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Top picks p15 DECEMBER 2, 2011 VOLUME 19, NO. 46
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INSIDE: WEEKEND | PAGE 19
MountainViewOnline.com
Property manager charged with theft In all, Imai estimates that olice have arrested a Sunny- Morioka cost vale woman after she alleg- her $80,000 edly bilked an 82-year-old while managing Mountain View woman of more her properties than $50,000 while managing her from 1991 until properties. 2007, according Grace Morioka Grace Morioka, 50, was arrested to her statement after turning herself in to the to police. In the last four years Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Morioka managed her properoffice on Oct. 28 and was charged ties, police say Imai’s accountant with grand theft and theft against found that Morioka reported an elder, said Detective Barry $701,576 in rental income to Barner of the San Jose police the victim, but deposited only department’s financial crimes $663,431 into the bank account department. She was released on for the properties. Morioka was $200,000 bail. also allegedly charging more rent While she was acting as prop- than she reported to the victim erty manager and Realtor for for some properties. Imai claims Mary Imai, Morioka allegedly that Morioka refuses her lawyer’s skimmed rent, overrequests to provide charged for mainteall records of her sernance costs and failed ‘I thought she vices, which Morioka to pay homeowners denies. association dues for was helping In her statement to properties owned by police, Imai explained me.’ Imai in Mountain that she had signed View’s Ada Park and power of attorney to MARY IMAI Camellia Park neighMorioka for her propborhoods. According erty matters. “I signed to police, properties it without reading it,” were nearly sold at auction several she said. “I didn’t know the power times, a police report says. Police it would give her. I had a lot going say Morioka also showed phony on with my sick husband and I records to the victim to cover up thought she was helping me.” the losses. So far no significant assets belongImai said she learned of the prob- ing to Morioka have been found lems in 2007 when her handyman that could provide some restitutold her that one of her homes at tion, though authorities continue Mountain View’s Ada Park was to look. two days away from a foreclosure Morioka declined to comment auction. She learned that liens for the story, referring the request had been placed on her proper- to her lawyer, Rhesa Rubin. “We ties for delinquent homeowners are not going to try her case in the association dues, penalties and press. We are confident she will be attorney fees, costing $28,000 to exonerated in the end,” Rubin told remove. One home had nearly the Voice. been foreclosed on at least three In her statement to police, Moritimes. “Morioka would present oka claims she didn’t charge the a check at the last minute for the widow for her services after the delinquent homeowner’s fees,” See GRAND THEFT, page 14 the police report said. By Daniel DeBolt
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Partners for New Generations Axel Cipres, left, says goodbye to her mentor Sue Russell, right, at Alta Vista High School, Tuesday, Nov. 29.
Mentoring brings generations together By Nick Veronin
W
hen she can’t turn to her teachers, family or friends for fear she’ll be reported, punished or judged, Axel Cipres is thankful that she has Sue Russell. Cipres, a senior at Alta Vista High School, is comfortable sharing things with Russell that she wouldn’t want to share with
anyone else. “With Sue, I can talk to her and I know it’s more private,” the 18-year-old said, saying that she views Russell as separate from her school, family and friends. Being able to turn to someone
outside the three main groups of people in her life is great, Cipres said. If nothing else, Cipres can share her feelings without worrying that what she says might get back to someone she doesn’t want hearing it.
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See HOLIDAY FUND, page 13
High-speed rail plan draws new critics LEGISLATIVE ANALYST SAYS LATEST PROPOSAL WOULD CONFLICT WITH STATE LAW By Gennady Sheyner
T
he California High-Speed Rail Authority’s new business plan, which shows the price tag of the controversial project nearly tripling from initial estimates, is drawing a
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fresh wave of criticism from local officials, rail watchdogs and independent analysts who claim that the latest proposal to pay for the rail line would violate state law. The business plan, which the authority released earlier this
month, estimates the cost of the San Francisco-to-Los Angeles line at $98.5 billion — more than $60 billion above the estimate presented to California voters in 2008 and more than See HSR, page 10
GOINGS ON 23 | MARKETPLACE 24 | MOVIES 22 | REAL ESTATE 26 | VIEWPOINT 18