Issues

Fake Immigration Lawyer Gets 10 Years In Prison

One of the largest immigration fraud cases in Los Angeles County history was recently concluded with a fake immigration lawyer being sentenced to 10 years in prison. Romina Zadorian, a 39-year-old resident of Montebello, was sentenced to prison and ordered to pay a full refund to each of the victims of the immigration scam, totaling $900,000.

Dozens of victims of the scam attended Zadorian’s sentencing on February 3, including several who testified about the fees they were charged for fake immigration services. Because Zadorian is not a United States citizen, she also faces possible deportation to her native Armenia upon completion of her prison term.

The extent of the immigration scam was revealed after complaints started coming into the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer Affairs. In April 2008, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office charged Zadorian with 51 counts of felony grand theft. Prosecutors added 55 more counts two months later after identifying more victims. The victims are from many different countries, including Israel, Mexico, Armenia, China, and Belgium.

Victims reported that Zadorian charged fees ranging from $6,000 to $30,000 for services she never provided, said Supervisor Don Knabe, Chairman of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. She assured her victims that she could help them with their cases because she knew special laws and had special connections with immigration officials. Instead, Zadorian filed wrong documents, submitted bad checks for payment of fees, or did nothing at all.

The Department of Consumer Affairs hopes this action sends a message that this type of fraudulent activity will not be tolerated in Los Angeles County, said Pastor Herrera, Director of Consumer Affairs.

Consumers can follow these tips to spot and avoid immigration scams:

Confirm bond
Non-lawyers who provide immigration services must have a $50,000 bond. You can file a claim against the bond if you are defrauded. Click here to confirm bonds.

Non-lawyers cannot give you legal advice
Consult an immigration attorney if you need help. Non-lawyers can hurt your case and cost you a lot of money. Click here to verify attorney licenses.

Get a contract in your language
You have the right to get a contract in your language and in English that lists the services you are getting, tells you how much you will pay, and gives you 3 days to cancel without any charge.

Cancel your contract in writing
If you cancel your contract, do it in writing. Send your letter by certified mail and keep a copy.

Get receipts
Request receipts for each payment you make. Save them.

Don’t give out your original documents
Give them copies only, and keep your originals in a safe place.

Beware of promises
People who tell you they know special laws, have connections with immigration officials, or can rush your case are lying.

Look for signs inside the office
Non-lawyers who help with immigration cases must display signs that say they are not lawyers, show their name and bond number, and list the fees they charge for each service.

Check your case status with US Citizenship and Immigration Services often
If you have a receipt number from USCIS, you can click here to check online. If you don’t have a receipt number, you can check in person. Click here to find your closest office.

Report fraud right away
If you believe something is wrong, file a complaint with the County of Los Angeles Department of Consumer Affairs: 800-593-8222, www.dca.lacounty.gov

Reward Established For Long Beach Double Murder

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors today unanimously re-established a $20,000 reward, at the request of Supervisor Don Knabe, for information related to shooting incidents that led to the death of five homeless persons in the City of Long Beach.

On November 2, 2008, a quintuple murder occurred in the City of Long Beach in a homeless encampment. The investigation started with an anonymous caller who reported the crime. The caller gave a brief description of the location which led California Highway Patrol officers to the crime scene. Arriving officers found 5 people dead from gun shot wounds inside of a homeless encampment along the south bound side of the 405 freeway at the Santa Fe Avenue off-ramp.

The following residents of Los Angeles County were identified as the victims of the murder: Katherine Lynn Verdun – 24 years old, Long Beach resident; Vanessa Malaepule – 34 years old, Carson resident; Jose Lorenzo Villicana – 44 years old, Long Beach resident; Frederick Doyle Neumeier – 53 years old, Long Beach resident; and Hamid Shraifat – 41 years old, Signal Hill resident.

It is important for the County of Los Angeles to display its resolve in protecting innocent citizens from appalling crimes, said Supervisor Knabe. In order to bring these suspects to justice, and demonstrate our intolerance to such deplorable crimes, I believe this reward should be re-established, hoping someone will come forward so that we can bring these suspects to justice.

Any person having any information related to the November 2 incident is asked to contact Detectives Mark McGuire or Hugo Cortes of the Long Beach Police Department – Homicide Division at (562) 570-7244.

Full Freeway Closure: Closed Freeway Connectors:

Eastbound and westbound SR-91 to northbound I-710

Eastbound and westbound I-105 to southbound I-710

Beginning Saturday at 7:00 a.m. until Sunday at 11:00 p.m., a reduced number of lanes will be available to motorists: two lanes for northbound traffic and three lanes for southbound traffic. Speeds will be reduced to 45 mph. Oversized loads are not permitted during these times due to narrower lane widths. To decrease delay time, motorists are advised to use alternate routes around the project area. All closures are weather permitting, as paving requires temperatures above 50 degrees and dry conditions.

The work involves rehabilitating aging pavement and providing the roadway with several decades of service life, improved pavement performance and a smoother ride for the traveling public. Roadway widening will occur where possible to provide standard lanes and shoulders, widening the Compton Creek bridge and Atlantic Avenue undercrossings, and overlaying nine miles of the existing pavement with 10″ inches of Long Life Asphalt Concrete.

More information on the Long Life Pavement Rehabilitation Project, closures, route and detour maps, is available on the Caltrans District 7 website at www.dot.ca.gov/dist07

Elimination Of The California Department Of Boating And Waterways Opposed By The Board Of Supervisors

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously agreed today to oppose Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s plan to eliminate the California Department of Boating and Waterways (DBW). The motion, authored by Supervisor Don Knabe, Chairman of the Board, also directs the County’s Chief Executive Office, in conjunction with the Sheriff’s and Fire Departments and the Department of Beaches and Harbors, to prepare a letter of opposition to be sent to the Governor.

Under the Governor’s government efficiency proposal, DBW would be merged into the California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR). DBW, which is completely self-funded by the boating public’s resources, currently funds launch ramp construction, loans for marina construction, construction of boating safety centers, boating safety and law enforcement programs, abandoned vessel removal, public outreach programs, and even weed control in boating areas throughout the State. If the two Departments merge it will likely result in cuts and delays to current projects and programs for boaters, including the County projects and programs.

The County of Los Angeles directly benefits from many DPW programs: the Department of Beaches and Harbors benefits from grants and loans for dock construction; the County Lifeguards get funding for boats, as does the Sheriff for boats and safety programs. The County will need to find different funding, if such funding is even available, for these projects and programs.

The Department of Boating and Waterways is critical to the future of boating in California, and any diversion of funds may result in the rapid deterioration of California’s boating waterways and infrastructure, said Supervisor Knabe. Additionally, diverting its resources to another State department, which has its own priorities, robs the very community that funds it. Boaters will still pay registration fees, but they won’t be getting the full benefit of those fees as they have in the past.

Los Angeles County Hiring Lake Lifeguards

The Lake Lifeguards of the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation are recruiting new applicants for their Lake Lifeguard service. The Los Angeles County Lake Lifeguards safeguard 40 miles of California’s most enjoyed inland waters, Castaic Lake, Bonelli Park and the Santa Fe Dam.

The mission of the Lake Lifeguards is to protect swimmers and save lives at Los Angeles County lakes. For over 75 years, Los Angeles County Lake Lifeguards have earned a reputation as one of the finest life guarding agencies in the world. They are looking for quality individuals with a strong athletic background (swimming, running, water polo, etc.) to continue this tradition.

A Lake Lifeguard observes an assigned area of a lake from a tower, launch ramp or patrol boat to preserve order, prevent accidents, and effect rescues. All candidates must have the ability to swim 1000 meters in eighteen minutes or less. New applicants for the Lake Lifeguard program require no prior experience. Upon completion of swimming exam, applicants will be enrolled in the Lake Lifeguard Academy where they must complete a County approved basic course of instruction including advanced lifesaving, first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

For more information, please contact Jim Hughes, Lake Aquatics Manager, at (909) 599-9364 ext. 2010.

Minimum Requirements:

LICENSE: A valid California Class C Driver License is required.

AGE: At least eighteen (18) years of age. You must be 18 on or before May 16, 2009.

VISION: At least 20/30 in each eye without correction.

HEARING: (see official job bulletin)

EDUCATION: Proof of high school graduation or its equivalent is required at the time of appointment.

LOCATIONS:

San Fernando Regional Pool Facility

208 Park Avenue

San Fernando, CA 91340

Saturday, February 14, 2009 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

San Dimas Swim & Racquetball Club

990 West Covina Boulevard

San Dimas, CA 91773

Sunday, February 15, 2009 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Atlantic Pool

570 South Atlantic Boulevard

Los Angeles, CA 90022

Sunday, February 22, 2009 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Local Students To Be Treated To ‘Inkheart’ Movie As Part of Operation Read Program

About 300 Los Angeles County schoolchildren will attend a special screening of the new Warner Bros. movie ‘Inkheart’ at the Norwalk AMC this Thursday, January 22, as part of Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe’s Operation Read Program.

The 7th and 8th grade students, from the Bellflower Unified School District, will arrive at the theater at 9:00 a.m., and will watch the movie after being welcomed by Supervisor Knabe. Each student participating in program received a free copy of ‘Inkheart’, written by Cornelia Funke. The students that are participating in the program were required to have satisfactory grades, good behavior, and make a commitment to read the book and complete a writing assignment.

Literacy is very important to me, and the essence of this program is to get students to read and enjoy it, said Supervisor Knabe. You cannot get even the most basic job in our society without the ability to read, because reading is at the core of everything we do. I am so proud of all of the students who read the book and understand the importance reading has in their lives.

The buses should begin arriving at the theater at 9:00 a.m. AMC Norwalk 20 is located at 12300 East Civic Center Drive in the City of Norwalk.

County To Evaluate Transit Needs In Hacienda Heights, Rowland Heights, East Whittier And North Whittier

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved a study to evaluate the transit needs of the unincorporated communities of Hacienda Heights, Rowland Heights, East Whittier and North Whittier, and recommend route or service changes to existing services or recommend new services.

The $102,000 Transit Needs Study will be performed by IBI Group, and will take approximately ten months to complete. The goal of the study is to identify unmet transit needs and recommend improvements to transit services for the residents in these communities. As part of the evaluation, public outreach and planning sessions will be utilized to get feedback from local stakeholders and community groups. The study is funded by the Fourth Supervisorial District’s Proposition A Local Return Transit Program, and is part of the County’s ongoing effort to evaluate the transit needs of its unincorporated communities.

This study is critical to understanding the transit needs of our residents that live in these areas, said Supervisor Don Knabe, Chairman of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. It will not only identify gaps or deficiencies in the current transit network, but also recommend ways to improve services.

Rowland Heights Railroad Safety Project Receives County Funding

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has committed $12 million in funding towards the Nogales Street Railroad Grade Separation project in Rowland Heights. The project is designed to greatly improve vehicle, pedestrian, and rail safety by building a traffic overpass above the railroad tracks on the border between Rowland Heights and the City of Industry.

The total project cost is currently estimated to be $86.95 million. In addition to the County’s $12 million contribution, the City of Industry has committed an additional $12 million, plus $2 million from Union Pacific. The remaining funds will come from Proposition 1B railroad safety funds and grants from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

The actual design and construction of the overpass will be completed by the Alameda Corridor-East Construction Authority. Design plans are scheduled to be completed in September 2009 with construction beginning in March 2010 and completion in March 2013.

Reward Established For Long Beach Double Murder

A $10,000 reward has been unanimously approved by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, at the request of Supervisor Don Knabe, to assist in the investigation of a double murder that claimed the lives of Sarith Em and Vannaly Tim in the City of Long Beach on New Year’s Day.

On January 1, 2009, at 12:39 a.m., Sarith Em, 25, and Vannaly Tim, 24, were both found with multiple fatal gun shot wounds at the 1800 Block of Gardenia Avenue in Long Beach. According to family members, the victims went outside to move a car and did not return.

Long Beach detectives are currently investigating the incident, and believe it would be beneficial to offer a reward in the case, which may prompt reluctant witnesses to come forward and provide information to identify the individual(s) responsible for this crime.

Anyone having any information related to this accident is asked to contact Detective Patrick O’Dowd or Detective Russell Moss at the Long Beach Police Department’s Homicide Division at (562) 570-7244.

Board Establishes $10,000 Reward For Information Related To Murder Of 20-Year Old Man In Artesia

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a $10,000 reward today, at the request of Supervisor Don Knabe, for information related to a shooting incident that led to the death of a 20-year old man in the City of Artesia.

On September 29, 2002, Gabriel Steven Salazar, 20, was shot in the head while driving his vehicle with three companions on the 16700 Block of Pioneer Boulevard in Artesia. Gabriel was transported to the hospital with a gunshot wound to the head, and he later succumbed to his wound.

Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau are investigating the murder; however, to date, they haven’t received any viable information related to the incident. Despite the murder of Mr. Salazar occurring several years ago, investigators now believe it would be beneficial to offer a reward in this case, which may prompt reluctant witnesses to come forward and provide information to identify the individual(s) responsible for this crime.

It is important for the County of Los Angeles to display an unwavering stance against random acts of violence, said Supervisor Knabe. In order to bring these suspects to justice, and demonstrate our intolerance to such deplorable crimes, I believe this reward should be established, hoping someone will come forward so that we can bring these suspects to justice.