Trials

Top Sheriff's Officials Allied With White Gang In L.A. Jails, Suit Says

A white-power gang operating inside the L.A. County jails had ties to sheriff's officials charged with running the lockups -- ties that led up as far as Undersheriff Paul Tanaka. That, at least, is one of the shocking allegations in a lawsuit filed in L.A. federal court this week. The plaintiffs ar ... More >>

Graffiti Crew MTA's Gang Injunction Is For Real

The L.A. City Attorney's office has officially pioneered using a gang injunction against graffiti artists it says are tagging up public property. This legal tool allows prosecutors to bust gangsters just for being gangsters, essentially. Now taggers who crew-up can also be callared just for hangin ... More >>

Friends Wrongfully Imprisoned for Nearly Two Decades — Until the Innocence Project Won Their Freedom

Imprisoned nearly two decades for murder, it took another brutal slaying to free them

Beverly Hills Murder Trial: Scott Barker Found Guilty of Murdering Tony Takazato

For the in-depth story about the Beverly Hills murder, read the L.A. Weekly story "Did Scott Barker Knife Rich Kid Tony Takazato to Save His Girlfriend From Prostitution?" On Tuesday, October 2, in less than a day of deliberating, the 12-member jury agreed on a verdict: Scott Joseph Barker, a 25-ye ... More >>

Beverly Hills Murder Trial: Alleged Murderer Scott Barker Looks Cocky as Jury Listens to Closing Arguments and Considers His Fate

For the in-depth story about the Beverly Hills murder, read the L.A. Weekly story "Did Scott Barker Knife Rich Kid Tony Takazato to Save His Girlfriend From Prostitution?" On the last day of his trial, alleged murderer Scott Barker, a 25-year-old wannabe screenwriter and actor who carried himself i ... More >>

Did Scott Barker Knife Rich Kid Tony Takazato to Save His Girlfriend from Prostitution?

Lawsuit Alleges Hebrew National Products are Not Kosher

"We answer to a higher authority" is Hebrew National's slogan, but at least eleven consumers in Minnesota aren't so sure: The group is suing ConAgra Foods, Inc., the parent company of Hebrew National, alleging that Hebrew National's products are not kosher. According to Reuters, the lawsuit alleges ... More >>

Carmen Trutanich Suffers Another Defeat, As Judge Tosses Criminal Charges In Supergraphics Case

For as long as he's been L.A. city attorney, Carmen Trutanich has been trying to throw Barry Rush in jail. Rush, owner of the firm World Wide Rush, was once one of the major installers of unpermitted supergraphics -- the giant vinyl signs that blanket the sides of buildings.Trutanich came into offic ... More >>

Dorothee Burkhart, Mother of Accused Arsonist Harry Burkhart, Ordered to be Sent Back to Germany

Around New Year's Harry Burkhart went on an arson spree that terrorized Los Angeles, prosecutors say. And one of his reported motives was that his dear mother, a woman who ran an erotic massage business out of the same apartment building where the pair lived, was going to be extradited back to Germa ... More >>

Pinkberry Co-Founder Young Lee Sued by Homeless Man, Donald Bolding, Who Says He Beat Him Over Sexy Tattoo

The homeless man allegedly beaten by Pinkberry co-founder Young Lee over a scintillating tattoo is suing the businessman. Prosecutors allege the 47-year-old froyo entrepreneur beat Donald Bolding with a tire iron on June 15 near the Vermont Avenue offramp of the 101 freeway in southeast Hollywood. ... More >>

State Supreme Court Rules Employers Must Provide Meal Breaks, But You Must Take Them

If you're an hourly employee who works more than five hours a day, you are entitled to a 30-minute lunch break -- but, as the California Supreme Court just ruled, it's up to you to make sure you exercise your legal right to do so. The state Supreme Court's unanimous decision is a culmination of n ... More >>

McDonald's Facing Two More Hot Coffee Lawsuits

Back a lifetime ago in 1994, McDonald's was sued over the temperature of its coffee when a woman accused the fast food chain of serving coffee so hot, it gave her third-degree burns when the cup spilled on her legs and groin. Now it's déjà vu all over again, as McDonald's is defending itself agai ... More >>

Top 10 Food-Related Lawsuits of 2011

Taco BellTaco Bell gives thanks for being sued over the contents of its meat​A look at this year through the lens of the food-related lawsuits is like watching the first season of The Killing: an exercise in frustration, bewilderment, and, occasionally, excitement. From the mother who sued N ... More >>

Sen. Dianne Feinstein Sues Kinde Durkee, Alleges Massive Theft, Accuses First California Bank of Cover-Up

Dianne Feinstein: Guns blazing​Sen. Dianne Feinstein filed a lawsuit today against Kinde Durkee, alleging that the disgraced treasurer took millions from her campaign accounts.Feinstein also sued First California Bank, alleging that bank officials intentionally overlooked red flags because they wa ... More >>

Beverly Hills Hotel Sued For Alleged Sexual Harassment, Racial Discrimination (A Hotel Lawyer Says The Claim is B.S.)

dorchestercollection.comAlberto Del Hoyo.​Two women and three men who worked at the Beverly Hills Hotel are suing the storied venue for sexual harassment, discrimination, wrongful termination, and wage violations. The juiciest parts of the suit, filed in L.A. Superior Court yesterday, allege ... More >>

Public Counsel Sues Lancaster And Palmdale Over "War" On Section 8 Housing

​Update: Lancaster Mayor Rex Parris calls the lawsuit "inflammatory bullshit." More below. Update 2: Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford gives his own defense. A public interest law firm filed a racial discrimination suit today against Lancaster and Palmdale, charging that the cities have declared "war" on ... More >>

Honda Civic Owners, Better Check Your Brakes; Class-Action Lawsuit Claims it Could Save Your Life

Honda​A little more than two years ago, Rivella Dunner of Los Angeles bought a new 2009 Honda Civic at a dealership in Woodland Hills. She, like most Civic owners, was psyched that the car was both affordable and supposedly reliable. Thirteen months and 10,433 miles later, however, Dunner was sho ... More >>

Le Cordon Bleu Lawsuit Now Going After Banks: Is This Suit Valid? Comments from Plaintiffs' Attorney and the School

​New developments in the class action suit against Le Cordon Bleu have emerged - now it's not just the parent companies being sued, it's the banks as well. As we reported in October, a class action suit is pending against Le Cordon Bleu's parent companies alleging fraud, claiming the school p ... More >>

Barry Minkow's New Scandal

A judge slams the purportedly redeemed con man with huge sanctions

Grinding Justice

Operation Streamline Costs Millions, Tramples the Constitution, Treats Migrants Like Cattle, and Doesn't Work

Deputy Abel Escalante's Sorrowful Revenge

Carlos Velasquez can't recall the deputy's name. Now he faces murder charges

ACLU Adds New Names In Their Lawsuit Against U.S. Government Challenging Their Policy Of Detaining Immigrants Indefinitely Without A Hearing

​The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California announced Tuesday that they're adding new plaintiffs to its lawsuit against the U.S. government, challenging the government's right to hold immigrants indefinitely while they wait for their cases to be heard in immigration hearings. T ... More >>

Six Survivors Of Horrific Greyhound Bus Crash File Suit

​Six people injured in a horrific crash of a Greyhound bus that was en route to Sacramento from Los Angeles have filed suit against the transportation company, attorneys for the plaintiffs announced Wednesday. Although it was alleged that a driver of an SUV that apparently caused the Thursday ... More >>

LAPD Det. Philip Vannatter Angry That Roman Polanski Won't Face Music In L.A.

​Following this week's news that Swiss authorities won't extradite Roman Polanski to the United States to face sentencing in Los Angeles for his 1977 sex-with-a-minor conviction, the detective who originally arrested the director expressed anger over the 33-year-old case's apparent end. "He s ... More >>

Polanski Will Not Be Extradited, Swiss Authorities Say

​[Updated at 12:30 p.m. with reaction from District Attorney Steve Cooley, after the jump]. Swiss authorities on Monday announced they will not extradite director Roman Polanski to the United States to face sentencing in Los Angeles for a 33-year-old sex-with-a-minor conviction, essentially b ... More >>

Alleged Marijuana Dispensary Supplier Lawrence Holtz Pleads Guilty To 24 Felony Counts

​A 39-year-old Los Angeles man accused of supplying local pot shops with pounds of cannabis pleaded guilty to 24 felony counts, "including cultivating marijuana, money laundering and other criminal charges," the District Attorney's office announced Monday. Authorities said they linked Lawrenc ... More >>

First-Of-Its-Kind Injunction Filed Against Prolific L.A. Tagging Crew

waltarrrrr via Flickr​The Los Angeles City Attorney's office Wednesday stated it has filed a first-of-its-kind permanent injunction against an L.A. tagging crew. Ten adult members of the organization known as Metro Transit Assassins were targeted in the filing, according to a statement from th ... More >>

Today In WTF: Mexican Authorities Search For L.A. 'Survivor' Producer There Before Extraditing Him

The Palms eatery once owned by Monica Beresford-Redman.​You think the United States has an arcane, red-tape plagued legal system? Mexican authorities are delaying the extradition of murder suspect and former Survivor producer Bruce Beresford-Redman south of the border because ... they have to ... More >>

Polanski 'Running Out Of Options'

​Director Roman Polanski was "running out of options" to fight extradition to Los Angeles, a prosecutor said, after his bid to unseal transcripts he hoped would bolster he case against prying him from house arrest at his Swiss chalet was rejected by an L.A. judge Monday. Polanski's legal team ... More >>

Voodoo Car Dealer Convicted In Real Estate Fraud Case

Google MapsDowney Motorcars.​A South Gate used-car dealer who allegedly used voodoo to help him in a fraud case brought against him by authorities was convicted on Thursday of filing false papers and grand theft as part of a real estate fraud scheme, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's ... More >>

Son Of Fabian Nunez, Esteban, Makes Plea Deal In Murder Case

Esteban Nunez.​By Christine Pelisek, reporting from San Diego Esteban Nunez, the 20-year-old son of former state Assembly Speaker and Los Angeles political powerhouse Fabian Nunez, took a plea deal on Wednesday in the case of a stabbing death at San Diego State University in the fall of 2008. ... More >>

Roman Polanski Kicking, Screaming As He Runs Out Of Cash

​If director Roman Polanski is extradited to Los Angeles, it will be kicking and screaming or, at least, ranting and raving. The man convicted of having sex with a 13-year-old finds his predicament unjust now that his 33-year-old case might finally come to an official and long-overdue disposit ... More >>

Polanski Will Fight Extradition, Lawyers Say

​Despite Thursday's setback in which a state appeals court turned down his request to be sentenced while he remains overseas, Roman Polanski said through his lawyers Friday that he will challenge attempts by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office to have him extradited from Switzerl ... More >>

J'Accuse: the Trial for Luis Santos' Murder

Bad suburban boys break ranks, and Esteban Nunez and pal Ryan Jett are fingered

U.S. Customs Attorney Found Guilty For Accepting Immigrants' Bribes

​A senior U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) attorney was found guilty or corruption Tuesday for taking bribes from immigrants who wanted to stay in the country legally. Peter Kallas, an assistant chief counsel at the agency, was convicted of "conspiracy, six counts of bribery, tw ... More >>

Judge Orders L.A. Pot Shop To Shut Down

A flier for an event at Organica.​A Los Angeles Superior Court judge on Tuesday ordered the embattled Organica medical marijuana dispensary in the city's Del Rey neighborhood to stop selling pot.

Swiss Put Polanski Extradition On Hold

​Swiss officials have put extradition proceedings against Roman Polanski on hold until a California appeals court decides on whether the director can be sentenced from afar in his 1977 prosecution for having sex with a minor. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office requested extradi ... More >>

L.A. Could Be Ground Zero For Toyota's Legal Woes

​Torrance-based Toyota Motor Sales USA has asked that 200 sudden-acceleration lawsuits be consolidated into one case to be heard before a federal judge in Los Angeles. According to Associated Press, Toyota lawyer Cari Dawson argued before a U.S. Panel on Multidistrict Litigation in San Diego ... More >>

Orange County Prosecutor: Suspected Serial Killer and Dating Game Contestant Rodney Alcala Savagely Killed His Victims Because "He Enjoyed It."

Orange County Register​At closing arguments today in the trial of suspected serial killer and former "The Dating Game" contestant Rodney Alcala in Santa Ana, an Orange County prosecutor likened the 66-year-old former Los Angeles Times typesetter and amateur photographer to a "hunter" who sadis ... More >>

Swiss-Versus-L.A. Standoff In Polanski Case

​Amid reports that Switzerland won't extradite famed director Roman Polanski until the fate of his sentencing in Los Angeles is clear, the District Attorney's office stated Friday that it won't make a move until Polanski's extradition is moved forward. "At present, this rests with the Swiss ... More >>

Polanski's Request To Be Sentenced From Afar Rejected

​Director Roman Polanski's request to be sentenced "in absentia" for having sex with a 13-year-old girl in 1977 was denied by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge Friday, leaving a smaller possibility that Polanski would get off without extradition from Switzerland or time behind bars in the 33- ... More >>

Judge Throws Out City's Digital Billboard Settlement

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled today that the city's billboard settlement agreement that allowed 840 digital billboards citywide is invalid. Superior Court Judge Terry Green ruled that the settlement agreement between the city and billboard giants Clear Channel and CBS Outdoor was inval ... More >>

Esteban Nunez's Friend Admits Destroying Evidence; Will Testify Against Former Assembly Speaker's Son

Just two weeks before the first anniversary of the death of 22-year-old San Diego college student Luis Santos, one of the four men charged with his fatal stabbing pleaded guilty September 16. Rafael Garcia, the son of a respected Sacramento administrative law judge, also agreed to testify against t ... More >>

Cemetery Desecretation Suit Goes Forward

The class action lawsuit against Eden Memorial Park is going forward, plaintiff lawyers said today at a Century City news conference. The suit, brought last Thursday by the Newport firm of Eagan O'Malley & Avenatti, alleges that EMP, one of the country's largest Jewish cemeteries, "intentionally ... More >>

Alleged Killer, Lady Cop Stephanie Lazarus, Pleads Not Guilty

Alleged cop killer Stephanie Lazarus less than an hour ago entered a plea of not guilty in the fatal attack on her ex-boyfriend's girlfriend, in a bizarre twist in which the longtime detective was on the wrong side of the fence, sitting quietly in the fortified holding cell on the fifth floor of Los ... More >>

Anand Jon Judge: No New Trial

After hearing both sides forcefully argue their cases for or against granting fashion designer Anand Jon a new trial this morning, Superior Court Judge David Wesley delivered his decision at 12:15 p.m.: The motion for a new trial is denied. Further, he has just cited Sanjana Jon Alexander and juror ... More >>

Chris Brown: Not Guilty, Not Guilty

R&B singer Chris Brown, 19, had his arraignment downtown today and, despite earlier talk of his lawyer, Mark Geragos, massaging a plea deal with the D.A.'s office, Brown ended up pleaded not guilty to two felony charges: assault and making a criminal threat. Brown allegedly beat his girlfriend, ... More >>

Accidental Suicide? New Involuntary-Manslaughter Option in Phil Spector Murder Retrial

The final arguments: Shifting sand dunes, or rock-solid mountains?

Last Words from Phil Spector's Lawyer Continue

Yesterday I wasn't feeling the star power of Deputy District Attorney Truc Do, after watching the first hour or so of her closing argument. Do, who has co-prosecuted several high-profile cases over the past few years, including the Santa Monica Black Widows murder case and the Chester Turner serial ... More >>

This Is Not a Screensaver: Final Arguments Begin in Phil Spector's Trial

When Phil Spector, his wife Rachelle and Spector's bodyguard emerged from their black Lexus this morning, it was, finally, to an awaiting squad of TV news cameramen huddled at the top of the Superior Court's pedestrian ramp. After half a year of testimony that went largely ignored by the media, Sp ... More >>