California officials say unemployment fraud now totals more than $11B
LA Times's PATRICK MCGREEVY: "California officials said Monday they have confirmed that $11.4 billion in unemployment benefits paid during the COVID-19 pandemic involve fraud — about 10% of benefits paid — and another 17% are under investigation.
In addition to the confirmed fraud, the state Employment Development Department has stopped tens of billions of dollars in payments on bogus claims through tougher security measures adopted since last fall, according to state Labor Secretary Julie Su.
“There is no sugarcoating the reality,” Su said during a press conference Monday. “California has not had sufficient security measures in place to prevent this level of fraud, and criminals took advantage of the situation.”"
California eviction ban to be extended through June in deal between Newsom, top Dems
Sac Bee's HANNAH WILEY: "California renters facing COVID-19 financial hardship would be protected from eviction until July a legislative proposal that Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democrats are expected to formally announce Monday.
The extension would be part of the state’s 2021-2022 budget plan. Normally, the Legislature passes a budget in June, but Newsom has asked lawmakers to move faster on several priorities related to the coronavirus pandemic.
The deal arrives days before the current moratorium was set to expire Feb. 1, and culminates weeks of legislative pressure to extend the ban by several months in order to avoid a wave of evictions throughout California."
Newsom's abrupt shift on stay-home order angers legislators across aisle
The Chronicle's DUSTIN GARDINER: "Gov. Gavin Newsom’s abrupt move Monday to lift California’s stay-home order evoked growing criticism from state legislators who said they worry his seesaw decisions on coronavirus health directives seem arbitrary.
Without warning many legislators, Newsom ended the order, effective immediately. He said the move was justified by projections showing intensive care unit capacity improving in coming weeks.
Some Democrats publicly fumed over the move. They said they were struggling to explain the change to constituents, especially those from regions where bed capacity in hospital intensive care units remained at 0%, such as Southern California and the Central Valley."
How Biden's new COVID executive orders compare to what California is already doing
The Chronicle's JESSICA FLORES: "President Biden signed several executive orders last week to help combat COVID-19, including a face mask mandate on federal property and domestic travel rules that will affect people flying into San Francisco International Airport.
Here’s a look at the president’s latest orders and how they compare to what California is already doing to combat the spread of the virus."
California prioritizes age as it adjusts vaccine distribution, Newsom says
Sac Bee's ANDREW SHEELER: "California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday announced that the state plans to shift its COVID-19 vaccination strategy to an age-based approach, aiming to deliver shots quickly to seniors.
Certain essential workers — healthcare workers, farm workers and teachers — also will continue to be able to obtain the vaccine before it is more widely available.
“We believe that the cohort 65 and over needs to be prioritized alongside health care workers, first responders, food and agricultural workers and school staff and teachers,” Newsom said during his press conference."
READ MORE related to Vaccine: 'New weapon' to kill COVID? UCSF-led team finds drug that could be far more effective than remdesivir -- The Chronicle's JASON FAGONED; Here's how long it will take to vaccinate everyone in California against COVID-19 -- Sac Bee's PHILLIP REESE
Newsom's pandemic ban on indoor church services upheld by federal court
The Chronicle's BOB EGELKO: "A federal appeals court says Gov. Gavin Newsom’s ban on indoor worship services in virtually all of California does not discriminate against religion and is justified by the need to stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
Newsom went too far in numerical limits on indoor services in a few smaller counties with lower rates of the virus and more space available in hospital emergency rooms, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco said Friday. But the court said the state’s evidence showed that indoor worship services, with large groups gathered together for extended periods that include singing and chanting, pose risks that warrant a near-statewide ban to protect the public during serious outbreaks of coronavirus infections.
“It is difficult to see how allowing more people to congregate indoors will do anything other than lead to more cases, more deaths, and more strains on California’s already overburdened health-care system,” Judge Kim Wardlaw said in the 3-0 ruling."
California's huge unemployment claim backlog is back
Sac Bee's DAVID LIGHTMAN: "The big unemployment claims backlog has returned.
The numbers reflecting long delays for people seeking unemployment benefits have exploded this month.
As of Wednesday, the latest data available, 916,531 claims were listed in the state’s backlog, meaning it’s taking more than 21 days to issue a first payment or disqualification."
Englander sentenced to 14 months in prison in LA City Hall corruption case
LA Times's MICHAEL FINNEGAN/DAVID ZAHNISER: "Former Los Angeles City Councilman Mitchell Englander was sentenced Monday to 14 months in prison for lying to federal authorities about his dealings with a businessman who provided him $15,000 in secret cash payments and a debauched night in Las Vegas.
U.S. District Judge John F. Walter said arrogance and greed drove Englander to “brazenly” cover up his misconduct for more than a year. He rejected Englander’s explanation that he’d simply been trying to protect his reputation, saying the former councilman tampered with a witness and obstructed a federal investigation.
“There’s simply no adequate explanation as to how he totally lost his moral compass and committed this crime,” Walter said at a hearing on Zoom. He imposed a $15,000 fine — the amount contained in the envelopes Englander accepted in casino restrooms."
Former PG&E employee gets 22-month prison sentence for accepting kickbacks
The Chronicle's J.D. MORRIS: "A former Pacific Gas and Electric Co. worker was sentenced to 22 months in prison Monday for his admitted role in a scheme that steered tens of millions of dollars in business to his cousin’s company, federal prosecutors said.
Ronald Schoenfeld, 65, conspired to secure PG&E contracts for his cousin’s Stockton transportation company in exchange for about 2.5% of the contracts’ value, according to the office of U.S. Attorney McGregor Scott. PG&E paid at least $82.1 million to the Stockton business and Schoenfeld received more than $1.4 million from March 2007 through February 2015, the attorney’s office aid in a news release.
Schoenfeld, an Arizona resident who used to live in Dublin, was ordered to pay PG&E restitution equivalent to the amount he received in kickbacks. He pleaded guilty in August."
Hail falls in Pasadena as cold spell grips Southland
LA Times's MATTHEW ORMSETH: "Hail fell on Pasadena and other foothill communities Monday evening, carried by the winter storms that swept over much of Southern California, dusting mountaintops with snow and bringing traffic to a standstill on several passes.
The National Weather Service predicted that the area around Mt. Wilson could see up to half an inch of snow beginning Monday afternoon and continuing through the night. The NWS forecast temperatures ranging between 25 and 37 degrees in the area Monday, rising slightly Tuesday to a high of 41 and a low of 30.
In the wider Los Angeles area, expect winds, showers and possibly hail through Tuesday morning, the NWS said. The weather service warned of heavy rains Wednesday through Friday, potentially bringing enough water to flood roadways and cause debris flow or rockslides in areas recently scorched by wildfires."
READ MORE related to Air/Climate/Environment: San Mateo County warns coastal residents to prepare for evacuation in case of mudslides -- The Chronicle's NORA MISHANEC;
NorCal sheriff's office defends posting death of COVID vaccine recipient
Sac Bee's MICHAEL MCGOUGH/TONY BIZJAK: "California state health leaders on Monday said they have joined a review of the unusual death last week of a person in Placer County shortly after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, describing the case as “complex,” but saying they have not determined if there is link between the vaccine and the death.
“We are working closely with the coroner to determine the details around the death,” state health official Dr. Mark Ghaly said during a Monday press briefing on COVID-19 issues. He called the case complex and “worth further investigation,” but declined to offer further details.
Ghaly sought to assure residents that the vaccines currently in use have been vetted and are generally safe."
READ MORE related to Police/Prisons/Protests/Public Safety: Sac County considers new Main Jail addition to fix 'dangerous, inhumane' facility -- Sac Bee's MICHAEL FINCH II; LA officials say they're working to make 2020 vioplence an 'anomaly,' but relief remains elusive -- LA Times's KEVIN RECTOR
Janet Yellen wins Senate approval as Treasury secretary
AP: "The Senate on Monday approved President Biden’s nomination of Janet Yellen to be the nation’s 78th Treasury secretary, making her the first woman to hold the job in the department’s 232-year history.
Yellen, a former chair of the Federal Reserve, was approved by the Senate on a 84-15 vote, becoming the third member of Biden’s Cabinet to win confirmation.
She is expected to play a key role in gaining congressional approval of Biden’s $1.9-trillion coronavirus relief package, which is facing stiff opposition from Republicans who believe the price is too high."
