UPDATED:
◼ Former Blue Lake Police Chief David Gundersen has been cleared of all major charges first filed against him in 2008. - Arcata Eye MARCH 2012
****
☛ ER Gundersen defense starts; Seal on stand again
...Gundersen is charged in this trial with 24 counts of alleged spousal rape with an intoxicant, along with five other charges, including two related to illegal firearms....
...Seal testified that when Gundersen’s ex-wife called her Jan. 28 to tell her that Humboldt County District Attorney Paul Gallegos told his wife, who was Gundersen’s ex-wife’s attorney at the time, that he was willing to prosecute Gundersen for allegations of rape against his ex-wife, they both discussed what they wanted to happen.
Seal wanted him out of their house, she testified, and Gundersen’s ex-wife wanted him out of the county.
She testified that by making the rape allegations and using the nude photographs Gundersen took of her as leverage, she believed Gundersen could be compelled to leave.
Delivering the hard drive containing the photographs to Gundersen’s ex-wife on Feb. 8 was not part of a plan orchestrated by Gundersen’s ex-wife to win a custody battle, she testified.
“It didn’t go down like that,” she said. “I was pissed off about the pictures. I wanted to find the pictures.”
“It wasn’t like we sat down and put a plan together,” Seal testified. “We talked about it in passing.”
On Feb. 8, what was meant to be a confidential venting to investigators turned into rape allegations leading to Gundersen’s arrest. Seal testified that, in hindsight, she wouldn’t do it again.
“Once everything went down, I felt set up,” she said.
“By whom?” Clanton asked.
Gundersen’s ex-wife, she answered.
Seal repeated previous testimony that the prosecution threatened her with several felonies to compel her to testify, including charges that she traded drugs for guns, and that these threats didn’t surface until she made it clear that she wouldn’t testify at the preliminary hearing.
“I didn’t have the right not to be a victim,” she said of what Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office investigators told her.
Seal also testified about a complaint she sent out to media, the grand jury and the attorney generals of California and the U.S.
The complaint was a way for her to get her side of the story out and provoke an independent investigation into the case in hopes of getting it dismissed, she testified....
And...Toward the end of the day, Times-Standard reporter Thadeus Greenson testified that Gundersen’s attorney, Russell Clanton, did not threaten him, which Seal had claimed in taped conversations with investigators....
☛ TS Gundersen's wife describes alleged plot
...Referring to two stories in the Times-Standard this summer, Seal said she contacted reporter Thadeus Greenson because she felt no one in the District Attorney's Office was listening to her about the alleged plot hatched by Gundersen's ex-wife. The first story was about a letter she sent to the grand jury, to the state Attorney General's Office and other agencies about the case. The second story was based on interviews with Greenson.
Clanton called Greenson to the stand and asked him to review the articles. Greenson testified that he was contacted by Seal sometime after Gundersen's preliminary hearing and that he met with Seal a total of three times for a total of about four hours.
Greenson also testified that Clanton had never threatened him....
That explains why Greenson isn't the one reporting, I guess. That's too bad.
UPDATED:
◼ Former Blue Lake Police Chief David Gundersen has been cleared of all major charges first filed against him in 2008. - Arcata Eye MARCH 2012
****
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Monday, September 08, 2008
To our south - abuse of asset-forfeiture laws?
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MENDOCINO COUNTY - 30 sign notice to recall D.A.
A notification to seek signatures to recall Mendocino County District Attorney Meredith Lintott was filed with county elections officials Friday.
The backers of the recall are unknown. They publicized their effort but refused to identify themselves.
Of 30 people who signed the notice of intent, only one could be reached by phone. He said he supported the effort but did not know who is leading the campaign.
The county Clerk-Recorder's Office would not say who delivered the notice. The notice of intent accuses Lintott of dereliction of duty, incompetent job performance and abuse of asset-forfeiture laws....
Who's behind it and why? Be interesting to see this one develop. I will say this - hiding is not an option. You have to have the courage to stand up and say who you are.
OH GOODY!
News and Announcements from DUHC ("Democracy Unlimited of Humboldt County")
As you are aware, the right-wing (ooooh scary) Pacific Legal Foundation is suing Humboldt County in an effort to overturn (the Piece of Shit) Measure T, the local ordinance which prohibits non-local corporations from making political contributions in local elections.
We always knew this lawsuit would come. (We were dreading it, actually!)
It is merely another example of how corporate leaders try to claim the illegitimate doctrine of "corporate personhood" is to overturn democratically enacted laws which attempt to control their abuse. For a corporation to claim that their civil "rights" have been violated is so preposterous that only a lawyer could argue that idea with a straight face.
We are already working with renowned constitutional law expertJohn Bonifaz to defend Measure T in court. John has offered to assist the county at no charge!
Oh BOY! A pro-bono activist lawyer! Just like good old Joe Cotchett!
As you are aware, the right-wing (ooooh scary) Pacific Legal Foundation is suing Humboldt County in an effort to overturn (the Piece of Shit) Measure T, the local ordinance which prohibits non-local corporations from making political contributions in local elections.
We always knew this lawsuit would come. (We were dreading it, actually!)
It is merely another example of how corporate leaders try to claim the illegitimate doctrine of "corporate personhood" is to overturn democratically enacted laws which attempt to control their abuse. For a corporation to claim that their civil "rights" have been violated is so preposterous that only a lawyer could argue that idea with a straight face.
We are already working with renowned constitutional law expert
Oh BOY! A pro-bono activist lawyer! Just like good old Joe Cotchett!
Pretending to be real
☛ TS Measure T protects our rights A little Op-Ed in support of Measure T in the TS today. written by Jon Zaglin, who we are told in his little bio, resides in Eureka.
Jon Zaglin resides in Eureka? Not - Jon Zaglin of the Healthy Humboldt Coalition? Not Jon Zaiglin, the Local Projects Director for DUHC.org (Democracy Unlimited) the nutcases who brought us Measure T?
Fess up, dude.
Jon Zaglin resides in Eureka? Not - Jon Zaglin of the Healthy Humboldt Coalition? Not Jon Zaiglin, the Local Projects Director for DUHC.org (Democracy Unlimited) the nutcases who brought us Measure T?
Fess up, dude.
Sunday, September 07, 2008
OMG! LOL!
http://view.break.com/565864 - Watch more free videos
Is this for real? I mean, it can't be.
h/t: Eric SoHum Parlance: (Retitled) When personal issues undermine political causes (sorry, Eric, it was just too funny to pass up!)
Times-Standard editorial - Paul Gallegos
☛ TS Gallegos' case management
Humboldt County and its District Attorney Paul Gallegos have been through a lot together. When Humboldt County voters decided to oust longtime incumbent Terry Farmer in favor of the young surfer DA, it was with an eye on cultivating some fresh blood and adding an infusion of vigor and energy in the District Attorney's Office.
It was hoped that Gallegos would bring a new perspective, and challenge that status quo.
Gallegos has done that -- he's challenged entrenched powers, and he's certainly shaken up things in Humboldt County.
The problem, though, is that nearly every major undertaking by Gallegos has ended in failure, and with each of those has come a colossal waste of time and resources, as well as an increasingly divided community.
Whereas it was initially hoped that Gallegos would bring the community together by progressively representing the bulk of the county's voters, instead he has sponsored division and rancor in nearly everything he's touched.
The case against Pacific Lumber Co., which led to a huge battle in the community that included a recall effort against Gallegos? Dismissed. The case against Fortuna Councilwoman Debi August? The same.
The case against former Chief Dave Douglas and Lt. Tony Zanotti? Dismissed.
In hindsight, we fear that with each of these cases, Gallegos has tried to live up to his own progressive legend at the expense of critical thinking.
At times, Gallegos tries to hang major cases on legal minutiae, or rarely cited bits of law, that leave other legal scholars scratching their heads. Given the preeminence of his position, and the fact that he's gambling with public chips, he needs to proceed much more carefully in his remaining time in office.
He has wasted resources, directing attention away from his office's main task -- criminal cases -- and woefully divided the community with very little if anything to show.
This newspaper endorsed Gallegos in his last election, a decision we stand by given his competition at the time. But our support, and that of the public, will be much harder to earn the next time around, given that Gallegos sometimes appears too interested in attracting headlines for filing major cases that he almost invariably loses.
If he doesn't change his stripes and fast, a loss at the polls for Gallegos may be the only victory he can secure for the rest of us.
SoHum Parlance - Times Standard tears into Gallegos
heraldo - T-S gives Gallegos too much credit
Humboldt County and its District Attorney Paul Gallegos have been through a lot together. When Humboldt County voters decided to oust longtime incumbent Terry Farmer in favor of the young surfer DA, it was with an eye on cultivating some fresh blood and adding an infusion of vigor and energy in the District Attorney's Office.
It was hoped that Gallegos would bring a new perspective, and challenge that status quo.
Gallegos has done that -- he's challenged entrenched powers, and he's certainly shaken up things in Humboldt County.
The problem, though, is that nearly every major undertaking by Gallegos has ended in failure, and with each of those has come a colossal waste of time and resources, as well as an increasingly divided community.
Whereas it was initially hoped that Gallegos would bring the community together by progressively representing the bulk of the county's voters, instead he has sponsored division and rancor in nearly everything he's touched.
The case against Pacific Lumber Co., which led to a huge battle in the community that included a recall effort against Gallegos? Dismissed. The case against Fortuna Councilwoman Debi August? The same.
The case against former Chief Dave Douglas and Lt. Tony Zanotti? Dismissed.
In hindsight, we fear that with each of these cases, Gallegos has tried to live up to his own progressive legend at the expense of critical thinking.
At times, Gallegos tries to hang major cases on legal minutiae, or rarely cited bits of law, that leave other legal scholars scratching their heads. Given the preeminence of his position, and the fact that he's gambling with public chips, he needs to proceed much more carefully in his remaining time in office.
He has wasted resources, directing attention away from his office's main task -- criminal cases -- and woefully divided the community with very little if anything to show.
This newspaper endorsed Gallegos in his last election, a decision we stand by given his competition at the time. But our support, and that of the public, will be much harder to earn the next time around, given that Gallegos sometimes appears too interested in attracting headlines for filing major cases that he almost invariably loses.
If he doesn't change his stripes and fast, a loss at the polls for Gallegos may be the only victory he can secure for the rest of us.
SoHum Parlance - Times Standard tears into Gallegos
heraldo - T-S gives Gallegos too much credit
Friday, September 05, 2008
Day Thirteen: Prosecution rests in Gundersen trial - UPDATED
☛ ER Prosecution rests in Gundersen trial
The defense, led by Gundersen’s attorney Russell Clanton, will begin their case Monday.
UPDATED:
◼ Former Blue Lake Police Chief David Gundersen has been cleared of all major charges first filed against him in 2008. - Arcata Eye MARCH 2012
****
The defense, led by Gundersen’s attorney Russell Clanton, will begin their case Monday.
UPDATED:
◼ Former Blue Lake Police Chief David Gundersen has been cleared of all major charges first filed against him in 2008. - Arcata Eye MARCH 2012
****
Get real
On Measure T: "Large out-of-county corporations are corrupting the integrity of our local elections and undermining the confidence of citizens in our government," said Kaitlin Sopoci-Belknap, who is managing the campaign for the measure...
That was then.
Given what you know now - that Gallegos' Palco suit never passed muster, never made it to court, never had any legal merit whatsoever, and the influences that brought about the Palco suit...
Tell me. WHO is corrupting the integrity of local elections?
Hint... it ain't the corporations.
That was then.
Given what you know now - that Gallegos' Palco suit never passed muster, never made it to court, never had any legal merit whatsoever, and the influences that brought about the Palco suit...
Tell me. WHO is corrupting the integrity of local elections?
Hint... it ain't the corporations.
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Day Twelve - Guns take center stage in Gundersen case - UPDATED
☛ TS Guns take center stage in Gundersen case
☛ ER City manager left police decisions up to Gundersen
UPDATED:
◼ Former Blue Lake Police Chief David Gundersen has been cleared of all major charges first filed against him in 2008. - Arcata Eye MARCH 2012
****
☛ ER City manager left police decisions up to Gundersen
UPDATED:
◼ Former Blue Lake Police Chief David Gundersen has been cleared of all major charges first filed against him in 2008. - Arcata Eye MARCH 2012
****
Dealt away
☛ TS Leahy murder retrial set nearly 16 years after sentencing
t has been nearly 16 years since Jennifer Gale Leahy was jailed for her alleged role in the murder of Mary Kesser. Now, she is scheduled to be retried by a jury in Humboldt County Superior Court on Oct. 14....
Leahy stands accused of first-degree murder. Unlike her 1992 trial, this time she will be tried on her own -- not as a codefendant.
In 1992, Leahy, along with her boyfriend, Richard Kesser, and alleged hit man Stephen Duane Chiara, was convicted of the premeditated murder of Richard Kesser's 30-year-old former wife for her $50,000 life insurance policy.
The three were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, until 2006 when their verdicts were narrowly overturned by a panel of judges in the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Mary Kesser, a young mother, was killed in her N Street home in Fortuna on Nov. 26, 1991. She was stabbed multiple times.
In 1992, Leahy, along with her boyfriend, Richard Kesser, and alleged hit man Stephen Duane Chiara, was convicted of the premeditated murder of Richard Kesser's 30-year-old former wife for her $50,000 life insurance policy.
The three were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, until 2006 when their verdicts were narrowly overturned by a panel of judges in the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals....
...Richard Kesser agreed to answer questions posed by the district attorney regarding his former wife's death. Under the agreement, Richard Kesser was to pass the polygraph test and testify against Leahy to receive a reduced second degree murder sentence.
Court documents show Richard Kesser failed the polygraph test in August 2007.
”(Richard) Kesser knew what the truth was and all he had to do was be truthful,” a document signed by Gallegos reads. “Instead he lied. (The) Defendant thought he could fool the examiner and he failed.”
Gallegos, who will likely prosecute Leahy at her trial, said “it is reasonable to assume” Richard Kesser and Chiara would be on the list of witnesses.
Why not just offer HER a deal, too.
t has been nearly 16 years since Jennifer Gale Leahy was jailed for her alleged role in the murder of Mary Kesser. Now, she is scheduled to be retried by a jury in Humboldt County Superior Court on Oct. 14....
Leahy stands accused of first-degree murder. Unlike her 1992 trial, this time she will be tried on her own -- not as a codefendant.
In 1992, Leahy, along with her boyfriend, Richard Kesser, and alleged hit man Stephen Duane Chiara, was convicted of the premeditated murder of Richard Kesser's 30-year-old former wife for her $50,000 life insurance policy.
The three were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, until 2006 when their verdicts were narrowly overturned by a panel of judges in the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Mary Kesser, a young mother, was killed in her N Street home in Fortuna on Nov. 26, 1991. She was stabbed multiple times.
In 1992, Leahy, along with her boyfriend, Richard Kesser, and alleged hit man Stephen Duane Chiara, was convicted of the premeditated murder of Richard Kesser's 30-year-old former wife for her $50,000 life insurance policy.
The three were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, until 2006 when their verdicts were narrowly overturned by a panel of judges in the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals....
...Richard Kesser agreed to answer questions posed by the district attorney regarding his former wife's death. Under the agreement, Richard Kesser was to pass the polygraph test and testify against Leahy to receive a reduced second degree murder sentence.
Court documents show Richard Kesser failed the polygraph test in August 2007.
”(Richard) Kesser knew what the truth was and all he had to do was be truthful,” a document signed by Gallegos reads. “Instead he lied. (The) Defendant thought he could fool the examiner and he failed.”
Gallegos, who will likely prosecute Leahy at her trial, said “it is reasonable to assume” Richard Kesser and Chiara would be on the list of witnesses.
Why not just offer HER a deal, too.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
AGW activists stuck in Arctic ice
AGW activists stuck in Arctic ice
...reliable sources in the media told these guys that there wouldn't be any ice in the Arctic this summer! So they simply went there with a few kayaks...to prove man-made global warming by a trip from Spitsbergen to the place with the most devastating heat wave - the North Pole.... Of course, as you can imagine, the Arctic diary in Mirror.co.uk is already pretty funny or scary, depending on your viewpoint, describing how the temperature dropped "dramatically", the frostbite may be coming to Robbie's toes, and general desperation of the participants is expanding.
Moreover, Lewis returned and said that he couldn't feel his backside. To make things even worse, they encountered 88 polar bears along the way Read the rest at The Reference Frame
...reliable sources in the media told these guys that there wouldn't be any ice in the Arctic this summer! So they simply went there with a few kayaks...to prove man-made global warming by a trip from Spitsbergen to the place with the most devastating heat wave - the North Pole.... Of course, as you can imagine, the Arctic diary in Mirror.co.uk is already pretty funny or scary, depending on your viewpoint, describing how the temperature dropped "dramatically", the frostbite may be coming to Robbie's toes, and general desperation of the participants is expanding.
Moreover, Lewis returned and said that he couldn't feel his backside. To make things even worse, they encountered 88 polar bears along the way Read the rest at The Reference Frame
Passing the buck!
Backers of Measure T, the horse that Gallegos rode back into office are about to come face to face with the real Gallegos. He was to be their champion. The ENFORCER, "without fear or favor" "justice for all" "No matter how wealthy or sacrosanct" wasn't that it?
But now, faced with two violations (at least) of Measure T, and the ball squarely in Gallegos' court - well, there's the problem. It's not anywhere close. Looks like he's hiding from that ball, a hunter-seeker* with his name on it.
Today's ER reports Two bond campaigns received illegal contributions
Two school bond measures passed by voters in Fortuna and McKinleyville received campaign contributions that violated a county ordinance that restricts contributions.
That ordinance, Measure T, which voters approved 55 to 43 percent on June 6, 2006, restricts campaign contributions from corporations defined as “non-local.”
Both McKinleyville’s Measure C, which was on the June 3 ballot, and Fortuna’s Measure X from 2006 received contributions from a number of “non-local” corporations that totaled $25,500.
Gallegos' response?
CLASSIC. “I’ve been made aware of Measure C,” Gallegos said. “I haven’t had a chance to look at the underlying complaints.”
But GET THIS! Gallegos said that he may wait to see if the federal court decides to overturn the ordinance before taking any formal action as to not “waste time, effort and resources.”
REALLY? I mean, REALLY!
Gallegos said it would be a couple of months before he would have the opportunity to address the complaint, given that time-sensitive cases and those involving people in custody take priority.
Gallegos was not aware of the contributions to Measure X and said that it may take enforcement of the ordinance before companies not allowed to give money stop doing so.
“Maybe that puts the onus on us to pay attention to what’s going on (with both measures),” he said of the multiple violations. “Whether you agree with the end result or not, I have to enforce the code.”
In other words, he doesn't have a clue what to do, or what he is going to do. But it looks like he's going to pass the buck on this one. Too bad. He could add it to his list of sure losers.
As for not wasting time, effort and resources, uh... Paul. You're kidding right? Why start now?
Related:
☛ co.humboldt.ca.us/election/measure%20t.pdf
McK Press - On Measure T
☛ Measure T facing legal challenge (This is the one he's waiting on - the one with Mercer-Fraser and O&M Industries)
☛ ER Campaign contribution ordinance challenged
☛ Fred: Measure T Going To Court
☛ ER Striking a blow for free speech
Learn more about Measure T in a Pros and Cons Video, produced by Eileen McGee (51 mins)
Paul Gallegos, Humboldt County District Attorney (FREAKIN' HILARIOUS 6 min VIDEO!!!!)
Kaitlin-Sopoci-Belknap, Campaign Co-Manager for Measure T (19 mins)
John Bonifaz, Attorney and Founder of the National Voting Rights Institute (17 mins)
In a radio ad for Measure T, Gallegos says: "Hello, my name is Paul Gallegos, your District Attorney. Just three months after I was voted into office, Texas-based Maxxam Corporation tried to have me recalled, undermine the decision made by Humboldt County voters. Democracy only works when the power resides with the people. I'm urging you to vote Yes on Measure T for local control of our elections."
But now, faced with two violations (at least) of Measure T, and the ball squarely in Gallegos' court - well, there's the problem. It's not anywhere close. Looks like he's hiding from that ball, a hunter-seeker* with his name on it.
Today's ER reports Two bond campaigns received illegal contributions
Two school bond measures passed by voters in Fortuna and McKinleyville received campaign contributions that violated a county ordinance that restricts contributions.
That ordinance, Measure T, which voters approved 55 to 43 percent on June 6, 2006, restricts campaign contributions from corporations defined as “non-local.”
Both McKinleyville’s Measure C, which was on the June 3 ballot, and Fortuna’s Measure X from 2006 received contributions from a number of “non-local” corporations that totaled $25,500.
Gallegos' response?
CLASSIC. “I’ve been made aware of Measure C,” Gallegos said. “I haven’t had a chance to look at the underlying complaints.”
But GET THIS! Gallegos said that he may wait to see if the federal court decides to overturn the ordinance before taking any formal action as to not “waste time, effort and resources.”
REALLY? I mean, REALLY!
Gallegos said it would be a couple of months before he would have the opportunity to address the complaint, given that time-sensitive cases and those involving people in custody take priority.
Gallegos was not aware of the contributions to Measure X and said that it may take enforcement of the ordinance before companies not allowed to give money stop doing so.
“Maybe that puts the onus on us to pay attention to what’s going on (with both measures),” he said of the multiple violations. “Whether you agree with the end result or not, I have to enforce the code.”
In other words, he doesn't have a clue what to do, or what he is going to do. But it looks like he's going to pass the buck on this one. Too bad. He could add it to his list of sure losers.
As for not wasting time, effort and resources, uh... Paul. You're kidding right? Why start now?
Related:
☛ co.humboldt.ca.us/election/measure%20t.pdf
McK Press - On Measure T
☛ Measure T facing legal challenge (This is the one he's waiting on - the one with Mercer-Fraser and O&M Industries)
☛ ER Campaign contribution ordinance challenged
☛ Fred: Measure T Going To Court
☛ ER Striking a blow for free speech
Learn more about Measure T in a Pros and Cons Video, produced by Eileen McGee (51 mins)
Paul Gallegos, Humboldt County District Attorney (FREAKIN' HILARIOUS 6 min VIDEO!!!!)
Kaitlin-Sopoci-Belknap, Campaign Co-Manager for Measure T (19 mins)
John Bonifaz, Attorney and Founder of the National Voting Rights Institute (17 mins)In a radio ad for Measure T, Gallegos says: "Hello, my name is Paul Gallegos, your District Attorney. Just three months after I was voted into office, Texas-based Maxxam Corporation tried to have me recalled, undermine the decision made by Humboldt County voters. Democracy only works when the power resides with the people. I'm urging you to vote Yes on Measure T for local control of our elections."
Day 11 - Tapes reveal Gundersen's wife's hesitance - UPDATED
☛ TS Tapes reveal Gundersen's wife's hesitance
In taped conversations with former Blue Lake Police Chief David Gundersen's wife, district attorney investigators caution her about talking with her husband's attorney and expressed concern that she may be lulled into being a witness friendly to the defense in the spousal rape case....
☛ ER One shot at conviction
UPDATED:
◼ Former Blue Lake Police Chief David Gundersen has been cleared of all major charges first filed against him in 2008. - Arcata Eye MARCH 2012
****
In taped conversations with former Blue Lake Police Chief David Gundersen's wife, district attorney investigators caution her about talking with her husband's attorney and expressed concern that she may be lulled into being a witness friendly to the defense in the spousal rape case....
☛ ER One shot at conviction
UPDATED:
◼ Former Blue Lake Police Chief David Gundersen has been cleared of all major charges first filed against him in 2008. - Arcata Eye MARCH 2012
****
Monday, September 01, 2008
Whatcha gonna do?
☛ TS Diesel spill nets landowner huge fine
The county has fined the owner of the Southern Humboldt County property fouled by a major diesel spill $215,000 on top of the $200,000 it took to clean it up, and criminal or civil charges are reportedly being considered as well.
Exercising its administrative enforcement authority, the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Service's Environmental Health Division directed Albert Tordjman -- a chef now apparently living in Thailand -- to correct the numerous violations stemming from an alleged pot grow. About 1,000 gallons of red dye diesel spilled from a tank on the property, into the soil, with some reaching Hacker Creek, a tributary of Salmon Creek outside Miranda.
The spill was reported to the California Department of Fish and Game on May 14. Cleanup took weeks. County Supervising Environmental Health Specialist Melissa Martel said that 80 cubic yards of soil and rock were removed by digging a trench 18 feet wide, 24 feet long and 4 to 9 feet deep. Another trench was built nearby to intercept any other diesel and capture it in absorbent pads....
...The environmental health division on Aug. 5 signed a consent decree between it and Tordjman, in which he agreed to correct the problems and pay the $215,000 fine, or be charged $505,000.
The stiff penalty is the result of increasing administrative enforcement action by the department, Martel said, since problems with chemical releases from marijuana grows continue to be a problem.
”If people just took the proper care and precautions,” Martel said, “we wouldn't be seeing the releases that we continue to see.”.... HUH?
Tordjman has been correcting the violations, Martel said, but whether the fine will be collected has yet to be seen, as the chef is still in Thailand. The property is also listed for sale.
The North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board said it has been unable to serve its cleanup and abatement order dated May 23 to Tordjman. Sent repeatedly by mail to a post office box in Miranda, the order keeps being returned to the center, said water board supervising engineer Dave Evans.
”We're all wondering what's going to happen when the rains come back,” Evans said....
But Tordjman's Garberville attorney Eric Kirk said the water board can serve him with the documents, and can contact him to work out arrangements. Kirk said Tordjman has already agreed to allow access to the property for monitoring purposes
”I don't know what the issue is,” Kirk said.
It was one of the largest spills of diesel in recent memory, and Fish and Game early on expected that criminal or civil charges would be sent on to the Humboldt County District Attorney's Office for consideration.
”The case rests with the District Attorney's Office,” confirmed Fish and Game warden A.J. Bolton earlier this week.
Several calls and e-mails to District Attorney Paul Gallegos were not returned.
RELATED: ☛ Kym's series on the spill and the clean up
GOOGLING: ☛ If you want to reach Albert - he left his contact info on another blog - in case anybody's reading -Hi Jean-Georges. It's Albert Tordjman here. Wanted to get in touch. I'm currently in Thailand and thought it would be nice to catch up. Please email me at bobjohnston2000@hotmail.com (my friend's email as I am computer illiterate!)) or my thai mobile is +66 8794 16320.
He also has his own website - with some of his menus - I didn't see Diesel-Blackened Frog Legs on there. Too bad.
The county has fined the owner of the Southern Humboldt County property fouled by a major diesel spill $215,000 on top of the $200,000 it took to clean it up, and criminal or civil charges are reportedly being considered as well.
Exercising its administrative enforcement authority, the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Service's Environmental Health Division directed Albert Tordjman -- a chef now apparently living in Thailand -- to correct the numerous violations stemming from an alleged pot grow. About 1,000 gallons of red dye diesel spilled from a tank on the property, into the soil, with some reaching Hacker Creek, a tributary of Salmon Creek outside Miranda.
The spill was reported to the California Department of Fish and Game on May 14. Cleanup took weeks. County Supervising Environmental Health Specialist Melissa Martel said that 80 cubic yards of soil and rock were removed by digging a trench 18 feet wide, 24 feet long and 4 to 9 feet deep. Another trench was built nearby to intercept any other diesel and capture it in absorbent pads....
...The environmental health division on Aug. 5 signed a consent decree between it and Tordjman, in which he agreed to correct the problems and pay the $215,000 fine, or be charged $505,000.
The stiff penalty is the result of increasing administrative enforcement action by the department, Martel said, since problems with chemical releases from marijuana grows continue to be a problem.
”If people just took the proper care and precautions,” Martel said, “we wouldn't be seeing the releases that we continue to see.”.... HUH?
Tordjman has been correcting the violations, Martel said, but whether the fine will be collected has yet to be seen, as the chef is still in Thailand. The property is also listed for sale.
The North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board said it has been unable to serve its cleanup and abatement order dated May 23 to Tordjman. Sent repeatedly by mail to a post office box in Miranda, the order keeps being returned to the center, said water board supervising engineer Dave Evans.
”We're all wondering what's going to happen when the rains come back,” Evans said....
But Tordjman's Garberville attorney Eric Kirk said the water board can serve him with the documents, and can contact him to work out arrangements. Kirk said Tordjman has already agreed to allow access to the property for monitoring purposes
”I don't know what the issue is,” Kirk said.
It was one of the largest spills of diesel in recent memory, and Fish and Game early on expected that criminal or civil charges would be sent on to the Humboldt County District Attorney's Office for consideration.
”The case rests with the District Attorney's Office,” confirmed Fish and Game warden A.J. Bolton earlier this week.
Several calls and e-mails to District Attorney Paul Gallegos were not returned.
RELATED: ☛ Kym's series on the spill and the clean up
GOOGLING: ☛ If you want to reach Albert - he left his contact info on another blog - in case anybody's reading -Hi Jean-Georges. It's Albert Tordjman here. Wanted to get in touch. I'm currently in Thailand and thought it would be nice to catch up. Please email me at bobjohnston2000@hotmail.com (my friend's email as I am computer illiterate!)) or my thai mobile is +66 8794 16320.
He also has his own website - with some of his menus - I didn't see Diesel-Blackened Frog Legs on there. Too bad.
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