Articles Tagged With ‘Federal Court’




Kelly Gearhart’s trial delayed a fourth time

By KAREN VELIE For the fourth time, former Atascadero “Person of the Year” and prominent North County land developer Kelly Gearhart’s fraud trial has been delayed. Gearhart’s public defender, Kim Savo, successfully requested another delay in her client’s trial originally... (Continue reading)

Appellate court upholds California foie gras ban

A federal appellate court upheld California’s ban on the sale of foie gras last week. [LA Times] Foie gras is fatty liver produced by the force-feeding of birds, typically ducks or geese. California banned the force-feeding of birds to fatten... (Continue reading)

SLO police officer pleads guilty to extortion

San Luis Obispo Police Department narcotics officer Corey Pierce pleaded guilty to extortion Monday in federal court in Los Angeles. [New Times] Pierce 39, pleaded guilty to one of two counts of extortion. In April, he pleaded not guilty to... (Continue reading)

Brown: Early prison release for some

Low-risk and elderly inmates in California state prisons would be released early in an effort to reduce institutional crowding, Gov. Jerry Brown announced Wednesday. (Los Angeles Times) Brown was responding to a federal court order requiring a plan to accomplish... (Continue reading)

Nipomo man pleads guilty to embezzling nearly $50 million

A Nipomo man pleaded guilty this afternoon to a fraud scheme that caused more than $47 million in losses to several victims, including his in-laws, a friend and five banks. John Mark Moore, 51, operated the fraud scheme for well... (Continue reading)

SLO police officer pleads not guilty to extortion and bribery

A San Luis Obispo Police Department narcotics officer plead not guilty to bribery and extortion charges related to allegations he manipulated others to sell drugs for him on April 15 in federal district court in Los Angeles. [NewTimes] Cory Pierce,... (Continue reading)

Rogue police officer bailed and on the loose

Shortly after FBI agents arrested a San Luis Obispo Police officer who allegedly stole drugs from the evidence locker, held guns on his victims while stealing drugs under the color of authority and then bribed others to sell the drugs,... (Continue reading)

Kelly Gearhart’s trial delayed again

For the second time, onetime Atascadero “Person of the Year” and prominent North County land developer Kelly Gearhart’s trial has been delayed. Gearhart’s public defender, Kim Savo, requested the delay that has postponed the trial from Jan. 29 to June... (Continue reading)

Two men charged with killing a Coast Guard officer

Federal prosecutors have charged two Mexican nationals in the killing of a Coast Guard officer who died as a result of being thrown from a Coast Guard vessel that was rammed by a “panga” boat operated by the Mexicans. Officer... (Continue reading)

Federal judge accused of financial conflicts of interest

A federal judge for the Central District of California in Los Angeles has issued three key rulings over a four-year period that favored companies in which he owned stock, a California Watch analysis has found. Judges are required to make... (Continue reading)