LOS ANGELES – Eight people, including an LA Metro and California EDD employee, have been charged in six separate felony cases with fraudulently obtaining over $177,000 in public benefits from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) after allegedly concealing tens of thousands of dollars in assets and/or income, including a million-dollar rental home, a profitable bakery and an investment account with a $1 million balance.
“Public benefits are a lifeline for struggling families, not free cash for fraudsters,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. “While public assistance fraud is a small fraction of the total benefits distributed, even one person who takes advantage of the system is one too many. My office has filed over 340 cases this year alleging a staggering $4.8 million in government losses because of fraud and perjury committed by public benefits recipients. To anyone thinking about lying on public assistance applications in Los Angeles County, your assets and income will be uncovered, you will be caught, and you will be prosecuted.”Read more...
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced that a 66-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman were charged today with the abuse of at least 14 surrogate-born children -- some of whom were as young as 2 months old -- at an Arcadia mansion where they all lived.
“The number of children who were subjected to this alleged horrific abuse is unprecedented,” District Attorney Hochman said. “The alleged corporal abuse of these children is appalling and revolting, especially at the hands of those who were supposed to protect them. This was not a home where these children were loved and nurtured. This was a home where these young children were systematically beaten and punished if they did not do what they were told. These alleged abusers will now face the full force of the law as we hold them accountable for their despicable actions.”Read more...
A 57-year-old Lake Hughes woman who operated animal rescue Rock ‘N’ Pawz was charged today with 35 felonies and misdemeanors after allegedly keeping more than 300 animals in inhumane and unsanitary conditions, including animals suffering from dehydration, severe injuries and starvation. She is also accused of violating multiple county codes, including operating an animal kennel without required land-use approval, maintaining unsanitary conditions and having structures with unpermitted construction, plumbing, electrical and grading work.
“For someone who calls herself an animal rescuer, there’s a fundamental responsibility to protect and care for the animals entrusted to her,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. “Instead, purported rescuer Christine De Anda allegedly left these animals to suffer or die from starvation, dehydration, untreated injuries and painful urine and fecal burns in filthy conditions. After repeated citations and warnings, Ms. De Anda continued taking in animals she could not care for, leaving hundreds to endure prolonged suffering. These animal victims cannot speak for themselves and look to us to protect them. My office will hold their victimizer fully accountable for her inhumane actions.”Read more...
A 36-year-old driver was charged today with murder and driving under the influence after plowing into a Metro bus at a high rate of speed, killing two people and injuring five others in Chatsworth earlier this week.
“First and foremost, my heart is with the families mourning the loss of their loved ones and everyone who was affected by this devastating crash,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. “The defendant Bailee Lynn Rios allegedly made the choice to drive while impaired on the wrong side of the road through a red light well above the speed limit, which put the lives of those in her path in danger. The deadly and destructive consequences of her actions will be felt for years to come. My office will hold her accountable under the maximum penalty of the law which is life in prison.”Read more...
A Los Angeles County judge today found a 38-year-old man factually innocent of a 2013 drive-by shooting that seriously injured two brothers. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office’s Justice Conviction Review Unit and the California Western Innocence & Justice Clinic cited new evidence that came to light after sentencing and pointed to another individual who allegedly committed the crime.
“Today was a great day for justice. Often when a District Attorney says this, he is talking about an arrest, a conviction, a trial victory or a sentence,” said Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman. “But today justice took a different form: setting aside a wrongful conviction and proclaiming a man factually innocent of attempted murder charges brought over a decade before. My Office’s relentless pursuit of justice does not stop with the verdict and sentence but continues on, following any new evidence that comes to light to make sure we have brought the culpable criminal to justice.Read more...
A Los Angeles County jury today found that Kevin Eduardo Cataneo Salazar, 32, was legally sane when he killed Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer in September 2023, rejecting Salazar’s not guilty by reason of insanity defense.
“Today, a jury has made clear that the defendant must be held accountable for the violence that took Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer’s life,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. “I thank the jury and Deputy District Attorneys Michael Blake and David Ayvazian for delivering justice and ensuring that the defendant answers for the devastating outcome of his actions. We hope that this verdict brings a sense that Deputy Clinkunbroomer’s life is remembered, valued and honored through the pursuit of justice.”Read more...
The District Attorney’s Office has made combating hate crimes a priority through aggressive prosecution, community outreach and close collaboration with law enforcement agencies and community organizations. The Office continues to encourage victims and witnesses to report hate crimes so perpetrators can be held accountable.Read more...
The speeding driver who struck on-duty Los Angeles Police Department Sgt. Shiou Lih Deng and stranded motorist Jesús Arturo Garcia on the 405 Freeway last year has been charged with murder in the deaths of both men. Sgt. Deng was 53 years old and had served the LAPD for over 26 years.
“This case is a tragic reminder that police officers risk their lives every day to keep us safe,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. “I extend my deepest condolences to Sgt. Deng and Mr. Garcia’s family and loved ones. Sgt. Deng spent half his life serving the public with bravery and selflessness as an LAPD officer. His death is a profound loss to the LAPD community and Los Angeles. Mr. Garcia, only 34 years old, was devoted to his family and, like all Angelenos, deserved to make it home safely after a long shift at work. I want to emphasize that speeding kills. If you drive over 100 mph and kill someone, you are on a fast-track to a murder charge. I thank the California Highway Patrol for their thorough and diligent work in bringing justice to the families.”Read more...
