Tag: California

Pasadena Man Who Bought Maserati With COVID Relief Money Gets 10 Years in Prison

A Pasadena man was sentenced on April 20 to 10 years behind bars for using stolen identities to fraudulently obtain unemployment insurance benefits under the coronavirus federal relief act, which he later used to purchase a Maserati luxury SUV. Robert Mateer, 32, was also ordered to pay $937,173 in restitution, according to the U.S. Attorney’s…


Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass Unveils $1.3 Billion Homelessness Budget

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass unveiled her $13 billion budget proposal for 2023-2024 this week, the first of her tenure. The budget prioritizes the city’s sprawling homelessness problem with a record-high $1.3 billion allocated for more housing, purchasing hotels and motels, substance abuse treatment beds, and establishing a new agency of homeless solutions in her…


Former Sheriff: ‘Politically Driven’ California Bill Would Undermine Democracy

Proposed California legislation supported by Black Lives Matter and other social justice groups that would allow county boards of supervisors to remove elected sheriffs from public office is “politically driven” and would undermine democracy, says former Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva. “This is all about power. It has nothing to do with elected sheriffs…


Skyrocketing California Insurance Premiums, Cancellations Due to Wildfire Risk Driving Some to Leave

More than 2 million homes in California are considered in high or extreme fire risks, according to industry analysts, and with insurers responding by deeming certain areas and properties uninsurable—and increasing premium costs for others—some homeowners say they are left with few options. Verisk Analytics, an organization providing risk assessment data based in New Jersey,…


Newport Coast Doctor Faces Federal Charges of Health Care Fraud

An Orange County physician and a Los Angeles County lab owner are facing federal charges in separate cases for their alleged participation in fraud schemes involving health care services that exploited the COVID-19 pandemic and allegedly resulted in false billings to federal programs and theft from federally funded pandemic programs, officials announced Thursday. Dr. Anthony…


Orange Housing Plan Shot Down by State, City Officials Back to Square One

The city of Orange, California, had its sights on the finish regarding receiving acceptance of its state-mandated housing plan, but now it’s back to the drawing board after the state’s housing department rejected its latest submission. Orange adopted its so-called “housing element” Feb. 14, which began a 90-day review by the state. Previously, California’s Department…


Apple’s Hometown City Braces for 73 Percent Drop in Tax Revenue Amid State Audit

The city of Cupertino in California—Apple Inc.’s hometown—is looking for ways to cope with financial challenges in anticipation of upcoming “significant revenue shortfalls,” according to city officials, after its special tax agreement with the tech giant reportedly came under scrutiny by state regulators. During an April 13 city council meeting, city staff projected a 73…


PREMIERING NOW: Leaving California: The Untold Story | Documentary

“Leaving California: The Untold Story” is a feature-length documentary that portrays the growing challenges of living in California, causing an unprecedented mass exodus. Siyamak Khorrami, television host of California Insider and editor of The Epoch Times Southern California, takes viewers on an intimate journey of love, loss, tragedy, and hope as California residents face the…


Leaving California: The Untold Story | Documentary

“Leaving California: The Untold Story” is a feature-length documentary that portrays the growing challenges of living in California, causing an unprecedented mass exodus. Siyamak Khorrami, television host of California Insider and editor of The Epoch Times Southern California, takes viewers on an intimate journey of love, loss, tragedy, and hope as California residents face the…


Orange County Power Authority Fires CEO Brian Probolsky

Behind closed doors, the Orange County Power Authority (OCPA) voted to relieve chief executive officer Brian Probolsky of his position on April 19 after the embattled green energy agency has faced pressure from city and county leaders to find new leadership. During the Wednesday meeting in Irvine, California, board members voted 3-1 with Jose Castaneda,…