Karen Velie
Karen Velie lives in San Luis Obispo County.
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San Luis Obispo County public defenders sued for malpractice
By KAREN VELIE The family of a mentally ill man who died in the San Luis Obispo County Jail is suing two San Luis Obispo County public defenders and a law firm under contract with the county for malpractice and negligence leading to death. [Cal Coast Times] The suit filed earlier this month claims San […]... (Continue Reading)
Inmate abuse allegations continue to dog SLO County Jail
By KAREN VELIE More than a year after the FBI mounted a criminal investigation into alleged civil rights abuses of inmates at the San Luis Obispo County Jail, the Department of Justice opened an investigation into how the sheriff’s department is complying with federal laws. [Cal Coast Times] As part of the investigation, the DOJ […]... (Continue Reading)
Dark fundraisers, marijuana and local city elections
By KAREN VELIE Amid allegations of pay-to-play in the lucrative cannabis industry, marijuana mogul Helios Dayspring and his marijuana brand Natural Healing Center hosted a fundraiser on Oct. 28 for eight politicians from local cities planning to open cannabis shops in the near future. [Cal Coast Times] Held at Dayspring’s home on Los Osos Valley […]... (Continue Reading)
Caren Ray campaigner suspected of vandalism rampage
By KAREN VELIE Arroyo Grande police have asked prosecutors to charge a Caren Ray campaigner with felony vandalism after she went on a rampage last month damaging more than $4,000 in city, business, campaign and personal property. [Cal Coast Times] Mayor Jim Hill and Councilwoman Caren Ray are in a heated race for the mayor’s […]... (Continue Reading)
Ryan Petetit wants to block past abuse allegations from jury
By KAREN VELIE As Ryan Petetit’s domestic abuse trial nears, San Luis Obispo County prosecutors are asking the judge to allow several of his former girlfriends to testify about alleged previous incidents of assault and abuse. Petetit’s attorney is objecting to the request. [Cal Coast Times] In 2015, a girlfriend of the prominent developer went […]... (Continue Reading)
Despite DNA evidence, no prosecution for officer accused of rape
By KAREN VELIE The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office has elected not to charge a Paso Robles Officer accused of sexual assault while on the job even though his DNA was found at the alleged victim’s home, officials said at a press conference on Thursday. [Cal Coast Times] While DNA evidence showed that […]... (Continue Reading)
Grover Beach woman stabbed to death after lodging complaints
By KAREN VELIE A Grover Beach woman was brutally murdered in her home last week shortly after she complained of alleged wrongdoing at a neighboring church and criminal activity in her neighborhood. [Cal Coast Times] On Oct. 25, police officers conducting a welfare check at a condominium on the 200 block of 9th Street found […]... (Continue Reading)
Corruption allegations continue to dog local marijuana industry
By KAREN VELIE Battles over control of the multi-million dollar Central Coast marijuana industry have led to a barrage of ethical and criminal allegations. [Cal Coast Times] Some elected officials and government employees have been accused of taking bribes and engaging in inappropriately close relationships with marijuana business owners and consultants. Local marijuana kingpins, several […]... (Continue Reading)
SLO attorney convicted of bank fraud
By KAREN VELIE San Luis Obispo attorney Stephen Ronca pled guilty and was convicted of one count of bank fraud in June. Ronca is facing up to 30 years in prison. [Cal Coast Times] Last year, FBI agents arrested Ronca on 28 counts of wire fraud including allegations he stole approximately $250,000 from a client’s […]... (Continue Reading)
Immigrants find themselves captive to marijuana harvest
Editors Note: Since the legalization of marijuana, allegations of bribery, human trafficking, black market sales and money laundering have surfaced. The issues involved are complex and the profits are huge. Several public officials are accused of accepting bribes and entering into close relationships with several marijuana business owners. A series of stories over the next […]... (Continue Reading)
