Kinde Durkee, who for years was the Democrats' top campaign accountant in California, received an eight-year federal prison term and was ordered to pay $10.5 million in restitution to the politicians whose accounts she looted.
From the LAT's Patrick McGreevy: "U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller ordered that Durkee, a former go-to treasurer for Democrats, serve her time in federal custody in a facility that can provide her with mental health services. Mueller said Durkee lacked the ability to control impulses, which led to criminal activity."
"The judge called Durkee's crime a "significant and egregious offense" and a "deep violation of trust" that hurt not only her clients but also the democratic process."
"Durkee pleaded guilty in March to five counts of mail fraud, admitting the theft of $7 million from more than 50 people, including U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), from whom she stole $4.6 million, and Democratic Reps. Laura Richardson of Long Beach, Loretta Sanchez of Garden Grove and Susan A. Davis of San Diego."
The state Supreme Court declined to hear the City of Costa Mesa's appeal in a case involving the city's efforts to privatize and outsource government services, efforts opposed by the Orange County Employees Association. The high court's move could have an impact on other towns' attempts to privatize.
From the OC Register's Mike Reicher: "That denial could have widespread effects in other California cities. As they seek to privatize services like street sweeping to save costs, some municipalities may be blocked by this appeals court ruling, some legal experts have said. The appellate decision essentially prohibits the majority of cities from privatizing except for certain "specialized services" such as legal or financial functions..."
"OCEA represents about 200 Costa Mesa employees, many of whom were threatened by possible layoffs in 2011. The Costa Mesa City Employees Association, affiliated with OCEA, sued the city, and county Superior Court Judge Tam Nomoto Schumann issued a preliminary injunction blocking privatizing or any associated layoffs."
"The Fourth District Court of Appeals rejected a city appeal in August and its opinion became case law. The League of California Cities and the Association of California Cities Orange County requested that the state Supreme Court "unpublish" that decision, so it would not stand as law."
Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, the conservative Republican from San Bernardino County who got caught with a loaded gun at Ontario airport a while back, is exploring a run for governor in 2014.
From the Press Enterprise's Jim Miller: "Donnelly, one of the Legislature’s most conservative members and an ardent opponent of illegal immigration, represents a district that extends from Barstow to the outskirts of San Bernardino."
"Donnelly has strong support in the conservative grass-roots movement. But a Donnelly run for governor would have Republican leaders reaching for the antacid as they try to improve the party’s relationship with Latino voters and find a viable candidate to take on Brown or, if he decides not to run, another Democrat in two years."
"And this month’s election results suggest that Donnelly’s brand of Minuteman politics may be unpopular even in seemingly friendly territory."
Gallup, the best-known polling firm in the world, has had a tough year: Its results this election cycle came under fire from other pollsters, including the NYT's Nate Silver, and now it faces allegations in a lawsuit that it padded bills to the federal government.
From Sari Horwitz in the Washington Post: "The 57-page civil complaint says that Gallup, the world’s best-known polling organization, inflated estimates for the number of hours that it would take to perform its polling services for the Treasury and State departments. The Justice Department accused Gallup of submitting false invoices totaling $13 million."
"Federal officials also accused Gallup of negotiating to hire a federal employee who was responsible for Gallup’s contract at the Federal Emergency Management Agency while it was trying to get more funding from FEMA."
“As a result of Gallup’s false and/or fraudulent representations and conduct . . . the government was falsely and/or fraudulently induced to enter into and accept terms and conditions on contracts . . . to which it would not have agreed had it known the truth,” Stuart F. Delery, principal deputy assistant attorney general, said in the suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Washington."
Speaking of lawsuits, that refinery fire in Richmond is providing an ample target for unhappy residents, who are hooking up with law firms.
From the Contra Costa Times' Robert Rogers: "Two law firms announced Tuesday they have signed on 4,800 plaintiffs to a new lawsuit alleging that Chevron's Richmond refinery was negligent in maintenance practices and lax in alerting the community to an Aug. 6 fire at a refinery crude unit."
"The suit expands on the legal action filed by Oakland-based attorney John Burris less than two weeks after the blaze, which sent black smoke wafting over the East Bay and sent thousands to area hospitals seeking treatment. The plaintiffs, who range from infants to the elderly, suffered a wide range of health issues, including serious respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms since the fire, according to the lawsuit."
"The plaintiffs are represented by Tony Buzbee and Kyle Beckley of The Buzbee Law Firm, of Houston, Texas, and Burris and Adante Pointer, of the Law Offices of John L. Burris."
