the current

Tag: covid-19

  • LA Metro Distributes Counterfeit N95 Masks to Employees: 97 Infected, 2 COVID Related Deaths – Potential Criminal Liability Looms Over Executives

    LA Metro Distributes Counterfeit N95 Masks to Employees: 97 Infected, 2 COVID Related Deaths – Potential Criminal Liability Looms Over Executives

    A potential criminal investigation could be looming over LA Metro CEO Phil Washington, Chief Operations Officer Jim Gallagher, Systems Security and Law Enforcement former Interim Chief and current Executive Officer Aston Greene, as well as other high level executives at the agency, if it is discovered that employees, including drivers of LA Metro buses, were never informed the N95 masks they were issued as PPE back in April of 2020, were counterfeit and offered no protection from the COVID19 virus.

    To date, there have been 378 cases and 3 deaths related to COVID19 at LA Metro since the beginning of the pandemic. A total of 97 drivers tested positive with two drivers dying due to complications from COVID19.

    CAUSE FOR COVID PANIC

    The first red flag raised regarding L.A. Metro’s disregard for public safety  was reported early in the pandemic after a driver at the Carson station tested positive for the Coronavirus. The positive diagnosis sent city officials immediately into a tail spin.

    On Thursday April 2nd, Carson City Council “urged” L.A. Metro to suspend all bus service in the County fearing a potential super spreader could occur among the 100,000 residents and beyond. Mayor Albert Robles outraged at the lack of action and accountability from L.A. Metro executives released this statement:

    “Churches are essential, but they’ve been closed down. Many other businesses that provide essential services have been closed down. Have done the responsible thing. But for L.A. Metro to not be responsible, not care about their own employees, not care about the passengers, not care about the community at-large and immediately suspend their operations is just irresponsible.”

    COUNTERFEIT COVID PROTECTION

    In May, an employee of L.A. Metro discovered the N95 masks, specifically model DTC3X that were issued to employees in the beginning of April, at approximately the same time the first driver tested positive for the Coronavirus.

    A driver wearing one of the counterfeit masks distributed by LA Metro.

    On May 8th, 2020, a L.A. Metro Signal Inspector concerned for the safety of employees and the general public using Metro services, contacted Collins Kalu, L.A. Metro’s Sr. Director Safety Certifications and Operations Manager, inquiring about the follow-up – or lack thereof – regarding the notification to agency officials counterfeit masks were distributed more than a month previously and employees were still wearing the masks unaware they provided little, if any protection.

    Email from LA Metro employee to the Director of Safety Certifications.

     

    The response from the Director of Safety Certifications acknowledging the claim re: counterfeit masks.

     

    Kalu responded to the Signal Inspector that the counterfeit masks, (although the model number was transposed in his email incorrectly) was “under further investigation”, however, after 97 confirmed infections and two COVID related deaths of bus operators, it appears no notification has been made to employees about the counterfeit masks that were in distribution.

    Union representatives were contacted, seemingly unaware and/or not willing to comment on counterfeit masks distributed at LA Metro to employees.

    Further investigation also showed no mention or warnings regarding the counterfeit PPE were sent by the union.

    Even more alarming is the email I received from L.A. Metro’s PR Department, Joni Honor categorically denying the existence of the counterfeit masks and in anticipation of the release of this article, a follow up notice implying the masks were never in existence went out to Metro employees this morning.

    The email sent to me by LA Metro PR Executive Joni Honor.

    The email below sent to L.A. Metro employees (after my media inquiry) denying the masks were distributed.

    PUBLIC SAFETY IN PERIL

    Ironically, at the time the counterfeit masks were being distributed and used by L.A. Metro employees, CEO Phil Washington was put in charge of the COVID response task for all public transportation by APTA for all of Public Transportation in the country by APTA Chairman Nuria I. Fernandez General Manager and CEO Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority in San Jose, CA and APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas. Upon his appointment Washington said “In developing this industry-wide commitments program, we are working to build back public confidence in riding transit by increasing sanitation practices, requiring masks for all customers and operators and working around the clock to keep our frontline essential employees healthy.”

    Even though the list of accusations of public corruption and negligence against Washington is long, Supervisor Sheila Kuehl has gone on record to say he is “the best manager she has ever seen.”

    However, when Kuehl and the other members of the L.A. County Board of Supervisors, who oversees L.A. Metro, were contacted about the counterfeit masks, they received and read, but did not reply to inquiries.

    The “read” receipt from Supervisor Sheila Kuehl concerning the counterfeit N95 masks.

    SQUEAKY WHEEL

    A complaint was filed in the last few days to the Office of Inspector General at LA Metro who is now investigating L.A. Metro’s role in the cover-up of distributing counterfeit PPE and potentially contributing the death of at least two drivers.

    SOUNDING THE EOC ALARM

    LA County has lived through not one, but two States of Emergency since the beginning of the pandemic with the Board of Supervisors making some very alarming decisions regarding public safety.

    Just days into the lockdown, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to give CEO Sachi Hamai control over the Emergency Operations. This calculated power grab by the board was meant to alienate and discredit Sheriff Alex Villanueva who has been target of continuous attacks by the B.O.S. and Civilian Oversight Committee Chairman Patti Giggans, since he took office in January, 2019. The move was rationalized by the Board based on an “audit” after the devastating Woolsey Fire and the apparent “lack of coordination” between agencies, which at the time was under the command of former Sheriff Jim McDonnell. “This radical gutting of the Emergency Code is irresponsible,” Sheriff Villanueva said “The pattern is very clear – when you’re in trouble, you will build more bureaucracy.”

    The audit’s recommendation, which was bought and paid for by the Board of Supervisors (to fit their agenda) was that the emergency center be placed under the leadership of the county CEO who, conveniently reports directly to the Board of Supervisors – and would give little to no oversight from the Sheriff. “This is about who can coordinate the best – it’s not correct for this to go under just law enforcement,” said Supervisor Kuehl which has now allowed a  pattern of corruption in the public safety sector to rise to dangerous levels not seen before.

    As more whistleblowers come forward providing significant evidence of criminal negligence with regard to the health and safety of the county employees and the public at large, the removal of Sheriff Villanueva as the head of Emergency Operations could prove to be a fatal mistake by the ongoing mismanagement of Public Safety by the LA County Board of Supervisors.

    Now the responsibility of L.A. Metro executives to notify employees of faulty PPE and rectify the issue, could be the subject of a criminal manslaughter investigation if proven the counterfeit masks did not protect the drivers who died from COVID related illness.

    This is a developing story.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • L.A. County Board of Supervisors Meeting: Stay At Home Order “With All Certainty” Extended Three Months

    L.A. County Board of Supervisors Meeting: Stay At Home Order “With All Certainty” Extended Three Months

    The stay-at-home order due to expire May 15th, will be extended “with all certainty” for the next three months acknowledged by Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer at the LA County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday as originally reported by the The L.A. Times.  Dr. Ferrer said during the meeting the only way that timeframe would change was if there was a “dramatic change to the virus tools at hand”.

    The comments by Dr. Ferrer were made after the nation’s top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, warned Congress of “dire consequences” should they continue the push to ease orders which could trigger an outbreak.

     

     

     

  • Coronavirus: While COVID-19 Infections Continues to Climb in Prisons, Overall Crime Declines in L.A. County During Shutdown

    As California officials scramble to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus in prisons, outbreaks have flared up at two crowded California prisons, confirming the worst fears of prisoner families and advocates — and adding fuel to a growing federal court fight over the state prison system’s response to the pandemic.

    Statewide, 115 inmates and 89 corrections employees have tested positive for the coronavirus and state prisons are already overcrowded with prisoners sharing close quarters.

    Meanwhile, L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva has faced heavy scrutiny for releasing low level criminals with sentences of 30 days or less to relieve overcrowding in the jails, described as a “tinderbox of potential infection.”  by Scott Kernan, former secretary, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

    Fears of an uptick in crime due to the release of the low level criminals from over populated prisons  in L.A. County so far have been unfounded. Sheriff Villanueva told FOX 11 that LASD was the first Sheriff’s department in the country to begin the early release of inmates, which they began on February 28th. LASD focused on releasing nonviolent criminals in pre-trial detention, or those who were about to finish their sentences within 30 to 60 days. The most violent are still locked up behind bars with the remaining 75% of the jail population.

    On Monday, Sheriff Villanueva released crime statistics through April 18th:

    One statistic that has risen as expected was domestic violence, which rose by 8.37 percent since the COVID-19 shutdown began. However, the Sheriff’s Department remains vigilant in pursuing abusers and keeping felons locked up behind bars.

    Recently, the Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station responded to a domestic violence call arresting the suspect for assault. After the suspect bonded out, he assaulted the victim a second time. Lost Hills deputies were able to apprehend the suspect after the second offense, and the judge to set bail at $1 million dollars to guarantee the victim’s safety. The suspect currently remains behind bars.

    Despite stats showing that violent crime has been down across the board recently, the Sheriff said he fears it may not stay that way for long “We just have to be hyper-vigilant because that pendulum can eventually swing in the opposite direction…”

    However, Villanueva told The Current Report criminals who think the pandemic is a prime time to prey on the vulnerable better think twice. LASD is currently on full deployment and more manpower is on the street “If you commit a felony, you are going to jail”.

    Follow our breaking news coverage on Twitter.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Stiff Consequences During Covid-19 Shutdown: Surfer Cited and Paddleboarder Arrested at First Point

    Stiff Consequences During Covid-19 Shutdown: Surfer Cited and Paddleboarder Arrested at First Point

    Yesterday was a busy day at Malibu’s world renowned First Point.

    Deputies patrolled the popular surf break citing multiple offenders which includes arresting on paddle boarder. Lost Hills Station confirmed that all complied when asked to leave the beach.

    The paddle boarder, from Pacific Palisades, ignored L.A. County Lifeguards demands to exit the ocean and remained in the water for approximately 30-40 minutes. An LASD boat was brought in from Marina Del Rey Station to assist, and once the Sheriff’s boat arrived on scene, the suspect then complied and swam to shore. The suspect was arrested for Disobeying a Lifeguard 17.12.115 LACC and Violation of Government Code 8665. He was booked at the Lost Hills station and subsequently released with a promise to appear in court. According to our sources, the suspect told officers his actions would now earn him”street cred” and was allegedly unfazed by his actions that carry stiff legal penalties resulting from the Stay at Home order on March 19th by Governor Newsome in response to the rapidly growing Covid-19 virus.

    L.A. County Lifeguards and LASD coordinate in the water to bring a rogue paddle boarder disobeying orders to exit the ocean at First Point.

    “To protect public health, I as state public health officer and director of the California Department of Public Health, order all individuals living in the state of California to stay home or at their place of residence except as needed to maintain continuity of operations of the federal critical infrastructure sectors,” stated Newsom in his order.

    The order is enforceable by law, and the Office of Emergency Services has been given the authority to take necessary steps to ensure its compliance. This order utilizes California Government Code section 8665, which mandates that any person who violates or willfully neglects to obey the shelter in place order can be found guilty of a misdemeanor. Failure to adhere is punishable by a fine up to $1,000, a maximum sentence of six months jail time, or both.

    A surfer escorted off the beach yesterday was cited for violating government code 8665.

    Aside from the legal consequences, there is a growing health concern among scientists including Kim Prather, a leading atmospheric chemist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography who was interviewed by the L.A. Times.

    “I wouldn’t go in the water if you paid me $1 million right now,” she said.

    In her research, Prather has found that the ocean churns up all kinds of particulate and microscopic pathogens, and every time the ocean sneezes with a big wave or two, it sprays these particles into the air. She believes that this new coronavirus is light enough to float through the air much farther than we think. The six-feet physical distancing rule, she said, doesn’t apply at the beach, where coastal winds can get quite strong and send viral particles soaring.

    Many beachgoers know they can suffer skin rashes, stomach illness and serious ear and respiratory infections if they go into the water within three days of a heavy rain, because of bacteria and pathogens washing off roads and into the ocean. Raw or poorly treated sewage entering the ocean also poses major health risks.

    During the Malibu Lagoon Restoration Project biologists and scientists weighed in on the faulty septic systems in the Colony that contributed to contributing to a toxic surf break at First Point.

    The excavation during the project discovered some of the adjacent Colony houses to the lagoon had covert illegal discharge pipes that led into the back of the lagoon. Several eye witnesses claim that at least one particular home owner would sump pump untreated human waste of his submerged flooded septic through his illegal discharge pipe directly into the lagoon. The EPA deemed that area of the lagoon a “Dysfunctional Death Zone” and surfers referred to it as the “Polio Pond.”

    Surfrider Foundation staff scientist Katie Day weighed in on Covid-19 and the potential for high concentrations of the viable COVID-19 virus could put freshwater recreation users at risk.

    Regardless of known health risks regarding close contact during the Covid-19 health crisis, State Parks and Ventura County have been less than motivated to enforce state mandates based on the crowds that continue to congregate at Ventura County Line, and Neptune’s Net, a tourist destination who has been overwhelmed trying to implement social distancing according to public health guidelines. The first weekend of the Stay at Home Order, owner Margaret Cho told The Local Malibu they “didn’t expect anyone because of the Stay at Home order and was completely unprepared for the crowds”. They have since constructed barriers to limit crowds from gathering.

    Crowds gathered at Neptune’s Net the first weekend of the Stay at Home order resulting in additional protection measures set up by the owners.

    Repeated efforts have been made by community members putting pressure on lawmakers to enforce the government codes at County Line are expected to result in closing off  of access to the County Line surf spot any day now requiring law enforcement to fine or arrest violators going forward.

     

  • LA County Health Department Orders All Beaches and Trails Closed Effective Immediately

    LA County Health Department Orders All Beaches and Trails Closed Effective Immediately

    The LA County Health Department ordered all county beaches, beach bike paths, trails, and beach access points until April 19th. The strict safety precautions were necessary after visitors flocked to area beaches and trails last weekend. Photos of crowds flocking to coastal destinations went viral on social media.
    The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will be hiring extra personnel to enforce the closures along with L.A. County Lifeguard, Department of Beaches and Harbor Code Enforcement staff.
    Per Lost Hills Station Acting Captain Chuck Becerra, hard enforcement on all parking closures along PCH, and on all beach and trail closures begins tomorrow.
    Earlier today, City of Malibu Public Works began setting up NO PARKING signs along PCH. Lost Hills Station personnel will be going through the area systematically starting  door knocking and providing resource information to RV owners. Those non-compliant will be cited and towed.
    A list of enforcement areas on PCH is listed here.
    This is part of our on-going coverage of the Covid-19 crisis.