Bulletin080217

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TheBulletin WEDNESDAY, MAY 2,2,2012 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2017

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SERVING COMPTON THE INGLEWOOD TRIBUNE, AND THE INGLEWOOD TRIBUNE, CARSON BULLETIN, CARSON BULLETIN, WILMINGTON  WILMINGTON BEACON, THE CALIFORNIAN, BEACON, THE CALIFORNIANTHE WEEKENDER, VOICE & THE SOUTHTHE SOUTH L.A. L.A. VOICE VOLUME VOLUME 42, No. 18 55, •No.50 1 CENTS • 50 CENTS

Council approves fee increases Ex-Mayor of Compton found guilty of corruption for misusing public money proposed resolution adds an additional later. His voided The conviction By Chris Fred Frost Shuster to the general fund. Bulletin Writer mayor of in 2012 allowed $140,000 him to twice TheStaffformer “The city Compton was found guilty unsuccessfully run for mayorhas been subsidizing or covering COMPTON—The Councilagain. unanimously street permit issuance and administration costs,” Friday of corruptionCity charges approved street work fee increases at its April 17 interim Public Works Director John Strickland Bradley a for using about $4,000 said. faces “The present fee schedule does not address meeting, moving them beyondintheir current 1989 now lifetime ban on holding taxpayer funds to pay for many types of street work permits issued and adlevels. public office. served personal expenses. ministered. ” The city based its increase on inspection and Bradley as mayor from 1993 After the guilty verdicts Publicuntil comments about the increases drew administrative costs it traditionally did not 2001.cities. on twothen felony countsrates were praise from residents hoping for increased revcharge, compared with other enue, buttrial, the group stood against raising fees af“Wealoud, compared our rates with Gardenia, LynDuring the two-week read Omar Bradley residents. nwoodboth and Torrance, ” interim Worksattorney Di- fecting Bradley’s argued that raised arms skyward andPublic “I know his there should be increases, but you are rectorsat John Strickland said. the former mayor believed then looking downwards, shaking his head from side to expenditures—for clothing, golf fees and hotel rooms— side. His wife sobbed. He declined comment as were legal because they were he left the courthouse with for city business. Prosecutors had not proven that Bradley family members. Judge George Lomeli set knew the $4,000 he spent was unlawful, attorney Robert J. sentencing for Aug. 30. Bradley, 59, was charged Hill told the jury. But Deputy District with misappropriating public funds by “double- dipping”— Attorney Ana Lopez alleged using a city credit card and that Bradley’s spending was cash advances for travel. It “purely personal” and offered was his second trial in the “no public benefit,” and that he clearly understood the case. In 2004, Bradley was rules. She conceded, however, found guilty of the charges, accountability for but the conviction was tossed that became “very out on appeal eight years spending

Oversight commission to LA County Sheriff: No more drones

placing too many upon the residents,” Lynn chise agreement for the utility. Council members opposed fees affecting resiBoone said. “Maybe someone should go over LOS ANGELES—A Losparty Angeles dents, including adiscovered. $50 jump inThe block perthese.” majority of Los Angeles Police mits, and a handicap curbDepartment fee increase toacquired $150 for Utility companies are exempt from any fee inthe pole sign andtwo installation, then a $20 creases because of a lawsuit between Edison and County Sheriff Civilian drones in 2014 butcharge never annually. Residential Alhambra California in 2011. refuse them bins were Oversight commissioners launched afterscheduled protests “The utility company had a franchise agree- want to increase from about $5 and potential $40 for small and large say they Sheriff surveillance ment, and the city adopted an ordinance bins,to to $25 and $75, Jim concurMcDonnell stop uses.respectively. rent with the agreement,” City Attorney “I aminagainst because of the flying aCraig drone used law gouging Fourresidents of the eight members Cornwell said. “The court found that interfering city’s negligence,” Councilwoman Janna Zurita. enforcement”operations. present the monthly public “It is hard to ask for more at money with the condiwith the franchise agreement is unconstitutional. The aircraft was unveiled meeting Thursday of the Cornwell and Edison representatives created by the Department Sheriff »Civilian See FEES,Oversight Page 9A language in the agreement that preserves theSheriff’s franin January and has been Commission voted against deployed four times, mostly authorizing a set of strict in search-and-rescue recommendations that would missions. The department have spelled out how the has said the 20-inch-long department should manage unmanned aircraft system, its drone program, the Los which cost $10,000, would Angeles Times reported. strictly be used in highOne of the risk tactical operations— recommendations was for fires, bomb detection and McDonnell to “explicitly and hostage situations—but unequivocally state” he would not surveillance. not allow the drone to be Activists, however, have armed, and other suggestions warned of possible “mission called for precise reporting creep,” expressing fears the on the use of the device, drone could be used for according to The Times. spying and could one day be The four members voting armed or be deployed as a against the recommendations weapon. prepared by an ad-hoc group In 2012, the sheriff’s of commissioners who spent department used a plane to weeks studying the matter » See BRADLEY, Pg 2 secretly shoot video footage said at the meeting and of Compton streets to catch By Chris Frost afterward that they oppose the Bulletin Staff Writer department’s use of drones criminals. T he operation was widely altogether. A fifth member City Council moved ancriticized once COMPTON—The it was was absent. other step forward in the city manager search on Tuesday, April 27, as Council members Willie By John Rogers “I would guess that there Jones, Janna Zurita and Yvonne Arceneaux inLOS ANGELES—When terviewed five candidates during a special meetis some message that got ing. O.J. Simpson told a Nevada through to him, a deterrence Mayor Eric J. Perrodin did not attend the parole board last week that message about having to take meeting because of a conflict involving current he’s led a “conflict-free life,” the criminal justice system interim City Manager Bryan Batiste and Counhe seemed to overlook a few seriously,” said Loyola Law COMPTON—The sheriff’s Tuesday identified cilwoman Jannadepartment Zurita. episodes that had him cycling School professor Laurie Batiste took overinfor former with interim City a suspect who allegedly struck a man Compton a vehicle in and out of courtrooms and Levenson. Manager Lamont Ewell on Jan. 25. Mazen III, following a fight, causing fatal injuries, as Frankie jail cells for nearly 20 years “But you know, staying “City Manager Bryan Batiste wrote a memo who is wanted for questioning. before the Las Vegas hotelon the right path is difficult to City Attorney Craig Cornwell that Bulletin photos by Chris Frost Melbourne Jr. Mario of Long Beach was requesting fatally injured room heist that sent him to for anybody who gets out of Councilperson Zurita recuse herself from the inabout 10:55 p.m. Monday in the area of Cypress and Crane The Sibrie Park Braves practice throwing skills on Saturday, April 29. prison in 2008. prison,” added Levenson, a terview process,” Perrodin said in a written statestreets, authorities said.“I will not participate until the Council There was a wife-beating ment. former federal prosecutor. Melbourne’s friends told NBC4opinion he wasfrom working his security receives a written Cornwell about charge in 1989 that he pleaded “And for O.J., who there is job and they were there to visit him. the disagreement. ” no contest to, a road-rage going to be a tremendous The suspect, whom the Batiste friendsis only claimholding was athefriend of Zurita said position charge he was acquitted of in amount of public spotlight Melbourne, drove to group, exited his vehicle, and began until the Council finds a permanent city man2001 and a contempt-of-court on, it may be particularly arguing with theager. victim, Deputy Kelvin Moody of the Sheriff’s citation in 2008 that put him challenging.” “The thatled everyone is making Information Bureau said.accusations The argument to a fist fight. in jail for five days. The moment he slips up, have no validity to them, and thetoCouncil will The suspect re-entered his vehicle and began drive away There was also, of course, she said, there will be an army continue searching for a qualified candidate, but then made a U-turn and struck Melbourne, Moody said.” the 1994 murder of his ex-wife of people waiting to push said. “He going in this only temThe suspect fled she eastbound onknew Cypress Street in was a gray BMW, Nicole Brown Simpson and the record button on their porary.” which was recovered a short said distance away, make Moody said. recuse her friend Ronald Goldman. Cornwell he cannot Zurita cellphones. And he could end Anyone with information regarding Mazen’s whereabouts herself. Acquitted by a criminal jury up getting sent back to prison. or on the case in general was urged to call thehas Sheriff’s Homicide “Every Council member the right to parin 1995, the football hero and One of the most valuable Bureau at (323) 890-5500. ticipate in properly noticed City Council matBy Chris Frost Hollywood star was found things he learned behind ters,” he said. “According to the charter, the city Bulletin Staff Writer liable for the killings in civil bars, Simpson said at his manager serves at the will of the Council and court two years later and parole hearing, came in an nothing short of a legally defined conflict of inCOMPTON—The Sibrie Park Braves are continuing their ordered to pay the victims’ “Alternative to four Violence” terest, a situation that precludes the member 2011 success in 2012 as the team has won of its first five families $33.5 million. class that taught him “how from attending, or a belief the he or she cannot games. “The idea that he believes talk on toSaturday, people instead be open-minded exists, complying with Mr. The squad collected ato forfeit April 28,ofas their that he’s led a conflict-free Batiste’s wishes has no legal support.” opponents, the Blue Jays,fighting.” did not show up for the game. life shows a certain delusion Thatandseemingly would Zurita said she will not step away from the inFormer San Francisco Giant current Assistant Coach you that he’s been very noted for screaming, “He’s going to kill conflict-free terviews, and thanked Cornwell for addressing Jesselife, Brew ledknow,” the team through a spirited practice have been useful when he and got LOS ANGELES— plate and having illegally the issue. praised team’s fast start. lit up the social media throughout his career,” said me!” They said she had a cut the remark into that road-rage dispute The Police Commission tinted windows. Councilwoman “They have surprised me so far, ” he said. “I am especially Arceneaux asked Cornwell veteran Hollywood crisis lip, a swollen and blackened with derision and disbelief. in Florida with a driver who unanimously ruled Tuesday After pursuing pleased by our play at shortstop and pitcher. ” for a written legal opinion directed to Watkins Council left eye and cheek, and a “A conflict-free life,” Ron accused him of trying to publicist Michael Levine. that an officer was justified in while still on the motorcycle, Brew coaches the defensive members, and he said he will prepare one. portion of the game and sticks In the wife-beating case, handprint still visible on her Goldman’s father, Fred, asked snatch the glasses off his face. fatally shooting anPublic 18-yearUrias that process the young comments onreported the selection fato theSaturday. fundamentals. incredulously “This Simpson was accused of neck. denied trying vored Batiste. “You keep your handsSimpson in front, step and aim at theto chestold of man who allegedly pulled man pulled two guns out of She called 911 again, eight is who hethe is. He’s a sociopath, attacking Nicole Brown take to, the” he glasses, testifying his “The man doeshis a good job,” resident Carolyn person you are throwing said. “We have sound out two guns after a traffic waistband so he fired two liar, a murderer, Simpson on New Year’s Day months before she was killed, a narcissistic fingerprints must said. “If you fire Batiste all of you haveAt to fundamentals, but I know the team can do have better.gotten ” stop last August Stokes in South Los rounds in self-defense. a robber. 1989, angrily telling police it to report Simpson had broken a thug, a kidnapper, on them when he accidentally deal with me. Notleast justone one of of the you,bullets all of you. ” One of the cornerstones of team success is positive atti-Angeles. struck on.” was a “family matter.” Then, down a door to get into her The list goes as both were She asked the Council if they understood her tudes, Brew said, and hebumped deals withhim problems immediately. Kenney Watkins was Watkins. Of course all a babysitter those shouting fearing he would be arrested, home and was threatening to twice, and Arceneaux acknowledged her. “I am not and do not tolerate hardheads,” he at each other. killed block of a lawsuit confiled “This is serious, Resident LorraineAccording Cervantesto expressed aboutgot baseball. ” near the 400 occurred before and I am he fled in his Rolls-Royce, beat her. He could be heard conflicts said. In teaching 2002 hethem nearly West Century Boulevard last December by Watkins’ cern about the publicity the meeting received. The team is turning the corner offensively, Brew said, bescreaming angrily in the Simpson had nine years locked up when he pleaded according to police. about 3:30 p.m. on“You Aug. guys 16. keptmother, Prescious her this meeting quiet,Sasser, ” she said. of diligent, hard work. in prisoncause to realize he was Officers reported they background. not guilty to speeding his According to a report son was unarmed and was not “That is why no one is here tonight, and it is not started the batting cage, butone liveofpitching imWhen the 70-year-old not above “They the law. Willinhe arrived at Simpson’s Los boat through Florida’s prepared by LAPD Chief” a threat to the officer. She is on television. hitters’ timing,” he said. “We play small ball (scorthat the after he gets Angeles home before dawn to Simpson told his parole board rememberproves manatee-protected zones, City Clerk Alita Godwin and Zuritadamages both reing runs with singles and doubles instead of home runs). Charlie If Beck, Watkins bailed seeking unspecified find Nicole Brown Simpson Thursday, “I’ve basically had a out in October? didn’t upturn in court. meeting notice met the they stay focused, those then ground ball show hits will into lineout of a van andsponded, took offand on said onthe allegations of wrongful foot after motorcycle Officer death, negligence, assault, The Sibrie Park Braves take advantage of a forfeit on Saturday, » See BRAVES, PageEvan 5A Urias pulled the vehicle battery, » See negligent MANAGER, Pageand 9A April 28, and hold an additional practice. hiring » See SIMPSON, Pg 2 over for lacking a front license civil rights violations.

Council interviews candidates for city manager

O.J. Simpson had a ‘conflict-free life’? Not really

Compton police seek suspect in alleged vehicle homicide

Braves enjoy early-season success

Police Commission clears officer in shooting death

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