Southland Shorts
— Two dozen Los Angeles County employees are facing felony grand theft for fraudulently claiming unemployment benefits while allegedly working full-time between 2020 and 2023. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office says the fraud occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic and amounts to $741,518.
“My office will continue relentlessly rooting out fraud and prosecuting government employees who steal from the public they serve,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said in a news release. “While the vast majority of Los Angeles County employees ethically fulfill their duties and are dedicated to public service, there are some who exploit the system and betray the public’s trust. My message to fraudsters is unequivocal: If you steal from taxpayers, you will be prosecuted.”
Los Angeles County reportedly reimbursed the state for the alleged fraudulent benefits.
— A new online portal launched this week to assist Californians with reporting misconduct by federal agents. Over the past few months, there have been numerous complaints about ICE agents acting improperly or even breaking the law. Two top state officials, Attorney General Rob Bonta and Governor Gavin Newsom, announced the online portal last Tuesday.
“The Trump Administration is engaging in a campaign of terror and fear that has left some California communities scared to go about their daily lives. From unmarked military-style vehicles to detainments that more closely resemble kidnappings, Californians are rightly concerned that federal agents may be crossing the line and abusing their authority. The President’s actions these past 10 months only lend support to this conclusion,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta in a news release. “Let me be clear: Federal agents can enforce federal laws, and no one should interfere with them doing their job. But federal agents must also do so lawfully and in compliance with the Constitution. If you believe a federal agent is acting unlawfully, you can report it to my office at oag.ca.gov/ReportMisconduct.”
— Burbank Police are investigating a burglary at the LA Sports Cards Shop on Olive Avenue. The crime went down early Tuesday morning, December 2, and news reports say the culprits got away with more than $100,000 in merchandise. The owner, Kiet Nguyen, told ABC 7 the burglars stole mostly Pokémon products. Nguyen reportedly said of the thieves, “They went for the easy-to-move stuff, it seems like.”
