Articles Tagged With ‘Fines and Penalties’




Erik Howell ordered to pay $959,307 for court costs, attorney fees

By KAREN VELIE A judge ordered Pismo Beach Councilman Erik Howell and four other members of the California Coastal Commission to pay $959,307 in attorney’s fees and court costs to attorney Cory Briggs and the nonprofit Spotlight on Coastal Corruption... (Continue reading)

Is the IWMA’s proposed Styrofoam ban ordinance illegal?

By KAREN VELIE While arguments rage over a proposed countywide ordinance to ban Styrofoam food containers, a retired San Luis Obispo County deputy county counsel contends the Integrated Waste Management Authority (IWMA) does not have authority to pass ordinances. [Cal... (Continue reading)

California seeking to fine employers for complying with ICE

In the aftermath of the passage of legislation aimed at limiting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in California, the state has released rules employers must follow or risk fines of up to $10,000 per offense. The Immigrant Worker Protection Act... (Continue reading)

Rabobank to pay a $373 million fine for money laundering for drug cartels

In what appears to be an attempt to avoid a criminal indictment, Rabobank is planning to pay a $373 million fine to the U.S. government for alleged money laundering for Mexican drug cartels, allegations first raised by an Arroyo Grande... (Continue reading)

California seeking to fine Uber $1.1 million over drunk drivers

California’s Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has filed an order seeking to fine Uber $1.13 million for failing to properly respond to suspected drunk drivers. [Market Watch] From Aug. 2014 to Aug. 2015, Uber reported receiving 2,047 complaints from California passengers... (Continue reading)

Regional water board fines Paso Robles $495,000

The Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board levied a $495,000 fine Friday against the city of Paso Robles for discharging treated sewage with excessive levels of pollutants into the Salinas River. The violations occurred over a span of nearly... (Continue reading)

Surgeon left syringe in patient’s stomach at Santa Maria hospital

A 54-year-old woman left Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria free of a tumor that had formed in her uterus. Little did the woman know that she left the hospital with something new inside her body, a surgical syringe.... (Continue reading)

Arroyo Grande City Council rejects building moratorium

Arroyo Grande City Council voted 3-2 last week to reject a proposed building and annexation moratorium while the city is under drought water restrictions. Mayor Jim Hill and Councilman Tim Brown supported the moratorium saying that the water its citizens... (Continue reading)

Grover Beach mayor fined for concealing campaign donations

By KAREN VELIE California’s political watchdog levied a fine against Grover Beach Mayor John Shoals during a hearing on Aug. 18, because he failed to file five campaign reports as required by the government code during his successful bid for... (Continue reading)

18 SLO County contractors busted

In a local sting operation, the Contractors State License Board cited 18 San Luis Obispo County contractors for operating without a license and 17 for illegal advertising. On Aug. 17 and 18, undercover investigators set up a sting operation at... (Continue reading)