GREG TAKES A TRIP TO BIG BEAR LAKE
HOW STEM IS CHANGING EARLY EDUCATION
A 7-YEAR-OLD’S WISH TO HELP HOMELESS PEOPLE
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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2016 - FEBRUARY 21, 2016 - VOLUME 21, NO. 7
Former Sheriff Lee Baca Admits Lying to FBI BY TERRY MILLER
Lee Baca announced his ‘retirement’ January in 2014.
- Photo by Terry Miller
Former Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca pled guilty in a downtown courtroom Wednesday to making false statements to the FBI. According to the Los Angeles Times, a charging document filed by federal prosecutors on Wednesday morning claimed, “Baca lied twice about his involvement in hiding an inmate from FBI agents who were investigating brutality and corruption by sheriff's deputies in the county jails.” Baca also lied when he said he was unaware that his subordinates planned to approach an FBI special agent at her home, the document stated. Baca's attorney, Michael Zweibeck, said his client has agreed to plead guilty to a single count as part of a deal with prosecutors under which he will spend no more than six months in prison and possibly no time at all. Zweibeck said that federal sentencing guidelines specify up to six months in prison for making a false statement, but that Baca could also be sentenced to probation and not serve any time behind bars. Baca, who ran the department for more than 15 years, retired in 2014 amid an FBI probe into misconduct and abuse by deputies in the county's jail system. So far, more than a dozen former sheriff's officials have been convicted as a result of the wide-ranging investigation, which began more than five years ago. Sheriff Jim McDonnell issued a rather general statement after Baca appeared in court yesterday. “As I have stated previously when asked about the federal investigation and trial, I have faith in the justice system, and trust that it is assessing the facts of these past events in a fair-minded, accountable manner. I know that the milestones during SEE PAGE 4
The L.A. County Sheriff’s Department has entered into a contract with the city of Sierra Madre for temporary deputy patrol services. Deputies will patrol the foothill city streets between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. – Courtesy Photo
Sheriffs May Begin Patrols in Sierra Madre Starting Feb. 28 BY TERRY MILLER Sierra Madre Weekly has learned that the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has entered into a contract with the city of Sierra Madre for temporary
deputy patrol services between Feb. 28 and June 30. The news came swiftly after Arcadia council last week turned down Sierra Madre’s request for assisSEE PAGE 16
Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation Provides Immediate Rescue Response after Taiwan Earthquake
The Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation in San Dimas mobilized a disaster team to help those affected by the Taiwan Earthquake. – Courtesy Photo
Immediately after the 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck southern Taiwan on Feb. 6, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation mobilized its disaster team to help the displaced, injured, and families of the many still trapped in the rub-
ble.
As of Feb. 7, Tzu Chi has deployed and mobilized 928 volunteers, including 14 doctors and nurses to provide emergency medical services; SEE PAGE 4