TSA and LAPD Announce “See Something, Say Something” Campaign

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Los Angeles Country Metropolitan Transportation Authority have joined forces to bring the “If You See Something, Say Something” campaign to Los Angeles, according to USA.net. The campaign aims to raise public awareness of terrorism.

The campaign was originally implemented in New York City, and has been funded by a $13 million grant from the Department of Homeland Security. The program encourages the public and key transportation employees to see and report any signs of terrorism or crime to the property authorities.

The campaign hopes to encourage citizens to tell the authorities if they see any suspicious items, particularly while traveling, or have any information they would like to share. Recently, an al-Qaeda group from Yemen sent an unknown number of packages that contained printer cartridges with a deadly explosive that was concealed as ink. As a result, U.S. authorities have grounded all cargo from Yemen and Somalia. They also banned toner and ink cartridges of over 16 ounces in domestic or international flights.

With their campaign, authorities are hoping to prevent terrorist attacks such as the attempt with printer cartridges, especially during the busy holiday travel season. The campaign has already been featured in New York and D.C. airports, public transit, radio stations, and more.

With all the extra scrutiny being given to travelers, it is becoming more common to be accused of a crime for carrying forbidden items while traveling. If you are accused of acrime in Los Angeles this busy travel season, call the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf at [number type=”1″].

Five-Year-Old Boy Killed on Halloween in Alleged Gang Shooting

Tragically, a five-year-old boy was gunned down in an alleged gang attack while getting ready to go trick-or-treating, according to The Los Angeles Times.

The young boy was posing in a Spiderman costume in his backyard in Los Angeles. The attack is suspected of being misdirected gunfire between the Crips and the Bloods, two notorious rival Los Angeles gangs. The young boy was hit in the head with a stray bullet and died immediately. Although the boy’s house is in the middle of an area notorious for gangs, no one in his family is connected to a gang.

Along with the shooting of the young boy, his uncle was hit in the wrist and his grandfather was hit in the leg. The young boy was the 32nd person killed within a 12 square mile radius that is one of the most dangerous areas in Los Angeles. Typically, children are not targeted by gangs, although children are sometimes hit by stray bullets.

In prior years, a killing such as this one would have resulted in many more revenge killings. Now, however, gang interventionists are paid by the city to work the streets in order to stop retaliations. Residents in the area immediately provided details about the killing to police, who arrested two alleged members of the Kitchen Crips gang.

Individuals involved in a gang are often viewed as guilty until proven innocent. If you have been charged with a violent crime in relation to alleged gang activity, contact our experienced Los Angeles murder defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf. For a free consultation, call us at [number type=”1″].

Huge Medicare Scheme Uncovered, Dozens Arrested

Members of a crime ring based in New York and Los Angeles have been arrested for defrauding Medicare, according to The Wall Street Journal. It is the largest Medicare fraud operation in history.

The crime ring defrauded over $35 million from Medicare, starting in 2006. They submitted $100 million in fake bills, but only received $35.7 million in payments. Experts say Medicare has been especially vulnerable to fraud, although improvements have been made.

The criminals used doctor and patient identities to set up dozens of fake clinics across the country that were nothing more than post office boxes. The organization also stole the identities of these doctors and patients, including over 2,000 from a medical center in northern New York. Separate from this white collar crime, members of the group staged car accidents in order to submit claims to insurance companies.

The man behind the operation was a high-level organized crime figure from the former Soviet Union, arrested in Los Angeles. A total of 44 people were charged, although three remain at large. Most were members of a group from Armenia, but some of those arrested were doctors, lawyers and patients. Charges include health-care fraud, racketeering, identity theft, bank fraud and money laundering.

If you have been charged with a white collar crime in Los Angeles, contact Lawrence Wolf. As a skilled Los Angeles criminal defense attorney, Mr. Wolf will help you find the best possible defense for your case. To ensure that your rights are protected, call today at [number type=”1″]for a free consultation.

Electronic Theft Crimes Costing Companies More than Physical Theft

For the first time, companies are reporting they are losing more due to the electronic theft of data than from a physical stealing of assets, according to Reuters. A poll of over 800 senior executives showed that electronic theft is usually done by a company’s own employees. Fears over data theft are preventing many companies from expanding internationally.

Businesses lost $1.7 million per billion dollars of sales to fraud. China is the emerging market with the highest level of fraud. Ninety-eight percent of businesses in China are affected by fraud. Colombia has 94 percent of its businesses affected and 90 percent of Brazil’s businesses are affected.

Although electronic theft is at an all-time high, the physical theft of cash and business assets is by far the most widespread form of fraud. Physical theft accounts for 27.2 percent of fraud losses, and electronic fraud is 27.3 percent of losses.

Not surprisingly, firms that were information-based rather than products-based had the highest levels of electronic theft. The study found that the most likely employees to commit fraud are junior employees and senior management. Despite this big rise in electronic theft, less than 50 percent of companies are planning on boosting their spending on information security in the next year, which may be in part to the current economic climate.

Many people have the mistaken impression that a conviction for electronic theft has less serious consequences than a conviction for a crime relating to burglary or grand theft. However, stealing a company’s electronic assets is a very serious crime that can carry a harsh punishment. If you have been charged with a California theft offense, contact the Los Angeles theft crime defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf today at [number type=”1″]. Our attorneys will help you navigate the criminal justice system as painlessly as possible.

Whether or Not to Plead Guilty to a CA DUI

Many people who have been charged with a DUI in California consider pleading guilty, especially if they performed poorly on field sobriety tests or failed a chemical test measuring blood alcohol content. They receive a .08 or higher BAC reading and don’t see the point in fighting the charge and instead view the case as a “slam dunk” against them.

However, if you plead guilty, you are losing any right to present a defense in a criminal trial. In addition, a DUI guilty plea in California can have a negative impact on your driving record or any professional license.

Just because you failed a chemical test and had a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher does not mean that you should write-off doing everything possible to have your rights defended. There are many factors to take into account that could result in a potential to plea bargain to a lesser offense or having your case being dismissed. Pleading guilty means losing the opportunity to challenge any problems in the prosecution’s case.

In many cases, a DUI in Los Angeles is an individual’s first criminal charge, and he or she is horrified at the prospect of a criminal record. If you have been charged with a DUI, you should consult a qualified, experienced Los Angeles DUI attorney who can advise you of your rights before making any big decisions on your DUI case. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf have represented many defendants in DUI cases and are extremely caring, knowledgeable and experienced with all aspects of DUI cases. We stay up to date on the complex and ever-changing DUI laws. Call us today for a free consultation at [number type=”1″].

Jury Trial Scheduled for Drunk Driver Accused of Killing Angels’ Pitcher

A California jury is determining the fate of a drunk driver who killed a professional baseball player and two other individuals, according to the Associated Press.

The defendant, age 23, was drinking for several hours at three bars with his stepbrother, started driving, and ran a red light. He struck a car and killed Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart and two of the car’s three other occupants. The fourth occupant lived but has had severe medical problems due to a serious spinal injury. Following the crash, the defendant fled the scene on foot. Police found him two miles away, running beside a freeway.

Prosecutors charged the defendant with second-degree murder, a much harsher penalty than the related crime of manslaughter. The prosecutors claim they charged him with murder instead of manslaughter because he had a previous DUI conviction in 2005. At that time he signed a form in which he acknowledged that if he later drove drunk and killed someone, he could be charged with murder.

The defense pointed out there was some doubt as to whether the defendant or his stepbrother was driving the car at the time of the crash. The defense also presented witnesses who testified that individuals who have blackouts induced by alcohol often can’t understand right from wrong.

If convicted, the defendant could receive more than 50 years in prison. As this case illustrates, drinking and driving in California can have very serious legal consequences, ranging in severity from a DUI conviction to a murder conviction. If you are facing a Los Angeles DUI charge, contact the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf at [number type=”1″]. Our experienced Los Angeles drunk driving attorneys will help you navigate the criminal justice system.

Gang Members Convicted of Hate-Based Murders in Los Angeles

Earlier this month, two Hispanic gang members were convicted of first degree murder for killing a 14-year old African-American girl and a potential witness in Los Angeles, according to the L.A. Times.

The gang members, aged 22 and 23, were found guilty of killing the 14-year old because of her race. They shot her in 2006 while she was standing with some friends in a driveway in broad daylight. The shooting allegedly occurred because one of the gang members was still angry from an earlier argument with a black man. However, the defendant’s attorney claimed that race was not a motivation in the slaying of the 14-year old.

They also killed a 21-year old male gang member that the rest of the gang suspected of communicating with police about the murder of the girl. He was stabbed over 60 times, wrapped in a blanket, and dumped beside a road. At trial, another gang member testified about the killing of the fellow 21-year old in exchange for a lighter sentence.

One of the gang members could receive life in prison without parole, while the other faces the death penalty. Three other gang members are expected to be tried in connection with the killings.

California hate crimes are serious offenses that typically carry harsher penalties than similar crimes that are not hate-driven. If you have been charged with a California hate crime, it is in your best interest to hire an aggressive, skilled California criminal defense attorney who will fight for your rights and freedom. Contact the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf today at [number type=”1″].

Nationwide Crackdown on Drunk Driving Now Through Labor Day

Between August 20 and September 6, states across the country are joining forces to crack down on drunk driving in an initiative called “Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest” according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.

Driving drunk in California (defined as having a blood alcohol concentration level of .08 or higher) is illegal and the same goes for the rest of the nation. Drunk driving patrols will be on high alert and laws will be strictly enforced over the holiday weekend, a time in which drunk driving is typically on the rise. Law enforcement is expected to be looking out for driving practices that they believe a drunk driver would display, such as lane changes without the use of turn signal, swerving, speeding, and others.

In California, the California Highway Patrol and local agencies are operating the California Avoid DUI campaign between now and September 6. As part of the campaign, law enforcement will be operating 200 DUI checkpoints, roving DUI saturation patrols, and many multi-agency DUI task force operations. Also, warrant and probation sweeps will be targeting repeat offenders. Law enforcement will also run sting operations to find DUI suspects who disobey court orders against driving. Over 450 California agencies will be taking part in the operation.

The consequences of a drunk driving conviction can be serious, making a wrongful conviction all the more devastating. DUIs can be detrimental to careers and families for years to come. If you or a loved one has received a Los Angeles DUI, don’t delay any longer in contacting an experienced Los Angeles DUI attorney who can help you protect your rights. The team at the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf has extensive experience in helping individuals navigate the legal consequences of receiving a DUI. Contact our team today at [number type=”1″] for a free consultation.

Los Angeles Police Raid Garners $4.5 Million in Marijuana Plants

A drug operation in the San Gabriel Valley area of Los Angeles was shut down earlier this week when police raided four homes and confiscated over 2,000 marijuana plants worth $4.5 million, according to a report from ABC 7. Police officials say the four homes in East Pasadena, San Gabriel, Rosemead and Temple City that were raided were used strictly for growing purposes, with marijuana plants lined wall to wall in every room. Seven Chinese immigrants were arrested in connection with the raid in addition to the operation’s alleged ring leader. Also confiscated from the homes were seven handguns, a rifle, three assault weapons and a shotgun.

The neighborhoods where these indoor marijuana farms were located are quiet suburbs with many elderly residents and families, so residents had no reason to suspect that a complex drug operation was going on right under their noses. According to witnesses, young men who looked like teenagers were seen going in and out of the houses late in the evening, but were just thought to be new renters. California marijuana laws are complex, often leaving those accused of marijuana-related offenses confused about the charges held against them as well as their legal rights.

Drug crimes carry serious consequences in the state of California including fines, jail time and probation. If you or a loved one has been charged with a drug crime in Los Angeles, it would be in your best interest to retain an experienced drug crime defense attorney like those at The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf. Our aggressive California drug crime defense attorneys will examine every detail of your case and build a strong defense to ensure that your rights are protected and the best possible outcome is reached. Call The Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf today at [number type=”1″] or visit us at www.youareinnocent.com to learn more.

Medical Marijuana Dispensaries’ Effect on Crime

Since medical marijuana use has been legalized in California, there has been significant disagreement about whether the dispensaries that distribute legal marijuana cause crime or decrease crime, according to the Portland Press Herald.

In southern California, the number of dispensaries has been on the rise, and those dispensaries operate with very little regulation. Over 100 California communities, mostly in southern California, have banned dispensaries. At three separate dispensaries in southern California, three people were murdered. Critics of the dispensaries claim that they encourage teen drug use in addition to causing an increase in criminal activity.

However, in northern California, the dispensaries are closely regulated and many businesses like being a neighbor to a dispensary. Many northern cities limit the number of dispensaries that are allowed. Berkeley had one dispensary that was robbed 5 years ago, but since then there have been no crime problems at any of the city’s three dispensaries. One dispensary’s neighbor claimed that crime has gone down in the neighborhood since the dispensary opened, in part because the dispensary had such tight security procedures.

The issues surrounding marijuana dispensaries and crime will only increase if the proposition to legalize marijuana in California is passed. If you or someone you know has been charged with a state or federal drug crime, contact a California drug crime defense attorney. The team at the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf has extensive experience with a wide range of drug crimes, from state to federal and misdemeanors to felonies. Please contact us today at [number type=”1″].