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Including Inglewood Airport Area • Baldwin Hills • Crenshaw/LA • Ladera Heights VOL. 25, No. 14
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April 7, 2016
Former Undersheriff Tanaka Convicted of Conspiracy and Obstruction
ormer Los Angeles County Undersheriff Paul Tanaka was convicted on Wednesday by a federal jury of deliberately impeding an FBI investigation into inmate abuse and obstruction of justice at jail facilities. Tanaka, who also serves as mayor of Gardena, faces up to 15 years in federal prison, when he is sentenced June 20, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The revered undersheriff rose through the ranks of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept. to become former Sheriff Lee Baca’s second-in-command. Some say he was an overbearing leader who led with an iron hand. The scandal that involved toplevel Sheriff’s Department officials and forced the resignation of Sheriff Baca, centered around allegations of abuse, civil rights violations of inmates and various cover-ups. Ten people have now been convicted or pleaded guilty for their roles in the plan. Last month, Baca admitted that he lied to federal investigators. Under a deal with prosecutors, he
Gardena Mayor Paul Tanaka, former Los Angeles County Undersheriff
will avoid more serious charges and can serve no more than six months in prison. Lower-ranking sheriff’s officials convicted in the obstruction case have been sentenced to years in
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probes by the FBI. He claimed he was unaware of what was happening behind the scenes. Despite Tanaka’s apparent willingness to cooperate with authorities, (Continued on page 8)
Meet the New City Administrators
On The Inside: • News
prison. They remain free while appealing their convictions. Tanaka, who stood in his own defense, told jurors that Baca was responsible for coming up with the cover-up scheme in response to
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By Thomas Bunn
ow does a city become smarter? How does a city become the largest airport soundinsulation program in the country? After talking with two newly appointed department directors in the City of Inglewood, who are on a path to improve the quality of life for the community, we think we may have just found the answers. Ask anyone who lives or has lived in the community and they’ll tell you about those notorious airplanes. Flying over every 3-5 minutes en route to LAX, rattling win(Continued on page 2)
Bettye Griffith
Matthew Chambers
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