Orange County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Jonathan Larson testified at a court hearing Thursday that he recalled continuous use of the Special Handling log, daily notes kept by jail deputies, during his year in the Special Handling unit, the same year there is an unexplained six-month gap in the log.
Tag: County Government
Posted inGovernment, Investigative, Safety, Security & Justice, Top Stories
ACLU Reports Abuses In OC Jails, But Sheriff Said Findings Have “No Value”
An American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) study determined the sheriff’s department fails to meet physical security, medical and mental health care standards inside Orange County jails, an assertion Sheriff Sandra Hutchens called “inaccurate or purposely distorted.”
Posted inGovernment, Housing & Homelessness, Top Stories
Supervisors OK Coroner’s Statewide Training Contract Despite Misidentified Dead Body
The Orange County Board of Supervisors approved a county coroner’s contract to provide training across California despite the department misidentifying a homeless man’s body in May, resulting in a family unknowingly holding a funeral for a stranger.
Posted inGovernment, Investigative, Safety, Security & Justice, Top Stories
Four Year Delay in Providing Jailhouse Snitch Records Won’t Happen Again, Sheriff’s Commander Testifies
“This has been an embarrassment for us and um, nobody wants this to happen again,” testified Commander William Baker. “It’s not going to happen again.”
Posted inGovernment, Investigative, Safety, Security & Justice, Top Stories
OC Sheriff Sandra Hutchens, Embroiled in Jailhouse Snitch Scandal, Says She Won’t Seek Re-Election Next Year
The news comes as her department faces multiple controversies ranging from a federal investigation into the use of jailhouse informants to the recent misidentification of a dead body.
Posted inGovernment, Investigative, Safety, Security & Justice, Top Stories
Grand Jury Report Details Allegations of Sexual Harassment and Favoritism Within DA Investigations Unit
Sex between supervisors and subordinates, sexual harassment, and perceptions of a “good old boys club” that receives promotions and favorable treatment may contribute to a hostile work environment within the Orange County District Attorney’s investigations bureau, according to an Orange County Grand Jury report released Tuesday.
Posted inGovernment, Politics & Elections, Top Stories
First OC Ethics Commissioner Up for Appointment Tuesday
Supervisor Shawn Nelson nominated Peter Agarwal, a bank manager and Anaheim Chamber of Commerce board member whom county supervisors have previously appointed to positions like board member of the CalOptima health plan for poor and disabled residents.
Posted inTop Stories
OC Grapples With Homelessness, Sheriff Funding and Sex Assault Evidence Backlog
The proposed budget has a large discretionary increase for the Sheriff’s Department and comparatively tiny discretionary increases for social and health services.
Posted inGovernment, Housing & Homelessness, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Santa Ana, Top Stories
Irvine City Council Members Criticize Homeless Shelter Plan Near The Great Park
A majority of the council has expressed concern over Supervisor Shawn Nelson’s proposal to open a 200-person homeless shelter on county land near the entrance to the Great Park.
Posted inGovernment, Investigative, Safety, Security & Justice, Top Stories
OC Grand Jury Wants Jailhouse Informant Hearing to Stop, Saying There’s No Widespread Violations
Orange County’s civil grand jury said ongoing court hearing about possible misuse of jailhouse informants have turned into a “witch-hunt,” and should stop after the grand jury determined there is no “systemic, widespread informant program.”
