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Ex-CIA Edward Snowden is source of leaked NSA reports

Posted on June 10, 2013 by Caroline Anderson - Senior Support Specialist

29-year-old Edward Snowden, a former technical assistant for the Central Intelligence Agency, provided information to journalists about the secret U.S. electronic surveillance program.

He revealed his identity voluntarily in a video interview on the U.K. Guardian‘s website. Snowden is currently residing in a hotel in Hong Kong. It remains to be seen whether or not he will be sent back to the U.S. Though Hong Kong and the U.S. have an extradition treaty, which states that each will surrender people wanted for prosecution or imposition of a sentence, it may be up to China whether or not that treaty is honored in that case. Since China has sovereignty over Hong Kong, they have the power to refuse the transfer if it relates to their defense and foreign affairs. Even if the extradition happens, it could take months or years to go through all the necessary legal processes. It is incomprehensible that basic Constitutional guarantees and elementary civil rights are being violated on an unheard of and unrestricted basis in the name of curbing terrorism.

Auto theft sting operation results in 64 arrests

Posted on June 7, 2013 by Caroline Anderson - Senior Support Specialist

After eight months of investigation, 64 people were arrested on Tuesday in connection with a network of North County auto theft rings.

“Operation Perfect Storm” had undercover detectives begin to infiltrate multiple unrelated operations starting in August, California Highway Patrol Commander Scott Parker said. The officers then proceeded to set up a storefront to buy stolen property.

92 stolen vehicles were seized during the operation, as well as 10,000 rounds of ammunition, nine guns, and drugs. Some stolen military gear was also recovered.

The 64 defendants were accused in 30 separate cases back in May, with over 90 witnesses testifying in front of the grand jury. Over 50 arrests were made this past Tuesday, with 14 people remaining at large. Among those arrested were seven Marines and a sailor.

Encinitas dentist & wife accused of stealing $260,000 from patients

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Caroline Anderson - Senior Support Specialist

Dr. Edward Bodek has been a dentist for almost 30 years. His wife, Mary Bodek, worked as his office manager at this dental office in Encinitas.

Prosecutors have charged the couple with using patient credit cards to rack up more than $260,000 in fraudulent charges.

“The patients are very loyal to Dr. Bodek,” said Deputy District Attorney Anna Winn. “They love Dr. Bodek and trust him. They’ve been his patients for years and they are elderly people who have complete faith in him.”

George Ravazzolo said he was a patient of Dr. Bodek for some 20 years.

“He was good. He was easy to deal with. He was very kind,” said Ravazzolo.

“I was very proud of him for being the kind of person who would go to assisted living centers and nursing homes, take care of the older people and it turned out he took advantage of them,” Ravazzolo told News 8 during an interview in his Carlsbad home.

In August, Ravazzolo went to Dr. Bodek for a $67 teeth cleaning and ended up with $8,000 in unauthorized charges on his credit card, he said.

“I’m so disappointed in him as a person for doing this, and I can’t understand why,” said Ravazzolo.

When federal agents served search warrants on the dental office and on the Bodeks’ apartment in Carlsbad, they found stacks of boxes and shopping bags, according to court records.

Agents also discovered 30 different storage units rented by the Bodeks, which were full of women’s clothing, high end handbags, and fur coats with the price tags still on them, the records show.

“When I heard he had 30 storage unit filled with this, all I could think of was hoarding. He’s a hoarder and he couldn’t help himself,” said Ravazzolo.

Dr. Bodek and his wife are now facing 45 felony counts involving 22 patients and more than 100 fraudulent credit card transactions. They could get up to 21 years in prison if convicted.

“I don’t know how he’s going to take it. I don’t think he good prison material at all,” said Ravazzolo.

Ravazzolo ended up getting his $8,000 back from his credit card company but other alleged victims were not so lucky.

Dr. Bodek and his wife remain in jail after the judge set bail at $1.5 million each.

Deputy Arrested for Allegedly Soliciting Prostitutes

Posted on March 14, 2013 by Caroline Anderson - Senior Support Specialist

An undercover prostitution sting has led to the arrest of a San Diego sheriff’s deputy. The deputy, a helicopter pilot, faces one count of soliciting prostitution. As a result of the arrest the officer has had his badge and gun revoked and he has been placed on paid administrative assignment pending the outcome of his case. According to the report, the deputy has been with the department since 1991.

Friend: Murdered woman texted ‘help’ after leaving with Marine

Posted on March 12, 2013 by Caroline Anderson - Senior Support Specialist

The preliminary hearing for the Marine sergeant accused in the murder of his wife has started. The woman’s body was discovered near a lake last year. According to a friend of the victim, the woman texted the word “help” shortly after leaving on a dinner cruise with the suspect.

During the testimony, the friend said the victim was reluctant to go on the cruise with her estranged husband, but decided to go with him after his pregnant girlfriend assured her it was fine. The girlfriend claimed that she could not accompany him due to her pregnancy. She is also a suspect in the woman’s murder case.

Discrepancies in the suspect’s narrative about what happened to the victim during their outing led the friend to report the woman as missing. Further investigation led to the discovery of BDSM paraphernalia in the suspect’s home. Authorities allege the victim was forced to participate in sexual behavior prior to being killed.

Methamphetamine is a growing problem throughout San Diego

Posted on March 8, 2013 by Caroline Anderson - Senior Support Specialist

Methamphetamine drug use and distribution are some of the most prevent drug crimes in San Diego. According to this news report, methamphetamine killed an estimated 174 people in this Southern California city in the year 2012.“It’s prevalent and I don’t know if people know how much it is,” said the founder of a rehab facility for teen and adult addicts.
In the 90s, San Diego became known as the meth capital of the world because of an increase in labs that emerged throughout the city. Methamphetamine drug use and problems in San Diego did not end there. Today, meth is considered to be the number 1 reason why people seek rehabilitation.

Prison for former USD player

Posted on March 1, 2013 by Caroline Anderson - Senior Support Specialist

University of San Diego’s former basketball star, Brandon Johnson, was sentenced to 6 months in federal prison today. The 26-year-old admitted to his participation in a game-fixing scheme, which involved an illegal sport gambling operation and marijuana distribution. According to the report three other defendants, who are considered “primary defendants”, are awaiting sentencing.

Johnson pleaded guilty to unsuccessfully soliciting another university player, but he did so without a formal plea agreement. According to the report, prosecutors expressed Johnson as a willing accomplice and as showing little remorse.

Manhunt On for Ex-Officer Accused of Police Vendetta

Posted on February 8, 2013 by Caroline Anderson - Senior Support Specialist

COMMENTARY BY ATTORNEY SAM SPITAL, SAN DIEGO CRIMINAL DEFENSE:

“The New York Times reported on February 8, 2013 that a former member of the armed forces and Navy reservist went on a rampage against police officers and their families, killing at least three individuals. The 33 year old suspect, who was identified as Christopher J. Dorner, was in 2008 fired from the Los Angeles Police Department. This murderous vendetta set off a search throughout many cities in Southern California, including Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside, Torrance and San Diego. In the evening hours yesterday, however, the burned truck owned by the suspect was discovered in flames near Big Bear, a popular summer and ski resort about 100 miles from San Diego.

The story has been covered in nearly all of the daily print and electronic news. In addition, the article noted the former cop posted on Facebook what was described as a rambling 6000 word manifesto threatening more violence due to racism and corruption in the LAPD as he pledged to kill two dozen named police officers to retaliate for his dismissal allegedly as a result of filing a false report accusing a colleague of abuse. He further claimed he sought to clear his name before resorting to violence but was not successful as he struggled with severe depression from the sequence of events.

The sad reality is that these senseless murders could have been avoided. Dorner would likely have benefited from psychiatric care and treatment for his acknowledged depression and been able to control his anger and rage and/or utilize meaningful steps and tools in order to lead a productive life, given his background , knowledge and skills.”

Oakland Museum releases photo of the stolen jewel box (Sam Spital)

Posted on January 18, 2013 by Caroline Anderson - Senior Support Specialist

Commentary by Theft and Burglary Criminal Defense Attorney Sam Spital:

“The Examiner in their digital news on January 17, 2013 reported the Oakland Museum of California released a photo of a priceless gold encrusted jewel box created between around 1870 that was stolen earlier in the month. It was revealed this is the second theft and the police believe the same person may have been involved. Interestingly, the article noted the male suspect was seen on surveillance cameras entering a locked door. The article provides a description of the jewel box, the base and the legs to which it is connected.

The reporter did not provide any further information regarding the police investigation and/or suspect(s), did not report whether DNA was obtained nor whether the surveillance cameras provided a photo of the burglar that would be provided to the media to help identify his name and residence. Since this is the second major theft of historic artifacts, it is likely there is evidence the police may not desire revealing as part of their ongoing investigation.”

–Sam Spital

Doctor charged with battery will keep license; Mott placed on 5-year probation, again (Sam Spital)

Posted on December 10, 2012 by Caroline Anderson - Senior Support Specialist

Commentary by SAM SPITAL, CALIFORNIA ADMINISTRATIVE LAW & CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY:

“The California North Coast Times Standard newspaper on December 10, 2012 reported the Medical Board of California based upon a Stipulated Settlement imposed a revocation stayed and five years’ probation this month as its disciplinary action against Robert Alan Mott, a physician who previously pled guilty to the lesser included offense of Battery (the original criminal offense was Sexual Battery). This means he will continue to practice medicine, however, the medical doctor must have a chaperone when examining &/or treating female patients and he cannot supervise Physician Assistants.

The doctor was first licensed in 1980, was convicted of Driving Under the Influence in 2004 and in an earlier Accusation by the Medical Board was also charged in 2005 with Gross Negligence and Dishonesty in the care and treatment of a patient, and Unprofessional Conduct for a failure to maintain accurate and complete patient records. The earlier case resulted in this physician being placed on five years’ probation as well; hence, the within case is the second time he has been disciplined by the Medical Board of California. See https://bit.ly/VyUNcS

The news account noted the attorney representing the doctor could not be reached for comment, and she reported no statements in mitigation. When disciplinary action is filed against a physician or any licensed professional in California, there is an excellent opportunity to investigate, develop and then present both a defense and offense, along with compelling mitigating facts and circumstances surrounding the life of the individual in general and the case in particular. In this litigation, however, none were described in the Decision by the Medical Board nor in the account by the journalist who wrote this news article.”

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