Saturday, May 31, 2014

Former Laguna Niguel Mayor Paul Glaab Withdraws from 73rd Assembly Race Endorses Anna Bryson




Posted By CotoBlogzz

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA - Former Laguna Niguel Mayor Paul Glaab Withdraws from 73rd Assembly Race due to health issues.  In a press release, Glaab explains that “ I recently had a serious fall that caused a head injury, and will require an extended recovery that has been making it difficult to run a campaign.  At this time I cannot continue to put the effort in to the race that will make my campaign successful.  Therefore, I have decided to suspend my campaign.”

Glaab was elected to the Laguna Niguel City Council in 2004, serving as the city’s Mayor in 2008 and in 2012.  In December of 2006, Paul joined the Orange County Transportation Authority Board of Directors where he represented South Orange County’s Fifth District and was a member of the Regional Planning and Highways Committee.   He served as Chairman of the Board in 2012.
   
As to his endorsement of Anna Bryson, the press release states:  “After deciding to withdraw, it was clear who to support—Anna Bryson. Anna has done so much for this community as an education reformer and leader. She will make a great Assemblymember. I would like to thank so many people who have worked and supported me during this campaign. I strongly encourage them to support Anna Bryson and keep this seat in GOP hands in November.”
      
This latest Bryson endorsement comes on the heels of the one by the  Conservative Republicans of California. According to its president Mike Spence:  “Anna has been an advocate for smaller government and conservative ideals for many years in Orange County. As a school board member and small business owner we feel that she represents the membership base of our organization.”

Bryson is a small-business owner and education reformer. While she has been serving as a trustee for the Capistrano Unified School District, it has become the top-performing large district in the state. As a trustee, she has prevailed in starting and maintaining five charter schools. Additionally,. Bryson volunteers in the county D.A.’s anti-gang program.

Monday, May 26, 2014

Why Bill Brough is wrong for 73rd Assembly Seat

LETTERS


Dana Point, CA - I believe the city of Dana Point will not support  Councilman Bill Brough for the 73rd Assembly seat being vacated by Diane Harkey . The reasons are many. First of all he is the worst candidate for this seat. Mr Brough  is currently a member of the City of Dana Point City Council, the city where I reside. Many of us have seen first hand his work at the city council and its flat out deplorable. Mr. Brough has shown he has no principles except to live on the taxpayers hard earned money. He has demonstrated this time and again. 

His so-called successful consulting firm folded in 2011. Shortly there after his personal residence went into default/foreclosure. What successful businessman makes that kind of decision?  During these past couple of years Bill has been flipping and flopping around looking for a job. In His LinkedIn Profile, Bill states he has worked for Libertas Consulting LTD from 2013 to the presenthttp://www.corporationwiki.com/p/2eths3/libertas-consulting-ltd 

That is a point of contention since Libertas  filed its corporate papers in California on February 26, 2014. How could Bill be working for a company in 2013 that had not been formed in California till 2014?. He filed the papers and is the agent of record. Please explain that Mr. Brough.

Lucky for Bill another taxpayer job is available. The 73rd Assembly seat. Bill was Diane Harkey’s Chief of Staff so Bill knows the 73rd Assembly seat in particular. Bill obviously did such a sub-par job that Diane Harkey decided NOT TO ENDORSE BILL. Diane obviously does not want her name associated with a candidate the caliber of Bill Brough.

Some say Bill  has been a leader in getting the long planned but stalled Town Center Project going again. Mr. Brough has gotten this project going again by discarding the Republican principal of having businesses pay their own way. Bill has advocated for years for lowering taxes and fees for the citizens of Dana Point and to encourage development of commercially zoned properties such as the Town Center area. Now Bill is following the lead of the lone Democrat on the city council to use city/taxayer funds for improvements for businesses that aren't even here yet. Mr Brough hasn't gotten the stalled project moving again, our taxpayer money has. 
Its a common theme in Bills profile: He gets paid by taxpayer money and spends taxpayer money. What we don't need is another Republican following the lead of a Democrat, and what's worse, he brought another Republican to follow the Democrats lead. The only accomplishment Bill can claim is he voted no against the plastic bag ban. Wow. The City is saved.

Bill also has a tendency of being a slacker when it comes to fulfilling community commitments. Just recently Mr. Brough had committed to participate in a candidate forum and  was a no show, http://ocpoliticsblog.com/2014/05/17/brough-mia-in-the-race-for-the-73rd-a-d-and-petrilla-is-in-hot-water-with-the-oc-gop/. Mr. Brough didn't even have the decency to call and cancel. Mr. Brough then declined to appear at a candidate forum sponsored by Cox Communications. Cox serves our local communities here and it would have been a great chance to get his message out. Apparently he has no message to get out or did not want to be embarrassed debating Ms. Bryson like the last time they participated in a forum,http://ocpoliticsblog.com/2014/04/24/brough-embarrassed-at-73rd-assembly-district-debate/

One cannot discount his service to our country. We all acknowledge and thank him for it.

Bill seems to be a nice guy but he is definitely not Assembly caliber.


His wife has already given him a job that he seems more fitted for. Many husbands who have not been able to find a job have found this position to be extremely honorable and rewarding. There is no shame in not being the breadwinner when it comes to one's kids and family. Mr. Brough, you should just embrace the job you are truly fitted for as characterized in the movie, MR. MOM. You don't need the taxpayers money. You have your wife's

Dana Point Resident



Letters to the Editor

We assert that fundamental transformation of America is as easy as eating an elephant.  Starts with one school district at a time.
If you wish to restore America, send your letters to the CotoBuzz Journal’s Editor:
If you would like to make a comment about a specific news article, editorial or commentary and have it considered for publication in the CotoBuzz Journal as a Letter to the Editor, please send it to cotoblogzz@gmail.com 
Letters should be brief, and may be edited for clarity and length.. They become the property of CotoBuzz Journal  and may be republished in any format. 
Please include your full name, mailing address and daytime phone number (your number will not be published).

This message is brought to you by Members First - Laguna Woods Village

LETTERS


Laguna Woods Village, CA:


The CotoBuzz Journal 2014 Voter's Guide


If you don't vote, you forfeit your right to complain - vote wrongly if you must, but vote.

Posted By CotoBlogzz


This voters' guide serves to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Grapes of Wrath.  Except that in this case, the mass exodus is from the western states such as Washington, Oregon and California to the Southern States.  Recently Governor MoonBeam blamed it on the creative destruction of capitalism.  I see it as a successful failure of socialism.


GOVERNOR: Tim Donnelly http://www.electtimdonnelly.com/

LT GOVERNOR: NO RECOMMENDATION:  George Yang. http://www.goyanggo.org

SECRETARY OF STATE: Pete Peterson http://www.petesos.com

CONTROLLER: David W. Evans

TREASURER: Greg Conlon

ATTORNEY GENERAL: Phil Wyman  

INSURANGE COMMISSIONER: Ted Gaines http://www.tedgaines.com/issues/ 

BOARD OF EQUALIZATION, 4th District Dianne L. Harkey 

UNITED STATES CONGRESS, 45th District: Senator Mimi Walters 

STATE SENATOR:  Pat Bates

STATE ASSEMBLY 73rd District:  Anna Bryson

JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT, Office #14: Kevin Haskins http://www.haskinsforjudge.com

JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT, Office #20: Helen Hayden http://www.haydenforjudge.com/home.html

JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT, Office #27: Wayne Philips

JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT, Office #35: Jeff Ferguson

SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION: Lydia A. Gutierrez http://www.lydia4schools.com

COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS: Al Mijares

ORANGE COUNTY ASSESSOR: Claude Parrish

ORANGE COUNTY AUDITOR-CONTROLLER: Frank Davies

ORANGE COUNTY CLERK-RECORDER: Hugh Nguyen

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY: Tony Rackauckas

 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

            District 2 – Michelle Steel

           District 4 – Shawn Nelson

            District 5 – Robert Ming

COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION TRUSTEE AREA 5 Linda Lindholm

ASSESSOR Jorge O. Lopez

AUDITOR CONTROLLER : Eric Woolery

CLERK RECORDER: High Nguyen

DISTRICT ATTORNEY:  Tony Rackauckas 

SHERIFF:  Sandra Hutchens 

TREASURER TAX collector: Shari L. Freidenrich 

STATE PROPOSITION 41: NO -- Veterans Housing and Homeless Prevention Bond Act of 2014.


STATE PROPOSITION 42: YES – 


ORANGE COUNTY MEASURE A: YES 

Sunday, May 25, 2014

Millennials Can’t Afford Memorial Weekend Trips

By Chriss Street


Memorial weekend has usually been a time for families to take a big car trip and 31.8 millionAmericans will take a trip by car this Memorial Day weekend according to AAA.  But the total number of miles driven per person peaked in June of 2005 at the height of the economic expansion and has declined by about -866 miles per year or -2.4 miles per day since.  It is normal for driving to slow for a year or so during a recession.  But the continuous decline in American driving habits over the last for 8.8 years is coming from 16-34 year old millennials that are not seeing an economic recovery from the Great Recession.     

About 88% of people that take a trip on Memorial Day weekend (Thursday, May 22 to Monday, May 26) travel by car on a journey of more than 50 miles.  The Memorial weekend average cost of gasoline rose from $2.76 in 2010, to $3.96 in 2011, but has held steady at about $3.63 per gallon for the last three years.  Historically, this type of lower gasoline cost despite inflation has encouraged more and longer distance car trips.     
The graphic blog, dshort.com, found that vehicle travel per person peaked in June of 2005 and has declined by 9.3% to a “new post-Financial Crisis low” in March.  The last time travel was this low was in December of 1994 during President Clintons first term.  The previous worst period of travel decline was 39 months during the stagflation and double-dip recession era of the late 1970s during the Carter Administration and into the Reagan Administration in the early 1980s.  The current decline has lasted for 106 months during both Obama Administrations. 
Social scientists suggest that the continuing trend in shrinking travel may be due to the demographics of an aging population where older people drive less, continuing high unemployment, or the ability to work remotely in the internet era of the Internet and the growth of skyping as a substitute for face-to-face interaction. 
The severe economic recession did affect the miles driven for all age groups.  But the numbers reveal that since 2010 people over 34 have started driving more miles.  But for millennials aged 16 to 34, they are driving 33% fewer miles on average than in 2001. 
Progressives like to pretend that millennials are more satisfied riding public transportation and playing video games on the internet than driving a car.  But the real issue is that millennials been suffering from their own recession that started in 2006 and has lasted for over 8 years. 
The author welcomes feedback and will respond to comments by readers

Friday, May 23, 2014

Why is the VA scandal not a national emergency, as opposed to business as usual.





Posted by CotoBlogzz

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA - Last week Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency for San Diego County, which freed up special resources and funding for the firefight, and state fire officials were creating a central command center for the blazes.

Some 20 military helicopters were available even without the declaration

Earlier this month, President Barack Obama travelled to Arkansas on Wednesday Amaya 7, to view damage from the tornadoes that hit central Arkansas Sunday May 3rd. and meet with affected families, first responders and recovery workers, according to the White House.

There is a clear pattern when lives are at risk: a state of emergency is declared and state and federal resources are mobilizes to either mitigate the risk or help with rebuilding.

Should the Veteran Affairs scandal not be considered a national emergency?  After all, this is a matter of life or death.

But, what  does Obama do when he, in his own words, finds out from news accounts and not his cabinet, about the VA scandal? Declare it a national emergency?

No! He calls for an investigation!  In other words, business as usual.

Absolutely, positively unacceptable!  Desperate times call for desperate measures, such as setting up a national triage center to attend all those veterans in desperate need of care.

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Sangjin Ho, Buena Park councilman face jury trial for committing perjury to avoid paying child support





Posted by CotoBlogzz

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA - Sangjin Ho, a A Buena Park city council member faces a jury trial today for repeatedly committing perjury on California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) documents to avoid paying child support to his ex-wife.

According to the Orange County District Attorney's (OCDA) office, Sangjin Miller Oh, 50, is charged with five felony counts of perjury by declaration: Between Sept. 23, 2004, and July 20, 2009, Oh is accused of committing perjury on five occasions by signing official DMV documents using fraudulent information. Ho is accused of committing this crime with the intention of avoiding child support payments to his ex-wife by hiding his assets under his false name.

On one occasion, Oh is accused of applying for a driver's license under the name Robert Oh and fraudulently failing to disclose that he had previously applied for a license under a different name, as required by law. On another occasion, Oh is accused of fraudulently failing to disclose that his license had previously been suspended. On four other occasions, Oh is accused of using his fraudulently obtained license to register vehicles.

This case was investigated by the DMV, Orange County District Attorney's Office, and Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General.

Senior Deputy District Attorney John Christl of the Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting this case.

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Laguna Woods Village Gerson's Cognitive Dissonance

LETTERS

Laguna Woods Village, California:

If you remember Director Gerson gets her facts and truth all messed up. She said in January.2014, " that former founder Heidi Cortese was the reason for GRF distruction of the Leisure World icon next to clubhouse 7. At least she is consistent with untruths with her new rendition of United Mutual Corporation law suit. Listen and look at the video and make your own decision on why she should be recalled. See DISTRIBUTION OF NONPROFIT PROPERTY.​






Paul Loughrey
Residents First


If you would like to make a comment about a specific news article, editorial or commentary and have it considered for publication in the CotoBuzz Journal as a Letter to the Editor, please send it to cotoblogzz@gmail.com 

Letters should be brief, and may be edited 
for clarity and length.. They become the property of CotoBuzz Journal  and may be republished in any format. 

Please include your full name, mailing address and daytime phone number (your number will not be published).

Medicare strike force nabs 27 Medical Professionals in various states, from California to New York, Detroit and Florida, in Health Care Fraud

Posted by CotoBlogzz


Rancho Santa Margarita, CA-  today, the Department of Justice announced that a nationwide takedown by Medicare Fraud Strike Force operations in six cities resulted in charges against 90 individuals, including 27 doctors, nurses and other medical professionals, for their alleged participation in Medicare fraud schemes involving approximately $260 million in false billings.

The defendants charged are accused of various health care fraud-related crimes, including conspiracy to commit health care fraud, violations of the anti-kickback statutes and money laundering.   The charges are based on a variety of alleged fraud schemes involving various medical treatments and services, including home health care, mental health services, psychotherapy, physical and occupational therapy, durable medical equipment and pharmacy fraud.

According to court documents, the defendants allegedly participated in schemes to submit claims to Medicare for treatments that were medically unnecessary and often never provided.   In many cases, patient recruiters, Medicare beneficiaries and other co-conspirators were paid cash kickbacks in return for supplying beneficiary information to providers, so that the providers could then submit fraudulent bills to Medicare for services that were medically unnecessary or never performed.  Collectively, the doctors, nurses, licensed medical professionals, health care company owners and others charged are accused of conspiring to submit approximately $260 million in fraudulent billings.

In Miami, a total of 50 defendants were charged  for their alleged participation in various fraud schemes involving approximately $65.5 million in false billings for home health care and mental health services, and pharmacy fraud.   In one case, two defendants were charged in connection with a $23 million pharmacy kickback and laundering scheme.  It is alleged that the defendants solicited kickbacks from a pharmacy owner for Medicare beneficiary information, which was used to bill for drugs that were never dispensed.   The kickbacks were concealed as bi-weekly payments under a sham services contract and were laundered through shell entities owned by the defendants.

Eleven individuals were charged by the Houston Medicare Strike Force.   Five Houston-area physicians were charged with conspiring to bill Medicare for medically unnecessary home health services.   According to charges,  the defendant doctors were paid by two co-conspirators to sign off on home health care services that were not necessary and often never provided.

Eight defendants were charged in Los Angeles for their roles in schemes to defraud Medicare of approximately $32 million.   In one case, a doctor was charged for causing almost $24 million in losses to Medicare through his own fraudulent billing and referrals for durable medical equipment, including over 1,000 expensive power wheelchairs, and home health services that were not medically necessary and frequently not provided.

In Detroit, seven defendants were charged for their roles in fraud schemes involving approximately $30 million in false claims for medically unnecessary services, including home health services, psychotherapy and infusion therapy.   In one case, four individuals, including a doctor, were charged in a sophisticated $28 million fraud scheme, where the physician billed for expensive tests, physical therapy and injections that were not necessary and not provided.   According to court documents, when the physician’s billings raised red flags, he was put on payment review by Medicare.   He was allegedly able to continue his scheme and evade detection by continuing to bill using the billing information of other Medicare providers, sometimes without their knowledge.

In Tampa, Florida, seven individuals were charged in a variety of schemes, ranging from fraudulent physical therapy billings to a scheme involving millions of dollars in physician services and tests that never occurred.  In one case, five individuals were charged for their alleged roles in a $12 million health care fraud and money laundering scheme that involved billing Medicare using names of beneficiaries from Miami-Dade County for services purportedly provided in Tampa area clinics, 280 miles away.  The defendants then allegedly laundered the proceeds through a number of transactions involving several shell entities.

In Brooklyn, New York, the Strike Force announced an indictment against Syed Imran Ahmed, M.D., in connection with his alleged $85 million scheme involving billings for surgeries that never occurred; Dr. Ahmed had been arrested last month and charged by complaint.   Dr. Ahmed has charged with health care fraud and making false statements.   In addition, the Brooklyn Strike Force charged six other individuals, including a physician and two billers who allegedly concocted a $14.4 million scheme in which they recruited elderly Medicare beneficiaries and billed Medicare for medically unnecessary vitamin infusions, diagnostic tests and physical and occupational therapy supposedly provided to these patients.

The cases announced today are being prosecuted and investigated by Medicare Fraud Strike Force teams comprised of attorneys from the Fraud Section of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and from the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of Florida, the Eastern District of Michigan, the Eastern District of New York, the Southern District of Texas, the Central District of California, the Middle District of Louisiana, the Northern District of Illinois and the Middle District of Florida; and agents from the FBI, HHS-OIG and state Medicaid Fraud Control Units.

Mother's Day Accident in Coto de Caza a Hit and Run



Posted by Cotozblogzz

Coto de Caza, CA - the accident occurred on Mother's Day at approximately 12:40 at one of Coto de Caza's top ten most dangerous intersections of San Miguel and Rolling Hills, right at the misplaced golfer's crossing

According to California Highway Patrol (CHP) spokesperson Officer Aaron Rothberg, the driver took off and was later apprehended and booked on felony hit and run and suspicion of DUI

The driver, a white male in his early 20s was driving solo, sustained minor injuries and was not transported.




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Our research over close to ten years indicate that whether a community is safe or not, is primarily a function of residents and local governance, not law enforcement. Consider that when a city in Orange County is deemed the safest city, what about the other 11 cities or the unincorporated areas? What about Coto de Caza with the highest crime rate in history in early 2010. After all, only common denominator is that the OCSD is the law enforcement agency. What does the OCSD do differently in the safest city, as opposed to the least safe city under its watch?



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Coto de Caza Fires the CHP - Again!

Coto de Caza, CA - The CotoBuzz Journal has documented the one-sided hate-hate relationship between the CZ Master Association board of directors and law enforcement agencies in general, and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) specifically (CHP). In an open board meeting for example, a board member called the Orange County Sheriff's Department (OCSD) extortionists! Despite the public abuse the CHP has received from the Coto de Caza board of directors ever since the board was coerced into bringing the CHP back for pro-active traffic patrol, figures indicate that the CHP has been doing its job: - The Chart below was published Sept. 30, 2006.

Rhianna Six Month’s Anniversary Mr. Manian’s Three Month’s Anniversary

It has been six months since Rhianna Woolsey died (December 7, 2005) in the first traffic fatality in Coto de Caza in the last ten years. Sadly, this week also marks the Three Month Anniversary of Mr. Morteza Manian’s death, as he was struck by a...

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In July, 2006 the new state law governing HOA elections will take effect. That means that shortly thereafter, the Board should send out information concerning the mechanisms the Board intends to implement in 2007 to comply with...

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Sunday, May 11, 2014

One more traffic accident in Coto de Caza's most dangerous intersections.

Posted by CotoBlogzz

Coto de Caza, CA - at around 1:30 pm today, a traffic accident occurred at one of Coto de Caza's top ten most dangerous intersections, San Miguel and Rolling Hills, right at the misplaced golfer's crossing

Officers from the Orange County Sheriff's Department (OCSD) and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) are on the scene.  This accident comes on the hills of a traffic fatality three months ago.  The CHP patrol hours are some 25-30% lower Thant the minimum lawsuit mitigation 40 hours per week.





     

Coto's Public Safety Ticking BombRhianna Woolsey died (December 7, 2005) in the first traffic fatality in Coto de Caza in the last ten years, followed three months later by a traffic accident that claime Mr  Morteza Manian’s life.



RELATED STORIES

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Our research over close to ten years indicate that whether a community is safe or not, is primarily a function of residents and local governance, not law enforcement. Consider that when a city in Orange County is deemed the safest city, what about the other 11 cities or the unincorporated areas? What about Coto de Caza with the highest crime rate in history in early 2010. After all, only common denominator is that the OCSD is the law enforcement agency. What does the OCSD do differently in the safest city, as opposed to the least safe city under its watch?



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Friday, May 09, 2014

Laguna Woods Village Board Under Attack For Injunction Against GRF

LETTERS

Laguna Woods Village, California

Dear Friends,

As you may be  aware, our United Mutual Board is under attack  and facing recall. They are up against formidable foes that have drawn support not just from our Mutual, but from Third Mutual, the Towers and GRF.  These groups are angry at the United Mutual Board for filing an injunction against GRF to stop the Recreation Master Plan, a plan that the majority of owners in our community don't want.  

This is a serious threat against all co-op owners and against our entire community. If we lose our Board, GRF will have free rein to  continue to make financial decisions without any oversight by any Boards/owners in our community.  GRF is not elected by a direct vote of the community, yet they control a budget made up of our HOA fees, of over $42,000,000.  They have borrowed $10,000,000 against our administration building to finance a Master Recreation Plan that the majority of people in this community are against.

The United Board is trying to put a stop to the borrowing and spending by GRF on the Recreation Master Plan.  That is why United filed an injunction against GRF.   This is a power struggle.  United Mutual against the GRF 6 and their supporters. These outside Boards are trying to get rid of OUR Directors, so that they can keep control over our money.  If our United Board is recalled----especially by influence from outside our Association---will we ever again be in control of our own financial future???  We must support this United Board and vote NO on the recall!

We are planning a flyer drop soon.  We need your help. We need Cul-de-Sac captains and flyer distribution people to place flyers at manor entrances and in laundry rooms. Many of you have done this in the past and know how easy it is if we get enough people. Please volunteer to help.

 Please contact us at: ppvclub2@hotmail.com or call 949-540-9596  If you can help, we need your name, CDS, and phone number. 

Thanks again for your continued support.  

Best,
Stevie Magid
PPV 

Thursday, May 08, 2014

DUI Enforcement Operations Planned this Weekend in Rancho Santa Margarita and Mission Viejo





Posted by CotoBlogzz


Rancho Santa Margarita, California – Deputies from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) DUI Task Force will be conducting DUI saturation patrols this weekend, as part of its ongoing traffic safety campaign.

According to the OCSD, DUI saturation patrols will deploy on Friday, May 9th at 7:00 p.m. until Saturday, May 10th at 3:00 a.m. in the cities of Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, and Rancho Santa Margarita. These patrols will be targeting areas with high frequencies of DUI collisions and/or arrests.

The goal of the program is to reduce the rate at which the citizens of Orange County are killed or injured in DUI related collisions. Through implementation of these events, the OCSD hopes to significantly reduce deaths, injuries and property damage in each of its contract cities.


Funding for this program is provided by your tax Dollars in the form of a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The OCSD advices the public that If you see a drunk driver, call 9-1-1.

The Shea Theraputic Riding Center in San Juan Capistrano



Coto de Caza as we all know is a fantastic horse community. It has one of the best equestrian centers in the world....but did you know that only a few miles from Coto there is also another equestrian facility that gives kids with severe disabilities the chance to ride and participate in the horseback riding experience that they might otherwise not be physically or cognitively able to enjoy.

This wonderful center is called the Shea Theraputic Riding center and is located only a few miles away in San Juan Capistrano. It specializes in what they call "Hippo therapy" which means horse therapy for disabled children and adults.This type of therapy is absolutely amazing for what it does for a persons physical, mental and emotional  health and well being.

It's a real thrill to watch a child with cerebral palsy or Down
syndrome riding around the horse ring with their friends. Should you or anyone you know want information on this great center right close by to Coto you can call Bill Kirkendale at 949-981-5400 ...

The center accepts donations to help subsidize for the caring of over 25 horses and to provide financial help and assistance for children and families who can't afford the small fees they charge for the experience and thera

Tuesday, May 06, 2014

Russ Muratov & Alex Kapriyelov owners of Los Angeles Ambulance Company sentenced for Medicare Fraud




Russ Muratov & Alex Kapriyelov owners of Los Angeles Ambulance Company sentenced for Medicare Fraud

Posted by CotoBlogzz

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA -  Russ Muratov & Alex Kapriyelov owners Alpha Ambulance a now defunct  Los Angeles-area ambulance transportation company, have been sentenced in connection with a Medicare fraud scheme, according  to Acting Assistant Attorney General David A. O’Neil of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division,

Aleksey Muratov, aka Russ Muratov, 32, and Alex Kapri, aka Alex Kapriyelov or Alexander Kapriyelov, 56, were sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Audrey B. Collins in the Central District of California to serve 108 months and 75 months in prison, respectively.   Both Kapri and Muratov pleaded guilty on Oct. 28, 2014, to conspiracy to commit health care fraud.

According to court documents, Muratov and Kapri knowingly provided non-emergency ambulance transportation to Medicare beneficiaries whose medical condition at that time did not require ambulance transportation.  With Kapri’s knowledge, Muratov and others at Alpha instructed certain Alpha employees to conceal the Medicare beneficiaries’ medical conditions by altering required documents for Medicare reimbursement and creating fraudulent justifications for the transportation.   The defendants caused Alpha to submit claims to Medicare that were fraudulent because the transportation was not medically necessary.

As Muratov and Kapri  were submitting these false claims, Medicare notified Alpha that the company would be subject to a Medicare audit.  In response, Muratov instructed Alpha employees – with Kapri’s knowledge – to alter specific documents that would be submitted to Medicare in response to the audit and create false justifications for transportation of the beneficiaries identified.

From at least June 2008 through at least July 2012, Alpha submitted more than $49 million in claims for ambulance transportation.  As a result, Medicare paid Alpha more than $13 million for these claims, many of which were fraudulent.

The case was investigated by the FBI and HHS-OIG and was brought as part of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force.  This case was prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Blanca Quintero and Alexander F. Porter and Assistant Chief O. Benton Curtis III of the Fraud Section.


CBS' Dan Raviv's coverage of Benghazi special committee is special

CBS' Dan Raviv's coverage of Benghazi special committee is special


Posted by CotoBlogzz

Ranch Santa Margarita, CA -  On April 18, 2014, Judicial Watch obtained a number of new Benghazi-related State Department documents, including a newly declassified email showing then-White House Deputy Strategic Communications Adviser Ben Rhodes - who happens to be the brother of CBS' CEO, David Rhodes - and other Obama administration public relations officials attempting to orchestrate a campaign to support President Obama's assertions that the attack on the embassy was not a policy failure, but riots incited by an obscure video.

The Rhodes email was sent on Friday, September 14, 2012, at 8:09 p.m. to prep Amb. Susan Rice’s for Sunday news show appearances to discuss the Benghazi attack.

Judicial Watch's release of the Rhodes email ignited a firestorm leading some, including Judicial Watch, to characterize the newly released documents as the smoking gun linking the White House directly to a campIng of misinformation and eventually forcing Speaker Boehner's hand to decide to appoint a special committee to investigate the matter.

The far left, including Nancy Pelosi was fast and furious characterizing the new special committee as simply partisan theater.

The consensus in the conservative blogosphere seem to be that at least now with the added information and the special committee,  the state-sponsored media would be compelled to cover the story.  While that may be true, the old refrain of careful what you wish for, may apply - for example CBS's Dan Raviv index reported that Speaker Bohener had decided to appoint a special committee.  He also went on to state the White House's position that it was nothing more than a partisan side show.

My conclusion of Raviv's coverage is that for the typical CBS listener, the White House comes away the victor.



Related stories:


Judicial Watch's Smoking Gun
http://www.judicialwatch.org/press-room/weekly-updates/weekly-update-jw-finds-benghazi-smoking-gun/


CBS:  relationship to the White House is irrelevant:  http://freebeacon.com/blog/conflict-of-interest-inherent-between-cbs-news-president-white-house-adviser-involved-in-benghazi-talking-points/

Monday, May 05, 2014

John Thomas Windsor, parolee from Vermont sentenced for financial elder abuse


John Thomas Windsor, parolee from Vermont sentenced for financial elder abuse

Posted by CotoBlogzz


Rancho Santa Margarita, CA- John Thomas Windsor, a parolee from Vermont was convicted and sentenced today to seven years and four months in state prison for stealing over $280,000 from a 98-year-old widow.

According to the a Orange County District Attorney's (OCDA) office, John Thomas Windsor, 44, Costa Mesa, pleaded guilty to one felony count each of first degree residential burglary, caretaker theft from an elder, fraudulently using an access card, and three felony counts of forgery with sentencing enhancements and allegations causing over $100,000 in loss, aggravated white collar crime over $100,000, and property loss over $200,000. Windsor was also ordered to pay $296,000 in restitution and fined over $592,000.

Windsor's mother was an independently-hired live-in caretaker for 98-year-old widow Edna M., who was blind, deaf, suffered from dementia, and was confined to her Newport Beach home. In 2007, Windsor moved into the victim's home without her knowledge. Windsor was on parole in the State of Vermont at the time for domestic violence and violating a restraining order.

Between August 2007 and December 2008, Windsor stole over $280,000 from Edna M. by depleting her bank accounts and making purchases on her credit card. He spent the victim's money without her knowledge or consent to buy expensive personal items including but not limited to two pre-owned cars, a Tiffany & Co. engagement ring for his girlfriend, a classic record collection, and a sex swing.

Windsor had Edna M. sign over her power of attorney to him, which medical experts later determined the victim did not have the capacity to sign or understand what she was doing.

The defendant attempted to change the trust on the victim's home and take out a loan against the house, which had been paid-off 50 years earlier. The bank became suspicious of the attempted transaction and notified Adult Protective Services. Edna M. died in May 2009 at the age of 99 due to respiratory failure, pneumonia, and senile dementia.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Marc Labreche of the Major Fraud Unit prosecuted this case.

A case of voter fraud: Campaign Worker Pleads Guilty to Buying Votes in a Donna, Texas, School Board Election



Posted by CotoBlogzz

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA- According to the Justice Criminal Division of the Justice Department, Diana Balderas Castaneda, a campaign worker pleaded guilty today for paying voters to vote in the November 2012 school board election in Donna, Texas.

Castaneda, 48, of Donna, pleaded guilty to one count of vote-buying before U.S. District Judge Ricardo Hinojosa in the Southern District of Texas.  

According to a factual statement read during the plea hearing, a general election was held on Nov. 6, 2012, in Donna for the presidential election, as well as various state, county and local offices, including the Donna School Board.   Balderas assisted in the campaign to elect four candidates to the Donna School Board.   In the course of that work, Balderas knowingly and willfully paid and offered to pay voters for voting in this election.  In addition, at least two campaign managers paid voters in her presence.

Another campaign worker, Rebecca Gonzalez, 44, also of Donna, pleaded guilty to the same charge before U.S. District Judge Randy Crane in the Southern District of Texas on Feb. 14, 2014.  

This case was investigated by the FBI.  

Saturday, May 03, 2014

RIP LAPD Officer Roberto Sanchez

Posted by CotoBlogzz

Rancho Santa a Margarita, CA-  Officer Roberto Sanchez, a Los  Angeles Police Department Officer Roberto died this morning in a violent hit-and-run in Harbor City earlier today.

The collision between a patrol car and an SUV occurred around 3:45 a.m. near the intersection of West Anaheim Street and President Avenue (map), according to Lt. John Pasquariello with the LAPD’s Harbor Division.

California Attorney General Kamalah Harris issued this statement:  
 “On behalf of the California Department of Justice, I extend my deepest sympathy to the family, friends and colleagues of Officer Roberto Sanchez. California’s entire law enforcement family has lost a devoted colleague. We will always remember his dedication to protect and serve the people of California."

While LAPD Charlie Beck tweeted:   “We shall never forget Police Officer Roberto Sanchez. #LAPD hero who gave his life in the name of serving others #RIP," and LA Mayor Eric Garcetti expressed his condolences through an emailed statement.

Friday, May 02, 2014

Scott Dekraai, Seal Beach shooter pleads guilty to largest mass murder in Orange County

Scott Dekraai, Seal Beach shooter pleads guilty to largest mass murder in Orange County

Posted By CotoBlogzz

Ranch Santa Margarita, CA -  Scott Evans Dekraai was convicted today of murdering eight people and attempting to murder a ninth in the largest mass-murder in Orange County history.

Scott Evans Dekraai, 44, Huntington Beach, pleaded guilty to eight felony counts of special circumstances murder for committing multiple murders and one felony count of attempted murder.

Dekraai's sentencing date will be determined pending completion of ongoing hearings.

The Seal Beach Police Department (SBPD) investigated this case. Assistant District Attorney Dan Wagner and Senior Deputy District Attorney, both of the Homicide Unit, are prosecuting this case.

According to the Orange County District Attorney's, (OCDA) the morning of Oct. 12, 2011, Dekraai got into a verbal argument on the phone with his ex-wife, 48-year-old Michelle Marie Fournier, over a custody dispute regarding their 8-year-old son.

At approximately 1:20 p.m. on Oct. 12, 2011, Dekraai entered Salon Meritage, located on the 500 block of Pacific Coast Highway in Seal Beach, where his ex-wife worked as a hair stylist. The defendant was wearing a bullet-proof vest under his clothing and armed himself with three firearms before walking into the salon with the intention of murdering his ex-wife and other people who may have been present. Approximately 15 people were inside at the time.

At 1:21 p.m. Dekraai walked through the salon and executed employees and customers at random, as well as Fournier, by shooting them at close range in the head and chest. The firearms included a 9 MM Springfield, Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum, and a Heckler & Koch .45.

Dekraai shot several of the victims multiple times using two of the firearms and stopped to reload when his ammunition ran out. The shooting lasted approximately two minutes.

The other people inside the salon attempted to escape by hiding, locking themselves in private treatment rooms, or running outside. Dekraai shot eight people inside the salon.

Six of the eight victims inside the salon were pronounced dead at the scene. The two other victims were transported to Long Beach Memorial Medical Center in critical condition. One of those victims died that afternoon at the hospital. The eighth victim suffered serious injuries but survived.

The seven murdered victims from inside the salon include (in alphabetical order): Victoria Ann Buzzo, 54, Laguna Beach, salon employee; Laura Lee Elody, 46, Huntington Beach, salon employee; Randy Lee Fannin, 62, Murrieta, salon owner; Michele Daschbach Fast, 47, Seal Beach, salon client; Michelle Marie Fournier, 48, Los Alamitos, salon employee; Lucia Bernice Kondas, 65, Huntington Beach, salon client; and Christy Lynn Wilson, 47, Lakewood, salon employee.

Victim Harriet Stretz, then-73, Los Alamitos, was critically injured but survived her injuries. She was a salon client having her hair done by her daughter, victim Elody.

After his murderous shooting rampage inside the salon, Dekraai walked out of the salon. As he approached his white Toyota Tundra pick-up truck to flee the scene, the defendant observed a dark sport utility vehicle parked nearby with a male seated in the driver's seat. Dekraai approached the victim, who was alone in his car, and executed him by shooting him in the head through the closed front passenger side window.

This victim was David Caouette, 64, Seal Beach.

An SBPD officer, who was nearby in the neighborhood, was the first to arrive at the scene in response to a 911 call from a person in the restaurant next door to the salon. Witnesses pointed the officer to the defendant's vehicle as Dekraai attempted to drive away.

SBPD dispatch received information from the 911 caller at 1:25:36 p.m. that the defendant was driving away from the scene. At 1:26:07 p.m., only 30 seconds later, the defendant was stopped by SBPD in an emergency traffic stop.

Officers from SBPD yelled for the defendant to exit his vehicle with their guns drawn. Dekraai got out of his car, got down on his knees, placed his hands behind his head, and was arrested.  At the time of his arrest, Dekraai was in possession of the three firearms and a significant amount of ammunition in his truck.

Dekraai was booked at the Seal Beach City Jail and was later transported to the Orange County Jail.

Cam Da Le, nail salon manager to be arraigned for pimping

Posted By CotoBlogzz

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA  - Cam Da Le,  nail salon manager is to be arraigned for pimping and pandering an employee according to the Orange County District Attorney's (OCDA) office.

Cam Da Le, 47, Garden Grove, is charged with one felony count of pimping and one felony count of pandering.

Le is accused of being a pimp/modern-day slave owner who exploits women and/or children for financial gain. The victims are required to turn over all payment they from his  pimping work

On April 30, 2014, Le is accused of instructing 25-year-old Jane Doe to perform commercial sex acts on a customer of a nail salon they both worked at. Le is accused of taking all of the money the victim earned while performing sex acts and only paying the victim the tips she collected.

The Orange Police Department (OPD) conducted an investigation as to whether the nail salon was acting as a brothel. Le is accused of deriving support from the earning and proceeds of the prostitution of Jane Doe knowing she was working as a prostitute. Le is also accused of causing, inducing, persuading, and encouraging Jane Doe to prostitute and procuring her for the purpose of prostitution and to agree to engage in commercial sex acts with an OPD undercover officer.

Deputy District Attorney Daniel Varon of the Orange County District Attorney's  Human Exploitation And Trafficking (HEAT) Is prosecuting this case.

Thursday, May 01, 2014

Saddleback College’s Maestro Yorgos Kouritas directs two performances as part of Mission Viejo’s 8 Days of Arts


Tickets are $10 general; $7 students/seniors.  Call the ticket office at 949-582-4656, Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 4:00 p.m. or order tickets online atwww.saddleback.edu/arts.

Posted By CotoBlogzz


Rancho Santa Margarita, CA—On Friday, May 9th at 7:30 p.m. in the McKinney Theatre, the Saddleback College Wind Ensemble, directed by Maestro Yorgos Kouritas, presents a concert featuring popular pieces written for Wind Ensembles.

This performance is a part of 8 Days of Arts, a collaboration of the City of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College, and The Shops at Mission Viejo.

For the Wind Ensemble performance, tickets are $10 general; $7 students/seniors.  Call the ticket office at 949-582-4656, Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 4:00 p.m. or order tickets online atwww.saddleback.edu/arts.






The Music Department has established a comprehensive program which is considered to be one of the finest in California:  a complete lower-division curriculum for transferring music majors, numerous performance groups, private and group lessons, a full concert series with faculty and guest artists, and general music courses.  The nationally-recognized faculty is dedicated to performance and to teaching in all areas such as vocal, instrumental, jazz, guitar, piano, music technology and commercial music.  Other music classes include harmony, musicianship, composition, history and appreciation of western art music, music business, rock, jazz and world music.

Saddleback College is located at 28000 Marguerite Parkway in Mission Viejo, just east of Interstate 5 at the Avery Parkway exit.  Parking is available in Lot 12.  Take Avery Parkway to Marguerite Parkway turn left to the third traffic light, which is Saddleback’s Marguerite entrance. Turn right into the campus and take the second left to Theatre Circle, turning right into Lot 12.

Located in Mission Viejo, Saddleback College provides quality higher education and training to the greater south Orange County community.  Having served more than 500,000 students since 1968, Saddleback College offers over 300 degree and certificate programs to help students reach their personal, career, and educational goals.  For more information, please visit www.saddleback.edu and for Fine Arts information, please visit www.saddleback.edu/arts.