FBI agents raided the offices of state Sen. Ron Calderon, D-Montebello, and the Latino Caucus, combing through documents for hours as part of a corruption probe centered in Los Angeles.
From Patrick McGreevy, Anthony York and Richard Winton: "FBI agents searched offices in the Capitol on Tuesday — the first such raid in 25 years — serving warrants and carting away evidence in what law enforcement officials said was a corruption probe that began in Los Angeles County."
"{As the agents combed the offices of state Sen. Ron Calderon (D-Montebello) and the Latino Legislative Caucus into the evening, a federal law enforcement source said Calderon, a member of the caucus, was "the focus of the investigation." Authorities would not say what they were seeking or disclose the nature of the investigation."
"FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said only that a court order prevented any further public disclosure about the matter and the agency was "taking evidence respective to an ongoing investigation."
The reason for the raid was not disclosed, but it may have been linked to a probe of a water agency in L.A.
From the LAT's Patrick McGreevy: "Officials at the FBI would not say why they raided the offices of Sen. Ron Calderon (D-Montebello) and the Latino Legislative Caucus at the Capitol on Tuesday, but prior to the raid they interviewed at least one official in Los Angeles about contracts at an agency with links to Calderon and one of his brothers."
"A company official who bid on work at the Central Basin Municipal Water District in Los Angeles County said Tuesday that he has been interviewed twice by FBI agents since March about the agency's contracting practices. Central Basin has paid up to $140,000 a year on a consultant contract with Tom Calderon, the senator’s brother and a former state lawmaker himself."
"In addition, Ron Calderon has authored legislation on behalf of Central Basin in the past. Michael J. Franchek, a vice president at EcoGreen Services, said Tuesday that the FBI agents wanted to hear about his complaints and allegations that favoritism has been involved in contract awards, including the one that went to Tom Calderon."
Meanwhile, Calderon's lawyer questioned the tactics of the federal agents, who he said were deliberately targeting his client.
From the AP's Don Thompson and Tom Verdin: "I have a sense that they're on a witch hunt," Geragos said in a telephone interview. "My client refused to read their script and so this is what resulted....My client has done absolutely nothing wrong."
"He said he does not know what the FBI is investigating or if others also are targets of the investigation."
"He contended the Justice Department is targeting his client, a Democrat, as "a bait and switch" to mute congressional Republicans' outcry over recent disclosures, including that the department obtained telephone records from AP reporters and editors and private emails from a Fox News correspondent."
There's always talk in California about water, but how about water infrastructure? It turns out the Golden State is at the top of the EPA's must-repair list.
From the LAT's Bettina Boxall: "California could use $44.5 billion to fix aging water systems over the next two decades, according to a federal survey that placed the state at the top of a national list of water infrastructure needs."
"Texas, at nearly $34 billion, and New York, with about $22 billion, were next in line."
"The assessment, conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2011 and released Tuesday, is used to document the capital investment needs of public drinking water systems across the country. The EPA relies on the results to allocate grants through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund."
The Capitol is a hub for demonstrations, and Tuesday was no exception, when health-care interest groups joined to rally against potential Medi-Cal cuts.
From the Bee's Annalise Mantz: "Thousands of doctors, nurses, unionized health care workers and Medi-Cal patients flocked to the Capitol on Tuesday to protest possible cuts to the Medi-Cal program."
"Gov. Jerry Brown's proposed budget calls for a 10 percent reduction in payment to Medi-Cal providers, a move that opponents say would reduce the poorest patients' access to healthcare. He has shown no signs of backing down from the proposed cut."
"The "We Care for California" Coalition, which includeshealth care providers, insurance firms and associations representing doctors and hospitals, organized more than 100 buses to bring protesters from across California to the rally."
Finally, from our "On the Beach" file comes the tale of elephants on the sand at Del Mar.
"The sight of two Asian elephants doing headstands in the sand on Del Mar’s Dog Beach early Tuesday morning may have had passing drivers wondering if they were awake or still dreaming."
"The pre-dawn pachyderm adventure was organized by Gary and Kari Johnson, who have hosted elephant rides for more than 20 years at the San Diego County Fair, which opens its 2013 run Saturday at the Del Mar Fairgrounds."
"The Johnsons arranged the beach meet-up — which attracted friends, fans, and many curious passers-by — to promote a fundraiser they’re planning at the fair this summer. The couple hopes to raise $5,000 for the International Elephant Foundation, which supports more than 100 research, conservation and captive breeding programs."
"The elephant rides, as well as the Johnsons’ Perris-based company Have Trunk Will Travel, have long been the target of PETA and L.A.-based Animal Defenders International. The two groups want to ban the use of elephants in zoos, circuses, fairs and films."