New Santa Ana

The SAPD is looking for a home burglary suspect who was caught on video

Posted on February 5, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

On January 25, 2020, at approximately 4:00 am, a male Hispanic subject entered the victims enclosed patio in the 1200 block of North Cabrillo Park and walked up to the front door. Once there, he was captured on video surveillance attempting to open the front door. The door was locked and the victim’s dog scared him off.

Description: Male, Hispanic, 20-30 years old, 5’5”-5’10”, medium build, mustache/goatee, wearing a light colored sweatshirt, baseball hat and carrying a drawstring backpack.

Anyone with information on the identity of the subject and/or whereabouts is asked to contact Detective J. Garcia at (714) 245-8732 or jgarcia@santa-ana.org.

The SAPD is searching for a woman who went missing on Monday morning

Posted on February 5, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Public Safety, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

Sulman Carrillo, 29-years-old, was reported missing by family members and loved ones. She was last seen on Monday, February 3rd at approximately 8 AM walking westbound along the north sidewalk of the ‪1300 block of west Chestnut Street, Santa Ana‬. It is believed she may have her cell phone with her.

Description: Female, Hispanic, 5’3”, 135 lbs., brown hair and green eyes. She was last seen wearing a black jacket, white long sleeve shirt, black leggings and athletic style shoes.

Anyone with information the whereabouts of Carrillo are asked to call Detective A. Garcia at ‪714-245-8408‬

City of Santa Ana Public Works Agency awarded a $100K grant for a bicycle, pedestrian safety education program

Posted on February 4, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Santa Ana 3 Comments

SANTA ANA, Calif. – The City of Santa Ana’s Public Works Agency received a $100,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to fund a year-long program aimed at improving the safety for pedestrians and bicyclists.

The grant period is from October 1, 2019, to September 30, 2020, and funds a variety of educational programs for youth and adults to learn best safety practices walking or riding a bike.

“More than half of Santa Ana residents do not have access to a motor vehicle. Because of the large number of pedestrians and bicyclists, safety is a priority in the City of Santa Ana,” said Mayor Miguel Pulido.

Grant funding will be used to conduct bicycle training classes and educational workshops for youth and older adults on bicycle and pedestrian safety, as well as educating the public on the importance of safety equipment like reflective armbands, leg bands, headlights, taillights, reflectors and helmets. The funding will also be utilized to participate in national education campaign events and programs such as National Walk to School Day, Bicycle Safety Month and California’s Pedestrian Safety Month.

Bicycle and pedestrian-related collisions have been on the rise the past five years. In 2016, 867 pedestrians were killed on California roads, a nearly 33% increase from 2012. In 2016, 147 bicyclists were killed in crashes on California roads, a 14% increase from 2012. In 2018, seven pedestrians and one bicyclist were killed, and 164 pedestrians and 124 bicyclists were injured in vehicle collisions in the City of Santa Ana.

“No matter which way you get around, you play a part in roadway safety,” OTS Director Barbara Rooney said. “These grant programs are intended to educate residents on ways they can make themselves and those around them safe when they walk or bike.”

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Tonight’s Santa Ana City Council meeting will include an anti-homeless shelter resolution

Posted on February 4, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Santa Ana Leave a comment

The regular open meeting of the Santa Ana City Council is scheduled to begin at 5:45 p.m. tonight, Feb. 4, 2020.

The open Council meeting along with meetings of the Housing Authority and Successor Agency will follow a 5 p.m. closed session meeting. The Council meets in the City Council Chambers, 22 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana.

The agenda includes the following matters that are not on the consent calendar (routine items considered for approval in a single motion unless pulled for a separate vote):

• Second reading of an ordinance rezoning properties located at 1010 and 1100-B N. Tustin Ave. from professional to a specific development, allowing the Calvary Church Master Plan project that would include a church facility, educational facility and office development.
• Appoint and administer the oath of office to new board and commission members.
• Adopt a resolution supporting National Community Renaissance of California’s submittal of a funding application for the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Grant Program for up to $30 million for the Legacy Square project located at 609 N. Spurgeon St. Authorize the City of Santa Ana to enter into an agreement with National Community Renaissance to use grant funds to construct the surrounding transportation-related improvements for the project.
• Discuss and consider directing staff to restructure or disband one or more existing City Council Committees and make any appointment changes.
• Discuss and consider directing the city manager to request the Police Department and other city departments to fully enforce anti-camping, anti-panhandling and related laws.
• Discuss and consider directing the city manager to recognize Santa Ana residents serving in the military.
• Discuss and consider directing the city manager to develop a homeless work program to provide meaningful work for the homeless.
• Direct the city manager to draft a resolution for the City Council to officially oppose the County of Orange’s construction and operation of any homeless shelters at the proposed Yale Street location and anywhere else in Santa Ana until the County of Orange is operating a proportional amount of shelter beds in the South County Service Planning Area as exists in the Central and North service planning areas.

The full meeting agenda with staff reports is here: https://santaana.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=7239

An agenda that can be translated into other languages is available here:
https://www.santa-ana.org/sites/default/files/cc/cc-agenda/20200204.html

Meetings are broadcast live on CTV3. Watch CTV3 on channel 3 on Time Warner Cable and channel 99 on AT&T U-verse.

The council meetings are streamed live online in English here:
http://santaana.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=3

The meetings can be watched in Spanish here:
http://santaana.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=1

Previous OCDA allegedly prosecuted a doctor and his girlfriend in order to promote his campaign

Posted on February 4, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Santa Ana 3 Comments

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer announced today that all criminal charges will be dropped against a 39-year-old Newport Beach orthopedic surgeon and reality television star Grant Robicheaux and his 33-year-old girlfriend Cerissa Riley who were accused of drugging and sexually assaulting seven women.

On September 11, 2018, former District Attorney Tony Rackauckas filed initial charges in People v. Robicheaux and Riley, eight months after a search warrant was executed on Robicheaux’s Newport Beach home. At the time the charges included assaults on two women.

Robicheaux was charged with nine felonies, including rape by use of drugs, oral copulation by use of anesthesia or a controlled substance, assault with intent to commit a sexual offense, four counts of possession of a controlled substance for sale, and two counts of possession of an assault weapon. He was also charged with sentencing enhancements of personal use of a firearm during a health and safety code violation.

Riley was charged with seven felonies, including rape by use of drugs, oral copulation by use of anesthesia or a controlled substance, assault with intent to commit a sexual offense, and four counts of possession of a controlled substance for sale. She was also charged with knowingly vicariously armed with a firearm.

Robicheaux faced a maximum of 40 years in state prison if convicted of all charges. Riley faced a maximum of 30 years and eight months in state prison.

Over the next several weeks, Rackauckas held two press conferences in which he told members of the media investigators had recovered videos depicting up to 1,000 incapacitated women being sexually assaulted by Robicheaux and Riley. He urged additional victims to come forward and explained that women who had contact with the couple may not realize they were in fact victims.

The case received international media attention based on the revelation that up to a thousand women had been victimized.

On October 17, 2018, Rackauckas filed additional charges involving five additional women who came forward as a result of the intense media coverage on the case.

Robicheaux was charged with an additional eight felonies, including three counts of kidnapping with the intent to commit a sexual offense, three additional counts of rape by the use of drugs, one additional count of assault with the intent to commit a sexual offense, and one count of forcible rape.

Riley was charged with an additional six felonies, including three counts of kidnapping with the intent to commit a sexual offense, two additional counts of rape by the use of drugs, one additional count of assault with the intent to commit a sexual offense.

Robicheaux and Riley both faced a maximum of life in state prison if convicted on all charges.

After Rackauackas admitted in a sworn deposition on June 19, 2019 that he had used the case to garner media attention to help his re-election campaign, Spitzer ordered a complete reevaluation of the case.

Two veteran sexual assault prosecutors were assigned to the top to bottom review of the case. Over three months, the two prosecutors reviewed every piece of evidence in the case.

The De Novo review included:

Thousands of photographs, videos, and chats from computers.
Hundreds of hours of audio recordings.
Thousands of pages of documents
Tens of thousands of text messages between the defendants over four years.
Thousands of text messages between defendants and others, including alleged victims.
Thousands of conversations on Bumble, Tinder, Facebook, and other social media services.
Hundreds of emails including from alleged victims, defendants, police, and potential leads.
Thousands of pages of transcripts of alleged victim interviews, witness interviews, and depositions.

Today, Spitzer announced that this exhaustive review revealed there was not a single video or photograph depicting an incapacitated woman being sexually assaulted by Robicheaux or Riley. In fact, the review revealed that there was not a single independent witness who came forward to say they saw the defendants sexually assault an unconscious woman.

A team of prosecutors with a combined 175 years of experience determined there is no provable evidence that Robicheaux and Riley committed any sexual offense.

“My sworn duty as the elected district attorney is not to secure convictions,” said Spitzer. “My sworn duty is to pursue justice and ensure that the rights of victims and defendants are protected.

The prior District Attorney and his chief of staff manufactured this case and repeatedly misstated the evidence to lead the public and vulnerable women to believe that these two individuals plied up to 1,000 women with drugs and alcohol in order to sexually assault them – and videotape the assaults.

As a result of the complete case review I ordered beginning in July, we now know that there was not a single video or photograph depicting an unconscious or incapacitated woman being sexually assaulted.

What the prior District Attorney and his chief of staff did to these defendants and to the women involved in this case is a travesty.

While I cannot undo the injustice that has already been done in this case, I can – and I will – continue to fulfill my legal and ethical obligations as the elected District Attorney of Orange County and dismiss all criminal charges against Dr. Grant William Robicheaux and Cerissa Laura Riley.”

The Santa Ana Zoo welcomes a baby anteater

Posted on February 1, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Nature, Santa Ana, Santa Ana Zoo Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Calif. – The Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park had a little extra to be thankful for this holiday season, a baby giant anteater.

The newest addition to the zoo was born on November 26, 2019 to mother “Heesoo of Troy” and father “Peter”. Mom and baby, whose sex has not yet been determined, have been bonding in their den off exhibit and both are doing well. As the baby gets bigger, mom and baby will spend more time outside on warm days with good weather. When they choose to go outside, guests will see the baby anteater riding on its mother’s back for a number of months, even after it begins exploring on its own.

Giant anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla, are native to the grassy plains and rainforest borders of Central and South America. Most easily identified by their long, thin nose, anteaters are true insectivores eating copious amounts of ants, termites, and other insects which they dig up using the long, sharp claws of their front feet. At the zoo, our anteaters enjoy a “smoothie” of insect protein and fresh fruits and vegetables which mimics the nutritional value of their wild diet. Baby anteaters, called pups, are born with similar coloring and striping to adults, allowing them to instantly camouflage. The pup will ride on the mother’s back for up to 1 year as they grow to full size, before leaving to establish their own territory. Anteaters are generally solitary animals, coming together only to mate. Anteaters are listed as a threatened and vulnerable species due to ongoing threats of habitat loss and destruction, fire and poaching for fur. The Santa Ana Zoo is proud to be an active participant in collaborative giant anteater conservation programs, contributing to the maintenance of genetic diversity in managed populations and conservation of the species in the wild.

The anteaters can be viewed in the Tierra de las Pampas area of the zoo daily between 10:00AM and 4:00PM at the Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park. The Santa Ana Zoo is home to more than 150 animals, including entertaining and engaging monkeys, and several endangered species including the Golden Lion Tamarin.

To become a Member of the Zoo, please call (714) 953-8555 x13. The Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park is located at 1801 Chestnut Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92701. For more information call 714-836-4000 or visit www.santaanazoo.org. For the latest on baby news and zoo happenings follow The Santa Ana Zoo on Facebook and Instagram.

This week’s Cochino List includes Round Table Pizza and El Cangrejo Nice

Posted on February 1, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Disease, Food, Food & Health, Health, Health and Medical, Insects, OC Health Care, Orange County, Restaurants, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The O.C. Health Care Agency has released a list of the eateries (including restaurants, caterers and even school kitchens) that they inspected and shut down for the week of Jan. 23 to Jan. 31. Most of these eateries reopen pretty quickly after the health inspectors determine their issues have been resolved.

Round Table Pizza, 2860 S. Bristol St., Suite C-2, Santa Ana, Closed: Jan. 28, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Jan. 28
El Cangrejo “Nice,” 2525 N. Grand Ave., Suite A, Santa Ana, Closed: Jan. 23, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Jan. 25
Update: Yu’s Garden at 5408 Walnut Ave., Suite H, Irvine, which was ordered closed Jan. 23 because of sewage overflow and ordered to remain closed Jan. 24 because of a cockroach infestation, was allowed to reopen Jan. 26.
Minimart & Liquor, 1746 Placentia Ave., Costa Mesa, Closed: Jan. 30, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Jan. 30
Tai Chi Cuisine, 5414 Walnut Ave., Suite A, Irvine, Closed: Jan. 29, Reason: Cockroach infestation
Craftsman Wood Fired Pizza, 148 E. Yorba Linda Blvd., Placentia, Closed: Jan. 29, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Jan. 29
Gogiya BBQ All You Can Eat, 8948 Knott Ave., Buena Park, Closed: Jan. 29, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Jan. 31
Beba’s, 1909 E. Lincoln Ave., Anaheim, Closed: Jan. 29, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Jan. 31.
Chart House, 34442 Green Lantern St., Dana Point, Closed: Jan. 29, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Jan. 31
Thach Che Hien Khanh, 9784 Westminster Ave., Garden Grove, Closed: Jan. 28, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Jan. 29
Mariscos Licenciado, 1052 N. State College Blvd., Anaheim, Closed: Jan. 28, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Jan. 30
Brea’s Best, 707 S. Brea Blvd., Brea, Closed: Jan. 28, Reason: Rodent, infestation Reopened: Jan. 28
100% Natural, 12893 Harbor Blvd., Suite C-2, Garden Grove, Closed: Jan. 27, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Jan. 28
Arigatto Sushi, 660 N. Beach Blvd., La Habra, Closed: Jan. 27, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Jan. 28
Cafe Casse Croute, 656 S. Brookhurst St., Anaheim, Closed: Jan. 23, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Jan. 28
M&M Liquor Market, 17330 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach, Closed: Jan. 23, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Jan. 24
Trattoria, 216 Marine Ave., Newport Beach, Closed: Jan. 23, Reason: Rodent infestation Reopened: Jan. 24

City of Santa Ana mural guidelines meeting set for Feb. 5

Posted on January 31, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Santa Ana Leave a comment

The Santa Ana Arts & Culture Commission is inviting the public to share their thoughts on establishing the first official mural guidelines for the City of Santa Ana.

The Commission will hold an open forum on Wednesday, Feb. 5, to hear public input on guidelines and best practices for painting and restoring murals.

The event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Delhi Center, 505 E. Central Ave. Food and refreshments will be provided and parking is free.

RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mural-guideline-town-hall-tickets-91003280261.

Lane Reduction on Bristol Street set for this Saturday

Posted on January 31, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in public works, Santa Ana, Traffic Leave a comment

On Saturday, February 1, 2020 from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Bristol Street will be reduced to one lane in each direction between 17th Street and Santa Clara Avenue. As part of the Bristol Street Rehabilitation Project, the temporary lane reduction is required for construction of the new asphalt roadway. Please pardon the dust and granular materials produced by the asphalt material, as the cleanup will be ongoing.

We recommend using alternate routes and plan for possible delays since this lane reduction will impact traffic flow. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for understanding.

Pulido endorsed by the O.C. Attorneys Association

Posted on January 31, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2020 Elections, Elections, Lawyers, Miguel Pulido, Orange County, Politics, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido announced today that he has been endorsed by the Orange County Attorneys Association for his campaign effort to be elected to the Orange County Board of Supervisors. The organization, which includes Orange County’s Deputy District Attorneys, represents over 500 attorneys employed by the County of Orange, including those employed by the DA, County Counsel, Public Defender, Alternate Defender, Associate Defender, and Child Support Services.

“We are proud to endorse Mayor Pulido for County Supervisor,” said Orange County Attorney Association President Mena Guirguis. “He has an excellent record of achievement as Mayor of Santa Ana and we believe he will add a lot to our County Board of Supervisors.”

“I am excited to add the support of the Orange County Attorneys Association to my effort for County Supervisor,” said Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido. “Their extensive knowledge, expertise, experience, and hard work are vital to our District Attorney, Public Defender, and other county agency offices. I look forward to working with them after my election to the Board.”

Miguel Pulido was first elected to the Santa Ana City Council in 1986 and is presently serving his 13th term as Mayor, a post he has successfully held since 1994. Under his leadership he has made Public Safety the City’s #1 priority, leading the charge to hire more police officers, crack down on gangs, expand community policing, increase the use of crime fighting technology, and help solve the city’s homeless issue. Crime in Santa Ana is now at its lowest level since the early 1960’s.

The SAPD arrested two male suspects for giving drugs to minors and having sex with them

Posted on January 31, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Cochino Alert, Crime, irvine, Santa Ana, SAPD 1 Comment

Santa Ana Police Detectives arrested two adults for giving two minors drugs and engaging in illegal sex acts with them. Isai Higinio Hernandez, a 21-year-old resident of Santa Ana, was arrested for committing lewd acts with a minor. Hernandez met both victims through Snapchat. Hernandez gave the first victim, a 14-year-old girl from Irvine, drugs before engaging in illegal sex acts with her.

At the time of Hernandez’ arrest, he was found sleeping in his vehicle with a second victim, another 14-year-old girl from Irvine and Jason Rabadan, a 20-year-old resident from Santa Ana. The second victim was a reported runaway from Irvine. Detectives discovered that Hernandez had also given her drugs and learned that Rabadan engaged in illegal sex acts with her.

Hernandez and Rabadan were booked at the Orange County Jail for multiple counts of committing lewd acts and for providing drugs to a minor. Their bail has been set at $100,000.00 each.

Santa Ana Police Department Detectives believe there may be additional victims because the suspects targeted the Irvine area and ask anyone with information to contact Detective J. Gallardo at (714) 245-8378, jgallardo@santa-ana.org or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.

THE SANTA ANA POLICE DEPARTMENT WOULD LIKE TO REMIND PARENTS TO CLOSELY MONITOR THEIR CHILD’S SOCIAL MEDIA ACTIVITY FOR ANY INAPPROPRIATE CONTENT.

Westminster Councilman Contreras is leading in fundraising in the race for District 1 of the O.C. Board of Supervisors

Posted on January 30, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2020 Elections, Elections, Orange County, Santa Ana, Sergio Contreras, Westminster Leave a comment

WESTMINSTER, CA — In another significant boost of momentum and demonstration of the strength and viability of his campaign for Orange County Board of Supervisors District 1, today Westminster City Councilmember Sergio Contreras’s campaign announced that he has by far the most net cash-on-hand of anybody in the race, with $78,862 after debts.

Incumbent Supervisor Andrew Do has $60,345 more in debt than cash-on-hand, while Contreras’s main Democratic opponents Miguel Pulido and Kim Nguyen have $25,706 and $6,972 cash-on-hand after debts, respectively.

In response to today’s campaign finance filings, Sergio Contreras’s campaign consultant Mac Zilber released the following statement:

“The people of Orange County are rallying around the common sense, forward-thinking message that Sergio is putting forward, and the Q4 report is just the latest testament to that. This report represents a stunning blow to incumbent Andrew Do — that voters want less politics and more problem solving from their representative on the Board of Supervisors– and underscores Sergio’s place as the best-positioned Democrat in the race. Sergio leads the field of candidates in endorsements and fundraising by a wide margin, demonstrating his broad-based support and that he is far and away the strongest candidate to flip the seat red-to-blue. We are encouraged by Councilmember Contreras’s strong performance and deeply grateful for the support our campaign has received from constituents across the 1st District and will continue working hard to expand his coalition of support in the weeks ahead.”

Previously, Councilmember Sergio Contreras announced the following endorsements:

Organizations:

Democratic Party of Orange County
Orange County Labor Federation (OCLF)
California Nurses Association (CNA)
SEIU – USWW
SEIU 2015
American Federation of State, County, Municipal Employees (AFSCME) District Council 36
American Federation of State, County, Municipal Employees (AFSCME) United Domestic Workers (UDW) Local 3930
American Federation of State, County, Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2076
American Federation of State, County, Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1734
Laborers International Union of North America (LiUNA) Local 652
International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 12
International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 501
National Union of Healthcare Workers
United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers & Allied Workers Local 220
Painters & Allied Trades District Council 36
UNITE HERE Local 11
Ironworkers Local 433
Ironworkers Local 416
UFCW Local 324
Community Action Fund of Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties

Elected Officials:

U.S. Congressman Alan Lowenthal
U.S. Congresswoman Linda Sanchez
U.S. Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (Ret.)
California State Senator Lena Gonzalez
California State Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva
California State Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris
California Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell
California State Senator Josh Newman (Ret.)
Garden Grove School Board Trustee Walter Muneton
Garden Grove School Board Trustee Teri Rocco
Garden Grove Councilmember Kris Beard (Ret.)
Westminster School Boardmember Jamison Power
Westminster School Boardmember Amy Walsh (Ret.)
Costa Mesa Mayor Katrina Foley
Costa Mesa Councilman Manuel Chavez
Rancho Community College Trustee Lawrence Labrado
Santa Ana Unified School District President Valerie Amezcua
Santa Ana Councilmember Sal Tinajero (Ret.)
Santa Ana Councilmember David Benavides (Ret.)
Santa Ana School Board Trustee Alfonso Alvarez
Anaheim Elementary School Boardmember Juan Gabriel Alvarez
Anaheim Elementary School Boardmember Ryan Ruelas
Anaheim Elementary School Boardmember Dr. Jose Pablo Magcalas
Anaheim Elementary School Boardmember D.R. Heywood (Ret.)
Anaheim Union High School District Clerk of the Board, Annemarie Randle-Trejo
Huntington Beach Union High School District Trustee Duane Dishno
Fullerton School Boardmember Aaruni Thakur
Oceanview School District Vice President Gina Clayton-Tarvin
Midway City Sanitary District Director Margie L. Rice

The first Supervisorial District includes the cities of Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Westminster, the unincorporated community of Midway City, and parts of Fountain Valley. The first Supervisorial District is 42% Democratic and 24% Republican by registration – making it one of the most flippable major local offices in California.

Sergio Contreras, a husband, father, homeowner, and registered Democrat, has served on the Westminster City Council since 2012, where he successfully championed the largest upgrade to Westminster’s park system since 1996, encompassing 22 park facilities and representing a $10.4 million investment in the community. Contreras oversaw the city’s first general plan update in decades. He also placed emergency call boxes in all Westminster parks to enhance public safety, and fought to place outdoor exercise equipment in local parks to improve public health.

Contreras previously served on the Westminster School Board from 2004 to 2012, including serving as president of the board in 2012. On the School Board, Contreras helped pass a $130 million school bond to modernize Westminster’s school facilities and make them safer. In that role, he established an all-day kindergarten system, making Westminster School District the first in Orange County to provide day-long kindergarten at all school sites. Contreras also increased access to music and arts programs districtwide, while expanding after-school programs.

Now, Contreras works as the Senior Director of Education and Healthy Schools for the Orange County United Way where he creates strategic community partnerships to empower students from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds. Contreras lives in Westminster with his wife Adriana, where their children Sergio III and Chloe attend local schools.

Recently, Contreras’s upbringing and life’s story was featured in the OC Weekly, which you can find here.

For more information visit: https://www.sergiocontrerasforsupervisor.com

Supervisor Wagner and DA Spitzer secure funds to end OC’s rape kit backlog

Posted on January 30, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Santa Ana Leave a comment

Supervisor Don Wagner and District Attorney Todd Spitzer have committed to working together to clear a 30-year backlog of sexual assault kits

“Because rape kit DNA testing can bring closure to the victims of these horrible crimes, we cannot accept continued delays when the resources are available to us,” said Supervisor Wagner. “The County is committed to ending the backlog, and I am ready to end the backlog. I thank District Attorney Todd Spitzer for his swift action in securing the funds to help make this important public safety measure a reality.”

As part of the solution, District Attorney Spitzer is bringing before the Board of Supervisors a contract with a third-party vendor for Sexual Assault Kit testing services for $612,000; grant money that will assist in clearing about 50% of the gap. The contract is coming to the Board at its meeting scheduled on February 11, 2020. Following Supervisor Wagner’s direction and Board approval, DA Spitzer will revise the contract to include the $400,000 in 14J funding as a solution to complete the entire backlog.

“Clearing the backlog of sexual assault kits has been a priority of mine since I was a County Supervisor, and I have doubled down on that commitment,” said District Attorney Spitzer. “The District Attorney’s Office is fully invested in getting these untested kits tested to provide these victims justice and a safer Orange County. I am pleased Supervisor Wagner requested the additional funds needed to close the backlog gap.”

“Ensuring public safety is a core function of government,” Wagner added. “Both DA Spitzer and I are dedicated to that principle. It does no good to have these rape kits aging on a shelf somewhere. They contain crucial information to solve yesterday’s crimes and to assist law enforcement in the prevention of future crimes.”

Public safety is critical to both Supervisor Wagner and DA Spitzer. Testing a rape kit is only the first step in the rung of justice. If you or a loved one is a victim of sexual assault, please do not shower or bathe as not to remove vital DNA evidence — immediately go to your nearest hospital.

Westminster man arrested in $20 million health care insurance fraud and kickback scheme

Posted on January 30, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Fraud, OCDA, Westminster Leave a comment

LOS ANGELES/ORANGE, Calif. — Bradley Dean Groscost, 59, of Westminster, and Felix Koltsov, 57, of Beverly Hills, self-surrendered last week to the Orange County Central Justice Center after being charged with multiple felony counts of insurance fraud, money laundering, and unlawful referrals for allegedly conspiring to bill insurers in excess of $20 million as part of a kickback referral scheme.

“These co-conspirators allegedly ordered screenings and prescriptions for patients in order to enrich themselves, as part of a kickback referral scheme,” said Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara. “By investigating health care fraud, my department is helping keep insurance costs down for all California consumers and businesses.”

From 2014 to 2017, Groscost operated five workers’ compensation clinics in Southern California. Doing business as DSJ MGT, Inc. in Fountain Valley, Groscost controlled treatments, referrals, and medical and financial records at the clinics even though he was not licensed to practice medicine.

The Department of Insurance’s investigation, with the assistance of the National Insurance Crime Bureau, discovered that Groscost allegedly received approximately $2.1 million in kickbacks from Koltsov, owner of LFPS Inc. and Resource Pharmacy Inc., for patient referrals for urine drug screenings and compound cream prescriptions. Koltsov’s companies billed workers’ compensation insurance carriers over $20 million for these claims.

The investigation also revealed that Groscost allegedly failed to report employees to the Employment Development Department (EDD) and paid them as independent contractors. He failed to report over $5.1 million in wages to EDD and as a result, avoided paying over $510,000 in taxes. As of July 5, 2019, Groscost owed EDD over $1.6 million in taxes, penalties, and interest.

“These fraudulent workers’ compensation claims funnel resources away from injured workers and make it more difficult to provide the treatment to those workers who truly need it,” said District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “The Orange County District Attorney’s Office is collaborating with the California Department of Insurance to crack down on workers’ compensation fraud and preserve resources for the truly injured.”

This case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Christine Oh of the Insurance Fraud Unit of the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. Koltsov surrendered to the court on January 22, 2020, and posted bail of $500,000. Groscost surrendered to the court on January 24, 2020, and remains in custody. His bail is set at $500,000.

Santa Ana man gets two years in prison after flipping out over the alleged use of his bathroom by a gay roommate

Posted on January 30, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, LGBT, OCDA, Santa Ana, SAPD 1 Comment

People get arrested and prosecuted in Santa Ana for a lot of reasons but this case takes the cake. Joe Martin Rodriguez, a 41-year-old man, will serve two years in prison for threatening two gay roommates in Santa Ana at knifepoint on the Fourth of July and slashing the tires of one victim’s vehicle.

Rodriguez pleaded guilty to a felony count of making criminal threats and a misdemeanor hate crime charge. He was sentenced on Tuesday, but the sentence was light as he was given 418 days credit for time served in custody, according to the O.C. Register.

Rodriguez flipped out on the last 4th of July because he believed that one of his roommates was using his bathroom. Rodriguez proceeded to pound on the bathroom door with an 8- to 9-inch silver blade knife with a brown handle. He also made anti-gay slurs and threatened to kill his roommates, according to the SAPD.

Then Rodriguez doubled down when he pulled out a handgun and pointed it at one or two of the victims while making more homophobic remarks and threatening to kill both of them.

But he was not done yet. Rodriguez slashed the tires of one victim’s vehicle, before getting into a car with a friend and speeding off.

It did not pan out for Rodriguez as the SAPD found the car car and ordered the driver to pull over. Rodriguez then jumped out of the vehicle and tried to run away. But a police helicopter crew found him and he was subsequently arrested.

The Judge should have also ordered Rodriguez to take anger management classes.

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Santa Ana’s playgrounds, volleyball courts and tennis courts to close

March 31, 2020 - Civic Affairs, Disease, Emergencies, Parks and Recreation, Public Safety, Santa Ana, Sports, Youth Activities - No Comments

The County of Orange has launched an Economic & Business Recovery Call Center

March 31, 2020 - Business, Disease, Emergencies, Orange County, Santa Ana - No Comments

Santa Ana businesses can get help from a Small Business Incentive Grant

March 31, 2020 - Business, Civic Affairs, Emergencies, Santa Ana - No Comments

Understanding Santa Ana’s moratoriums on evictions and foreclosures

March 31, 2020 - Business, Disease, Emergencies, Housing, Real Estate, Santa Ana - No Comments

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