Arcadia donor receives 12 years. Accused influence peddler Imaad Zuberi also must pay $18M in lobbying, tax and campaign finance case. His crimes include unregistered lobbying for foreign governments, said prosecutors.
In Norwalk, District Attorney George Gascón gets vote of no confidence, along with 18 other cities, including Arcadia. Complaints directed at embattled DA continue to grow in Los Angeles County and a campaign to recall him is underway.
La Verne's mayor Tim Hepburn to lead as President of San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments. The other newly elected leadership includes: Claremont Mayor Ed Reese, first VP, Arcadia Mayor Pro Tem April Verlato, second VP, and City of Industry Mayor Cory Moss, third VP.
Old Town Monrovia's Underdog Bookstore--an LGBTQ-owned book shop uplifting diverse authors and local presses--fights intolerance with inventory. Bookseller Muse Lee was confronted by a customer, a woman who felt "oppressed as a white person" and voiced objections that included racism and homophobia. Emily Lindley-Rodriguez, who works in Arcadia, is saddened to hear of the hate experienced at Underdog.
Bradbury man Steve Chen, CEO of U.S. Fine Investment Arts, Inc. Gem Coin, and other companies, allegedly conspired to commit fraud with his Arcadia-based marketing company, to plead guilty. He promised potential investors gemstones from their mines along with valuable digital currency. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 4, February 27, 2020.
Food company executives Feng Wu Lam, who owns South El Monte based Golden Food, Inc. and her husband Wei Wen Wu, the company's manager, face insurance fraud, wage theft charges. They are accused of underreporting their payroll to workers' compensation insurance carriers by about $4.5 million between 2015 and 2019. They are both Arcadia residents.
Former Arcadia man accused of lying, losing millions of investors' money. James Arthur McDonald, Jr. former CEO and Chief Investment Officer of Hercules Investments LLC and Index Strategy Advisors Inc. was charged with one count of securities fraud. Prosecutors claim McDonald lost clients of his Los Angeles-based firm Hercules millions of dollars in late 2020. He had been renting a home in Arcadia.
Arcadia couple accused of 60 Freeway hit-and-run that killed girl. CHP alleged 39-year-old Priscilla Cornejo was driving the wrong way when she crashed into the victims' car. Angelique Zarate died as a result. Johnathon Cornejo, 33, was charged with murder and being an accessory after the fact.
Gold Line has a new name. Now it is called the L Line, but it will be split to become the A Line or the E Line in 2022 after Metro's Regional Connector Project is finished.
Chinese food in Arcadia done right at these spots--Hai Di Lao Hot Pot and Din Tai Fung at Westfield Santa Anita mall open for outdoor dining. Reviews by Merrill Shindler.
Woman ahead of her time honored. Anita May Baldwin statue to debut at Le Meridien Hotel. She was philanthropist, key figure in racetrack. The statue is named "A Legacy of Charity," by artist Alfred Paredes.
Unveiling of Anita May Baldwin statue brings peace and beauty. Anita May Baldwin was dedicated down the road from the statue of her father, Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin. The statue was unveiled yesterday at the official grand opening of the Le Meridien Hotel on Huntington Drive in Arcadia. The statue is called "A Legacy of Charity," made by artist Alfred Paredes.
Food critic Merrill Shindler writes about comfort food and mentions two in Arcadia: Din Tai Fung (dumplings) at Westfield Santa Anita mall and Moffett's Family Restaurant, which serves chicken pies.
A 38-year-old Los Angeles man, accused of setting four arson fires in Arcadia and of carjacking a woman trying to move her car away from one of the fires, is arrested. The first fire was in a rear corridor on the second floor of The Shops at Santa Anita mall, at 400 South Baldwin Avenue at 11:40 A.M. on Friday. The other three fires were in the vicinity of the 900 block of Arcadia Avenue.
Merrill Shindler reviews restaurants for Mother's Day meals. One in Arcadia that is recommended is Din Tai Fung at the mall (now named The Shops at Santa Anita, formerly Westfield Santa Anita) at 400 South Baldwin Avenue.
Los Angeles County stores, worship services okay to open with restrictions on capacity, behavior, after weeks in a slow and cautious gear amid the devastating COVID-19 pandemic. Los Angeles County's health order amended yesterday aligns itself with state guidance, allowing in-store retail sales and worship services that have gone silent since the initial shutdown on March 19.
Arcadia woman Ruixue "Serena" Shi, 37, pleaded guilty to soliciting $22.8 million in funds for a condominium and hotel project scheme. The crime is one federal count of wire fraud, which has a sentence of up to 20 years in prison. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 3, 7, October 28, 2021.
Sounds of silence. Santa Anita Park like an old west ghost town as horses race without fans. No fans in attendance at the races yesterday due to the coronavirus COVID-19. Only media, owners, trainers, and essential personnel were in attendance. By Art Wilson.
Mayors ask for zoning bill veto. 27 San Gabriel Valley cities urge Governor Gavin Newsom to kill legislation that changes single-family lots to allow zoning for up to 4 units. This is Senate Bill 9, introduced by Senator Toni Atkins. The San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments advocates for addressing the affordable housing shortage by rezoning vacant and nonviable commercial properties and providing incentives to affordable housing developers to build on that land. SGVCG's letter in opposition was signed by Alhambra, Arcadia, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Bradbury, and others.