Sandra Hutchens

Todd Spitzer Calls For "Thorough" OC Judicial Sex Probe Investigation

Newly-elected Orange County Supervisor Todd Spitzer has requested that the county's Office of Independent Review (OIR) monitor a probe into whether a superior court judge committed any crimes involving a possible quid pro quo sexual affair."I want to make sure that the investigation is thorough," Sp ... More >>

Both Sides Ready to Debate Orange County's Pervs-in-Parks Ban Before Appeals Court

When a panel of three Superior Court judges last month nullified the County of Orange's ordinance that bans registered sex offenders from county parks and recreational areas where children gather, the Orange County District Attorney's office responded it looked forward to, as the judges recommended, ... More >>

Craig Hunter, Controversial Anaheim Deputy Police Chief, Retires

At a ceremony held earlier today, Deputy Police Chief Craig Hunter retired from the Anaheim Police Department. His career with the force dates back 30 years, to 1982, and saw him rise from the ranks to the top brass. More recently in 2010, he made an unsuccessful bid as a candidate for Orange County ... More >>

[UPDATED with Second Reading Approval:] Lake Forest Scraps Pervs-in-Parks Ban

See the update at the end of this post about the council vote on second reading. ORIGINAL POST, DEC. 5, 9:39 A.M.: The Lake Forest City Council voted Tuesday night to repeal its ban on registered sex offenders in city parks. These are the same city leaders that last year passed the ordinance establi ... More >>

[UPDATED with DA, Public Defender Interpretations:] Orange County Pervs-in-Parks Ban Violates State Constitution: Judicial Panel

See Update No. 2 on page 2, where DA Tony Rackauckas maintains the three-judge panel ruling pertains to the Godinez case and not pending or future cases involving the county sex offender ordinance. Public Defender Frank Ospino argues that law is now void.See Update No. 1 with the district attorney's ... More >>

5 Sets of 2012 Orange County Election Losers

Anyone else hope someone switches the seating cards at the next Orange County Mayors Breakfast so that Tri sits next to Tita? Tri Ta became Westminster's first Vietnamese-American mayor and, he claims, the first in the country to win a mayoral seat via the voters rather than appointment. Meanwhile, ... More >>

Loretta Sanchez Celebrates $485,000 Federal Grant For OC Crime Lab

Think what you might about Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez's politics, but there is no denying that the Anaheim Democrat continually helps steer important federal grants to Orange County's local government entities, especially law enforcement agencies.Yesterday, with our Liz Monroy watching, Sanchez v ... More >>

OC's Scariest People 2012!

Child molesters, Shaheen Sadeghi, serial killers, Dana Rohrabacher and so many more!

[UPDATED with Video:] Gary DeLong, Republican Candidate for 47th Congressional District, Snatches Phone from Democratic Tracker at Long Beach Debate

[Update at end] ORIGINAL POST, OCT. 8, 2:30 P.M.: On Friday night, Republican congressional candidate Gary DeLong grabbed a cell phone from the hand of a purported Democratic tracker only moments after a two-hour debate at California State University Long Beach with Senator Alan ... More >>

Calls for Civilian Cop Oversight Continue In Fullerton

A year after Kelly Thomas' death, the Police Oversight Proposal Committee ask for the formation of a new entity

Carlos Bustamante: The Great Brown Flop

Disgraced Santa Ana councilman is the latest OC GOP Latino golden boy gone pendejo

Will New Fullerton City Council Appoint Ex-Sheriff's Deputy Bill Hunt as Chief of Police?

Bill Hunt was one of the few Orange County Sheriff's Department (OCSD) deputies who had the cojones to publicly stand against the corruption of Mike Carona, our sheriff turned convicted felon and present day resident of a federal prison in Colorado.For having ethics and common decency, Hunt saw Caro ... More >>

Todd Spitzer and Asian Massage Parlors Have What in Common?

When you hear of a "grand opening" you might think of an Asian massage parlor ad, but once and future Orange County Supervisor Todd Spitzer is taking back the phrase if only for one day.Spitzer will celebrate the "grand opening" of his new campaign headquarters tomorrow afternoon.And how do we know ... More >>

[UPDATED with Legal Claim:] Family of Manuel Loggins Jr., Marine Sgt. Killed by Deputy, Plans Suit

​UPDATE, MARCH 8, 12:36 P.M.: As expected, the family of the late Manuel "Manny" Levi Loggins, Jr., a U.S. Marine sergeant who was gunned down by a sheriff's deputy near San Clemente High School last month, has filed a claim against the County of Orange, beginning a legal process that often leads ... More >>

Keith Edward Froman and Martin Esquibel Aguilar Busted Separately for Bothering Teens on OCTA Buses

​Two men have been arrested for separate incidents where teens were preyed upon on Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) buses, according to authorities.The Orange County Sheriff's Department and Transit Police Services participated in the investigations that led to the busts.

Court Okays George Jaramillo's $529,000 Pay Day; Cites Peace Officer's Bill of Rights

George and Mike: Before the storm​A California Court of Appeal has affirmed a lower court's decision to award George Jaramillo nearly $529,000 in backpay and lawyer fees because the former Orange County assistant sheriff's 2004 firing blatantly violated the state's peace officer's bill of rights ( ... More >>

OC's Scariest People 2011

Celebrating the Day of the Dead with some of the county's worst offenders

Dave Gilliard, OC Sheriff's Adviser, Caught in "Shady" $840,000 Scheme

​Dan Morain, one of the true jewels of mainstream journalism in California, has tied a key campaign adviser to Sheriff Sandra Hutchens, Congressman Ed Royce and state Assemblyman Jim Silva to a "shady" effort to smear Sen. Barbara Boxer in the 2010 election.Veteran political consultant Dave Gillia ... More >>

Dave Gilliard Defends Secret, Anti-Barbara Boxer Campaign

​This morning I posted a brief story linking to Sacramento Bee coverage of a secretive, 2010 campaign effort against Sen. Barbara Boxer, and my post has been protested by a participant as inaccurate.Here's the background: According to the Bee's Dan Morain, a group called Taxpayer Network raised an ... More >>

OC Sheriff's Union Defeats County in Court Ruling Over Jail Cost Savings Plan

​A California Court of Appeal ruled late yesterday that Orange County officials had treated the local sheriff's deputy union unfairly and upheld a lower court's decision to issue a temporary restraining order blocking the county from instituting annual jail personnel cost savings of between $24 mi ... More >>

[UPDATED with SJC Spooked:] Banning Pervs in Parks Sweeps OC

​UPDATE, AUG. 17, 11:17 A.M.: It's become so routine it's lost its news value: The District Attorney's office announces it's sending a rep before the latest of the 7,000 city councils in Orange County considering a ban on sex offenders in local parks modeled after the county law co-written by DA T ... More >>

Orange County's Criminal Justice System Still Terrorizes An Innocent Chris Adrian Smith

Can anyone wake up OC's judges?​More than 760 days ago, a man who'd stolen the identity of Orange County's Chris Adrian Smith was arrested and convicted of driving on a suspended license. That man, Jose Guadalupe Caballero, pleaded guilty and agreed to pay a fine and accept probation for three yea ... More >>

[UPDATED with Early RSM Nod:] Banning Pervs in Parks Sweeps OC

​UPDATE, JULY 29, 9:41 A.M.: The Rancho Santa Margarita City Council voted Wednesday night to move ahead with a ban on registered sex offenders in city parks that is similar to the county law enacted in April.The council agreed that banning only those who have preyed on children would leave kids v ... More >>

Todd Spitzer is a Psychological Test Away From Joining Sheriff's Department

Christopher Victorio / OC WeeklyDeputy Spitzer?​Given we know Todd Spitzer is a prolific multitask enthusiast, it's not surprising that the prominent but office-less politician couldn't just focus on his pending 2012 race for Third District supervisor.Even while he's actively campaigning against f ... More >>

[UPDATED with Ban Maintained:] Councilman Wants to Allow Guns in San Juan Capistrano Parks

​UPDATE, JULY 20, HIGH NOON: A San Juan Capistrano city councilman's proposal to legalize the carrying of unloaded guns in city parks was . . . wait for it . . . shot down by his colleagues Tuesday night.The City Council voted 3-1 to continue outlawing the firearms, with the lone dissent coming fr ... More >>

Family of Slain OC Jail Inmate Wins $2.1 Million From County

​On March 25, 2008, Jason Jesus Gomez, 35, who was in custody for a probation violation and had been off his medication for several days, began attacking jail employees. As he was being restrained, Gomez repeatedly claimed he couldn't breath. Deputies soon realized Gomez was right when he literall ... More >>

[UPDATED with Plea, Weapon, Purported Suspect Photo:] Elvis Kechechian, OC Homicide No. 24: Stabbed in Restaurant Melee

Tombleson?​UPDATE, JUNE 29, 2:42 P.M.: 28-yearold Justin Alvin Masao Tombleson pleaded not guilty this week to the murders-by-stabbing of Santa Margarita Catholic High School ice hockey conditioning coach Elvis Kechechian and his friend Hossein Saidoian.Tombleson is due back in court July 15, but ... More >>

[UPDATED with SJC Law on Agenda:] Banning Pervs in Parks Sweeps OC

​UPDATE, JUNE 22, 10:09 A.M.: While expressing some concern the county pervs-in-parks ban is too broad, the San Juan Capistrano City Council did decide Tuesday night to bring a local ordinance back for a vote July 5.Among the options the city with huge swaths of open space will explore are applyin ... More >>

[UPDATE: Council action:] Will Larry Agran Block Pervert-in-the-Park Ordinance?

Agran can't decide on sex offender issue?​Update: At last night's council meeting, an annoyed Larry Agran argued that Irvine parks are sex-crimes free (against minors) and so any ordinance banning convicted sex offenders from entering the properties is unnecessary. An even more annoyed Beth K ... More >>

[UPDATED with Split Response:] Rackauckas and Hutchens Support Ban on Sex Offenders in Irvine City Parks

Irvine council members Sukhee Kang, Beth Krom and Larry Agran​UPDATE, MAY 11, 9:54 A.M.: The proposal to ban sex offenders from Irvine city parks did not wow all council members Tuesday night. Mayor Sukhee Kang, Councilman Steven Choi and the councilman who brought the matter before the panel, Jef ... More >>

Supervisor Shawn Nelson Wants A Concealed Weapons Permit

Supervisor Nelson​Folks who transport lots of cash or who are judges, prosecutors and others who have valid concerns about their safety get concealed weapon permits in Orange County.For example, current CCW permit holders include Newport Beach socialites Dick and Priscilla Marconi, GOP bigwig Mich ... More >>

Todd Spitzer Versus Chuck DeVore for OC Supervisor?

DeVore​This is not a trick question: If almost all of our county's supervisors have been conservative Republicans dating back to the Paleozoic Era, what difference does it make which conservative Republican fills any one of the five board slots?I'm asking you, Chuck DeVore and Todd Spitzer. B ... More >>

Joe Arpaio, Maricopa County, Arizona's Sheriff and Pink Undies Distributor, Seizes Nixon Library

​Sheriff Joe Arpaio speaks in Yorba Linda tonight, but protesters may have a hard time getting themselves, their noisemakers and their picket signs near Maricopa County, Arizona's no-shit-taking, immigrant-jailing, pink-underwear-dispensing lawman.That's because he'll be inside the gated, guarded ... More >>

Who'll Stop the Pain?

A recent spate of suicides and strange deaths inside Orange County's jails has jail staff and activists alike clamoring for reform

Of Course Orly Didn't Win (UPDATE: Of Course She's Claiming Voter Fraud)

Christopher Victorio​Updated 1:41 p.m. with Taitz's reaction at end of post. In the 24 hours before polls opened yesterday, national media outlets went abuzz with what they thought to be a scoop: Laguna Niguel birther leader Orly Taitz might win in her race to be the Republican nominee for Ca ... More >>

BREAKING: Cop Union Pulls Bill Hunt Endorsement

Bill Hunt​Multiple sources say that the Santa Ana Police Officers Association has yanked its endorsement of Orange County sheriff's candidate Bill Hunt.

Tea Party On!

The county's GOP central committee is in hot water with the tea party movement

Does AG's Report on Haidl Bust Clear Bill Hunt?

Carona: Tried to fake history with a lapdog deputy​Over at the Friends For Fullerton's Future blog, Travis Kiger has posted a copy of the controversial California Attorney General's report on the Greg Haidl pot bust incident that I first broke in December 2003. The AG's six-year-old report has bec ... More >>

DA Tony Rackauckas: I'll Be Back

Beth StirnamanRackauckas and Susan Schroeder​For more than six months, persistent rumors have circulated in Orange County legal circles that Tony Rackauckas, the district attorney since 1999, would not seek a fourth term this year. Numerous individuals including Rackauckas employees, defense attor ... More >>

Sheriff's Deputies Wreck Another Case

[Moxley Confidential] OCSD's omission of key facts about a stalled car crashes a burglary prosecution

Judge to Costa Mesa White Supremacist: "You Shall Suffer the Death Penalty"

Serial killer before he inked two Nazi SS tats over his throat​It took almost 12 minutes for Superior Court Judge Frank F. Fasel to summarize Billy Joe Johnson's extensive rap sheet and mention a few mitigating factors before finding that the Costa Mesa-bred white supremacist gangster's 30-year sp ... More >>

Arpaio Raises Howls Inside, Heckles Outside Bill Hunt for Sheriff Dinner

​I went to a Bill Hunt for Sheriff fund-raiser tonight, and a Joe Arpaio Dinner Show broke out.

Feeling Slutty? Let Us Dress You Up as OC's Scariest People!

What the Hell is Bill Hunt Doing Asking for Joe Arpaio's Support?!

​Honestly, I always felt bad for Bill Hunt, the former Orange County deputy sheriff who's running against incumbent Sandra Hutchens next year. He loudly spoke against the moron Mike Carona, only to suffer an insult so egregious--demotion to patrolling Stanton--that he rightfully resigned. The lord ... More >>

Mike Carona Trying to Curry Goodwill from Mexican Students and their Supporters

Carona with a mob goonThe Orange County Hispanic Endowment Education Fund (HEEF) is a fine organization that gives out thousands of dollars in scholarships to deserving students every year and has done so for quite some time. Sometime this month, they will hold a reception for prospective recipients ... More >>

Acclaimed OC Sheriff Finalist Retires

South Orange County resident Ralph Martin, a well-respected longtime Los Angeles Sheriff's Department commander who finished third to replace the disgraced Mike Carona as Orange County's sheriff last year, officially retired today after nearly 36 years of public service."I've got mixed emotions," sa ... More >>

A Different, Insider Perspective on the Recent Fullerton Gang Attack on a Church

There has been much recent media coverage about a recent attack by Fullerton's longstanding Tokers Town gang against the Rev. Willie Holmes and his storefront Majesty Christian Fellowship church in their hood. Marches, arrests, and much other hullaballoo. Having a much different perspective on the a ... More >>

Letters From OC Weekly Readers

[Moxley Confidential] Ron Cedillos Hasn't Told the Whole Story of His Falling-Out With Mike Carona

Baboso Busty Bursts Bubbles of Boho Beaners!

*Updated, with new info after the jump... Carlos Bustamante was supposed to be the Golden Boy, the Mexican who could deliver Latinos to the Republican Party in Orange County. He won a SanTana City Council seat in 2004 by defeating a Papi Pulido-backed candidate in the one OC city where Democrats ru ... More >>