2009_02_26_Pasadena Independent

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Independent PASADENA

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26 - MARCH 4, 2009 VOLUME 14, NO. 9

Fallout: A Victim of Monrovia’s Mini Madoff Speaks Out By Susan Motander

Paige Lopez, one of the Tax Doctor’s first victims, has stepped forward to tell his story. Mark Colasuonno who did business here in Monrovia as the Tax Doctor, preparing tax returns and suggesting investments for his clients, was held to answer in Superior Court for his actions regarding Lopez and his brother Frank.

Defending Champion Wins Amgen Tour of California for Third Consecutive Year

Colasuonno was charged with Grand Theft by embezzlement with an enhancement of the charges as more than $100,000 was alleged to have been stolen. Colasuonno has been arraigned and after a preliminary hearing, a Superior Court Judge found that there was sufficient evidence to face trial. As a condition

of his release without bail, Colasuonno was ordered not to prepare taxes or create another LLC. Ernie Algorrie, the attorney who represents Paige Lopez, and his client spoke of the case earlier this week. “We believe in the presumption of innocence until an individual until proven guilty,” Algorrie

said. “But we also believe in civil redress for wrongs.” Lopez said that Colasuonno, as the Tax Doctor, started preparing his tax returns in the late 1990s. After several years of working with Colasuonno, Lopez said that in approximately 2003 he mentioned to Colasuonno that he might be coming into an inheritance

from his uncle. Later Lopez and his brother Frank realized that they would receive a total of $350,000 from the estate of his uncle. Lopez said that he explained to Colasuonno that he needed to invest his portion of the funds in something which he could easily liquidate as he Fallout on 12

Shooting Raises Questions of Pasadena Police Procedures

Two Million Fans Across California Turned Out to Watch After nine challenging and epic days of cycling through more than 750-miles of scenic California roads, and a thrilling fight to the finish, Levi Leipheimer (USA) of A st a na wa s crow ned champion of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California, solidifying a three-peat for the California resident. With a week-long total time of 31 hours, 28 minutes and 21 seconds, Leipheimer accepted the highly coveted title of race champion in front of massive cheering crowds in Escondido, which brought the race total to 2 million fans along the race route from Sacramento to Escondido. In a nine-day battle against the best field -Photo By Terry Miller

Ameka Edwards is consoled by a friend as tears run down her face outside Pasadena PD Monday. Edwards was the driver of the -Photo By Terry Miller car in which Leroy Barnes was shot 11 times by Pasadena Police last Thursday afternoon.

Residents, ACLU Call for Independent Investigation Citizens March on City Hall Demanding Answers By Terry Miller

On Thursday February 19, at approximately 4:20 p.m., a Pasadena police unit with two officers pulled over a vehicle on Mentone just south of Washington in Northwest

Pasadena. What exactly happened for the duration of that traffic stop and the events that unfolded shortly thereafter remain in question, shrouded in mystery and police silence due

to the ongoing investigation. Initially, eyewitness accounts said Barnes was shot at least 7 times, despite being unarmed. But Pasadena police say otherwise. One witness,

Brandon Gardner, 24, claims he saw the whole thing and was adamant that Barnes did not fire any kind of weapon which the police initially alShooting on 18

Debunking the “Los Angeles Sprawl” Myth By Sir Eric Maundry

Pasadena was the site of Stage Seven where fans witnessed Lance Armstrong,left and Levi Leipheimer race side by side.

Amgen on 16

There is a big old debate going on over at a blog called Freakonomics (The Hidden Side Of Everything), which is run by the New York Times. One of its contributors is Eric A. Morris, who

apparently is a writer who likes to take on some of the bigger shibboleths of these here days. And judging by the vehemence contained in some of the responses to his article debunking the myth of “Los Angeles Sprawl,” it would appear that Mr. Mor-

ris has struck something of a nerve. The myth of Los Angeles as a wasteful low density sprawl that consumes vast tracts of land for little real purpose is pretty much at the heart of any justification for high density development,

Myth on 3

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Pasadena Police Investigate Allegations of Rape On Monday, February 23, at about 2:20 p.m. the Pasadena Police Department responded to the 200 block of Idaho Street after an area resident called to report that there were three teens laying on a neighbor’s lawn saying that they had just been raped. Responding officers discovered the three girls, all 14 years of age, and found them to be extremely intoxicated. They were transported to an area hospital where they were examined and treated. Detectives were able to interview one of the victims who reported that they had ditched school. All three girls were at a local mall where they were “hanging out” and they willingly went with the two male adult suspects to “hang out” with them. The girls were taken to the house on Idaho where they were given alcohol and marijuana, and sexually assaulted. The investigation is ongoing. ‘While detectives are pursuing several promising leads, the department would welcome any additional information that may help bring this case to closure: says Chief of Police Bernard Melekian. “We need these suspects off the street before they cause harm to anyone else’s child.” Anyone with any information should call the Pasadena Police Detective Section at (626) 744-4522.

Update of Open Space and Conservation Element Kicks Off with Community Event The community will kick off the update of the Open Space and Conservation Element of the General Plan with a free open house event Saturday, Feb. 28, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the courtyard at Pasadena City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave. This element, or chapter of the General Plan sets goals and priorities for the future of Pasadena’s natural resources, from parks and trails to air quality and water. The community is encouraged to drop by at any time or stay for the entire Space on 12


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