaware they would face a hefty fine for not having health insurance , officials on Tuesday loosened a state law meant to push uninsured residents into buying medical coverage .
Covered California , the state ’ s Affordable Care Act insurance exchange , will allow residents to enroll in a healthcare plan through April 30 to avoid paying the individual mandate , which can be more than $ 2,000 for a family of four and will be assessed when uninsured residents file their taxes in 2021 .
The state expanded subsidies to offset the burden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a person making up to $ 74,940 and a family of four with a household income of up to $ 154,500 to qualify for the help .
Covered California officials said 625,000 new and renewing consumers qualified for subsidies during open enrollment , which initially ended Jan. 31 .
Open enrollment has now been extended to April 30 , a move that the insurance exchange said could help hundreds of thousands of uninsured residents avoid paying the tax penalty .
For at least the first three years , the penalty will be used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to provide larger health insurance subsidies .
“ The penalty is on the books , but no one wants that money , ” said Peter Lee , Covered California ’ s executive director .
“ We want that to be the economic nudge to get people covered.
” Lee said the threat of a penalty drove a 41 % increase in people newly signing up for health insurance through Covered California , bringing that total to 418,052 residents .
However , the health insurance exchange saw an 8 % drop compared to last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their health insurance .
Lee blamed that drop on the federal government ’ s decision to remove its own individual mandate effective last January .
The Trump administration ’ s action prompted Gov .
Gavin Newsom to announce his own plan to create an uninsured penalty and expand health insurance subsidies .
Covered California said Tuesday that , on average , lower-income individuals received a subsidy of $ 608 per month when combining state subsidies and federal tax credits , which took monthly premiums down to $ 272 .
State subsidies for middle-income @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any state or federal subsidies helped drive down premiums by an average of $ 504 per month for nearly 32,000 consumers .
Lee said even more striking was that more than 1 in 10 middle-income earners had their premiums reduced by more than $ 1,000 a month .
“ The new state subsidies are making a huge difference to families across California , ” he said .
As part of Tuesday ’ s announcement , the state will also keep enrollment open for consumers insured directly through private health plans who did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covered California .
An estimated 280,000 residents are likely eligible for new state subsidies or existing federal ones but opted to keep their existing coverage .
Lee said the extended deadline to obtain coverage or switch to a plan that includes a state subsidy comes after Covered California surveyed insurance agents this month and found many reporting that consumers were still unaware that they would face a penalty if they did not have insurance .
“ While we are pleased with the increase in new enrollment , we know hundreds of thousands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Anthony Wright , executive director of the advocacy group Health Access California .
“ Many do not know about new state subsidies that could make their coverage more affordable or are not aware that California has reinstated the mandate for health coverage and that they may face a tax penalty .
With this new enrollment period , Californians now have more time to sign up for healthcare and more financial help than any other state in the nation and we encourage everyone to take advantage .
”

Concerned too many Californians were unaware they would face a hefty fine for not having health insurance, officials on Tuesday loosened a state law meant to push uninsured residents into buying medical coverage.
Covered California, the state’s Affordable Care Act insurance exchange, will allow residents to enroll in a healthcare plan through March 31 to avoid paying the individual mandate, which can be more than $2,000 for a family of four and will be assessed when uninsured residents file their taxes in 2021. The state expanded subsidies to offset the burden of paying for medical coverage, allowing a person making up to $74,940 and a family of four with a household income of up to $154,500 to qualify for the help.
Covered California officials said 625,000 new and renewing consumers qualified for subsidies during open enrollment, which initially ended Jan. 31. Open enrollment has now been extended to April 30, a move that the insurance exchange said could help hundreds of thousands of uninsured residents avoid paying the tax penalty. If an uninsured consumer enrolls in April, they could still be assessed a smaller fee for not carrying medical insurance. For at least the first three years, the penalty will be used to offset the state’s cost to provide larger health insurance subsidies.
“The penalty is on the books, but no one wants that money,” said Peter Lee, Covered California’s executive director. “We want that to be the economic nudge to get people covered.”
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Lee said the threat of a penalty drove a 41% increase in people newly signing up for health insurance through Covered California, bringing that total to 418,052 residents. However, the health insurance exchange saw an 8% drop compared to last year in the number of residents renewing their health insurance. Lee blamed that drop on the federal government’s decision to remove its own individual mandate effective last January. The Trump administration’s action prompted Gov. Gavin Newsom to announce his own plan to create an uninsured penalty and expand health insurance subsidies.
Covered California said Tuesday that, on average, lower-income individuals received a subsidy of $608 per month when combining state subsidies and federal tax credits, which took monthly premiums down to $272. State subsidies for middle-income residents who did not previously qualify for any state or federal subsidies helped drive down premiums by an average of $504 per month for nearly 32,000 consumers.
Lee said even more striking was that more than 1 in 10 middle-income earners had their premiums reduced by more than $1,000 a month.
“The new state subsidies are making a huge difference to families across California,” he said.
As part of Tuesday’s announcement, the state will also keep enrollment open for consumers insured directly through private health plans who did not realize they qualified for state subsidies through Covered California. An estimated 280,000 residents are likely eligible for new state subsidies or existing federal ones but opted to keep their existing coverage.
Lee said the extended deadline to obtain coverage or switch to a plan that includes a state subsidy comes after Covered California surveyed insurance agents this month and found many reporting that consumers were still unaware that they would face a penalty if they did not have insurance.
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“While we are pleased with the increase in new enrollment, we know hundreds of thousands of Californians are still going without coverage,” said Anthony Wright, executive director of the advocacy group Health Access California. “Many do not know about new state subsidies that could make their coverage more affordable or are not aware that California has reinstated the mandate for health coverage and that they may face a tax penalty. With this new enrollment period, Californians now have more time to sign up for healthcare and more financial help than any other state in the nation and we encourage everyone to take advantage.”


latimes--2020-02-18--Trump's L.A. visit to bring traffic headaches. Here are streets that will be affected

Here are his plans and some of the local streets that will be affected .
• Trump i arrived at Los Angeles International Airport .
shortly after 4:15 p.m. before departing for Santa Monica Airport and heading to the Montage Beverly Hills to meet with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and organizers of the 2028 Olympic Games .
• In the evening , a Beverly Hills fundraising dinner is on the schedule .
• At roughly 7:45 p.m. , Trump is expected to depart Los Angeles for Las Vegas .
• On Wednesday , it ’ s on to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meet with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy about water policy .
• From 3 to 4:30 p.m. : South Centinela Avenue between Airport Avenue and Olympic Boulevard • From 3 to 6 p.m. : South Robertson Boulevard between the 10 Freeway and Beverly Boulevard The following roadways will be intermittently closed from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. and again from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. : The following roadways will be completely closed from noon to 8 p.m. : • Beverly Drive between Wilshire Boulevard and Dayton Way • Canon Drive between Wilshire Boulevard and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Drive and Canon Drive • Crescent Drive between North and South Santa Monica Boulevards ( now closed through 10 p.m . )

President Trump arrived in Los Angeles on Tuesday afternoon.
Here are his plans and some of the local streets that will be affected.
THE SCHEDULE
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• Trump arrived at Los Angeles International Airport shortly after 4:15 p.m. before departing for Santa Monica Airport and heading to the Montage Beverly Hills to meet with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and organizers of the 2028 Olympic Games.
• In the evening, a Beverly Hills fundraising dinner is on the schedule.
• At roughly 7:45 p.m., Trump is expected to depart Los Angeles for Las Vegas.
• On Wednesday, it’s on to Bakersfield, where Trump is set to meet with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy about water policy.
STREETS TO AVOID
• From 3 to 4:30 p.m.: South Centinela Avenue between Airport Avenue and Olympic Boulevard
• From 3 to 6 p.m.: South Robertson Boulevard between the 10 Freeway and Beverly Boulevard
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PARTIAL CLOSURES
The following roadways will be intermittently closed from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. and again from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.:
Robertson Boulevard between Whitworth Drive and Wilshire Boulevard
Wilshire Boulevard between Robertson Boulevard and Beverly Drive
Crescent Drive between Wilshire Boulevard and North Santa Monica Boulevard
FULL CLOSURES
The following roadways will be completely closed from noon to 8 p.m.:


latimes--2020-02-18--Trump visits Los Angeles, attacks Garcetti over opposing immigrant crackdown

Two weeks before California ’ s primary election , Donald Trump landed in the blue state Tuesday for the fourth time in his presidency and is set to meet with organizers of the 2028 Olympic Games before attending a fundraising dinner in Beverly Hills .
The president arrived at Los Angeles International Airport shortly after 4:15 on Tuesday afternoon .
As he was traveling to Los Angeles , he took aim at Mayor Eric Garcetti , who on Friday spoke out against a new immigration crackdown by the Trump administration .
Federal immigration officials announced a new push to add @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Customs and Border Protection plans to deploy 50 Border Patrol agents and 50 field operations customs officers in nine areas , according to the agency .
Specially trained officers will be sent to cities including Los Angeles , Chicago and New York .
On Friday , Garcetti and Los Angeles Police Department chief Michel Moore released a video Friday saying local police won ’ t be working with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement .
“ Regardless of your immigration status , I want every Angeleno to know your city is on your side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police department does not coordinate with ICE or , ” Garcetti said on Twitter .
Trump on Tuesday fired back with a tweet : “ The Mayor ’ s efforts to shield illegal aliens endangers the lives of the public and law enforcement who have to go into the field to apprehend those released .
He shouldn ’ t be urging illegals to beat the system , he should be urging them to safely turn themselves in !
” Following his arrival , Trump was expected to depart for Santa Monica Airport and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meet with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Olympics organizers .
LAPD advised motorists to avoid the the area around South Centinela Avenue between Airport Avenue and Olympic Boulevard from 3 to 4:30 p.m. , and the area around South Robertson Boulevard between the Santa Monica Freeway and Beverly Boulevard from 3 to 6 p.m. Beverly Hills police said several streets will be closed intermittently throughout the day .
From 12 to 8 p.m. , drivers should avoid Beverly Drive between Wilshire Boulevard and Dayton Way , Canon Drive between Wilshire Boulevard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between Crescent Drive and Canon Drive .
Crescent Drive between North and South Santa Monica boulevards will be closed until 10 p.m .
Between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m. , and again between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. , drivers should also avoid the areas around Robertson Boulevard between Whitworth Drive and Wilshire Boulevard , Wilshire Boulevard between Robertson Boulevard and Beverly Drive , and Crescent Drive between Wilshire Boulevard and North Santa Monica Boulevard .
According to the White House , Trump is scheduled to receive an update on preparations for the Summer Olympics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion .
Organizers plan to use existing facilities such as Staples Center , Pauley Pavilion and the Rose Bowl .
Trump is expected to depart Los Angeles for Las Vegas at roughly 7:45 p.m. On Wednesday , Trump is planning to meet with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy in Bakersfield “ to speak with hard-working farmers in the Central Valley about efforts to dramatically improve the supply and delivery of water in California and other Western states , ” the White House said .
McCarthy welcomed Trump ’ s visit while speaking Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a real concern in California because we send most of our water out to the ocean [ instead of ] sending it down to Southern California , to our farmlands in the San Joaquin Valley and others , ” McCarthy said .
“ This president has worked greatly using science — not based on politics but on science — to allow to have more of that water stay with the Californians and America to make sure we ’ re secure in our food supply as we move forward.
” While in Bakersfield , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of an Interior Department decision that rolls back endangered species protections that have curbed water deliveries to Central Valley farmers and Southern California cities .
Trump has previously attacked the fish protections as a waste of water , echoing the complaints of Central Valley Republicans .
In 2018 , he directed federal agencies to boost irrigation deliveries to the valley , a move that particularly benefited the Westlands Water District .
The sprawling agricultural district is a former client of Interior Secretary David Bernhardt , who was a partner in one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firms before joining the Trump administration .
The endangered species rollback has further strained California ’ s icy relationship with Washington and state officials have said they may sue to block it .
Later Wednesday , Trump will visit Rancho Mirage in Riverside County for a fundraising golf event hosted by Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison .
He ’ ll then fly to Phoenix for a Wednesday night campaign rally before heading to Colorado Springs , Colo. , for a rally on Thursday and circling back to Las Vegas for another Friday .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Desert Sun , supporters can pay $ 100,000 for the golf outing and photo opportunity with Trump , or $ 250,000 for an additional round-table discussion .
The contributions go to “ Trump Victory , ” a fundraising committee involving the Trump campaign , the Republican National Committee and state Republican chapters .
Trump last visited California in September , with trips to Palo Alto , Los Angeles and San Diego .
During his trip , he criticized the state ’ s homelessness crisis and visited the border area of Otay Mesa , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and met with officials from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Defense .
Throughout his trip , he was met by protesters and supporters .
While in Los Angeles during that visit , Trump stayed at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown inside the Wilshire Grand Center skyscraper .
Times staff writer Bettina Boxall and The Associated Press contributed to this report .

A confrontation between a protester and a Trump supporter outside the Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills on Tuesday.
Two weeks before California’s primary election, Donald Trump landed in the blue state Tuesday for the fifth time in his presidency to meet with organizers of the 2028 Olympic Games before attending a fundraising dinner in Beverly Hills.
He used the occasion to again slam the city’s political leadership for failing to slow the homelessness epidemic.
For the record: An earlier version of this article stated that this was President Trump’s fourth visit to California as president. This is his fifth visit to the state.
During a briefing on preparations for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, the president said that if L.A. doesn’t “clean it up fast,” he will intervene.
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“If they can’t do it themselves, we’re going to do it,” Trump said. “The federal government is going to take it over, we’re going to do it.”
The president arrived at Los Angeles International Airport shortly after 4:15 p.m. On the tarmac were several political figures, including the mayors of Anaheim and Lancaster.
Trump then headed to Beverly Hills. The ride to the venue was dotted with supporters who waved and protesters who did not wave, including a man who held up a sign reading “ROTTEN ORANGE.” Another sign read “JAIL TRUMP,” according to White House press pool reports. When he got to the Montage Beverly Hills to meet with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Olympics organizers, he was greeted by a group of supporters.
Trump said he was called by the committee when he was president-elect and asked to make a call because the Obama administration hadn’t made a necessary decision.
“They were starving for love, and we gave them the love,” Trump said of the committee trying to get an Olympics in the U.S.
“I hope you remember me in 2028. You promise, Casey?” he asked the 2028 committee chairman. The chairman said he promised, according to pool reports.
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Trump then signed a document he said was the federal government’s “total support” of L.A. for the Olympics.
Afterward, Trump took questions from reporters. He was soon asked about the rising number of California residents experiencing homelessness.
“We’re really taking a role in it,” Trump said. “I see it, I see what’s happening to L.A., I see what’s happening to San Francisco, I see what’s happening to some great cities.... You have needles, you have things that we don’t want to discuss all over the streets.”
He added that sanctuary cities were “very dangerous” and that L.A. and San Francisco had one thing in common: “the leadership.”
“There’s no reason this should’ve happened,” Trump said about rising homelessness.
It was a similar tone to earlier in the day when, as he was traveling to Los Angeles, Trump took aim at Mayor Eric Garcetti, who on Friday spoke out against a new immigration crackdown by the Trump administration.
Federal immigration officials announced a new push to add more resources in sanctuary cities. U.S. Customs and Border Protection plans to deploy 50 Border Patrol agents and 50 field operations customs officers in nine areas, according to the agency. Specially trained officers will be sent to cities including Los Angeles, Chicago and New York.
Trump has arrived in Los Angeles.
He'll head to Santa Monica Airport next, then meet with 2028 Olympics organizers followed by a fundraising dinner in Beverly Hills pic.twitter.com/LtdPCxSYh2 — Colleen Shalby (@CShalby) February 19, 2020
On Friday, Garcetti and Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore released a video saying local police wouldn’t be working with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“Regardless of your immigration status, I want every Angeleno to know your city is on your side. Here in Los Angeles, our police department does not coordinate with ICE or participate in immigration enforcement,” Garcetti said on Twitter.
Trump on Tuesday fired back with a tweet: “The Mayor’s efforts to shield illegal aliens endangers the lives of the public and law enforcement who have to go into the field to apprehend those released. He shouldn’t be urging illegals to beat the system, he should be urging them to safely turn themselves in!”
President Trump greets supporters on the tarmac after departing Air Force One at LAX. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)
On Wednesday, Trump is planning to meet with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy in Bakersfield “to speak with hard-working farmers in the Central Valley about efforts to dramatically improve the supply and delivery of water in California and other Western states,” the White House said.
McCarthy welcomed Trump’s visit while speaking Sunday on Fox News.
“We have a real concern in California because we send most of our water out to the ocean [instead of] sending it down to Southern California, to our farmlands in the San Joaquin Valley and others,” McCarthy said. “This president has worked greatly using science — not based on politics but on science — to allow to have more of that water stay with the Californians and America to make sure we’re secure in our food supply as we move forward.”
While in Bakersfield, Trump is expected to oversee the signing of an Interior Department decision that rolls back endangered species protections that have curbed water deliveries to Central Valley farmers and Southern California cities.
Trump has previously attacked the fish protections as a waste of water, echoing the complaints of Central Valley Republicans. In 2018, he directed federal agencies to boost irrigation deliveries to the valley, a move that particularly benefited the Westlands Water District.
The sprawling agricultural district is a former client of Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, who was a partner in one of the nation’s top-grossing lobbying and law firms before joining the Trump administration.
The endangered species rollback has further strained California’s icy relationship with Washington, and state officials have said they may sue to block it.
Later Wednesday, Trump will visit Rancho Mirage in Riverside County for a fundraising golf event hosted by Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison. He’ll then fly to Phoenix for a Wednesday night campaign rally before heading to Colorado Springs, Colo., for a rally on Thursday and circling back to Las Vegas for another on Friday.
According to an event invitation obtained by the Desert Sun, supporters can pay $100,000 for the golf outing and photo opportunity with Trump, or $250,000 for an additional round-table discussion. The contributions go to “Trump Victory,” a fundraising committee involving the Trump campaign, the Republican National Committee and state Republican chapters.
Trump last visited California in September, with trips to Palo Alto, Los Angeles and San Diego. During his trip, he criticized the state’s homelessness crisis and visited the border area of Otay Mesa, which separates San Diego from Mexico, and met with officials from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Defense. Throughout his trip, he was met by protesters and supporters.
While in Los Angeles during that visit, Trump stayed at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown inside the Wilshire Grand Center skyscraper.
Times staff writers Bettina Boxall and Jaclyn Cosgrove and the Associated Press contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-02-18--Long Beach Poly teacher placed on leave again after students allege verbal and physical abuse

A teacher at Long Beach Polytechnic High School has been placed on leave for the second time in a month after multiple students accused her of being physically and verbally abusive in class .
Although the Long Beach Unified School District declined to provide details about the ongoing investigation into Libby Huff , or the nature of the complaints that have been made against her , an online anonymous compilation attributed to students contains 31 statements regarding her alleged inappropriate actions in the classroom .
The Long Beach Police Department also is investigating the matter .
Huff , a 15-year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Poly for 11 years , was originally placed on paid administrative leave Jan. 13 “ pending our school district ’ s investigation into a complaint , ” according to district spokesman Chris Eftychiou .
She returned to the classroom Wednesday after that investigation was completed , but was put back on leave Friday “ pending our investigation into newly received complaints , ” Eftychiou added .
“ The school district is not at liberty to provide details of such investigations , but we consider the safety and well-being of our students to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote in an email Tuesday .
Eftychiou said he could not confirm whether the complaints the district is probing involve Huff ’ s classroom conduct , or say whether she was disciplined following the initial investigation .
The authors of an anonymous blog post titled “ Enough of Huff : Students of Long Beach Poly High School Speak Out ” made a variety of allegations of misconduct by the teacher .
The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services notified the Long Beach Police Department on Monday “ of allegations of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Poly High School , ” according to police public information officer Arantxa Chavarria .
“ The department immediately sent officers to contact the four juvenile victims and reports were taken to document the alleged abuse , ” Chavarria wrote in an email .
“ Detectives from the Child Abuse Detail are actively investigating the allegations and are in the process of reviewing the reports and determining if any additional victims and/or witnesses need to be contacted.
” Students also claimed in the blog that Huff addressed them in a belittling and inappropriate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long the investigation into Huff might take .
“ We don ’ t have a timeline at this point , ” Eftychiou said .
The teacher could not immediately be reached for comment .

A teacher at Long Beach Polytechnic High School has been placed on paid administrative leave for the second time in a month while the Long Beach Unified School District investigates complaints made against her.
A teacher at Long Beach Polytechnic High School has been placed on leave for the second time in a month after multiple students accused her of being physically and verbally abusive in class.
Although the Long Beach Unified School District declined to provide details about the ongoing investigation into Libby Huff, or the nature of the complaints that have been made against her, an online anonymous compilation attributed to students contains 31 statements regarding her alleged inappropriate actions in the classroom.
The Long Beach Police Department also is investigating the matter.
Huff, a 15-year veteran of the district who has taught at Poly for 11 years, was originally placed on paid administrative leave Jan. 13 “pending our school district’s investigation into a complaint,” according to district spokesman Chris Eftychiou.
She returned to the classroom Wednesday after that investigation was completed, but was put back on leave Friday “pending our investigation into newly received complaints,” Eftychiou added.
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“The school district is not at liberty to provide details of such investigations, but we consider the safety and well-being of our students to be our top priority,” Eftychiou wrote in an email Tuesday.
Eftychiou said he could not confirm whether the complaints the district is probing involve Huff’s classroom conduct, or say whether she was disciplined following the initial investigation.
The authors of an anonymous blog post titled “Enough of Huff: Students of Long Beach Poly High School Speak Out” made a variety of allegations of misconduct by the teacher.
The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services notified the Long Beach Police Department on Monday “of allegations of criminal conduct by a teacher against students at Poly High School,” according to police public information officer Arantxa Chavarria.
“The department immediately sent officers to contact the four juvenile victims and reports were taken to document the alleged abuse,” Chavarria wrote in an email. “Detectives from the Child Abuse Detail are actively investigating the allegations and are in the process of reviewing the reports and determining if any additional victims and/or witnesses need to be contacted.”
Students also claimed in the blog that Huff addressed them in a belittling and inappropriate fashion.
It’s unclear how long the investigation into Huff might take.
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“We don’t have a timeline at this point,” Eftychiou said.
The teacher could not immediately be reached for comment.


latimes--2020-02-18--California Housing Crisis Podcast: Presidential candidates want to make housing affordable

Many Californians already have their ballots for next month ’ s presidential primary election .
And most of the leading @ @ @ @ @ address one of California ’ s most pressing problems : the high cost of housing @ @ @ @ @ Gim me Shelter : The California Housing Crisis Podcast , we detail the candidates ’ @ @ @ @ @ spend more to subsidize low-income housing and boost homeownership rates .
We also assess President @ @ @ @ @ in his first term .
Our guest is Jenny Schuetz , a fellow at the @ @ @ @ @ Brookings Institution in Washington .
“ , ” a biweekly podcast that looks at why @ @ @ @ @ to live in California and what the state can do about it , features Liam @ @ @ @ @ affordability issues for the Los Angeles Times , and Matt Levin , data and housing @ @ @ @ @ subscribe to “ Gim me Shelter ” on , , , , and .

Many Californians already have their ballots for next month’s presidential primary election. And most of the leading Democratic candidates have plans to address one of California’s most pressing problems: the high cost of housing.
On this episode of Gimme Shelter: The California Housing Crisis Podcast, we detail the candidates’ proposals, including efforts to spend more to subsidize low-income housing and boost homeownership rates. We also assess President Trump’s housing record in his first term.
Our guest is Jenny Schuetz, a fellow at the Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institution in Washington.
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“ Gimme Shelter ,” a biweekly podcast that looks at why it’s so expensive to live in California and what the state can do about it, features Liam Dillon, who covers housing affordability issues for the Los Angeles Times, and Matt Levin, data and housing reporter for CALmatters .


latimes--2020-02-18--Santa Clara County park closed after mountain lion attacks 6-year-old girl on hiking trail

California Department of Fish and Wildlife and local park officials are on the hunt for a mountain lion that attacked a 6-year-old girl over the weekend on a Santa Clara County trail near Cupertino .
At about 10 a.m. Sunday , the girl and a group of nine people were walking in a brushy area where the trail narrows on the Wildcat Loop when a mountain lion attacked the child , said Korrine Skinner , public affairs manager for Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District .
One of the adults shoved the large cat while others scared it off , Skinner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small cuts at the scene and she was released to her parents later that day , Skinner said .
The Rancho San Antonio County Park and Open Space Preserve was closed as state officials and Midpeninsula rangers investigate the incident .
“ They ’ re on scene and what they ’ re trying to do right now is locate the animal and take a DNA sample and make sure it ’ s the same mountain lion , ” Skinner said .
State officials will determine how to proceed after the investigation , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of human activity and are easily scared off by loud noises , according to Midpeninsula officials .
The felines live throughout the Santa Cruz Mountains region and Midpeninsula officials described the encounter as “ very unusual.
” A mountain lion was recently killed in the Santa Monica Mountains under a state law that allows lethal action if livestock or pets are attacked or if other deterrents have failed .

California Department of Fish and Wildlife and local park officials are on the hunt for a mountain lion that attacked a 6-year-old girl over the weekend on a Santa Clara County trail near Cupertino.
At about 10 a.m. Sunday, the girl and a group of nine people were walking in a brushy area where the trail narrows on the Wildcat Loop when a mountain lion attacked the child, said Korrine Skinner, public affairs manager for Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District.
One of the adults shoved the large cat while others scared it off, Skinner said.
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Rangers treated the girl for small cuts at the scene and she was released to her parents later that day, Skinner said.
The Rancho San Antonio County Park and Open Space Preserve was closed as state officials and Midpeninsula rangers investigate the incident.
“They’re on scene and what they’re trying to do right now is locate the animal and take a DNA sample and make sure it’s the same mountain lion,” Skinner said. State officials will determine how to proceed after the investigation, she added.
Mountain lions typically avoid areas of human activity and are easily scared off by loud noises, according to Midpeninsula officials. The felines live throughout the Santa Cruz Mountains region and Midpeninsula officials described the encounter as “very unusual.”
Earlier this year, public safety officials killed a mountain lion after it attacked a 3-year-old boy at a Lake Forest park in Orange County. The child suffered neck injuries and abrasions.
A mountain lion was also recently killed in the Santa Monica Mountains under a state law that allows lethal action if livestock or pets are attacked or if other deterrents have failed.


latimes--2020-02-18--Amie Harwick court documents chronicle alleged abuse by the man held in her death

After Amie Harwick broke up with her ex-boyfriend , who she alleged in court documents abused her , the man showed up at her apartment three times in as many days .
The first time he showed up in March 2012 , he smashed 10 picture frames against her front door .
Then she received a text message with a warning : “ Things will get worse.
” A day later , he left roughly four dozen flowers taped to her door .
He showed up again the next day and stood outside her apartment playing music .
The bizarre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ request for a restraining order filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court that year — culminated on the fourth day when , Harwick said , her ex-boyfriend Gareth Pursehouse sent threatening emails to her friends .
Harwick , a well-known marriage and family therapist , ran into Pursehouse last month at a professional event that she was attending and he was assigned to photograph .
Beverly Hills sex therapist Hernando Chaves , a close friend who was with Harwick at the event , said the chance encounter seemed to “ reignite his obsessive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 41 , of Playa del Rey , attacked the 38-year-old Harwick early Saturday morning at her Hollywood Hills home .
LAPD officers were sent to the house in the 2000 block of Mound Street in response to a report of a woman screaming .
When officers arrived , they were met by Harwick ’ s roommate , who told them Harwick was being assaulted inside the home .
Officers found Harwick on the ground , beneath a third-story balcony , with grave injuries consistent with a fall , police said .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she later died .
Los Angeles County coroner officials determined that Harwick died of blunt force injuries to her head and torso .
Investigators found possible evidence of a struggle in the home , according to a statement .
Pursehouse was arrested on suspicion of murder and was being held on $ 2-million bail , according to county jail records .
Harwick and Pursehouse had lived together for a couple of years nearly a decade ago , friends said , but their relationship deteriorated .
Harwick detailed several instances of alleged abuse and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against her ex-boyfriend .
In one instance , on June 18 , 2011 , she wrote that Pursehouse picked her up late at night and they got into a fight while he was driving .
The fight escalated to the point that Pursehouse pushed her out of the car onto the side of the freeway , she wrote in court documents .
Harwick alleged that , two months earlier , he had forced her to the ground , covered her mouth to keep her from yelling and kicked her .
“ He has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my head on the ground , kicked me , ” she wrote in court documents detailing the alleged abuse .
“ This has resulted in bruises , inability to walk , bleeding , broken blood vessels around face , whiplash , sore neck and back.
” Harwick obtained a temporary restraining order against Pursehouse in 2011 , but she apparently did not attend a follow-up hearing and the order was dismissed , court records show .
Less than a year later , Harwick was granted another temporary restraining order , and after an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an extension of the order .
The restraining order , which expired in April 2015 , required Pursehouse to stay at least 100 yards away from Harwick and refrain from contacting her .
Diana Arias , a friend of Harwick , started an online petition Monday seeking to expand the rights of domestic violence victims .
More than 15,000 people had signed the petition as of Tuesday afternoon .
Arias is hoping the petition will prompt state lawmakers to keep restraining orders valid for longer than five years — the current maximum under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mandate long-term counseling for the alleged abuser , among other measures .
Arias also takes issue with the fact that victims are forced to testify in the same courtroom as their alleged abusers .
She suggests this could be remedied with the use of video live streaming .
“ We want to push for laws to be changed in her honor so this doesn ’ t happen to anyone else , ” Arias told the Los Angeles Times .
Lucy Lee , who became friends with Harwick in 2011 , said she and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Harwick ’ s death to advocate for legal changes that they hoped would protect others .
“ So many women have been affected by domestic violence and have been let down by our system that doesn ’ t step in to help until it ’ s too late , ” she said .
“ This is the one story we heard about , but how many women are dying every day that we ’ re not hearing about ?
” Harwick , who had a master ’ s degree in clinical psychology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeared in the 2015 documentary “ Addicted to Sexting.
” In 2014 , she wrote a book titled “ The New Sex Bible for Women.
” She was previously engaged to TV star Drew Carey .
The pair dated for two years before breaking up in 2018 .
Carey said in a statement that he was “ overcome with grief ” over her death .
“ Amie and I had a love that people are lucky to have once in a lifetime , ” he said .
“ She was a positive force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unapologetic champion for women , and passionate about her work as a therapist .
”

Amie Harwick attends the “Rock to Recovery” benefit at the Fonda Theatre in Hollywood on Oct. 2, 2016.
After Amie Harwick broke up with her ex-boyfriend, who she alleged in court documents abused her, the man showed up at her apartment three times in as many days.
The first time he showed up in March 2012, he smashed 10 picture frames against her front door. Then she received a text message with a warning: “Things will get worse.”
A day later, he left roughly four dozen flowers taped to her door. He showed up again the next day and stood outside her apartment playing music.
The bizarre series of events — detailed in a request for a restraining order filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court that year — culminated on the fourth day when, Harwick said, her ex-boyfriend Gareth Pursehouse sent threatening emails to her friends.
Harwick, a well-known marriage and family therapist, ran into Pursehouse last month at a professional event that she was attending and he was assigned to photograph. Beverly Hills sex therapist Hernando Chaves, a close friend who was with Harwick at the event, said the chance encounter seemed to “reignite his obsessive preoccupation with her.”
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Authorities say Pursehouse, 41, of Playa del Rey, attacked the 38-year-old Harwick early Saturday morning at her Hollywood Hills home.
LAPD officers were sent to the house in the 2000 block of Mound Street in response to a report of a woman screaming. When officers arrived, they were met by Harwick’s roommate, who told them Harwick was being assaulted inside the home.
Officers found Harwick on the ground, beneath a third-story balcony, with grave injuries consistent with a fall, police said. She was taken to a hospital, where she later died.
Los Angeles County coroner officials determined that Harwick died of blunt force injuries to her head and torso.
Investigators found possible evidence of a struggle in the home, according to a statement. Pursehouse was arrested on suspicion of murder and was being held on $2-million bail, according to county jail records.
Harwick and Pursehouse had lived together for a couple of years nearly a decade ago, friends said, but their relationship deteriorated. Harwick detailed several instances of alleged abuse and stalking in court documents requesting restraining orders against her ex-boyfriend.
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In one instance, on June 18, 2011, she wrote that Pursehouse picked her up late at night and they got into a fight while he was driving. The fight escalated to the point that Pursehouse pushed her out of the car onto the side of the freeway, she wrote in court documents.
Harwick alleged that, two months earlier, he had forced her to the ground, covered her mouth to keep her from yelling and kicked her.
“He has suffocated me, punched me, slammed my head on the ground, kicked me,” she wrote in court documents detailing the alleged abuse. “This has resulted in bruises, inability to walk, bleeding, broken blood vessels around face, whiplash, sore neck and back.”
Harwick obtained a temporary restraining order against Pursehouse in 2011, but she apparently did not attend a follow-up hearing and the order was dismissed, court records show.
Less than a year later, Harwick was granted another temporary restraining order, and after an April 2012 hearing, a judge granted an extension of the order. The restraining order, which expired in April 2015, required Pursehouse to stay at least 100 yards away from Harwick and refrain from contacting her.
Diana Arias, a friend of Harwick, started an online petition Monday seeking to expand the rights of domestic violence victims. More than 15,000 people had signed the petition as of Tuesday afternoon.
Arias is hoping the petition will prompt state lawmakers to keep restraining orders valid for longer than five years — the current maximum under state law — without a renewal and mandate long-term counseling for the alleged abuser, among other measures.
Arias also takes issue with the fact that victims are forced to testify in the same courtroom as their alleged abusers. She suggests this could be remedied with the use of video live streaming.
“We want to push for laws to be changed in her honor so this doesn’t happen to anyone else,” Arias told the Los Angeles Times.
Lucy Lee, who became friends with Harwick in 2011, said she and others were hoping to harness the attention on Harwick’s death to advocate for legal changes that they hoped would protect others.
“So many women have been affected by domestic violence and have been let down by our system that doesn’t step in to help until it’s too late,” she said. “This is the one story we heard about, but how many women are dying every day that we’re not hearing about?”
Harwick, who had a master’s degree in clinical psychology and a doctorate in human sexuality, appeared in the 2015 documentary “Addicted to Sexting.” In 2014, she wrote a book titled “The New Sex Bible for Women.”
She was previously engaged to TV star Drew Carey. The pair dated for two years before breaking up in 2018. Carey said in a statement that he was “overcome with grief” over her death.
“Amie and I had a love that people are lucky to have once in a lifetime,” he said. “She was a positive force in the world, a tireless and unapologetic champion for women, and passionate about her work as a therapist.”


latimes--2020-02-18--Kamala Harris endorses George Gascón in competitive Los Angeles County D.A.'s race

U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris has thrown her support behind George Gascón in his bid to unseat Jackie Lacey as Los Angeles County ’ s top prosecutor , campaign officials said Tuesday .
Harris — who served as San Francisco district attorney for seven years before Gascón took over the office in 2011 — called Gascón a “ proven leader ” in the criminal justice reform movement .
“ As D.A .
of San Francisco , George led fights to reform the Three Strikes Law , decrease the state prison population and get people convicted of nonviolent offenses greater opportunities to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Harris said in a statement .
“ As D.A .
of L.A. County , I know George Gascón will work every day to keep our communities safe and demand real accountability from our justice system and real justice for every Angeleno.
” Gascón and former public defender Rachel Rossi are challenging Lacey in a March 3 primary that has grown more heated in recent weeks .
All three candidates squared off in a contentious debate last month that featured tense exchanges between Lacey and her opponents as well as several interruptions by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in any more public debates after demonstrators caused a ruckus at that event , a decision that has drawn significant criticism .
Lacey still boasts broad support among Los Angeles County law enforcement unions and some of the region ’ s most powerful elected officials , including Rep. Adam B. Schiff ( D-Burbank ) , Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and four of the five members of the county Board of Supervisors .
But Gascón picked up a pair of significant endorsements in recent weeks , including Rep. Maxine Waters ( D-Los Angeles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Real Justice political action committee , which has supported several criminal justice reform candidates in district attorney elections throughout the U.S. , also issued a joint endorsement of Gascón and Rossi last week .
The race has shaped up as a debate about the role of a modern district attorney as much as a conflict among the candidates themselves .
Although Lacey has made strides in the way her office interacts with mentally ill defendants , she still carries the reputation of a traditional tough-on-crime prosecutor .
Gascón and Rossi have both staked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they can maintain public safety while reducing the number of people incarcerated in the county ’ s massive jail system .
Some have pointed to a property crime surge in San Francisco as indicative of what would happen across Southern California if Gascón were to claim victory here .
Unless one of the three candidates earns more than 50 % of the vote on March 3 , the race will come down to a November runoff between the top two finishers .

U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris, appearing at an event during her presidential campaign in 2019, has endorsed George Gascón for L.A. County district attorney.
U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris has thrown her support behind George Gascón in his bid to unseat Jackie Lacey as Los Angeles County’s top prosecutor, campaign officials said Tuesday.
Harris — who served as San Francisco district attorney for seven years before Gascón took over the office in 2011 — called Gascón a “proven leader” in the criminal justice reform movement.
“As D.A. of San Francisco, George led fights to reform the Three Strikes Law, decrease the state prison population and get people convicted of nonviolent offenses greater opportunities to get their lives back on track,” Harris said in a statement. “As D.A. of L.A. County, I know George Gascón will work every day to keep our communities safe and demand real accountability from our justice system and real justice for every Angeleno.”
Gascón and former public defender Rachel Rossi are challenging Lacey in a March 3 primary that has grown more heated in recent weeks. All three candidates squared off in a contentious debate last month that featured tense exchanges between Lacey and her opponents as well as several interruptions by protesters.
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Lacey has refused to engage in any more public debates after demonstrators caused a ruckus at that event, a decision that has drawn significant criticism.
Lacey still boasts broad support among Los Angeles County law enforcement unions and some of the region’s most powerful elected officials, including Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank), Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and four of the five members of the county Board of Supervisors.
But Gascón picked up a pair of significant endorsements in recent weeks, including Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles). The state chapter of the Real Justice political action committee, which has supported several criminal justice reform candidates in district attorney elections throughout the U.S., also issued a joint endorsement of Gascón and Rossi last week.
The race has shaped up as a debate about the role of a modern district attorney as much as a conflict among the candidates themselves. Although Lacey has made strides in the way her office interacts with mentally ill defendants, she still carries the reputation of a traditional tough-on-crime prosecutor.
Gascón and Rossi have both staked out positions to her left, saying they can maintain public safety while reducing the number of people incarcerated in the county’s massive jail system.
Some have pointed to a property crime surge in San Francisco as indicative of what would happen across Southern California if Gascón were to claim victory here.
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Unless one of the three candidates earns more than 50% of the vote on March 3, the race will come down to a November runoff between the top two finishers.


latimes--2020-02-18--Harvey Weinstein attorney scolded for writing op-ed on eve of jury deliberations

Harvey Weinstein ’ s lead defense attorney was lambasted on Tuesday by a prosecutor for writing an op-ed that directly addressed the jury ahead of trial deliberations , which were set to begin that morning .
The piece , penned by attorney Donna Rotunno and published in Newsweek on Sunday , implored the jury “ to do what they know is right and was expected of them from the moment they were called upon to serve their civic duty in a court of law.
” “ The mocking of Mr. Weinstein ’ s walker , the unflattering courtroom-artist sketches of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and biased stories , and the convenient timing of the politically-motivated charges in Los Angeles were all designed to pre-determine his guilt , ” Rotunno wrote .
Six women testified against the movie mogul in Manhattan , where he faces five counts of sexual assault and life in prison if convicted .
Before the trial began , Judge James Burke instructed attorneys not to give media interviews .
But Rotunno has already come under fire for doing so ; she gave an interview to the New York Times podcast “ The Daily ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though she initially told Burke she was interviewed before proceedings began and had not spoken to any reporters since the start of the trial .
In that interview , reporter Megan Twohey asked Rotunno if she had ever been sexually assaulted .
“ I have not , ” Rotunno said .
“ Because I would never put myself in that position.
” Rotunno ’ s response drew swift criticism from sexual assault survivors and their advocates , who said the lawyer ’ s statements were tantamount to victim-blaming .
Under the hashtag # @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sharing the settings in which they were attacked in direct response to Rotunno ’ s comments .
Prosecutor Joan Illuzzi said Rotunno ’ s Newsweek op-ed was “ completely , 100 % inappropriate behavior .
It borders on tampering with the jury.
” “ There ’ s no way that the sanctity and purity of a jury trial can ever exist and continue if every party is permitted to just go ahead and publicly say something that they would not be able to ... in court , ” Illuzzi said .
The prosecutor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ custody , asserting he had something to do with the op-ed .
“ There is no way that Ms. Rotunno did this without the prompting and encouragement … of this defendant , ” Illuzzi said .
Rotunno called the request to remand Weinstein “ improper ” and said it was “ one small piece of a larger media attack on Mr. Weinstein.
” Though the specter of the dozens of women who have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct loomed over the trial from the start , the producer ’ s jury was chosen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media coverage and decide the case based only on evidence heard in court .
When speaking to Rotunno ’ s co-counsel , Damon Cheronis , Judge Burke said , “ You don ’ t think addressing the jury in the first person isn ’ t problematic ?
” Rotunno defended the op-ed , saying it was merely a commentary on the failures of the criminal justice system .
Burke emphatically barred either side from talking to reporters until a verdict was reached and cautioned the defense attorneys on the “ the tentacles ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

Harvey Weinstein leaves court in New York on Jan. 22. Attorney Donna Rotunno is in the background at right.
Harvey Weinstein’s lead defense attorney was lambasted on Tuesday by a prosecutor for writing an op-ed that directly addressed the jury ahead of trial deliberations, which were set to begin that morning.
The piece, penned by attorney Donna Rotunno and published in Newsweek on Sunday, implored the jury “to do what they know is right and was expected of them from the moment they were called upon to serve their civic duty in a court of law.”
“The mocking of Mr. Weinstein’s walker, the unflattering courtroom-artist sketches of his body, the countless critical op-eds and biased stories, and the convenient timing of the politically-motivated charges in Los Angeles were all designed to pre-determine his guilt,” Rotunno wrote.
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Six women testified against the movie mogul in Manhattan, where he faces five counts of sexual assault and life in prison if convicted.
California As Harvey Weinstein’s fate heads to jurors, who will they believe? A jury of seven women and five men will begin deliberating Harvey Weinstein’s fate next week. After weeks of emotional testimony, the case will likely come down to how a jury weighs each accuser’s stories against a defense that aimed to paint each alleged rape as a consenting affair
Before the trial began, Judge James Burke instructed attorneys not to give media interviews. But Rotunno has already come under fire for doing so; she gave an interview to the New York Times podcast “The Daily” in the middle of the trial, though she initially told Burke she was interviewed before proceedings began and had not spoken to any reporters since the start of the trial.
In that interview, reporter Megan Twohey asked Rotunno if she had ever been sexually assaulted.
“I have not,” Rotunno said. “Because I would never put myself in that position.”
Rotunno’s response drew swift criticism from sexual assault survivors and their advocates, who said the lawyer’s statements were tantamount to victim-blaming. Under the hashtag #WhereIPutMyself, survivors of sexual assault began sharing the settings in which they were attacked in direct response to Rotunno’s comments.
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Prosecutor Joan Illuzzi said Rotunno’s Newsweek op-ed was “completely, 100% inappropriate behavior. It borders on tampering with the jury.”
“There’s no way that the sanctity and purity of a jury trial can ever exist and continue if every party is permitted to just go ahead and publicly say something that they would not be able to ... in court,” Illuzzi said.
The prosecutor asked Judge Burke to hold Weinstein in custody, asserting he had something to do with the op-ed.
“There is no way that Ms. Rotunno did this without the prompting and encouragement … of this defendant,” Illuzzi said.
Rotunno called the request to remand Weinstein “improper” and said it was “one small piece of a larger media attack on Mr. Weinstein.”
Though the specter of the dozens of women who have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct loomed over the trial from the start, the producer’s jury was chosen specifically for their professed ability to ignore media coverage and decide the case based only on evidence heard in court.
When speaking to Rotunno’s co-counsel, Damon Cheronis, Judge Burke said, “You don’t think addressing the jury in the first person isn’t problematic?”
Rotunno defended the op-ed, saying it was merely a commentary on the failures of the criminal justice system.
Burke emphatically barred either side from talking to reporters until a verdict was reached and cautioned the defense attorneys on “the tentacles” of their “public relations juggernaut.”