In the largest Medicare fraud settlement involving an individual in the southland, Arcadia eye doctor (ophthalmologist) Badrudin Kurwa paid the government more than $375,000 to resolve false billing charges.
A U.S. District judge overturned convictions for bribery, mail, wire and tax fraud and harboring illegal immigrants, against George Torres, 52, of Arcadia, the former owner of Numero Uno supermarket chain. The judge threw out the more serious convictions for racketeering, conspiracy and solicitation of murder, back in June. Torres has been set free after 2 years in custody.
Ed Huang, an architect who works as a senior planner for the city of Los Angeles, gives a tour of his "green" home in Arcadia. His house is a model of energy efficiency, using solar panels and other environmentally and ecologically friendly design elements. Huang had been Arcadia's planning commissioner from 1992-2002.
Los Angeles County sheriffs arrested 37 suspects in a sting operation to uncover prostitution in Alhambra, Arcadia, Baldwin Park, Monrovia, Monterey Park, Pasadena, and Rosemead, and several unincorporated areas. One woman was put in protective custody as a possible victim of human trafficking.
The City is going to enforce ordinance on false burglar alarms with a $100 fine for the fourth and fifth false alarms in a 1-year period and $200 for each one after that.
Dr. Loretta Huang, President of the Chinese American Education Association of Southern California, presents Arcadia City Council member Gary Kovacic with a service award.
About 95% of the more than 2,700 security alarms the Arcadia Police Department responded to last year turned out to be false alarms. Arcadia police Chief Bob Sanderson is asking the City Council to implement a $100 fine for a third false alarm issued in a 365-day period. A $200 fine for the fourth false alarm and $300 for the fifth and all subsequent false alarms would be part of the new ordinance that City Council will consider next month.
Dr. Badrudin Rajabali "Bud" Kurwa's medical license has been suspended and he was placed on fine years' probation for false billing charges in his ophthalmologist practice.
Arcadia Fire Department's recent reconfirmation of being a "Class 1" department by the Insurance Services office may result in lower insurance premiums for area businesses.
Four new police officers started patrolling Arcadia on December 24, 2000, Christmas eve. Their names are Jennifer Casillas, Brett Bourgeous, Jay C. Huang and Sal Piscopo.
Bail was set at $1 million for Arcadian Hua Jiang, charged with enslaving a 20-year old woman from China. Her husband and co-defendant, Dianyi Zhai, will remain in custody without bail for several additional charges.