WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2005
Volume 4, Issue 184
FR EE
Santa Monica Daily Press A newspaper with issues
Thousands turn out for Gov.’s speech
DAILY LOTTERY SUPER LOTTO 2 7 20 39 42 Meganumber: 5 Jackpot: $... Million
At least 1,000 rally against governor over education budget
FANTASY 5 5 14 15 20 27
DAILY 3 Daytime: Evening:
106 380
DAILY DERBY
BY RYAN HYATT
1st: 2nd: 3rd:
12 Lucky Charms 10 Solid Gold 03 Hot Shot
Daily Press Staff Writer
RACE TIME:
1:48.85
Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the winning number information, mistakes can occur. In the event of any discrepancies, California State laws and California Lottery regulations will prevail. Complete game information and prize claiming instructions are available at California Lottery retailers. Visit the California State Lottery web site: http://www.calottery.com
NEWS OF THE WEIRD BY
CHUCK
SHEPARD
■ A February Atlanta Journal-Constitution dispatch from El Alberto, Mexico (near Mexico City), profiled a theme park in which potential and wannabe emigrants to the United States can test their survival skills in an obstacle course that touches on the rigors migrants endure sneaking across the border. The cost of this rehearsal for a better life is an admission fee of the equivalent of US$13. ■ In November, Yeslam Bin Laden, one of 53 siblings and half-siblings of Osama, announced in Paris that he would soon bring to market upscale floral fragrances for men and women at about $30 an ounce, though the products will bear his first name rather than his last, for obvious reasons. (However, in February, the trademark authority in Switzerland, where Yeslam lives, resolved in his favor his long-held-up application to use the “Bin Laden” name commercially, in case he decides to.) Yeslam said he hasn’t seen Osama in 17 years and is appalled by his Al-Qaeda activities. ■ Kim Chan, 40, of a village in the Cambodian province of Kampot, announced in March that he had a cow that was heavenly possessed and could cure illnesses by exposure to its bodily fluids, but local official Khun Somnang immediately discounted the claim, saying, “We had a holy cow here a year and a half ago (and you) don’t get two that close together.”
QUOTE OF THE DAY “If you aren’t fired with enthusiasm, you will be fired with enthusiasm.”
VINCE LOMBARDI
US FOOTBALL COACH (1913-1970)
INDEX Horoscopes Out late tonight, Capricorn
2
Surf Report Water temperature: 64°
3
Commentary Get a little incite
4
State Jackson to toughen up
7
National Mad cow mania
9
Real Estate Home ownership is harder
10
Comics Laugh it up
16
Classifieds Ad space odyssey
17-19
Fabian Lewkowicz/Special to the Daily Press Thomas J Donner, Santa Monica College’s interim president, gives Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger an appreciation award after he delivered a commencement address to SMC’s graduating class on Tuesday. Gov. Schwarzenegger is an alumni of SMC.
SMC — California Governor and former Hollywood action hero Arnold Schwarzenegger on Tuesday bid the Santa Monica College graduating class a pleasant journey on their maiden voyage into the real world in front of thousands of fans and foes. In a speech riddled with optimism, more than 4,500 friends and relatives showed up on Tuesday evening at Corsair Field to hear Gov. Schwarzenegger speak to 600 Santa Monica College students who will be moving on with their educational and career endeavors. Gov. Schwarzenegger, who attended SMC during the 1970s, took to the podium at 6:45 p.m. after more than 1,000 students, teachers and community activists protested for two hours against the state’s top politician for what they called his continued neglect of public education in California. “Education is a tool to be successful,” Gov. Schwarzenegger See GRADUATION, page 5
Local businessman to face fraud charges Eco-friendly By Daily Press staff
DOWNTOWN LA — A local media agency owner who is accused of stealing money from his clients will face charges of fraud and conspiracy next month. Thomas Edward Rubin, the chairman and CEO of Focus Media, Inc., a media placement agency once located in Santa Monica, appeared in federal court in Los Angeles last week where he was arraigned on federal fraud charges, according to Richard Garcia, assistant director in charge of the FBI in Los Angeles, and Debra Yang, United States Attorney for the Central District of California. Rubin, 57, of Malibu, was taken into custody on June 2 on
A status hearing is scheduled for June 27 in federal court in downtown Los Angeles. charges of mail fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy, which are included in a seven-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Los Angeles. Also arrested was Thomas Patrick Sullivan, 63, a resident of Westlake Village, who had been the chief financial officer of Focus Media. Rubin was released on a $2 million bond. Sullivan had been released the previous week on a $250,000 bond. They both pleaded not guilty. The trial is scheduled for July 12. A status hearing is scheduled
Jacquie Banks
$
for June 27 in federal court in downtown Los Angeles. According to the indictment, Focus’ principal business was to buy advertising time on television and radio stations for clients, including Sears, Roebuck and Company, which was Focus’ largest client. Among other allegations, the indictment charges that, after Rubin and Sullivan received approximately $35 million from Sears to pay for advertisements that Focus placed on Sears’ behalf
CITYWIDE — Enthusiasts say a motorcycle soon to hit Santa Monica streets will not only draw eyes with its sleek features, but also deliver an amazing ecofriendly performance that might change the face of local transportation forever.
See FRAUD, page 6
See ECO-CYCLE, page 6
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