Prosecutor Summer Stephan Promises Fair and Fair Justice During Swearing-in Ceremony

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan, who grew from a young prosecutor’s attorney to the top law enforcement authority in San Diego County during her 29-year career with the Attorney General’s Office, vowed to protect children and their families and bring justice to the voiceless and most vulnerable during his swearing-in ceremony today at the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. In front of an audience including County officials, dignitaries and family members, Prosecutor Stephan was sworn in, administered by Chief Justice of the Superior Court, Peter Deddeh. [COMPARTE EN TWITTER]

“I am very honored to be the District Attorney for this county,” said Attorney Stephan. “We are going to seek fair and just justice. We are going to push back bullies and we are going to defend vulnerable people. If they touch our children, we will go after them, if they threaten our schools, they will be held accountable, and if they hurt our seniors, they will face justice. “

Prosecutor Stephan said her office’s approach will be balanced with programs that recognize and address the root causes of crime.

“If you are a young person who has committed non-violent crimes, if you are a human being who has weaknesses, vulnerabilities, mental health problems, addictions, we are going to use a fair justice system but also one that is not one size fits all”, He said, “One that looks at underlying issues and offers second chances.”

Stephan identified several areas he plans to focus on during his tenure, including mental health, human trafficking, elder abuse, and juvenile justice. Noting the nexus between criminal justice and homelessness, mental health and substance abuse, Stephan said he is creating a new position in his office to work with community stakeholders to address the problem.

“We have to be able to balance compassionate treatment of people with mental health problems while protecting the rights of crime victims,” Stephan said.

Recognized as a national leader in the fight against human trafficking, Stephan vowed to continue working to prevent and prosecute the sexual exploitation of youth in the county.

In an effort for transparency, Stephan said it would shed a light on the rare cases where the police cannot stand up to the level of trust the public deserves.

“Without the truth, you cannot build trust with the community,” he said.

Attorney Stephan runs an office of more than 1,000 employees who protect public safety, seek justice, and support victims throughout San Diego County. The term of office of the District Attorney is four years. [COMPARTE EN TWITTER]

Prosecutor Summer Stephan Promises Fair and Fair Justice During Swearing-in Ceremony

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan, who grew from a young prosecutor’s attorney to the top law enforcement authority in San Diego County during her 29-year career with the Attorney General’s Office, vowed to protect children and their families and bring justice to the voiceless and most vulnerable during his swearing-in ceremony today at the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. In front of an audience including County officials, dignitaries and family members, Prosecutor Stephan was sworn in, administered by Chief Justice of the Superior Court, Peter Deddeh. [COMPARTE EN TWITTER]

“I am very honored to be the District Attorney for this county,” said Attorney Stephan. “We are going to seek fair and just justice. We are going to push back bullies and we are going to defend vulnerable people. If they touch our children, we will go after them, if they threaten our schools, they will be held accountable, and if they hurt our seniors, they will face justice. “

Prosecutor Stephan said her office’s approach will be balanced with programs that recognize and address the root causes of crime.

“If you are a young person who has committed non-violent crimes, if you are a human being who has weaknesses, vulnerabilities, mental health problems, addictions, we are going to use a fair justice system but also one that is not one size fits all”, He said, “One that looks at underlying issues and offers second chances.”

Stephan identified several areas he plans to focus on during his tenure, including mental health, human trafficking, elder abuse, and juvenile justice. Noting the nexus between criminal justice and homelessness, mental health and substance abuse, Stephan said he is creating a new position in his office to work with community stakeholders to address the problem.

“We have to be able to balance compassionate treatment of people with mental health problems while protecting the rights of crime victims,” Stephan said.

Recognized as a national leader in the fight against human trafficking, Stephan vowed to continue working to prevent and prosecute the sexual exploitation of youth in the county.

In an effort for transparency, Stephan said it would shed a light on the rare cases where the police cannot stand up to the level of trust the public deserves.

“Without the truth, you cannot build trust with the community,” he said.

Attorney Stephan runs an office of more than 1,000 employees who protect public safety, seek justice, and support victims throughout San Diego County. The term of office of the District Attorney is four years. [COMPARTE EN TWITTER]

DA Appoints David Greenberg as New Assistant DA

DA Appoints David Greenberg as New Assistant DA

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan appointed David Greenberg as the Assistant District Attorney following Jesus “Jesse” Rodriguez’ retirement last month. Greenberg has been a prosecutor for the San Diego District Attorney’s Office rising through the ranks for over 32 years. For the last 8 years, he served as Chief Deputy District Attorney overseeing various divisions within the DA’s Office, including Family Protection, Case Issuance, Gangs, Superior Court, Collaborative Courts and Information Technology. [TWEET THIS]

As Assistant DA, Greenberg will serve directly under the elected DA and direct all prosecution, investigative and support operations. He will oversee, with the DA’s administrative team, an agency-wide staff of more than 1,000 employees and a budget of $193 million.

“Dave brings his exceptional leadership and prosecutorial experience, sound judgment and unique expertise in leveraging technology innovations to this critical public safety position as second in command in our office,” said District Attorney Summer Stephan. “I look forward to working alongside Assistant DA Dave Greenberg to fulfill our mission of pursuing a fair and equal justice for all, protection of victims of crime, prosecution of those who harm our neighborhoods and smart crime prevention.”

During his distinguished three decades serving our region, Greenberg handled and tried serious felony cases, including murders with special circumstances and sexual assault cases. He has served in leadership positions within the DA’s Office that have included Chief of the South, East and North County Branches, Central Pretrial and Superior Court. In 2009, he worked as an Assistant San Diego City Attorney in charge of the Criminal Division.

He graduated with a History Degree from UCLA and received his Juris Doctorate from the University of San Diego. [TWEET THIS]

Warning About Cocaine Mixed With Fentanyl

Beware of Scammers Pretending to be from Social Security

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan is warning San Diegans on behalf of the Federal Trade Commission of a scam in which callers targeting the San Diego area are pretending to be from the Social Security Administration in an attempt to obtain social security numbers for financial crimes. Senior citizens are particularly vulnerable to this scam and have been a main target. [TWEET THIS]

There are multiple versions of the rip-off. For example, in some cases the caller may say your social security number has been linked to a crime and has been blocked, but that for a fee it could be reinstated. The caller will then ask you to verify your social security number. Another variation involves the caller saying that your social security number has been used to apply for multiple credit cards, which could cause you to lose your social security benefits. Or the caller may say that your bank account is on the verge of being seized and that you must withdraw all of your cash, which the caller will conveniently tell you he or she can keep safe.

“All of these are scams,” District Attorney Summer Stephan said. “Do not provide your social security number or banking information to any caller, even if the caller ID shows Social Security’s 1-800 number. Instead, hang up and call Social Security to verify. Unfortunately, scammers use technology to make any number they want appear on a caller ID.” [TWEET THIS]

The Social Security Administration’s phone number is 1-800-772-1213.

Assistant DA Jesus Rodriguez to Retire, Recognized for Outstanding Leadership

Assistant DA to Retire

Assistant District Attorney Jesus “Jesse” Rodriguez, 67, who has been the second in command at the DA’s Office for nearly 16 years, will be retiring at the end of December. Rodriguez was recognized today by the County Board of Supervisors with a formal proclamation, presented by Supervisor Greg Cox, for his numerous and outstanding contributions to the County of San Diego.

Rodriguez became the first Hispanic Assistant District Attorney in the County of San Diego when he was appointed by former District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis in January 2003.  As Assistant District Attorney, he serves directly under the elected DA and directs all prosecution, investigative and support operations. Rodriguez oversees, with the DA’s administrative team, an agency-wide staff of more than 1,000 employees and a budget of $193 million. Rodriguez has been responsible for the development of numerous county-wide crime prevention strategies, innovative prosecution programs, and a victim services unit that serves some 15-thousand crime victims each year.

“The Honorable Jesse Rodriguez has devoted his life to public service and has been an icon in the legal profession,” said District Attorney Summer Stephan. “His exceptional contributions to criminal justice span more than 41 years of service as a Deputy Attorney General, a Superior Court Judge and the Assistant District Attorney. As an immigrant and as the first Hispanic to hold this high public safety office, Jesse has served as a role model and a beacon of inspiration when it comes to the values of diversity and inclusion.  I join the residents of San Diego County in expressing our gratitude to ADA Rodriguez, who is both an exceptional professional and human being.”

Before joining the San Diego District Attorney’s Office, Rodriguez was the Supervising Judge of both the San Diego Superior Court South County and Central Criminal Divisions for 13 years and also served as a Municipal Court Judge.  Prior to becoming a judge, he was an attorney in the Criminal Division of the California Attorney General’s Office in San Diego.

Rodriguez was born in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, and became a United States citizen at the age of 14. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of San Diego and received his Juris Doctorate from the University of  San Diego School of Law.

Rodriguez has also devoted his time as a member of various organizations, including the San Diego and California Judges Associations has served on the Board of Directors for the National Center for State Courts and the Advisory Board to Casa de Milagros, a recovery home for Hispanic women with alcohol problems.  He is a current member of the California District Attorneys Association.

Assistant District Attorney Jesus Rodriguez’ last day in office will be on December 28, 2018.

Deputy DAs and Investigator Honored for Extraordinary Work

Deputy DAs and Investigator Honored for Extraordinary Work

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors honored five prosecutors and an investigator from the District Attorney’s Office with proclamations recognizing their outstanding contributions to public safety over the past year. The awards were presented at Wednesday’s board meeting. The prosecutors were selected for the awards by the San Diego Deputy District Attorneys Association after being nominated by their peers for their extraordinary work. [TWEET THIS]

“I’m honored to work with and lead such outstanding Deputy District Attorneys and investigators who deliver justice every day on behalf of crime victims in San Diego County,” DA Summer Stephan said. “They truly represent the dedication and quality of our entire prosecutorial team.”

The Board of Supervisors honored the following DA employees:

Deputy District Attorney Stewart David Bost

David Bost, who has worked as a gang prosecutor for almost his entire career, prosecuted two gang members over the course of four murder trials in front of five juries. For more than 23 years, he pursued justice for the 1995 unsolved gang-related murder of 18-year-old Crystal Odom. The gang members’ target was Ms. Odom’s gang-affiliated boyfriend, Curtis Harvey. After three trials and almost 23 years after Skyline gang members shot and killed Ms. Odom, the jury convicted the killer of murder. In another murder case, gang member Christina Daniels attacked and stabbed Jasmine Ruiz to death inside of a car. After stabbing her, Daniels ran Ruiz over and left her pinned under the car where she bled to death. A jury convicted Daniels of murder.

Deputy District Attorney Makenzie Harvey

Makenzie Harvey has tried nearly 50 felony jury trials during her tenure in the Superior Court Division of the District Attorney’s Office, including eight homicides. As a team leader, she has mentored many young prosecutors. In addition to her team leader assignment, Harvey is the crime lab liaison to law enforcement agencies. Most recently, she tried a homicide case in which a recently-retired school teacher was murdered by her son. The defendant stabbed his mother multiple times and used a Taser gun during the attack. He was convicted of first-degree murder.

Deputy District Attorney Marnie Layon

Marnie Layon, a prosecutor in the Family Protection Division, handles some of the most difficult cases in the DA’s Office. In the last year, she successfully prosecuted several tragic cases that highlight her extraordinary skills. The cases involved murder, rape, domestic violence and child sexual abuse. She is the epitome of the professional, career prosecutor.

District Attorney Jalyn Wang

Jalyn Wang’s work in the last year has been extraordinary. One of her cases included a murder in which the defendant beat his cellmate to death. The case had significant legal issues, including a mental health-related defense. Wang’s cases also involve a series of home invasion robberies and residential burglaries. A true testament to her dedication to the victims in her cases is demonstrated by the cards, flowers, and expressions of gratitude she receives.

Deputy District Attorney Claudia Plascencia

In just six years, Claudia Plascencia has distinguished herself as an outstanding prosecutor. A perfect example includes her prosecution of Salvador Sanchez in the case known as the Snapchat Murder. Her preparation and passion for her work resulted in a first-degree murder conviction and a sanity verdict. This case presented difficult and complex legal issues that forced her to get into the mind of the killer to make sense of the senseless for the jury. She presented a clear, concise, well-organized case that enabled the jury to quickly reject the defense contentions in both phases of the trial.

District Attorney Investigator Richard Anderson

Richard Anderson was a police officer, gang detective, and sergeant for the Oceanside Police Department for 30 years. He brought his extraordinary skills to the DA’s Office, where for seven years he has been assigned to the Gangs Division in North County. Anderson was instrumental in investigating the case of three gang members who killed a man in Fallbrook who was walking home in 2016. During last year’s trial, he ensured that reluctant witnesses came to court and closed any gaps in the case that came up. In another case involving 15-year-old Annabelle Flores, who was killed by gang members while playing on a structure at an Oceanside park, Anderson tracked down difficult witnesses and got them to court for the jury trial. The victim’s family was distrustful of law enforcement and even though they were reluctant to cooperate, Anderson ultimately gained their trust. They remembered how he treated them with respect and kindness when he arrested their own family members. Because of that trust, Anderson worked with the family to generate leads that helped solve the case.

Anderson was then assigned to Economic Crimes Division where he went straight to work in a complex embezzlement case. He interrupted his own vacation to obtain evidence that greatly strengthened the case. Anderson truly embodies excellence and commitment. [TWEET THIS]

Target to Pay $7.4 Million for Environmental Violations

Target to Pay $7.4 Million for Environmental Violations

The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, along with 21 other California District Attorneys, the California Attorney General and the City Attorneys in San Diego and Los Angeles today announced a $7.4 million statewide settlement, including enhanced environmental compliance measures and injunctive terms, with Minnesota-based Target Corporation (Target). The settlement resolves allegations that Target violated state laws and injunctive terms from a 2011 stipulated judgment regarding the company’s handling and disposal of retail hazardous waste. [TWEET THIS]

“This settlement holds Target accountable for this second violation of environmental laws that involve the improper disposal of a long list of hazardous materials,” said District Attorney Summer Stephan. “This case serves as a reminder to corporations of the importance of environmental protection laws that safeguard the public’s health and that violators will be held accountable.” [TWEET THIS]

The current settlement comes as a result of investigations of Target’s conduct alleging that between 2012 and 2016 the company committed violations by improperly disposing hazardous waste into landfills across California and here in San Diego County. The waste included items such as electronics, batteries, aerosol cans, compact fluorescent light bulbs, and medical waste including syringes, over-the-counter and prescribed pharmaceuticals, as well as confidential medical information from its customers.

“We are confident that with these strong injunctive terms and penalties, Target will implement meaningful changes to prevent this from ever happening again,” said Attorney General Becerra. “However, the wise move for all companies is to abide by the law and employ proactive training and processes to help ensure that hazardous waste violations are avoided in the first place.”

This is the second settlement resolving allegations of Target’s hazardous waste compliance violations. In March 2009, the California Department of Justice and several local prosecutors filed a complaint against Target alleging that it violated state statutes and regulations governing the handling and disposal of hazardous waste. As part of the final settlement in 2011, Target agreed to pay $22.5 million for penalties, attorneys’ fees, and funding for supplemental environmental projects, and to comply with injunctive terms. These included annual compliance audits by an independent contractor and terms forbidding Target from disposing or causing the disposal of hazardous waste from any Target facility to any unauthorized location, landfill, or transfer station.

Throughout 2012 and 2014, representatives of district attorneys’ offices along with local regulatory agencies inspected Target’s trash compactors, finding many instances of additional violations. The prosecutors alleged that during that time, Target unlawfully disposed of a total of 2,038 items of hazardous waste, 175 items of confidential medical information of customers, and 94 items of medical waste. After notifying Target of the violations found, the People entered into an agreement with the company to revise the judgement entered as part of the 2011 settlement to resolve the violations detected by the prosecutors’ post-judgement investigation. [TWEET THIS]

The revised final judgement terms approved by the Alameda County Superior Court include:

  • $3.2 million in civil penalties;
  • $300,000 for funding of Supplemental Environmental Projects undertaken by entities other than Target, including $50,000 to conduct education classes and programs for owners and operators of small businesses located in low income and minority areas in California;
  • Additional requirements that Target expend at least $3 million to conduct three annual inspections and audits of 12 facilities, and provide reports to the Attorney General and local prosecutors, and create and implement a customer trash receptacle inspection and management program; and
  • $900,000 for attorneys’ fees, and costs of investigation and enforcement.

The San Diego County District Attorney’s office will receive $300,000 in civil penalties and $43,330 in enforcement costs. Joining the DA’s Office in filing this settlement are the Counties of Alameda, Butte, Contra Costa, Fresno, Humboldt, Kings, Los Angeles, Merced, Monterey, Orange, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, Stanislaus, Tulare, Ventura, and Yolo; and the Cities of Los Angeles and San Diego.

The San Diego County District Attorney’s Environmental Protection Unit is part of the DA’s Economic Crimes Division which is responsible for prosecuting a wide variety of wrongdoing, including computer intrusion, identity theft, investment scams, embezzlements, real estate matters, counterfeit goods, environmental crimes and the theft of public assistance funds. The division also acts to protect consumers and businesses by successfully filing numerous civil cases to prohibit unfair business practices within the marketplace. [TWEET THIS]

DA Investigators Join Shop With a Cop

This past Saturday, 10 investigators from the District Attorney’s Bureau on Investigations participated in the annual Shop With A Cop program.

At 6:45 am the investigators paired up with the children, who are selected by their schools, as they arrived at SeaWorld. The children were treated to a special breakfast which included hot cocoa with marshmallows.

After breakfast the children had their own private dolphin show before making their way back to the police cars that took them with lights and sirens to a Target store.

While at Target, the children had $150 to spend on themselves and family.  All of the children that were with the DA Investigators made sure to shop for family members.

Supervising Investigator Chris Raagas has been participating in the annual event since 2002.

“My favorite part is shopping with the child at Target and having them get gifts for their parents and siblings,” he said.

Members from the Bureau participated in several charitable events throughout the year to help fund this great holiday event.

Office Manager Convicted of 51 Felony Counts in Massive Patient Referral Scam

Office Manager Convicted in Massive Patient Referral Scam

A jury has convicted Gonzalo Paredes, 62, of 51 felony counts of paying illegal kickbacks to a doctor for patient referrals and fraudulently billing workers’ compensation insurance companies in the California workers’ compensation system. The jury reached their verdict on Thursday, November 29, after a nine-day trial. [TWEET THIS]

This prosecution resulted from Operation Backlash, a large-scale, joint federal and state investigation into multi-million dollar fraud and illegal kickbacks in the state workers’ compensation system. Paredes was the office administrator for Advanced Radiology of Beverly Hills, owned by radiologist Dr. Ronald Grusd. Earlier this year, the U.S. Attorney’s office convicted Grusd on 39 felony fraud counts for paying kickbacks for patient referrals from multiple clinics in San Diego and Imperial counties, resulting in fraudulent bills to insurance companies of over $22 million for medical services. Grusd was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison.

The scheme in San Diego involved Advanced Radiology paying a local chiropractor money in exchange for the referral of patients. This allowed Advanced Radiology to treat the patients and then bill several million dollars to insurance companies. As the office administrator for Advanced Radiology, Paredes helped negotiate the kickback deals with the chiropractor and facilitated the kickback payments to the chiropractor and those working with him.

“When law enforcement became aware of the scam, we began following the trail of dirty money and it took us in many different directions,” DA Summer Stephan said. “This criminal network bought and sold patients like cattle and they cashed in on the backs of people who trusted them with their health. They conspired to illegally game the system on a level that we’ve not seen before, but the game is over.” [TWEET THIS]

The District Attorney’s Office partnered with the FBI, California Department of Insurance, and U.S. Attorney’s Office in the investigation and prosecution of Paredes.

“Crimes like these contribute to higher insurance premiums for California consumers,” said Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones. “Paredes was part of a conspiracy with providers who built a complex system of paying money to get patients. Thanks to the hard work of investigators at the FBI, Department of Insurance and the San Diego District Attorney’s office he has been brought to justice.”

“When it comes to their health, the American people demand nothing less than honest services from their medical providers,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge John Brown. “Operation Backlash has proven that there are those in our communities who would trade patients for money. Working hand-in-hand with the District Attorney’s Office, the United States Attorney’s Office and the Department of Insurance, the FBI remains committed to bringing those who compromise our medical system with greed and callousness to justice.”

Paredes faces a maximum of 43 years and four months in state prison. His sentencing is set for February 1 in Department 1803 of the San Diego Superior Court downtown. Insurance fraud in California is a $15 billion-a-year problem. It’s the second-largest economic crime in America, exceeded only by tax evasion. The San Diego County District Attorney’s Insurance Fraud Division addresses this problem by dedicating specialists to handle complex insurance fraud prosecutions.   [TWEET THIS]

Deputy DA Honored with Legal Trailblazer Award

Deputy District Attorney Sherry Thompson-Taylor was honored on Saturday at the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Foundation’s 42nd Annual Scholarship and Awards Gala Dinner with a Legal Trailblazer Award for demonstrating a significant commitment to serving the legal profession via excellence in practice, legal education, and mentoring and community service. [TWEET THIS]

“Deputy DA Sherry Thompson-Taylor serves as Chief of one of our largest divisions, focused on worker rights, wage theft and insurance fraud,” District Attorney Summer Stephan said. “She is a powerful role model and strong leader in our office when it comes to programs pertaining to professional development, diversity and inclusion. She has opened doors for others to follow – especially women attorneys and attorneys of color. I am so proud to have Sherry on our management team and of all the work she does to help build safe and equitable communities.”

Thompson-Taylor is the Chief of the Insurance Fraud Division at the District Attorney’s Office, where she manages a team of 60 employees. Over the course of her 22-year career, she has served in other leadership positions and divisions within the DA’s Office and has prosecuted serious cases such as homicides, robberies, and cases involving sexually violent predators.

Thompson-Taylor has invested countless volunteer hours in the community and served in multiple leadership positions including President of Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association, she is the past chair of the San Diego County Bar Association’s Criminal Law Section, and Co-Chair of Lawyers Club’s Professional Advancement Committee. In the community, Sherry volunteered for numerous events over the years including the Women’s Resource Fair. In addition, she currently serves as a Girl Scout Troop Co-Leader.[TWEET THIS]

The Earl B. Gilliam Bar Foundation is a charitable organization that represents the interests of the African-American legal community in San Diego County. The foundation provides support for diversifying the legal community, including providing scholarships for law students and support for law students and African-American legal professionals.

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