Federal Judge Dismisses Most Serious Charges against LA Lawyer in an Illegal Campaign Finance Case

A latmes.com report on June 9, 2009 stated that U.S. District Judge S. James Otero has dismissed the most severe charges against well known attorney Pierce O’Donnell in an illegal campaign finance case. This is a definite hit to the prosecution’s case against O’Donnell. Otero ruled that prosecutors had wrongly charged O’Donnell with two violations of the Federal Election Campaign Act. Originally, U.S. attorney’s office had claimed that O’Donnell had violated the law by asking employees to make donations to the 2004 presidential campaign of John Edwards and then paid them back for their donations.

Judge Otero said that the law prosecutors referred to does not forbid such doings. O’Donnell’s attorney, George Terwillger, said, “The charges were dismissed because the U.S. attorney overreached in an attempt to use the law far more broadly than its terms allow.”

Prosecutors are reviewing Judge Otero’s 11 page ruling and are thinking about their options, including a review by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Judge Otero did not dismiss a third charge that O’Donnell “knowingly and willfully” forced a treasurer of a political action committee to make false reports about the contributions.

White collar crimes under this category include: concealing assets during a bankruptcy; filing a false claim for postal or pension loss; possessing false papers in order to defraud the United States; making false credit applications; bank and deposit account fraud; using a computer, radio, or television to commit a fraud against another; and money laundering.

Man Convicted of Murder 12 Years after the Committed Act

The dailynews.com website reported in a story on June 12, 2009 that Richard Joseph Bojorques Jr, 48, a parolee, has been convicted of murdering a woman back in October 1997 after investigators matched his DNA with that found at the crime scene. Veronica Fuentes Linasero, was found partially clothed on the property of a church in Eagle Rock. She had been strangled. Bojorques was detained in February 2007 at his parole agent’s office after LAPD detectives discovered his DNA matched evidence found at the crime scene. He faces 25 years to life in state prison.

There are various types of homicide, which in the United States carry with them different penalties and consequences. Listed below are short descriptions of a few types of homicide:

  • Criminal homicide– This is intentional homicide, such as voluntary manslaughter, murder, and criminal negligence which results in involuntary manslaughter.
  • Justifiable homicide– A form of non-criminal homicide in which proof is necessary to show that the victim did not die from a criminal act. An example of justifiable homicide is a death that is the cause of self defense.
  • Excusable homicide– A homicide which is the result of an accident in which no laws were broken and which can be defended in court.

CHP Applicant Arrested For Child Porn

The latimes.com website reported in a story on June 13, 2009 that Christian Hernandez, 29, from El Monte, had been arrested for possessing child pornography. Laura Eimiller, FBI spokeswoman stated Hernandez divulged on his application to the CHP that he had viewed illegal porn on the internet, which led to a multiagency investigation. He acknowledged he had viewed child porn of a minor within a month of filling out his application.

Investigators with the CHP carried out a consent search of Hernandez’s home and found child pornography on a computer he was using which included sexually explicit photos of a 5 year old girl. The pictures looked like they were taken in the bedroom of the home where Hernandez now lives.

He was charged in federal court with possessing and manufacturing child pornography. He is being detained without bail at the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles.

23 Years after Murder, LAPD Female Detective Faces Charges

The latimes.com website reported in an account on June 9th, 2009 that Nel Rasmussen, father of Sherri Rae Rasmussen had told investigators about an “ex-girlfriend” who was in the LAPD and had threatened his daughter several times shortly before she was found beaten and shot to death in her apartment.

According to the family’s lawyer, Rasmussen’s appeals were disregarded by detectives and they followed other possibilities to how Sherri was murdered.

Detectives are opening up thousands of old homicide files in an attempt to solve them using modern technology. After opening the investigation, detectives again interviewed Rasmussen. He reiterated that he suspected a former girlfriend who was a police officer of killing his daughter. Prosecutors have now charged Detective Stephanie Lazarus 49, with capital murder, which makes her eligible for the death penalty. Now Rasmussen is asking for a separate investigation into how the LAPD originally handled the case.

According to the report, investigators secretly followed Lazarus to a store, where they recovered a plastic utensil containing her saliva. According to the police, the DNA taken from the saliva matched DNA evidence found at the crime scene.

Homicide charges carry the most severe punishments in the state of California. In fact, recent U.S. laws have been passed that will increase the mandatory minimum sentences that will apply to people who are convicted of committing certain violent crimes. If you have been arrested for carrying out a violent crime in Los Angeles, you may be looking at a prison term of 25 years to life.

13 Year Old Shot to Death

The latimes.com website reported in a story on June 11, 2009 that a 13 year old Oxnard teenager was shot multiple times and killed on a street corner in Oxnard.

David Keith, Oxnard Police spokesman, said that the teenager was walking toward the corner sometime before 8 p.m. when he was shot in this violent crime. He was rushed to St. John’s Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead just about an hour later.

Dozens of police officers were searching the neighborhood and interviewing neighbors in an attempt to figure out what happened. Keith stated that police have no motive for the shooting and have made no arrests. They urge that anyone with information contact the Oxnard police department.

San Bernardino Assessor Accused of Fraud and Crime While in Office

A latimes.com report from May 13, 2009 stated that an investigation into the offices of former assessor Bill Postmus has prompted the San Bernardino County Supervisors to file suit against Postmus and five of his co-workers in an attempt to recover hundreds of thousands of dollars. The report was done by former federal prosecutor John Hueston who gained fame for prosecuting Kenneth Lay and Jeffrey Skilling of Enron. The investigation revealed that crime, fraud, and drug use were a common occurrence in Postmus’s office. In addition, the 30 page document states that people not qualified for the job were hired and did not do any assessor related jobs but instead conducted unauthorized political campaigning. The investigation’s most shocking accusations are related to Postmus’s drug use. His assistant said he, “looked like he fell off a park bench.”

Colleagues even suspected him of inhaling canisters of DVD cleaner. Soon afterwards, Postmus was arrested on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine. He resigned in February.

Gary Ovitt, board Chairman, said, “As a taxpayer and as a public official, I find the activities detailed in the report deeply disturbing. There is certainly enough information in this report to compel the Board of Supervisors to pursue legal action against these individuals and seek damages for the taxpayers.”

Officials have arrested three of those mentioned, who have posted bail. Postmus has been charged with six felonies and former assistant assessor Erwin is facing 10 felonies, mostly for failing to properly report gifts while in office.

In today’s world of politics and business, the line between what is ethical is sometimes misinterpreted and can lead to serious accusations of white collar crime. If you or a loved one has been accused of a white collar crime in San Bernardino, contact the skilled lawyers at the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf. We have helped our clients win for over 30 years. Please call [number type=”1″] for a free consultation.

Bakery Handyman Pleads Guilty To Killing Two Journalists

A latimes.com article reported on May 8, 2009 that a former bakery handyman has confessed to fatally shooting a writer who was writing about the bakery’s financial troubles in addition to also killing another man just a few weeks earlier. Devaughndre Broussard, 21, entered his admission to two counts of voluntary manslaughter in California as part of an arrangement with prosecutors. Broussard confessed to killing Oakland Post editor Chauncey Bailey and another man.

Family members of Baily, sat present in Alameda County Superior Court, as Broussard told Superior Court Judge Morris Jacobson that he was guilty of manslaughter in Bailey’s death.

The agreement worked with prosecutors requires that Broussard be sentenced to 25 years in prison in exchange for his declaration against two other bakery employees. Broussard has testified in front of a grand jury that Yusuf Bey IV, leader of the now non-operational Your Black Muslim Bakery, ordered the hit on Bailey and Roberson. The confession stated that Antoine Mackey, bakery associate, was the getaway driver. Both will be in court to enter their pleas to murder charges.

According to Broussard Big financial rewards were promised to him for carrying out the shootings.

Aundra Dixon, 42, said, “I felt he was being responsible. He was taking responsibility for what he had done.”

An institution in Oakland’s black community for more than 40 years, Your Black Muslim Bakery, has operated a bakery, school, and provided security. Recently bakery associates including Bey, have been blamed for several crimes, including a string of vandalism on liquor stores in 2005 and the kidnapping and torture of two women in 2007.

Homicide charges in California are considered the most severe and can carry heavy jail time along with fees. Do not attempt to fight these charges on your own. The law offices of Lawrence Wolf have been helping their clients accused of violent crimes for over 30 years. If you are being charged with a violent crime in Los Angeles, the skilled Los Angeles violent crime defense lawyers at the law offices of Lawrence Wolf will fight for your rights. Please call [number type=”1″] for a free consultation.

Three Strike Offenders Helped By Stanford Law Students

The website latimes.com reported in a story on May 13, 2009 that a group of students from Stanford University assisted by their professors are helping 3rd strike offenders get out of prison early. The students aim their efforts at mostly non-violent inmates where their third strike was a minor offense. Inmate Norman Williams, 45 had not received a visitor for nearly 10 years when he got a visit from two Stanford students and a professor offering a chance of freedom. Williams’ third strike crime was stealing tools and a car jack from a tow truck.

Sitting in Folsom state prison, the trio told Williams that they believed his sentence was cruelly harsh. Acknowledging that it was a long shot, they wanted to try to reduce his punishment. As a result of their efforts, he walked out of prison two weeks ago.

William’s case is just one of many victories for the Stanford law clinic that brings together law students who are dedicated to reversing the injustices under the three-strike law.

Stanford law students are supporting prisoners guilty of what they believe are minor crimes, which raises the question of how much prison time is too much. The students are working to make right what they believe is an accumulation of extremely unfair sentences for minor crimes and possibly bring about changes to the law regarding three strike crimes in California.

Jennifer Robinson, a recent graduate, said, “These people fall between the cracks. It’s an awful situation that I don’t think that the voters envisioned.”

It seems unbelievable that you could spend 25 years to life in prison for stealing a loaf of bread, but it’s true. California’s controversial “three strike law,” passed in 1994, is very complex and difficult to interpret but, simply stated, it means that you may be sentenced to serve a minimum of 25 years in prison and a maximum of life if:

  1. You have previously been convicted for committing 2 serious felonies (strikes); and
  2. If you are convicted for committing a third offense (possibly a misdemeanor)

If you or a loved one is being charged with a third strike crime in Los Angeles you should call the experienced Los Angeles three strike defense attorneys at the law offices of Lawrence Wolf. They have been helping individuals for over 30 years and have a long history of successfully handling the defense of clients charged with crimes in California. Please call [number type=”1″] for a free consultation.

Lawrence Wolf’s “A Brush With the Law” Series Displayed

Los Angeles criminal defense attorney, Lawrence Wolf, has devoted his life to almost 30 years of building his legal skills. A new passion being revealed in the last two years, starting this week, the opening of Teale Street Sculpture Studio Gallery will be displaying Mr. Wolf’s past and current abstract artwork Monday through Thursday at 9:30am to 2:30pm.

Not only does Lawrence Wolf work hard to help those who have been accused of a criminal offense find alternative sentencing such as house arrest or diversionary programs, but his talent to combine his passion for law with his love for artistic expression is demonstrated in his works’ vibrant colors and bold texture. In the world of law and criminal defense, you have to look at things in a new way, which is a philosophy reflected in Mr. Wolf’s “A Brush With the Law” series.

Sharing his appreciation of art by creating original work has become an outlet for Mr. Wolf as he works to find new solutions and alternatives to problems both in the courtroom and in painting.

To learn more about Mr. Wolf’s artwork and the gallery showing, please visitwww.abrushwiththelaw.com.

Corona Homicide of 2 Month Old and 6 Year Old

The latimes.com website reported in a story on May 10, 2009 that a Corona man Amado Esqueda, 39 was arrested for murdering his daughters; a 2 month old and a 6 year old. Esqueda also assaulted his wife, seriously injuring her. According to police reports, Esqueda attacked the family in their home at the 700 block of Via Paraiso. When police and emergency personnel arrived they tried desperately to save the girls, but were unsuccessful and the children were pronounced dead soon after arriving at Corona Regional Medical Center. Irene Gonzalez, the 33 year old mother, was listed in serious condition.

Esqueda suffered stab wounds and was in listed in stable condition at Riverside County Regional Medical Center. Jerry Pawluczenko reported that Esqueda was charged withhomicide in Riverside.

Neighbor, Gregg Bernhard, 42, lives two doors down in the normally quiet neighborhood said that about 2:30 a.m. he was awoken by a women screaming. Bernhard said, “It went on for 10 minutes, off and on. It was bad, I couldn’t sleep. I didn’t know it was so close.”

Bernhard said he had never heard of any violent crimes happening on his tree lined street of Mediterranean style homes. Many neighbors also reported that the Esqueda family would have backyard barbecues and never showed any signs of trouble.

Family disputes affect everyone involved, especially when a violent crime occurs. Homicide is a serious offense that carries the most severe punishment the law can enforce on an individual. If you are being accused of homicide in California, the skilled Riverside criminal defense attorneys at the Law Office’s of Lawrence Wolf can help you fight for your freedom. They have been helping their clients accused of violent crimes for over 30 years and have extensive knowledge of the law and court system. Please call [number type=”1″] for a free consultation.