Monrovia Weekly_8/14/2023

Protesters block Ventura Freeway in Glendale on Wednesday

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VOLUME 27, MONDAY, AUGUST 14-AUGUST 20, 2023

Clarence Thomas’ 38 vacations: The other billionaires who have treated the Supreme Court justice to luxury travel

By Brett Murphy and Alex Mierjeski, ProPublica

Pasadena

NO. 133

man agrees to plead guilty to machine gun possession

By City News Service

APasadena man who allegedly brandished a loaded ghost gun near a South Los Angeles high school last year has agreed to plead guilty to a federal charge of possessing machine gun parts, according to court documents obtained Thursday.

Series: Friends of the Court: SCOTUS Justices’ Beneficial Relationships With Billionaire Donors

Supreme Court Justice ClarenceThomas’ decadeslong friendship with real estate tycoon Harlan Crow and Samuel Alito’s luxury travel with billionaire Paul Singer have raised questions about influence and ethics at the nation’s highest court.

During his three decades on the Supreme Court, Clarence Thomas has enjoyed steady access to a lifestyle most Americans can only imagine. A cadre of industry titans and ultrawealthy executives have treated him to farflung vacations aboard their yachts, ushered him into the premium suites at sporting events and sent their private jets to fetch him — including, on more than one occasion, an entire 737. It’s a stream of luxury that is both more extensive and from a wider circle than has been previously understood.

Like clockwork, Thomas’ leisure activities have been underwritten by benefactors who share the ideology that drives his jurisprudence. Their gifts include:

At least 38 destination vacations, including a previously unreported voyage on a yacht around the Bahamas; 26 private jet flights, plus an additional eight by helicopter; a dozen VIP passes to professional and college sporting events, typically perched in the skybox; two stays at luxury resorts in Florida and Jamaica; and one standing invitation to an uber-exclusive golf club overlooking the Atlantic coast.

This accounting of Thomas’ travel, revealed for the first time here from an array of previously unavailable information, is the fullest to date of the generosity that has regularly afforded Thomas a lifestyle far beyond what his income could provide. And it is almost certainly an undercount.

While some of the hospitality, such as stays in personal

homes, may not have required disclosure, Thomas appears to have violated the law by failing to disclose flights, yacht cruises and expensive sports tickets, according to ethics experts.

Perhaps even more significant, the pattern exposes consistent violations of judicial norms, experts, including seven current and former federal judges appointed by both parties, told ProPublica. “In my career I don’t remember ever seeing this degree of largesse given to anybody,” said Jeremy Fogel, a former federal judge who served for years on the judicial committee that reviews judges’ financial disclosures. “I think it’s unprecedented.”

This year, ProPublica revealed Texas real estate billionaire Harlan Crow’s generosity toward Thomas, including vacations, private jet flights, gifts, the purchase of his mother’s house in Georgia and tuition payments. In an April statement, the justice defended his relationship with Crow. The Crows “are among our dearest friends,” Thomas said. “As friends do, we have joined them on a number of family trips.”

The New York Times recently surfaced VIP treatment from wealthy businessmen he met through the Horatio Alger Association, an exclusive nonprofit. Among them were David Sokol, a former top executive at Berkshire Hathaway, and H. Wayne Huizenga, a billionaire who turned Blockbuster and Waste Management into national goliaths. (The Times noted Thomas gives access to the Supreme Court building for Horatio Alger events; ProPublica confirmed that the access has cost $1,500 or more in donations per person.)

Records and interviews show Thomas had another benefactor, oil baron Paul “Tony” Novelly, whose gifts to the justice have not previously been reported. ProPublica’s totals in this article include trips from Crow.

Each of these men — Novelly, Huizenga, Sokol and Crow — appears to have first met Thomas after he ascended to the Supreme Court. With the exception of Crow, their names are nowhere in Thomas’ financial disclosures,

Isaac Loftus, 26, is expected to enter his plea on a date to be determined.

Prosecutors said law enforcement received a call around lunchtime on Nov. 22 about an armed person wearing a tactical vest and cargo pants in the vicinity of Thomas Jefferson High School. A witness said the man later identified as Loftus had pointed a firearm at two passing motorists, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Loftus, who at first allegedly refused to obey multiple commands to stop and attempted to walk away from officers, eventually complied and was detained and later arrested, prosecutors said.

Loftus’ plea agreement, filed Wednesday in Los Angeles federal court, states that law enforcement removed a 9mm handgun with no serial number, commonly known as a ghost gun, that contained one round in the chamber and six rounds in the magazine, from a holster on Loftus’ front right hip area. The holster was decorated with symbols commonly associated with the Boogaloo extremist movement, according to an affidavit filed with a criminal complaint in January.

The affidavit states that Loftus told the officers who arrested him that he was named “Yahweh” — Hebrew for God — and they would “be dead” if they continued to question him. After he was arrested and in custody, he spontaneously told officers that “judgment day has been delayed,” according to the sworn affidavit signed by FBI Special Agent Geoffrey Colvin.

Loftus is prohibited from possessing firearms as a result of having been declared a danger to himself and others in 2016, the document says.

The plea agreement says Loftus would face up to 10 years behind bars at sentencing and a period of supervised release to include participation in an in-patient

Xylazine, veterinary anesthetic, detected in LA County’s illegal drug supply

This story was originally published by ProPublica. ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox.

Justice Clarence Thomas. | Photo by Thomas Cizauskas (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) See Clarence Thomas

An AR-15 rifle. | Photo courtesy of Mitch Barrie/Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

LA County BOS moves forward with ordinance for hotel worker protections

By City News Service

Protesters block Ventura Freeway in Glendale on Wednesday

By City News Service

Despite cost concerns from business and hotel representatives, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors directed its attorneys Tuesday to draft an ordinance requiring hotels in unincorporated areas to provide various protections for workers, including “panic button” devices and restrictions on daily working hours.

The proposed ordinance, which will be brought back to the board for final approval once it is drafted, will be mirrored after those already in place in cities including Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Long Beach, Glendale and West Hollywood.

The city of Los Angeles adopted its ordinance last year after it was submitted through a petition drive initiative backed by members of the Unite Here Local 11 union, which is currently striking against dozens of Southland hotels seeking higher wages and benefits.

“Hotel workers who work by themselves in guest rooms are vulnerable to inappropriate, threatening, and sometimes criminal behavior, including sexual assault,” according to a motion by county Supervisors

Lindsey Horvath and Hilda Solis. “Ensuring that hotel workers are equipped with personal security devices and supported in their ability to report criminal and threatening behavior to the proper authorities will promote their personal safety from criminal threats and improve public safety overall.”

The motion also contends that hotel housekeepers are often given “overly burdensome room cleaning quotas,” forcing them to work long hours,

while other workers are “frequently assigned unexpected and mandatory overtime, which limits their ability to meet family and personal commitments.”

During Tuesday’s meeting, Horvath said the county “must do everything we can to protect the safety of our hotel workers and ensure they are treated with dignity and respect.”

Solis noted that women “make up the vast majority of hotel workers in the county of Los Angeles, especially immigrant women and women of color.”

The board motion instructs county attorneys to draft and return to the board with an ordinance that would require:

-- personal security devices for employees who work in guest rooms or restrooms by themselves;

-- training for hotel workers on the use of the personal security devices;

-- prohibiting hotel employers from taking adverse actions against workers who report threats or violence incidents to law enforcement;

-- hotels with less than 40 guest rooms could not require a room attendant to clean rooms amounting to more than 4,500 square feet in an eight- hour workday, unless the worker is paid double their salary for extra hours;

-- hotels with 40 or more rooms could not require an attendant to clean rooms amounting to more than 3,500 square feet in any eight-hour workday, unless the worker receives double pay for extra hours;

-- preventing workers from working more than 10 hours in a day, unless the worker consents in writing; and

-- requiring hotels to contract with a certi-

fied Public Housekeeping Training Organization to provide housekeeping training to new employees.

Several hotel-industry representatives spoke in opposition to the proposed ordinance, citing the costs of the regulations and the difficulty adhering to the square-footage requirements.

Robin Wolfe, a hotel general manager in Marina del Rey, told the board the requirements would force hotel to hire additional housekeeping staff, while also calling the double-time penalties for exceeding the requirements “excessive.”

She urged the board “to please study the impact on areas that have already implemented this ordinance.”

A representative for the Marina del Rey Tourism Board said the regulation will lead to an increase in hotel rates, while a Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce official said the rules will be burdensome to small businesses, noting the cost of purchasing and maintaining panic button systems, and warning that those costs could lead to workers being laid off.

Supervisor Kathryn Barger abstained from the vote, expressing concerns about the economics of the proposed ordinance “and how it’s going to impact the industry.”

“I don’t want to see people laid off as a result,” Barger said.

She said she fully supports protecting the safety of workers, “but I want to make sure we have the economics as it relates to the impact it’s going to have.”

The measure passed on the 3-0 vote, with Barger abstaining and Supervisor Holly Mitchell absent.

Multipleprotesters blocked all the eastbound lanes on the Ventura (134) Freeway at the Golden State (5) interchange in Glendale Wednesday evening.

The California Highway Patrol issued a SigAlert at 9 p.m. for the eastbound Ventura Freeway at Central Avenue after numerous big rigs and people were witnessed blocking all eastbound lanes on the freeway, according to KCAL.

Shortly after 11 p.m., the big rig that was used to block the interchange drove away, opening up the backed-up interchange after several hours.

The protest also prompted the CHP to close0 the transition road from the eastbound Ventura Freeway to the northbound Golden State Freeway.

The protests began at Burbank City Hall and then continued to the interchange of the Ventura and Golden State freeways and the Hollywood (101) Freeway at Vineland Avenue.

Signs laid out on the freeway said “Adam Schiff Don’t Ignore Us” and “Open the Road to Life,” KCAL reported.

The protest was conducted by a group holding an event called “Rally for Life” to express their distress with Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Burbank, KCAL reported, citing information from the Burbank Police Department. The group claims Schiff has not done enough to stop the blockade of the Lachin Corridor, the mountain road that links Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, according to KCAL.

Azerbaijan began a

blockade of the Lachin Corridor on Dec. 12 following a series of clashes that erupted along the Azerbaijan-Armenia border in September, resulting in at least 200 deaths. The blockade prevented humanitarian aid, basic supplies and outside support from reaching approximately 120,000 civilians there.

Schiff was among the authors of a congressional resolution condemning the blockade and encouraging the United States and the international community to petition the United Nations Security Council and other appropriate international bodies to investigate any possible war crimes committed by Azerbaijani forces.

In a statement issued Monday, Schiff said, “From the day the blockade of the Lachin Corridor began, I, alongside my colleagues in Congress and Armenians around the country, have urged the White House, the State Department, and USAID, to take action to protect the people of Artsakh and their right to self-determination.

“With Azerbaijan’s refusal to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross to deliver lifesaving humanitarian aid in, and transport patients requiring urgent medical attention out of Artsakh, the need for the international community to take action and find a lasting solution to the conflict grows with each passing day. I’ve persistently called for Azerbaijan to lift the blockade and allow humanitarian aid to move freely via the Lachin Corridor, and I have urged President Biden to take

immediate action to address the dire situation in Artsakh.

“From condemning ceasefire violations, advocating for the release of Armenian prisoners of war, to calling for sanctions and accountability for Azerbaijan, I’ve always been steadfast in my commitment to ensuring the protection of fundamental rights for the people of Artsakh.

“As a co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, I’ve also advocated for international action to end this crisis peacefully. If we truly stand for democracy and human rights, we must recognize the independence of the Republic of Artsakh and oppose the ethnic cleansing and threats of genocide faced by the Armenian community in their ancestral homeland.

“By using all tools at our disposal, including pushing for U.S. humanitarian aid to Artsakh, cutting off military and other assistance to Azerbaijan, and imposing sanctions on those responsible for this crisis, we can ensure Artsakh’s safety now and in the future.

“I will be with you every step of the way and will always stand with the people of Armenia and Artsakh.”

USAID is the abbreviation for the United States Agency for International Development, the federal agency that is primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid and development assistance.

The territory of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan. It is called Artsakh by Armenians.

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Chris Christie criticizes Trump, Obama, Biden over Ukraine conflict

By HeyWire AI

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Presidential candidate

Chris Christie took direct aim at past and present U.S. leaders as he recounted his recent unexpected visit to Ukraine.

In a fiery critique, Christie lambasted Presidents Donald Trump, Barack Obama and incumbent Joe Biden.

The New Jersey Republican held them collectively responsible for the ongoing war in Ukraine, laying the blame for the instability in Eastern Europe at their doorstep, USA Today reports.

“The truth is that years of failed leadership are responsible for (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s reign of terror in Eastern Europe. And it’s only going to get worse,” said the Christie campaign in an email to supporters obtained by USA Today. “He took Crimea under Barack Obama, buddied up to Donald Trump, and knows that Joe Biden can’t stop him from committing countless war crimes in Ukraine.”

Christie, breaking from a tour of the war-torn

region, met with Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelenskyy and re-pledged his support against the Russian incursion. During his visit, the former governor solemnly stressed the need to comprehend the atrocities meted out by Russian forces against the Ukrainian people.

Christie also implored the U.S. to supply Ukraine with the resources to engage Russian forces on an even keel.

“America is right to supply and I spoke with President Zelenskyy for an hour,” Christie told CNN on Sunday. “All he wants is the ability to fight the war on an even basis.”

This echoes Christie’s past criticisms of Trump’s Ukraine aid policies and highlights his issues with Biden’s reluctance in equipping Kyiv with the necessary resources.

Christie’s stance, however, places his views in stark opposition to that of his party’s reigning figure, Trump. The ex-president has maintained a more cautious approach to U.S. engagement in the conflict.

‘Evil Dead Rise’ added to Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights lineup

By City News Service

The world of “Evil Dead Rise” will come to life at Universal Studios Hollywood’s annual Halloween Horror Nights attraction, the theme park announced Wednesday as it rounded out the list of frights that will await visitors during the spooky season.

Horror Nights will include a total of eight haunted houses, with “Evil Dead Rise” and “Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America” named as the latest additions to the lineup.

Other haunted houses included in the festivities will be the video game-based “The Last of Us”; “Stranger Things 4,” based on the Netflix series; “The Exorcist: Believer,” putting visitors in the demonic world of the classic horror film; “Universal Monsters: Unmasked,” featuring classic Universal film frights such as The Invisible Man, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde; “Chucky: Ultimate Kill Count,” with the possessed doll of the longrunning film series; and

“Holidayz in Hell,” putting guests on a “petrifying trip through a series of psychotic seasonal celebrations.”

Halloween Horror Nights will also feature “Terror Tram ... The Exterminatorz,” which transforms the Universal Studios famed tram tour into a trip through an uprising of insects looking to destroy the human race. Tram riders

will also travel through the Jupiter’s Claim set from the Jordan Peele film “Nope” and meet The Tethered from Peele’s film “Us.”

Halloween Horror Nights will begin Sept. 7 and continue on select nights through Oct. 31. Several Universal Studios theme park attractions will be open during the event, including Jurassic World

-- The Ride, Transformers, Revenge of the Mummy and The Simpsons Ride. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and its accompanying attractions will also be open, with the Death Eaters roaming the grounds. Information on ticketing and dates of operation is available online at www. HalloweenHorrorNights. com.

This is a divide exemplified not just by Christie, but also resonated during

another Ukraine visit by former Vice President Mike Pence.

Chris Christie. | Photo courtesy of Michael Vadon/Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

The Band songwriter-guitarist Robbie Robertson dies in LA

By Fred Shuster

Robbie Robertson, the Canadian composer and lead guitarist for The Band who once described his hillbilly and R&B-influenced songs as offering “a passport back to America for people who had become so estranged from their country that they felt like foreigners even when they were in it,” died Wednesday in Los Angeles. He was 80.

His manager Jared Levine said he died after a long illness.

Robertson drew upon country music, Mississippi delta blues, soul and gospel in memorably earthy songs inspired by the tradition and history of his adopted country.

In Band songs such as the American Civil War tale “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” and the infectious “Up on Cripple Creek” and “Rag, Mama, Rag,” which echoed of a bygone barn dance, Robertson offered the musical antithesis of the loud hard rock embraced by the Woodstock generation and beyond. He is considered one of the founders of the music genre known as Americana.

Best known for his work as lead guitarist for Bob Dylan in the mid-late 1960s and early-mid 1970s, as guitarist and songwriter with The Band from their inception until 1978, and for his career as a solo recording artist, Robertson was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Songwriters. In 2008, he received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

He collaborated with director Martin Scorsese on 14 film music projects, beginning with the 1978 Band concert documentary “The Last Waltz,” and continuing through “Raging Bull,” “The King of Comedy,” “Casino,” “The Departed” and others.

Robertson came to music early. His father was from Toronto and his mother, of Mohawk descent, was born and raised on the Six Nations Reservation in Canada. Robertson began learning guitar from relatives during his summer visits to the reservation.

By the early 1960s, Robertson and the musicians who would later become The Band — drummer Levon Helm, bassist Rick Danko, pianist Richard Manuel and organist Garth Hudson —

were barnstorming clubs in the U.S. and Canada as rockabilly singer Ronnie Hawkins & The Hawks, and playing rock ‘n’ roll packages with such acts as Chuck Berry, Carl Perkins and Jackie Wilson.

In the summer of 1965, Dylan was looking for a backing band for his first “electric” tour. Robertson was recruited to play guitar, and after two shows the balance of The Hawks were brought aboard. With Dylan, The Hawks played concerts from September 1965 through May 1966, marking Dylan’s transition from folk to rock.

Tired of the road, Robertson and other Band members to be left Dylan and retreated to the small town of Woodstock, New York, to begin creating what would become their influential 1968 debut album, “Music From Big Pink.” Featuring now-classic tunes by Robertson — including the oft-covered “The Weight” — the album was revered by critics and the likes of the Beatles, Eric Clapton and the Rolling Stones.

Speaking of The Band in the 2020 documentary “Once Were Brothers,” Bruce Springsteen said, “It’s like you’d never heard them before and like they’d always been there.”

The following year, with the release of The Band’s self-titled second album, the group became the first North American musical act to be featured on the cover of Time magazine.

The Band called it quits in 1976 with a lavish farewell at San Francisco’s Winterland on Thanksgiving Day. The hours-long Last Waltz concert, with more than a dozen special guests, was filmed by Scorsese, the start of Robertson’s long collaboration with the filmmaker. Robertson also took an interest in acting and co-starred with Gary Busey and Jodie Foster in 1980’s “Carny,” a drama about a traveling carnival.

After eight studio albums with the Band, Robertson recorded his first solo album in 1986.

In 2000, music industry legends David Geffen and Mo Ostin convinced Robertson to join DreamWorks Records as creative executive.

His 2016 autobiography “Testimony” was a bestseller.

Last year, Robertson sold his publishing, recording interests and name, image and likeness rights to investments firm Iconoclast for $25 million.

Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood posted on X that Robertson “was a lovely man, a great friend and will be dearly missed.”

Robertson is survived by his wife Janet; his ex-wife Dominique; his children Alexandra, Sebastian and Delphine; and five grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Six Nations of the Grand River to support a new Woodland Cultural Center.

Robbie Robertson. | Photo courtesy of John Bauld/Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

San Diego man sentenced to probation for participating in Capitol breach

By City News Service

that after leaving the Capitol, Hueso spoke with a CNN reporter in a televised interview and said, "a huge group of us stormed inside and as we started — we were basically shouting at the cops. And there were people arguing with them, trying to get them on our side, basically."

ASan Diego man who entered the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and was interviewed on CNN about the storming of the building was sentenced Tuesday to three years of probation.

According to court documents, Josiah Hueso

flew to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 5, 2021, to attend a "Stop the Steal" rally and marched with others to the Capitol the next day. Prosecutors said he entered the building through a fire door and went into the office of the Senate parliamentarian. Court documents show

Federal prosecutors in Washington charged him last year and he was arrested in May 2022 in San Diego. Hueso pleaded guilty earlier this year to a misdemeanor count of parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building.

A prosecution sentencing memorandum indicates the government was seeking 21 days in custody for Hueso.

The document cites social media activity from Hueso that allegedly indicated he was aware the conduct was unlawful. In response to another poster who stated that those who stormed the Capitol did nothing illegal, Hueso wrote, "Walking into the Capitol was technically illegal. ... I agree we did nothing wrong but that doesn't matter at this point."

Sentencing papers from Hueso's defense attorney state he now "fully acknowledges that he was wrong to (go) into the Capitol and he regrets doing so." In requesting probation, the document states Hueso was in the Capitol for less than 10 minutes, has no prior

criminal record and did not engage in violence, theft or property destruction, unlike other Jan. 6 defendants.

Others from the San Diego area who were prosecuted for taking part in the Jan. 6 breach include Carlsbad resident James McGrew, who pleaded guilty to assaulting law enforcement officers and was sentenced to six years and six months in prison; El Cajon resident Erik Herrera, who was convicted by a jury of entering the Capitol and sentenced to four years in prison; former Coronado resident Jeffrey Alexander Smith, who pleaded guilty to entering the Capitol and was sentenced to a threemonth prison term for

taking part in the breach; and ex-Ocean Beach resident Philip James Weisbecker, who pleaded guilty to entering the Capitol and was sentenced to 30 days in custody.

Charges were filed last month against Imperial Beach resident Joshua Kaleb Youngerman, who prosecutors allege used a rope to scale the Capitol building and gain entrance.

Ocean Beach resident Ashli Babbitt was one of five people who died in connection with the attack. Babbitt was fatally shot by a U.S. Capitol police officer while trying to climb through the broken window of a barricaded door to the Speaker's Lobby.

US Navy sailors from LA County, San Diego ordered detained in espionage cases

By City News Service

Two U.S. Navy sailors — one from Monterey Park and another from San Diego — who are accused of taking bribes in exchange for sending sensitive military information to Chinese intelligence officers were ordered detained Tuesday pending trial on federal charges.

Petty Officer Wenheng Zhao, 26, also known as Thomas Zhao, had asked the judge to be granted release while awaiting trial. However, U.S. Magistrate Judge Patricia Donahue rejected the request on grounds of flight risk and possible danger to the community or potential witnesses, court papers show.

Zhao pleaded not guilty last week in downtown Los Angeles to federal charges of conspiracy and receipt of a bribe by a public official. Zhao was working at Naval Base Ventura County in Port Hueneme, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

The indictment alleges that Zhao, who held a security clearance, received bribes from a Chinese intelligence officer in exchange for disclosing nonpublic, sensitive military information.

Federal prosecutors contend that beginning in August 2021 and continuing through at least May of this year, Zhao sent U.S. military information, photographs and videos to the Chinese intelligence officer.

In exchange for bribes, Zhao allegedly sent the intelligence officer operational plans for a large-scale U.S. military exercise in the IndoPacific Region, detailing the

specific location and timing of naval movements, amphibious landings, maritime operations and logistics support, according to the indictment.

He also allegedly photographed electrical diagrams and blueprints for a radar system stationed on a U.S. military base in Okinawa, Japan.

Prosecutors contend Zhao obtained and transmitted details about the Navy's operational security at the Naval Base in Ventura County and on San Clemente Island, including photographs and videos.

The intelligence officer directed Zhao to conceal their relationship and to destroy evidence of the scheme, prosecutors allege.

In exchange for the information Zhao provided — information he accessed as a result of his position within the U.S. Navy — the Chinese intelligence officer paid Zhao nearly $15,000, the indictment alleges.

If convicted of the two counts in the indictment, Zhao would face up to 20 years in federal prison, prosecutors noted.

A second sailor based in San Diego was arrested last week on similar charges, but officials declined to comment on whether the cases are related or if the two seamen allegedly were in contact with the same Chinese intelligence officer.

San Diego sailor charged with espionage ordered held in custody

Jinchao Wei, 22, also known as Patrick Wei, is

accused of selling military secrets to a Chinese intelligence officer will also remain in custody, a judge ruled Tuesday.

Wei is accused of accepting bribes in exchange for information concerning "the defense and weapon capabilities of U.S. Navy ships, potential vulnerabilities of these ships, and information related to ship movement," according to a grand jury indictment.

Prosecutors allege he also provided the Chinese officer with photographs of military hardware and details about an upcoming maritime warfare exercise involving U.S. Marines.

Wei, who was assigned as a machinist's mate on the USS Essex, was arrested last Wednesday at Naval Base San Diego as he was arriving for work.

U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman said Wei's prosecution represents the first time an espionage-related charge has been filed against someone in the Southern District of California.

Wei, who was ordered detained last week, appeared in court Tuesday afternoon for a hearing regarding his custodial status. Defense attorney Jason Conforti said his client would stipulate to remaining in custody for now until he received more evidence from the prosecution.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred Sheppard told U.S. Magistrate Judge Michelle Pettit that prosecutors would move to keep Wei detained on grounds of being a flight risk and a danger to the commu-

nity.

Sheppard argued the information Wei allegedly provided the Chinese officer made him a danger to the community at large and "certainly a danger to the thousands of sailors who are on those ships and transported by those ships."

The prosecutor said the Chinese officer approached Wei before he was assigned to the Essex and sought information and photographs of ship movements out of San Diego ports.

After Wei was first approached by the Chinese intelligence officer, he allegedly told a fellow sailor he was being recruited by an intelligence agency for "quite obviously (expletive) espionage," according to the U.S.

Attorney's Office.

The indictment alleges that beginning last year, Wei transmitted "documents, sketches, plans, notes, and other information" to the handler, who allegedly instructed Wei to destroy any evidence substantiating their relationship. Some of the information he allegedly sent included technical data for the USS Essex and other amphibious assault ships.

On Tuesday, Sheppard said some of that information included details on living conditions aboard the Essex, manuals for its weapons systems and information regarding its onboard communications.

Conforti told the judge Wei would not pose a danger as he no longer has a position

with the Navy and now has no access to the information prosecutors allege he provided.

Regarding flight, Sheppard said Wei's only relative in the United States is his mother, who the prosecutor said was not only aware of Wei's alleged disclosure of military secrets, but actively supported it.

Sheppard said Wei's Chinese contact has also extended offers for Wei to travel to China and Wei allegedly had been searching for flights shortly before his arrest.

Both Wei and Zhao allegedly received thousands of dollars for the information they are accused of passing along.

Josiah Hueso. | Photo courtesy of Josiah Hueso/Soundcloud

Wenheng Zhao participates in a military exercise in 2019 at Fort Hunter Liggett near Jolon, California. | Photo courtesy of Michael Lopez/U.S. Navy

Tory Lanez gets 10-year sentence for shooting Megan Thee Stallion

By Terri Vermeulen Keith, City News Service

Rapper Tory Lanez was sentenced Tuesday to 10 years in state prison for shooting hip-hop star Megan Thee Stallion in the feet in the Hollywood Hills just over three years ago, despite his plea that he be given a chance at "redemption."

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge David Herriford handed down the sentence after a hearing that stretched over two days and saw prosecutors ask for a prison term of 13 years, while defense attorneys produced an array of witnesses in hopes of sparing their client from a state prison term by highlighting his charitable work and his devotion to his 6-year-old son.

The judge noted that there was "only one set of rules for all of us" and that Lanez "must be treated the same as any other person."

Herriford said he was somewhat skeptical about the defense's last-minute claims that Lanez should be sentenced to probation because of his struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol use disorder, ruling that he could "not grant probation in this case" as requested by the defense. He noted that Lanez's conduct after the shooting was a "major factor in aggravation," while he said the defendant's lack of prior criminal history and his charitable work were mitigating factors.

The judge said a date will have to be set for the defense's motion for bail for Lanez pending his appeal.

The 31-year-old Canadian rapper, whose real name is Daystar Peterson, was convicted Dec. 23 of one felony count each of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, having a loaded unregistered firearm in a vehicle and discharging a firearm with gross negligence.

Lanez has been behind bars since he was ordered to be taken into custody shortly after the jury's verdict was read in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom.

Prior to his sentence being pronounced, Lanez stood in court with his hands cuffed Tuesday and said he understood how serious the charges are and doesn't take it lightly.

But Lanez asked the judge to consider an alternate sentence outside of

prison that would allow him to be a betterment to society and show the world that what they've seen and heard during the trial "is not me."

"I'm asking for redemption," he said. "I'm asking for another chance."

Lanez told the judge there is a misconception about him "being this monster" and "not having any remorse."

"It's just not true," he said, pleading for a chance to be a father to his son, a mentor and contributor to society and a "light to people in dark places."

"I truly am just trying to be a better person," he said.

During the trial, Megan Thee Stallion testified that Lanez shot her during an argument on July 12, 2020, following a get-together at Kylie Jenner's home. She said she had no doubt that Lanez fired the shots, and that he later offered her $1 million not to say anything. According to the singer, Lanez told her to "dance, bitch," and then shot her in the feet.

Under cross-examination during the trial, the Grammy Award-winning Megan Thee Stallion, whose real name is Megan Pete, said she initially had no intention of talking about what had happened and "didn't want to be a snitch," but felt she had to "defend my name" when she saw that people were "making things up" and suggesting that she had not been shot.

In a statement read in court on her behalf Monday, Megan Thee Stallion said she has not experienced "a single day of peace" since she was shot.

"He not only shot me. He made a mockery of my trauma," the entertainer wrote, adding that she can't bring herself to be in the same room again with Lanez.

Deputy District Attorney Alexander Bott said Monday that Megan Thee Stallion has physical and emotional scarring that will be with her for the rest of her life, saying that the five shots that Lanez fired came after nothing more than a verbal argument about "artistry." He also accused Lanez of putting the victim "through hell while the case was pending."

On Tuesday, the prosecutor said Lanez shot

Megan Thee Stallion because she "bruised his ego."

"The shooting was because of the argument in the car," the prosecutor said, calling it an "act of misogyny" against her.

One of Lanez's attorneys, Jose Baez, called that argument "nuts." He said there was "no denying that alcohol was involved," and urged the judge to consider Lanez's history of childhood trauma, including his mother dying when he was 11.

"We're talking about foolish, reckless behavior that could have been much worse. ... The intent was not to take someone's life," Baez said of the shooting.

Baez said Peterson "admittedly was highly intoxicated" the night of the shooting and didn't even remember afterward what the topic of the argument was. He said Lanez would benefit from a live-in substance abuse treatment program.

Baez — who argued for a non-prison sentence — noted his client's charitable endeavors and his behavior in jail that include doing daily prayer calls for inmates since he's been behind bars.

During the two-day sentencing hearing, more than a half-dozen witnesses, including Peterson's father Sonstar and the mother of Peterson's 6-year-old son were called to testify on Lanez's behalf, discussing his devastation over the death of his own mother when he was 11 and his subsequent charitable efforts throughout the country even before he became well-known.

The judge said he had also received more than 70 letters on Lanez's behalf, including one from musician Iggy Azalea, whom he said had requested a sentence that was "transformational, not life-destroying," along with one from Lanez's young son.

Outside court after the sentencing, Baez told reporters that he believed the sentence was "incredibly harsh," saying he had seen cases in which someone was killed and a defendant had received less than 10 years.

"This case to get a 10-year sentence is extreme and really just another example of someone being punished for their celebrity status

and someone being utilized to send an example. And he's not an example, he's a human being," said the defense attorney, who was added to the case after the verdict against Lanez was returned.

When asked what he would have done differently if he had handling the case before it got to trial, Baez said, "I think this case was handled incredibly poorly. ... We would have come in prepared and ready to show that Daystar Peterson was innocent of these charges."

He noted that there are "very strong issues for the appeal that we've uncovered," explaining that the defense wants Lanez to be freed on bail while the case is awaiting appeal.

Prosecutors countered that Megan Thee Stallion had shown the courage to come forward and testify against her assailant.

"My first thought was I was thrilled for Megan," Bott said. "This has been a long and hard road for her. Not only did the defendant do the heinous act of shooting her, he then subjected her to 2 1/2 years of hell. He called her a liar, he intimidated her, he harassed her. Nevertheless,

in the face of all that abuse and vitriol, Megan showed the courage to come forward and speak her truth and today's sentence is justice for Megan."

Fellow prosecutor Kathy Ta said she has seen the "transformative impact" that the case has had on Megan Thee Stallion and has seen the "trauma she's undergone in the last three years and I am incredibly relieved on her behalf."

"I hope that this brings her some level of closure and that from here on out this is another chapter she can move away from and she can start rebuilding," Ta said.

In April, Lanez posted a video and statement on Instagram addressed to District Attorney George Gascón, saying, "Today I take a stance as an innocent Black man, wrongfully convicted of a crime I did not commit."

Lanez alleged in the post that he "was completely robbed and deprived of a fair trial" and that he watched prosecutors "unlawfully misuse their authority to hide and suppress any and all exculpatory evidence that exonerates me and furthers my

innocence."

"So, Mr. Gascón, I come to you today as a wrongfully convicted Black man, not asking for sympathy, nor compassion, but for you to simply do what is fair and right in the laws of California, and most importantly in the eyes of God," he said in the recording, in which he cited the steps that Gascón has taken "in regards to fighting for the justice of Black and Brown minorities."

Shortly after Lanez's sentencing, the district attorney said the prosecutors on the case "made tremendous sacrifices and endured attacks that they shouldn't have to."

"They were attacked on social media. Their integrity was questioned with lies, much the same way that in this case the defendant attacked the victim and tried to victim-blame," Gascón said.

The district attorney noted that "the fact that Ms. Pete is a successful entertainer has put the spotlight on the important issue of violence against women," adding that there are many people who endure acts of violence and feel reluctant to come forward.

Tory Lanez. | Photo courtesy of fuseboxradio/Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

El Monte City Notices

INVITATION TO BID

Pursuant to Public Contract Code Sections 1600 and 1601, all bids or proposals shall be submitted through the City’s electronic bid management system (PlanetBids) at https://www.planetbids.com/ portal/portal.cfm?CompanyID=43375 by 2:00 pm Pacific Standard Time on or before September 7, 2023 for the project listed below. A bid submitted after the time set shall not be considered. Bidders are required to submit (upload) all items listed in the section 4(d) of Instructions to Bidders, including a copy of the required Bidder’s Bond and acknowledgement of all addendums. Bids will be received by the City via the electronic submission up to the date and time shown in the Notice of Inviting Bids. The City will be responsible for bid tabulations. Bids will be opened and read out loud by the City Clerk’s Office in Council Chambers at the date and time stated in the Notice of Inviting Bids. Bid results will be made available to the public on the City’s website in the electronic bid management system once the bid tabulation has been completed.

The foregoing notwithstanding, the award of any contract shall be subject to approval by the City Council at a duly noticed City Council meeting and the City Council reserves the right to reject all Bids.

The Bidder, by submitting their electronic proposal, agrees to and certifies under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California, that the certification, forms and affidavits submitted as part of this proposal are true and correct. The Bidder, by submitting its electronic bid, acknowledges that doing so carries the same force and full legal effect as a paper submission with a longhand (wet) signature. By submitting an electronic bid, the Bidder certifies that the Bidder has thoroughly examined and understands the entire Contract Documents (which consist of the plans and specifications, drawings, forms, affidavits and the solicitation documents), and that by submitting the electronic bid as its Bid proposal, the Bidder acknowledges, agrees to and is bound by the entire Contract Documents, including any addenda issued thereto, and incorporated by reference in the Contract Documents.

Mountain View Traffic Circle Quick Build/Demonstration Project, CIP 831

The proposed work consists of temporary improvements at the intersection of Mountain View Road, Elliott Avenue and Meeker Avenue. The improvements will include a temporary traffic circle, new crosswalks, and new curb ramps, as set forth in the Contract Drawings and Technical Specifications for the project. The proposed work includes two (2) phases of construction (Phase 1 – Installation and Phase 2 – Restoration). The Contractor shall be responsible for both phases of the project. Phase 2 shall begin 12-months after Phase 1 is complete. Phase 1 shall install the temporary improvements, and Phase 2 shall restore the project site back to the original condition as shown on the plans. The City Engineer’s estimate for the project is two hundred and ten thousand dollars ($226,000).

Completion of Work: All work shall be completed within fifteen (15) working days after the procurement of equipment.

Obtaining Contract Documents: Specifications and contract documents are posted in the City’s electronic bid management system (PlanetBids) at https://www.planetbids.com/portal/portal. cfm?CompanyID=43375. All Bidders must first register as a vendor on the City of El Monte PlanetBids System website to participate in a Bid or to be added to a prospective Bidders list. Only those parties that have registered with the City as a plan holder on a particular project will receive the addendum(a) for that project. The City is not responsible for notifications to those parties who do not directly register as a plan holder on the City’s database. It is the responsibility of all perspective Bidders to register on the City’s database to ensure receipt of any addendum(a) prior to Bid submittals. Additionally, information on any addendum(a) issued for any bid specifications for any project will be available on the City website at: https:// www.planetbids.com/portal/portal.cfm?CompanyID=43375. The City reserves the right to reject as nonresponsive any bid that fails to include the information required by any addendum(a) posted on the City website.

Questions: Project-specific questions must be submitted in writing through the City’s electronic bid management system (PlanetBids) at https://www.planetbids.com/portal/portal.cfm?CompanyID=43375 by 4:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on or before August 23, 2023. All posted questions will be answered in writing and conveyed via written addenda to all Bidders via posting on PlanetBids.

Job Walk: There will be a job walk on August 22, 2023 at 10:00 a.m., at the project location, southwest corner of the intersection of Mountain View/Elliott/Meeker in El Monte, CA 91731. Attendance at the job walk is highly recommended but is not mandatory. No allowances for cost adjustments will be made if a Bidder fails to adequately examine the Project before submitting a Bid.

Submission of Proposals: All Bids or Proposals shall be submitted through the City’s electronic bid management system (PlanetBids) at https://www.planetbids.com/portal/portal.cfm?CompanyID=43375 no later than the date and time prescribed. All Bids must be signed by an authorized representative.

All required sections, including pricing, shall be submitted (up-

loaded) to PlanetBids via the website. The Bidder shall attach Subcontractor(s) Listing, Experience Form, Copy of Bid Security, and all other documents as listed in the BIDDER’S CHECKLIST to the PlanetBids Attachments Tab. The system will not accept a Bid for which any required information is missing. Prior to the Bid due date and time, all Bidders shall submit the original Bid Security to:

Office of the City Clerk City of El Monte – City Hall East 11333 Valley Blvd El Monte CA, 91731

The award of the contract by the City Council is contingent upon the Bidder submitting the required bonds and insurance, as described in the Contract, prior to the Bid due date and time. If the Bidder fails to comply with these requirements, the City may award the contract to the second or third lowest Bidder and the Bid security of the lowest Bidder may be forfeited.

Bids Remain Sealed Until Due Date and Time. Electronic Bids are transmitted into the City’s bidding system via hypertext transfer protocol secure (https). Bids submitted prior to the due date and time are not available for review by anyone other than the submitter, who will have until the due date and time to change, rescind or retrieve its bid should they desire to do so. Upon the Bidder’s entry of their bid, the system will ensure that all required fields are entered. The system will not accept a Bid for which any required information is missing. This includes all necessary pricing, subcontractor listing(s) and any other essential documentation and supporting materials and forms requested or contained in these solicitation documents. All Bid submission information must be fully transferred from the Bidder server to the bid system server before bid closing. Bids still transmitting at the time of bid closing will not be accepted. Bidders will receive an e-bid confirmation number with a time stamp from the bid management system indicating their bid was submitted successfully. The City will only receive those bids that were transmitted successfully. DO NOT FAX OR EMAIL.

Bid Security: Each proposal must be accompanied by a Bid Security in the form of a cashier’s check, certified check, or bid bond executed on the prescribed form, in an amount not less than ten percent (10%) of the total bid price payable to the City of El Monte. Bidders are hereby notified that in accordance with the provisions of Public Contract Code section 22300, securities may be substituted for any monies which the City may withhold pursuant to the terms of this Contract to ensure performance.

Prior to the bid due date and time, all Bidders shall submit the original Bid Security to the City Clerk. Proof of delivery that is date/ time stamped and signed for by the City Clerk from other couriers other than Certified mail will be accepted. A copy of the proof of delivery shall be submitted with the bid package by the bid due date.

Contractor's License: Bidder must possess a current Class_”A” -General Engineering Contractor license issued by the State of California, at the time the bid is submitted.

Per Public Contract Code Section 20103.5, for contracts involving federal funds, a failure to be licensed at the time of bid does not invalidate the bid, but the contractor must be properly licensed at the time the contract is awarded.

Contractor Registration: All Bidders and listed subcontractors must have registered with the California State Department of Industrial Relations pursuant to Labor Code section 1725.5 prior to submitting a Bid. Furthermore, a Contractor and all subcontractors must be registered pursuant to Labor Code section 1725.5 before entering into a contract to work on a public project.

City’s Right to Postpone Opening of Bids. The City reserves the right to postpone the date and time for the opening of Bids at any time prior to the date and time initially announced in this Invitation to Bid in accordance with applicable law.

Opening of Bids. Bids will be received by the City via the electronic submission up to the date and time shown in the Notice of Inviting Bids. The City will be responsible for bid tabulations. Bids will be opened and read out loud by the City Clerk’s Office in Council Chambers at the date and time stated in the Notice of Inviting Bids. Bid results will be made available to the public on the City’s website in the electronic bid management system once the bid tabulation has been completed.

Award: The award shall be made to the lowest responsible Bidder whose proposal complies with the specified requirements. The foregoing notwithstanding, the award of any contract shall be subject to approval by the City Council at a duly noticed City Council meeting. Contractor shall execute the Contract within ten (10) days after it has received the Contract from the City. The City reserves the right to waive any irregularity in the proposals. No bid may be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) days after the opening of bids.

Rejection of Bids: The City reserves the right to reject any and all Bids. The City further reserves the right to waive immaterial irregularities in any Bid. Any Bid not conforming to the intent and purpose of the Contract Documents may be rejected. The City reserves the right to make all awards in the best interest of the City.

Disqualification of Bidder: If there is a reason to believe that collusion exists among any Bidders, none of the Bids of the participants in such collusion will be considered and the City may likewise

elect to reject all bids received.

Wage Rates: Bidders are hereby notified that the California Department of Industrial Relations has determined the general prevailing rate of wages for each craft, classification, or type of worker needed to execute the work. Copies of the current schedules for prevailing wages applicable to this project are on file in the City’s office. It shall be mandatory for the Contractor and any subcontractor under it to pay not less than the said specified rates to laborers and workmen employed by them in the execution of the Contract. The contractor’s duty to pay State prevailing wages can be found under Labor Code, Section 1770 et seq. Labor Code Sections 1775 and 1777.7 outline the penalties for failure to pay prevailing wages and employ apprentices including forfeitures and debarment.

This public works construction project is also funded in whole or in part with federal funds. Accordingly, federal labor standards provisions including prevailing wage requirements of the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA) will be enforced. In the event of a conflict between Federal and State prevailing wage rates, the higher of the two will prevail.

Bonds: The successful Bidder will be required to furnish a payment bond in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract price, and a faithful performance bond in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract price.

Published on August 14, 2023

EL MONTE EXAMINER

Probate Notices

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF JOANNE HARRIET GETZE

Case No. 23STPB07281

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of JOANNE HARRIET GETZE

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by Richard Getze in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that Richard Getze be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held on Sept. 15, 2023 at 8:30 AM in Dept. No. 5 located at 111 N. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA 90012.

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code.

Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Attorney for petitioner: LYNETTE S KIM ESQ

SBN176759

KIM MEDIATION AND LAW APC

3701 WILSHIRE BLVD STE 508

LOS ANGELES CA 90010 CN998821 GETZE Aug 7,10,14, 2023

SAN GABRIEL SUN

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF HERLINDA A. RAMIREZ

Case No. 23STPB07144

To all heirs, beneficiaries, cred-itors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of HERLINDA A. RAMIREZ A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by Diane M. Linarez in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that Diane M. Linarez be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administra-tion authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objec-tion to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held on August 31, 2023 at 8:30 AM in Dept. No. 11 located at 111 N. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA 90012.

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your ap-pearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code.

Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowl-edgeable in California law.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Petitioner: Diane M. Linarez DIANE M LINAREZ

where justices are required by law to publicly report most gifts.

The total value of the undisclosed trips they’ve given Thomas since 1991, the year he was appointed to the Supreme Court, is difficult to measure. But it’s likely in the millions.

Huizenga sent his personal 737 to pick Thomas up and bring him to South Florida at least twice, according to John Wener, a former flight attendant and chef on board the plane. If he were picked up in D.C., the five-hour round trip would have cost at least $130,000 each time had Thomas chartered the jet himself, according to estimates from jet charter companies. In February 2016, Thomas flew on Crow’s private jet from Washington to New Haven, Connecticut, before heading back on the jet just three hours later. ProPublica previously reported the flight, but newly obtained U.S. Marshals Service records reveal its purpose: Thomas met with several Yale Law School deans for a tour of the room where they planned to display a portrait of the justice. (Crow’s foundation also gave the school $105,000, earmarked for the “Justice Thomas Portrait Fund,” tax filings show.)

Don Fox, the former general counsel of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics and the senior ethics official in the executive branch, said, “It’s just the height of hypocrisy to wear the robes and live the lifestyle of a billionaire.” Taxpayers, he added, have the right to expect that Supreme Court justices are not living on the dime of others.

Fox, who worked under both Democratic and Republican administrations, said he advised every new political appointee the same thing: Your wealthy friends are the ones you had before you were appointed. “You don’t get to acquire any new ones,” he told them.

Thomas and Novelly did not respond to a detailed list of questions for this story. Huizenga died in 2018 and his son, who is the president of the family’s holding company, also did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

In a statement to ProPublica, Sokol said he’s been close friends with the Thomases for 21 years and acknowledged traveling with and occasionally hosting them. He defended the justice as upright and ethical. “We have never once discussed any pending court matter,” Sokol said. “Our conversations have always revolved around helping

young people, sports, and family matters.”

“As to the use of private aviation,” he added, “I believe that given security concerns all of the Supreme Court justices should either fly privately or on governmental aircraft.”

The justices have said they follow court rules prohibiting them from accepting gifts from a group of people so frequently that “a reasonable person would believe that the public office is being used for private gain.” But what actually constitutes a gift under those rules is ambiguous and, in practice, justices have few restrictions on what they can accept. Other members of the court have accepted travel underwritten by wealthy businessmen and speaking invitations at universities. Stephen Breyer accepted a flight to a Nantucket wedding from a Democratic megadonor. Ruth Bader Ginsburg took a tour of Israel and Jordan paid for by an Israeli billionaire. Those gifts are public because Breyer and Ginsburg disclosed them.

Thomas, however, is apparently an extreme outlier for the volume and frequency of all the undisclosed vacations he’s received. He once complained that he sacrificed wealth to sit on the court, though he depicted the choice as a matter of conscience. “The job is not worth doing for what they pay,” he told the bar association in Savannah, Georgia, in 2001, “but it is worth doing for the principle.”

To track Thomas’ relationships and travel, ProPublica examined flight data, emails from airport and university officials, security detail records, tax court filings, meeting minutes and a trove of photographs from personal albums, including cards that Thomas’ wife, Ginni, sent to friends. In addition, reporters interviewed more than 100 eyewitnesses and other sources: jet and helicopter pilots, flight attendants, airport workers, yacht crew members, security guards, photographers, waitresses, caterers, chefs, drivers, river rafting guides and C-suite executives.

ProPublica has not identified any legal cases that Huizenga, Sokol or Novelly had at the Supreme Court during their documented relationships with Thomas, although they all work in industries significantly impacted by the court’s decisions.

In a small-circulation biography given to Huizenga’s friends and family,

Thomas acknowledged that he and Huizenga discussed some of the billionaire’s companies but said their relationship was never transactional. “It wasn’t that kind of friendship,” he told the interviewer. The justice said they’d prefer to go to a small restaurant in a strip mall or sit on the billionaire’s lawn and drink tea or diet soda.

“We are in a society where everything is quid pro quo,” Thomas said, but not with the Huizengas. “I don’t do anything for them and they can’t do anything for me.”

“Four Lucky Couples”

On Labor Day weekend 2019, Thomas boarded a private plane in Washington, D.C., for the first leg of a sojourn out West. The vacation had been months in the making and, thanks to Sokol, it was all taken care of. He’s hosted the Thomases virtually every summer for a decade.

The first stop was the Great Plains. It was the home opener at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, which Ginni Thomas had attended before transferring. The Thomases were joined there by other couples, including one of the justice’s most vocal advocates, Mark Paoletta, who then worked for the federal government, and his wife.

Sokol, a major university donor who graduated from the Omaha campus, arranged for the group to attend the football and volleyball games with allaccess passes. Clarence Thomas met with the football team the day before the game. The group walked out of the tunnel before kickoff. During halftime, they stood on the sidelines to watch the marching band perform, at one point posing for a picture in the end zone: “The Sokols took four lucky couples to the first Nebraska footbal game of the season,” Ginni Thomas wrote in one of the card captions.

Sokol runs a private equity firm and now also chairs a holding company that owns large international shipping and power utility corporations. He resigned from Berkshire Hathaway in 2011 amid an internal investigation by the company that found he had violated its insider trading policy. (At the time, Sokol denied wrongdoing and said his resignation was unrelated to the episode; he was never indicted.)

That Saturday, the group watched both the football and volleyball games from luxury suites. The football skybox, which typically costs $40,000 annually, belonged

to Tom Osborne, a former Republican congressman who was also the head coach of the team for 25 years. Hosting the Thomases had ripple effects. A local priest requested a ticket for his 87-year-old mother, but the volleyball coach had to tell him none was available. “All of our tickets have been taken for Clarence Thomas and his group,” the coach wrote.

The Thomases have been treated to at least seven University of Nebraska-Lincoln games — five arranged by Sokol — in recent years. The Times first reported on Thomas’ appearances at some of them.

Thomas has never reported any of those tickets on his yearly financial forms. Judiciary disclosure rules require that most gifts worth more than $415 be disclosed. “It’s so obvious,” said Richard Painter, former chief White House ethics lawyer for President George W. Bush. “It all has to be reported.” ProPublica identified more than 60 federal judges who disclosed tickets to sporting events between 2003 and 2019. In 1999, Thomas disclosed private flight and accommodations for the Daytona 500 but hasn’t reported any other sporting events before or since.

In a statement, Osborne confirmed Thomas has “watched a couple of football games” in his suite, which the university had given to him. He said he is “taxed” for the use of the suite but did not answer whether Thomas has ever reimbursed him. The University of NebraskaLincoln did not respond to requests for comment.

On Sunday, the morning after the football game in Nebraska, Sokol flew with Thomas by private jet to Sokol’s Paintbrush Ranch just outside Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The property, valued in the low eight figures, sits in the foothills of Shadow Mountain. A local radio personality said of the estate: “This is the ultimate home and it has the most iconic view of the Tetons I’ve seen. Ever.”

Sokol also owns a waterfront mansion in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, currently worth $20.1 million, where he’s hosted the Thomases as well, according to photos of the visits. The 12,800-squarefoot property includes a home theater, elevator, walk-in wine cellar and yacht docking. (In addition, Sokol and Thomas have shared an opulent lodge together while vacationing at Crow’s private lakeside

resort, Camp Topridge, in the Adirondacks.)

In Wyoming, the Thomases fished, rafted on the Snake River and sat by a campfire overlooking the Teton Range with the other couples. At one point, the Paolettas serenaded the justice with a song they wrote about him.

Like Thomas, Paoletta did not disclose the trip on his yearly financial filings. At the time, Paoletta was general counsel and the designated ethics official at the Office of Management and Budget. In a statement, Paoletta said he wasn’t required to disclose the trip because he had reimbursed Sokol, but he did not say how much or provide documentation of those payments. “I complied with all ethics laws and regulations,” Paoletta said.

Details of the vacation to Nebraska and Wyoming were drawn from photographs, trip planning emails and social media posts, as well as interviews with airport workers, local residents and others familiar with the travel, including river raft guides.

Since 1990, Sokol and his wife have donated more than $1 million to Republican politicians and groups, along with smaller amounts to Democrats. Last October, in New Orleans, Sokol made a direct reference to a pending Supreme Court case while addressing a group of former Horatio Alger scholarship recipients. (Thomas was not in attendance.)

The speech veered into territory that made many of those in attendance uncomfortable and left others appalled, emails and others messages show. Sokol, who has written extensively about American exceptionalism and the virtues of free enterprise, minimized slavery and systemic racism, some felt. He then criticized President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan, arguing Biden had overstepped the government’s authority, according to a recording of the speech obtained by ProPublica.

“It’s going to get overturned by the Supreme Court,” Sokol predicted, echoing a common legal commentary.

He was right. This summer, the court struck down Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan. Thomas voted in the majority.

Deep Sea Fishing in the Caribbean

Nearly every spring, Novelly, a billionaire who made his fortune storing and transporting petroleum, takes his two yachts on a fishing expedition to the

Bahamas’ Exuma Islands. Photographs from the trips show porcelain beaches, cerulean waters and fresh mahi-mahi. Friends and family come and go for days at a time.

Three of Novelly’s former yacht workers, including a captain, told ProPublica they recall Thomas coming on board the vessels multiple times in recent years. Novelly’s local chauffeur in the Bahamas said his company once picked Thomas up from the billionaire’s private jet and drove him to the marina where one of the yachts, Le Montrachet, frequently docks.

Le Montrachet, named after the premium French wine, is a 126-foot luxury vessel complete with a full bar, multiple dining areas, a baby grand piano, accommodations for 10 guests and a handful of smaller fishing boats and jet skis. Novelly charges about $60,000 a week to outsiders who want to charter it.

Another past guest on Novelly’s yacht is “Alligator” Ron Bergeron, one of the biggest land and roadway developers in Florida. Around 2018, Novelly and Thomas went to Bergeron’s private ranch on the edge of the Everglades — a sprawling, gated estate with centuries-old cypress trees and an 1800s-style saloon on site. He described Novelly as a man who likes to share his success with others. “He’s very generous with all his friends,” Bergeron told ProPublica.

Bergeron said his conversations with Thomas at the ranch were strictly about charity work and not business. “You’re talking about a great man,” Bergeron said, “who gives his time to make a difference for America.”

Since 1999, Novelly’s family and companies have publicly disclosed at least $500,000 to conservative causes and Republican candidates in federal elections. (Before then, he had given to both parties.)

Novelly, who recently stepped down from his CEO roles, ran his business affairs aggressively, ending up on the wrong side of the government in at least two cases. He spends much of his time between St. Louis and Boca Raton, Florida, where he has a 23,000 square-foot palatial estate appraised at $22.2 million. In 2002, Novelly established residency and a holding company in the Virgin Islands. During a hearing

See Clarence Thomas Page 15

Clarence Thomas

with local officials, Novelly described the arrangement there as a “quid pro quo,” meaning the U.S. territory received a boost to the local economy in return for offering substantial tax breaks. The IRS would later call it an “abusive tax avoidance scheme” and pursued Novelly for millions in back taxes and penalties. Novelly denied the characterization and eventually settled with the government for a negotiated amount.

There’s no evidence his friendship with Thomas helped Novelly in one of his most significant disputes.

In 2005, the Justice Department sued Novelly’s company, Apex Oil, because its corporate predecessor had contributed to a massive groundwater contamination beneath an Illinois village and then Apex refused to help with the cleanup. Apex argued the spill had occurred before the company went through a bankruptcy years earlier. Several judges ruled against Apex, which eventually appealed to the Supreme Court in 2010. The justices declined to hear the case, and the company had to pay about $150 million to help remove oil from the soil.

It’s not clear how Thomas voted in the case because such votes are not typically public. The vacations ProPublica identified appear to have occurred after the case was resolved.

In 2020, Apex Oil, Sokol and Crow helped fund a documentary defending Thomas as a response to an HBO film that was critical of the justice. Sokol called the HBO movie a “Molotov cocktail into our homes” and a prime example of America’s eroding civility.

The “Most Coveted” Invitation in the World Thomas’ first billionaire benefactor is likely H. Wayne Huizenga, believed to be the only person in American history to build three separate Fortune 500 companies. One of the three was AutoNation, which Huizenga founded in 1996 before building it into the largest car dealer in the country. Between 1998 and 1999, Huizenga’s holding company spent $500,000 lobbying federal agencies that regulate the automotive industry, according to OpenSecrets data. Over the years, the Huizenga family and companies gave millions to state and federal Republican candidates and once threw a fundraiser for the Florida GOP that helped keep the party afloat for months.

The billionaire was

known to regularly lavish gifts and perks on those in his orbit. He routinely took friends on opulent vacations. He paid his employees handsomely and sometimes covered their bills and personal expenses.

On a whim, Huizenga once handed box tickets for the opera, which were worth thousands, to his caterer, Bob Leonardi.

“I led the life of a multimillionaire without being one,” Leonardi said.

For 20 years, Thomas benefited from Huizenga’s attention as well, availing himself of the billionaire’s fleet of aircraft and other luxuries. Huizenga took Thomas to see the Miami Dolphins and Florida Panthers several times between the mid-’90s and mid-2000s, according to interviews and photographs. Huizenga owned both teams at the time.

Executives saw Thomas around Huizenga’s office often. Richard Rochon, the former president of Huizenga Holdings, said Thomas once shadowed the billionaire during meetings. “He just wants to see what I do every day,” Rochon recalled Huizenga saying.

On at least two occasions, Thomas attended Huizenga’s birthday and Christmas parties, which the billionaire held inside his private hangar at the Fort Lauderdale airport.

Van Poole, a lobbyist and former chairman of the Florida GOP, recalled riding down the elevator at the nearby Hyatt Pier 66 hotel — which Huizenga also controlled — when the Thomases stepped in with a security detail. The group discussed college sports and then traveled to the party together, Poole said.

Thomas occasionally flew on Huizenga’s helicopters, sometimes taking off from the roof of the corporate headquarters, and at least one of his Gulfstream jets around Florida, according to his former pilots. But the billionaire’s most luxurious planes were a pair of 737 jets he had retrofitted like a lounge, complete with recliners, love seats, mahogany dining and card tables and gourmet food.

At least two times in the mid 2000s, Huizenga sent one of them to pick up Thomas and deliver him to Fort Lauderdale, said John Wener, the flight attendant on board.

Wener recalled chatting with the justice about his nomination to the Supreme Court and the tumultuous Senate confirmation hearings after Thomas’ former aide, Anita Hill,

accused him of sexual harassment. “He said, ‘Just imagine a job interview and you’re in front of 100 people that hate you,’” Wener recalled Thomas remarking. “‘How would that interview go?’”

In the early 2000s, Huizenga gave Thomas something that was priceless at the time: a standing invitation to his exclusive, members-only golf club, the Floridian. Designed by golf legend Gary Player, the course was lined with cottages for Huizenga’s friends, a yacht marina for them to dock and a helipad if they wanted to fly in. One family friend told the Huizenga family biographer that the Floridian was “the most coveted private golf invitation in the world.” Those who worked and played there said the membership rolls were a Rolodex of the rich, famous and powerful: From Michael Douglas and Rush Limbaugh to Michael Bloomberg and former Vice President Dan Quayle. Donald Trump once asked to be a member but Huizenga spurned him, according to three of Huizenga’s former employees.

All 200-plus members were “honorary” and didn’t pay dues — Huizenga covered everything. “It was a little slice of heaven, a magical place,” former media personality Matt Lauer told the biographer. “You drove through the gates and it was this fairytale land that he had created.”

It’s unclear if Thomas was a member or Huizenga’s frequent guest with similar privileges. The billionaire’s former personal photographer and two former golf pros at the club recalled seeing Thomas there multiple times over the

years. One of Huizenga’s helicopter pilots said he had picked the justice up from the property. And a fifth employee, a former waitress and concierge, said she once served Thomas and Huizenga, who were wearing golf attire, as they dined alone in the enormous waterfront clubhouse for lunch. “Have you met a Supreme Court justice?” Huizenga asked the waitress before she took their order. “This is Clarence Thomas.”

Today, the Floridian, which the Huizenga family sold in 2010 before it underwent renovations, has a $150,000 initiation fee.

Paying for Access to the Supreme Court Chambers

Thomas first met Huizenga at a formal gala in Washington, D.C., in 1992, when they were both inducted into the Horatio Alger Association. Henry Kissinger and Maya Angelou were among the other honorees that year. The organization, named after the 19th-century novelist who popularized rags-to-riches folklore, gives millions in college scholarships each year and also brings together some of the country’s wealthiest, self-made business tycoons for opulent events. (In real life, Alger was a minister on Cape Cod who resigned from his parish after he was credibly accused of molesting boys.)

“We were proud to honor Justice Thomas more than 30 years ago,” an association spokesperson said in a statement, “and remain grateful for his continued involvement in our organization.” She said Thomas spends countless hours mentoring scholarship recipients.

Thomas appears to

have met Huizenga, Sokol, Novelly and Bergeron through the organization. Several of Thomas’ trips to Florida in the 2000s appear to have been connected with the association. In that time period, he joined Huizenga at Horatio Alger scholarship ceremonies in South Florida, travel that the justice disclosed in several of his yearly financial filings.

However, he never identified Huizenga in any of his disclosures. The association spokesperson confirmed to ProPublica that the billionaire hosted those events “and covered all costs involved.”

Experts said that means Thomas’ disclosures would be, at a minimum, incomplete and misleading because the rules require federal judges to identify the source of the gifts they receive. “Source means the person or entity that paid for it,” said Kathleen Clark, a legal ethics authority at Washington University in St. Louis.

Belonging to the association has had its privileges. As part of a board meeting, the Thomases once went on a lavish trip to Jamaica, where they were hosted by a wealthy donor who owned a luxury hotel atop a former sugar plantation. Johnny Cash performed. Horatio Alger Association membership itself is worth at least $200,000, according to the organization’s meeting minutes in 2007, a sum that those who nominate a new member are responsible for raising in that person’s honor. The association spokesperson said there was no requirement to raise money for new members back when Thomas was inducted.

Thomas has likely helped the group earn many

times that figure since then. Every year, the justice hosts an event for members inside the Supreme Court’s Great Hall. The Times previously reported that the event afforded the Horatio Alger Association unusual access to the court.

ProPublica examined boxes of the association’s historical archives, including financial records that show the group has required donations of at least $1,500 — $7,500 for nonmembers — to attend the Supreme Court event. In 2004, those who donated $100,000 for a table at the main ceremony got 10 seats inside the Supreme Court. In the judiciary’s code of conduct — which is general guidance that does not apply to Supreme Court justices, though they say they consult it — there is explicit language advising federal judges against using their position to fundraise for outside organizations.

But that’s what Thomas has done, sRepublished with Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0).aid Virginia Canter, a former government ethics lawyer who served in administrations of both parties and reviewed the association’s financial records at ProPublica’s request.

“To use the Supreme Court to fundraise for somebody’s charity is, to me, an abuse of office,” she said. Canter acknowledged the organization may do good work, but that’s besides the point, she said, because wealthy donors aren’t supposed to be able to pay thousands of dollars to visit a justice inside the courthouse walls.

“It’s pay to play,” Canter added, “isn’t it?”

Republished with Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0).

Clarence Thomas

Exuma, Bahamas. | Photo by Anthony Quintano (CC BY 2.0)

State Bar officials Thursday filed a motion to oppose former Chapman University law school dean John Eastman’s attempts to delay his disbarment proceedings based on his identification as “Co-Conspirator 2” in the federal indictment former President Donald Trump for election fraud.

Eastman “is in the same situation now as when he previously decided to proceed with trial” in the State Bar Court, state Bar attorney Duncan Carling wrote.

Eastman “has not been charged with a crime, he has not received a target

State bar objects to Eastman’s attempt to delay disbarment hearings

By City News Service

to criminal charges.”

Carling noted that Eastman has invoked his Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination before the congressional committee investigating the Jan. 6 riots at the Capitol as well as in a state election fraud investigation before a grand jury in Georgia.

Before the State Bar Court hearings Eastman considered requesting a delay, but agreed to go forward, Carling said.

prejudiced by delaying the completion of trial and decision by several years,” Carling said.

As for Eastman’s request to delay proceedings for at least three months, Carling objected to that as well.

Carling said it appears Smith may intend to go forward with a case against Trump to speed up a trial before the presidential election.

Capitol as Congress was certifying Biden’s election.

letter, and none of the Trump indictment’s allegations regarding (Eastman’s) conduct and potential status as a co-conspirator has changed his status in a material way, particularly given the finding by a (federal) court in March 2022... that it was more likely than not (Eastman) conspired with Trump to (conspire to defraud the United States),” Carling wrote.

Carling added it “remains speculative” whether Eastman will be charged with a crime “and there is no time frame for the filing of any such charges, much less

the resolution of any such charges.”

It is “pure speculation” that the Trump indictment has heightened Eastman’s exposure to criminal charges, Carling said.

“Indeed, (Special Counsel Jack Smith’s) decision to charge Trump but include (Eastman) only as an unnamed, uncharged co-conspirator, might be interpreted as suggesting that (Eastman) is less likely to be charged,” Carling said. “At the least, the failure to include (Eastman) in the Trump indictment leaves it uncertain whether, or when, (Eastman) might be subject

“Now, having heard six days of evidence against him, including testimony from (former Vice President Mike Pence counsel Greg Jacob), Dr. Justin Grimmer,. and four state election officials, and after being confronted with evidence demonstrating the absence of support for his frivolous and false claims of fraud and a stolen election, (Eastman) seeks to use the Trump indictment as an excuse to delay the rest of his trial,” Carling said.

“This is nothing more than an opportunistic attempt to delay the decision in (Eastman’s) State Bar case, as his situation with regard to potential criminal charges is the same today as when the trial started.”

Carling said it may take “several years” until a criminal case is resolved.

“The State Bar and the public interest in resolving this case would be highly

The disbarment proceedings began in June and were set to resume Aug. 22, but last week Eastman’s attorney filed a motion to suspend them for three months.

The state Bar is seeking to disbar Eastman for pushing “baseless legal theories” to stymie the certification of President Joe Biden’s election.

“A stay is warranted in the interests of justice, as recent developments in the investigation have renewed and intensified (Eastman’s) concerns that the federal government might bring charges against him and that he will therefore need to invoke his Fifth Amendment right against self- incrimination in this proceeding,” attorney Randall Miller wrote in a motion.

Eastman was not named in the indictment, but Smith identifies Eastman as “Co-Conspirator 2” by quoting from Eastman’s speech to the crowd on Jan. 6 that included some of the mob that attacked the

“The indictment heightens the potential for (Eastman) to be charged as a criminal defendant,” Miller said. “Conspicuously, the charging document does not refer to the unnamed co-conspirators as `unindicted co-conspirators’ -- a term commonly used to refer to a person who allegedly took part in a conspiracy to commit a crime, but who is not officially charged.

“This omission, among other things, raises the specter of a superseding indictment being handed up in the future naming one or more co- conspirators as additional defendants. Indeed, the issuance of superseding indictments that change the status of co-conspirators from `unindicted’ to `indicted’ is accepted practice.”

Miller argued that when “there are parallel criminal and civil proceedings, the defendant faces the difficult choice of asserting his Fifth Amendment right at the risk of losing a non-criminal trial (here, a disciplinary proceeding), or waiving his constitutional right against self- incrimination. Courts have recognized the need to stay civil proceedings to avoid prejudicing the defendant’s rights.”

Miller also said that a “criminal case receive precedence over this disciplinary proceeding.”

Xylazine, veterinary anesthetic, detected in LA County’s illegal drug supply

By City News Service

The veterinary anesthetic xylazine has been detected in limited quantities of illicit drugs seized by local law enforcement in Los Angeles County, signaling that the substance is present in the illegal drug supply, officials said Wednesday.

Xylazine is not FDAapproved for human consumption. It can cause dangerously low blood pressure, a decrease in breathing rate and heart rate, and damage to tissue that can lead to skin wounds, large sores and ulcers when consumed by people, authorities say.

The L.A. County Department of Public Health said the findings highlight that

the local illicit drug supply remains dangerous and contains substances such as xylazine that can increase overdose deaths. People obtaining these drugs may not be aware that xylazine is present, according to the DPH.

Department officials previously released a health alert warning that xylazine is being mixed with illicit opioids such as heroin or fentanyl, or pressed into counterfeit pills, including Norco, Percocet, Vicodin, or such sedatives as Xanax as a cheap additive to increase the effects of these drugs.

The department urges residents who are using illicit opioids to carry

naloxone, which can reverse an opioid overdose, and use test strips to test for the presence of fentanyl.

In April, the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department’s Crime Lab initiated a three-month pilot program to track xylazine detected in controlled substances submitted to the lab. During that time, the lab analyzed 4,608 controlled substance samples and detected xylazine in 13 samples, resulting in an overall rate 0.003% of samples having xylazine. It was noted that all samples that contained xylazine also contained fentanyl.

Of the 4,608 samples tested, 320 samples were found to contain fentanyl

or fentanyl analogs, and of the 320 samples, 13 had an indication of xylazine, resulting in 4% of all

substances with fentanyl also having xylazine.

Among the 4,608 samples, methamphetamine was the

most prominent substance, being detected in nearly 3,000 samples, according to the LASD.

| Photo courtesy of State of New York

| Photo by ISCOTUS (CC BY 3.0)

connect to your remote hearing, call 657-622-8278 for assistance. If you prefer to appear in-person, you can appear in the department on the day/ time set for your hearing.

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code.

Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. In Pro Per Petitioner

LISA JOAN BELK

1525 W. TONIA CT. ANAHEIM CA 92802

8/7, 8/10, 8/14/23

CNS-3726671# ANAHEIM PRESS

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF:

VESTA ANN CLINTON

CASE NO. 23STPB08352

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of VESTA ANN CLINTON.

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by CHRISTIAN CLINTON in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that CHRISTIAN CLINTON be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests the decedent’s WILL and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The WILL and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.)

The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 09/05/23 at 8:30AM in Dept. 29 located at 111

N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account

as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Attorney for Petitioner

ANTHONY J. VULIN - SBN 86676

624 WEST 9TH STREET, SUITE 201 SAN PEDRO CA 90731, Telephone (310) 548-0746

8/7, 8/10, 8/14/23

CNS-3726773#

GLENDALE INDEPENDENT

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: CESARIA RIOS DE ANAYA

CASE NO. 23STPB08169

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of CESARIA RIOS DE ANAYA.

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by RUBEN ANAYA JR. in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that RUBEN ANAYA JR. be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.)

The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 08/30/23 at 8:30AM in Dept. 67 located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Attorney for Petitioner

LEMUEL B. MAKUPSON - SBN 207383, THE LAW OFFICE OF LEMUEL B. MAKUPSON, APC 680 E. ALOSTA AVENUE, SUITE 106 AZUSA CA 91702, Telephone (626) 577-5147 8/7, 8/10, 8/14/23

CNS-3726789#

BALDWIN PARK PRESS

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF:

HELEN C. SUZOW AKA

HELEN SUZOW

CASE NO. 23STPB03654

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of HELEN

C. SUZOW AKA HELEN SUZOW.

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by CHERYL A. CUSUMANO in the Superior Court of California,

any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.)

The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 09/05/23 at 8:30AM in Dept. 79 located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney for Petitioner

RYAN D. BOWNE, ESQ. - SBN 236970

4421 W. RIVERSIDE DR., SUITE 200 BURBANK CA 91505, Telephone (818) 846-5515 8/10, 8/14, 8/21/23 CNS-3727331# GLENDALE INDEPENDENT

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF:

RICHARD BARNETT SCHACKNE

CASE NO. 23STPB08402

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of RICHARD BARNETT SCHACKNE.

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by RANEY JASON SCHACKNE in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that RANEY JASON SCHACKNE be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.)

The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 10/11/23 at 8:30AM in Dept. 5 located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four

months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney for Petitioner ROBERT R. BOWNE II - SBN 179960

ROBERT R BOWNE II ATTORNEY AT LAW 4421 W RIVERSIDE DR, STE 200 BURBANK CA 91505 Telephone (818) 846-0170 8/10, 8/14, 8/17/23 CNS-3727606# BURBANK INDEPENDENT

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: GERRALD RAY ETHEREDGE AKA GERRALD R. ETHEREDGE CASE NO. 30-2023-01339918-PR-LACMC

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of GERRALD RAY ETHEREDGE AKA GERRALD R. ETHEREDGE.

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by ROBERT L. COHEN in the Superior Court of California, County of ORANGE. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that ROBERT L. COHEN be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.)

The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 09/07/23 at 1:30PM in Dept. CM06 located at 3390 HARBOR BLVD, COSTA MESA,, CA 92626

NOTICE IN PROBATE CASES

The court is providing the convenience to appear for hearing by video using the court’s designated video platform. This is a no cost service to the public. Go to the Court’s website at The Superior Court of California - County of Orange (occourts.org) to appear remotely for Probate hearings and for remote hearing instructions. If you have difficulty connecting or are unable to connect to your remote hearing, call 657-622-8278 for assistance. If you prefer to appear in-person, you can appear in the department on the day/ time set for your hearing.

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person in-

terested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Attorney for Petitioner

ROBERT L. COHEN, ESQ. - SBN

150913, LAW OFFICES OF ROBERT L. COHEN, INC.

8081 ORANGETHORPE AVE. BUENA PARK CA 90621, Telephone (714) 522-8880

8/10, 8/14, 8/17/23

CNS-3727694# ANAHEIM PRESS

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF:

LINDA DIANE BANKARD

CASE NO. 23STPB08573

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of LINDA DIANE BANKARD.

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by JAIMIE COPPRELL in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that JAIMIE COPPRELL be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.)

The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 09/11/23 at 8:30AM in Dept. 9 located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code.

Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Attorney for Petitioner

MICHAEL G. EBINER, ESQ. - SBN 183499, EBINER LAW OFFICE 100 N. CITRUS STREET, SUITE 520 WEST COVINA CA 91791, Telephone (626) 918-9000 8/10, 8/14, 8/17/23

CNS-3728145# PASADENA PRESS

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF:

JEFFREY GLEN BOWERS

CASE NO. 23STPB08701

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of JEFFREY GLEN BOWERS.

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by JOEL MARTIN BOWERS in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that JOEL MARTIN BOWERS be appointed as personal rep-

resentative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests the decedent’s WILL and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The WILL and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.)

The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 09/12/23 at 8:30AM in Dept. 2D located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney for Petitioner JACK ALBERT MARSH - SBN

150847, LAW OFFICES OF JACK A. MARSH 215 N. MARENGO AVE., FL. 3 PASADENA CA 91101, Telephone (626) 397-9990 8/10, 8/14, 8/17/23 CNS-3728661# PASADENA PRESS

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: STELLA FRANCES MERRIMAN AKA FRANCES MERRIMAN CASE NO. 23STPB08793

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of STELLA FRANCES MERRIMAN AKA FRANCES MERRIMAN.

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by KENNETH D. MERRIMAN in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that KENNETH D. MERRIMAN be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 09/12/23 at 8:30AM in Dept. 11 located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or

Vehicle crashes into Mission Hills car dealership; 1 fatally injured

By City News Service

An investigation is continuing Thursday after a woman drove an SUV through a service bay and into the reception area of a Mission Hills car dealership — killing one person and sending two others to a hospital with lesser injuries.

The crash occurred at a Toyota dealership in the 11000 block of North Sepulveda Boulevard at about 9:10 a.m. Wednesday, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The department said an “elderly” woman who may have accidentally hit the accelerator instead of the brake drove the SUV into

the covered service bay driveway and crashed into a customer reception area within the dealership.

A 56-year-old female customer was run over and briefly trapped beneath the vehicle, but was freed by bystanders, including a nurse who began performing CPR on the woman, who was not breathing and had no pulse, fire officials said. That woman was taken to a hospital in grave condition, but she later died, police said.

Her name was not immediately released.

Two men who worked at the dealership were also injured — a 23-year-old

man with an arm laceration and a 35-year-old man with head and foot injuries, according to the fire department. Their injuries were considered non-lifethreatening, but both were taken to a hospital in fair to serious condition.

The woman who was driving the SUV was examined by paramedics but did not appear to be injured and declined to be taken to a hospital, fire officials said. She remained at the scene and was interviewed by police before reportedly being released.

The vehicle she was driving had handicap license plates.

Machine gun

mental health treatment program.

Loftus’ attorney could not immediately be reached for comment.

The Boogaloos are a loosely organized antigovernment extremist movement whose adherents believe there will be a civil war or uprising against the United States government

following perceived incursions on constitutional rights, including the Second Amendment’s right to bear arms and other perceived government overreach, prosecutors said.

On Loftus’ person, officers allegedly also recovered two heavy-duty zip ties, a tactical plate carrier, a pocketknife with

a three-inch blade, a black knife with a four-inch fixed blade and two key fobs for a Honda Clarity that had been reported stolen from a car dealership earlier in the day. The Honda had also been involved in a hit-andrun accident that same day, located about five blocks from where Loftus was arrested, according to the

U.S. Attorney’s Office. Law enforcement searched the Honda and found a loaded 9mm ghost gun in the glove compartment and a toolbox containing the upper and lower receiver of a nearly 12-inch AR-style rifle, a drop-in device designed for converting a semi-automatic firearm into a fully auto-

matic machine gun, dozens of rounds of various calibers of ammunition, roughly 23 magazines and a silencer, according to the affidavit.

During a search of Loftus’ residence, law enforcement allegedly found firearms and firearms cases, dozens of additional auto sears, and a large U.S. flag with symbols consistent

with the Boogaloo ideology, court papers show. Prosecutors say that in December 2016, Loftus was placed on a mental health hold under California Welfare Institutions Code and was deemed a danger to himself or others or gravely disabled. Loftus incurred a lifetime prohibition on firearms as a result.

Judge consolidates lawsuits vs. LA County over El Monte officers’ deaths

By City News Service

Ajudge has consolidated two lawsuits filed against Los Angeles County stemming from the deaths of two El Monte police officers fatally shot by a convicted felon in that city.

Relatives of Officers

Joseph Santana and Michael Paredes originally filed separate complaints against the county, District Attorney George Gascón and his office, the county Probation Department and the Siesta Inn motel for wrongful death. The Santana suit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on May 3 and the Paredes complaint in Pomona Superior Court on June 9.

The consolidation decision by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Anne Hwang on Wednesday followed an agreement by the parties that combining the complaints would be in the interests of “judicial economy.”

On July 26, Hwang denied the county’s application for an immediate consolidation of the cases, finding that motion should have been brought on as a regular calendar item. She will now manage the combined cases until trial and the next hearing is scheduled Sept. 11.

Santana, 31, and Paredes, 42, responded to a report of a stabbing on June 14, 2022, at the Garvey Avenue motel, where Justin Flores was staying with his wife. The officers rescued the victim, but were subsequently shot to death by Flores.

According to the lawsuits, Flores, 35, was placed on probation in a plea deal in 2021 after he was arrested in 2020 for being a felon in possession of a firearm and methamphetamine. Even though Flores had a prior felony conviction for burglary, Gascón issued a directive barring the prosecutor

handling Flores’ case from filing a strike allegation against him, disregarding California’s “three strikes” law, which requires prosecutors to plead prior known strikes, the suits allege.

Instead of being sentenced to prison, Flores was put on probation in March 2021 and was seen by his probation officer only once even though he was obligated to have monthly checkins, according to the suits, which further state the Probation Department never initiated a requisite desertion proceeding that would have forced a revocation of Flores’ probation.

On June 2, 2022, the probation officer completed a phone check-in with Flores after learning he was in illegal possession of a gun and had beaten a woman, but Flores did not show up for a scheduled appointment four

days later and his probation officer never reported the information to law enforcement, the suits state.

Although the probation officer filed for a revocation of Flores’ probation a day before the shootings, Flores was not taken

into custody and he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head on a sidewalk outside the motel after shooting the officers.

Slain El Monte Police Officers Joseph Santana, left, and Michael Paredes. | Photos courtesy of the city of El Monte

This SUV crashed through the office of an auto dealership in Mission Hills. | Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles Fire Department/YouTube

Disney cost-cutting efforts exceed goal amid restructuring

By City News Service

San Bernardino County Museum to host new Summer Arts Festival

TheBurbank-based Walt Disney Co.’s extensive cost-cutting effort, which included the elimination of about 7,000 positions, has exceeded its original goal, the entertainment giant announced Wednesday as it released its third-quarter earnings report.

“Our results this quarter are reflective of what we’ve accomplished through the unprecedented transformation we’re undertaking at Disney to restructure the company, improve efficiencies and restore creativity to the center of our business,”

Disney CEO Bob Iger said in a statement.

“In the eight months since my return, these important changes are creating a more costeffective, coordinated and streamlined approach to our operations that has put us on track to exceed our initial

goal of $5.5 billion in savings as well as improved our direct-to-consumer operating income by roughly $1 billion in just three quarters.

“While there is still more to do, I’m incredibly confident in Disney’s longterm trajectory because of the work we’ve done, the team we now have in place, and because of Disney’s core foundation of creative excellence and popular brands and franchises.”

The company reported overall third-quarter revenues of $22.3 billion, up 4% from $21.5 billion during the same quarter last year. Operating income came in at about $3.6 billion, roughly equivalent to the prior year quarter.

Disney’s Parks, Experiences and Products segment saw a 13% jump in revenue, reaching $8.3 billion from $7.4 billion in the third quarter of last year.

The company reported a total of 105.7 million Disney+ subscribers -domestically and internationally -- marking a slight 1% improvement from a year ago.

One component of the company’s cost-cutting effort has been to reduce losses incurred by Disney’s direct-to-consumer business, with third-quarter losses reported at $512 million. That’s down from more than $1 billion in same quarter a year ago, while revenues increased to $5.5 billion, up 9% from about $5 billion a year ago.

Disney announced separately Wednesday that it will introduce a lowercost, ad-supported version of Disney+ on Nov. 1 in select European markets and Canada. The company introduced an ad-supported version of the service in the United States last December,

costing $7.99 per month, compared to the $10.99 adfree version.

Beginning Sept. 6, U.S. customers will also be able to purchase an ad- free bundle of Disney+ and Hulu for $19.99 per month, the company announced.

“The strong momentum of our ad-supported plans in the U.S. demonstrates the importance of providing consumers with choice, flexibility and value,” Joe Earley, president of Disney directto-consumer business, said in a statement.

“We are excited to expand that offering in more markets across the globe, including in Europe and Canada, and to launch a new premium duo bundle of ad-free Disney+ and Hulu this fall, as we take steps toward making extensive Hulu content available via Disney+ later this year for bundle subscribers.”

Cal Poly Pomona to receive $1M National Science Foundation grant to close achievement gaps

By City News Service

Cal Poly Pomona will receive a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation aimed at closing achievement gaps in undergraduate civil engineering courses, Rep. Norma Torres announced Wednesday.

“I have seen firsthand the amazing things that can happen when Americans from diverse backgrounds -- like many Inland Empire residents -- have a seat at the table,” Torres, D-Ontario, said in a statement. “This funding from the National Science

Foundation will give Cal Poly Pomona the tools it needs to empower underserved students and ensure that more women and minorities can build the future of American innovation.”

According to Torres’ office, the money will go toward research efforts, peer tutoring and other programs designed to improve student achievement.

“Higher education belongs to everyone, and this funding will bolster Cal Poly Pomona’s ability to help anyone who dreams of

success achieve it,” Cal Poly President Soraya M. Coley said in a statement. “We are truly grateful to the National Science Foundation for their

belief in our Broncos and their support in launching dedicated and committed students into life-long careers in civil engineering.”

End the summer with a bang at the San Bernardino County Museum in Redlands with the first Summer Arts Festival on Thursday, Aug. 17, from 5 to 9 p.m.

The festival is a family-friendly celebration of all forms of artistry in the region with live art demonstrations, musical performances, food and artisanal shopping, plus an educational resource area.

The museum’s operating hours will be extended to 9 p.m. General admission is $10 for adults, $8 for those in the military or seniors, $7 for students, and $5 for children ages 6 to 12. Children five and under and Museum Association members are admitted free.

Parking is free, and the museum is accessible to persons with disabilities. The museum is located at 2024 Orange Tree Lane in Redlands.

For more information, visit museum.sbcounty.gov/ summer-nights.

Woman fatally shot in Pasadena; fellow apartment complex tenant in custody

By City News Service

A54-year-old man suspected of fatally shooting a fellow tenant at a Pasadena apartment complex during an argument with her was charged Thursday with murder.

Officers responded around 1:10 a.m. Tuesday to the complex in the 2000 block of North Fair Oaks Avenue, near Montana Street and the border with the unincorporated Altadena area, due to a report of a fight with shots fired, according to Lt. Keith Gomez of the Pasadena Police Department.

A 34-year-old woman was found at the scene suffering from gunshot wounds, and she was taken to a hospital where she later died, Gomez said. She was identified as Tynisha Houston, of Pasadena.

According to Gomez, detectives located the suspect inside the same apartment complex a short time later, and Mark Anthony Levels was arrested without incident. They also recovered a firearm at the complex.

An argument in a common area of the complex broke out between the two residents related to a tenant dispute which escalated into a fight resulting in the shooting, Gomez said.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office charged Levels with murder Thursday. His bail was set at $3.1 million, according to Gomez.

Anyone with information regarding the shooting was asked to call the Pasadena Police Department at 626-7444241. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

Disneyland. | Photo by Travis Gergen on Unsplash

View of Cal Poly Pomona campus. | Photo by Brandon Olafsson (CC BY 2.0)

| Photo courtesy of San Bernardino County Museum