TOWN HALL MAY 8 ON SAN DIEGO IN-CUSTODY DEATHS AND ALLEGED MISTREATMENT OF INMATES
East County News Service May 7, 2025 (San Diego)—The Racial Justice Coalition of San Diego (RJCSD) and Community Advocates for Just and Moral Governance (MoGo) invite you to attend a Community Town Hall centered on the ongoing inhumane treatment of people detained in the San Diego County Jails. The event will be held on Thursday, May 8 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at theChristian Fellowship Congregational Church UCC, 1601 Kelton Rd., San Diego 92114. The organizations will provide an update on a class action lawsuit initiated by the San Francisco law firm Rosen Bien Galvan and Grunfeld on behalf of 14 families who have relatives in San Diego County jails. Their presentation will include a discussion of recent developments in San Diego jails and what work has been done to improve the conditions of inmates. Civil Rights Attorney Julia Yoo will provide insights on her legal work on behalf of impacted families who have also been injured or died while in custody in San Diego jails. Annie Lin, UCSD Student and member of Students against Mass Incarceration, will offer comments from the perspective of a student organizer and community member who has been actively engaged in Social Justice work. Genevieve Jones-Wright, Director, MoGo, will be the Moderator for this discussion and Buki Domingos, co-founder of RJCSD, will provide a closing statement. There will be an opportunity for a community dialogue and space for our community partners and impacted family members to share their stories. A state audit found 185 jail deaths from 2006 to 2020 under then-Sheriff BIll Gore exceeded the number of in-custody deaths for other major California counties. Current Sheriff Kelly Martinez has implemented numerous reforms that have signicantly reduced, but not eliminated jail deaths. In February, a lawsuit was filed against the county over the murder and reported torture of a man by his cellmate.The 2021 death of a woman at Las Colinas detention facility in Santee resulted in a nurse charged with involuntary manslaughter, though she was later acquitted. There have also been allegations of mistreatment and/or negligence, including a man who died after suffering severe head injuries. His family filed a lawsuit this week against the County. In May 2024, the County paid out a settlement of $10.5 million for a woman left brain-damaged due to an untreated medical condition while in local custody. Yet another settlement addressed access for disabled inmates.
ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS
May 7, 2025 — As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include: U.S. National Security DOGE employees gain accounts on classified networks holding nuclear secrets (NPR) Supreme Court allows Trump ban on transgender members of the military to take effect, for now (AP) Son of CIA deputy director was killed while fighting for Russia, report says (Guardian) Women’s Rights Trump Executive Order Raises Alarm Over Women’s Financial Independence (Newsweek) Immigrants Catch and revoke’: New policy means zero tolerance for visa holders (USA Today) 3 children who are US citizens — including one with cancer — deported with their mothers, lawyers and advocacy groups say (CNN) DOGE is building a master database for immigration enforcement, sources say (CNN) Wisconsin Judge Arrested, Accused of Shielding Immigrant From Federal Agents (NY Times) Other national news Karoline Leavitt Refuses to Rule Out Arrest of Supreme Court Judges (New Republic) Trump’s New Social Security Chief Was an Executive at Bank That Cooked Books For Enron Donald Trump Demands Investigations Into Negative Approval Rating Polls (Newsweek) Trump Administration Texted College Professors’ Personal Phones to Ask If They’re Jewish (Intercept) Smithsonian begins removing exhibits, artifacts from African American History Museum (DC News) WORLD India launches military operation against Pakistan in major escalation (CNN) Gaza will be entirely destroyed, Israeli minister says (Guardian) .The conclave to select a new pope has begun (CNN) Canada’s Liberal Party wins election in turnaround seen as reaction to Trump’s annexation threats and tariffs (CBS News) Israeli military issues thousands of call-up notices, local media report (Reuters) Mexico City bans violent bullfighting in bid to keep the tradition, but without the bloodshed (CBS) Putin Pushing Russian Troops Into Deadlier Advances During Peace Talks (Newsweek) For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down. U.S. National Security DOGE employees gain accounts on classified networks holding nuclear secrets (NPR) Two members of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency were given accounts on classified networks that hold highly guarded details about America’s nuclear weapons… Luke Farritor, a 23-year-old former SpaceX intern, and Adam Ramada, a Miami-based venture capitalist, have had accounts on the computer systems for at least two weeks…Prior to their work at DOGE, neither Farritor nor Ramada appear to have had experience with either nuclear weapons or handling classified information. Supreme Court allows Trump ban on transgender members of the military to take effect, for now (AP) The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed President Donald Trump’s administration to enforce a ban on transgender people in the military, while legal challenges proceed. The court acted in the dispute over a policy that presumptively disqualifies transgender people from military service and could lead to the expulsion of experienced, decorated officers. Son of CIA deputy director was killed while fighting for Russia, report says (Guardian) Michael Alexander Gloss, 21, who died on 4 April 2024, was the son of top-ranking US spy Juliane Gallina Women’s rights Trump Executive Order Raises Alarm Over Women’s Financial Independence (Newsweek) An Executive Order (EO) signed by President Donald Trump is raising concerns over the protection of women’s financial independence, as well as other potential civil rights violations. The EO, titled Restoring Equality of Opportunity and Meritocracy …It calls for an evaluation of all pending proceedings under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), which was first passed in 1974 and amended in 1976 to prevent lenders from discriminating against women based on marital status. Immigrants ‘Catch and revoke’: New policy means zero tolerance for visa holders (USA Today) The Trump administration has a tough new message for foreigners in the United States: One strike, and you’re out. Foreign nationals visiting or living in the country legally could lose their visa status if they run afoul of the law under the new and unforgiving so-called “catch and revoke” policy, announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio… The State Department issues non-immigrant visas to tourists, students, nannies, investors, the spouses and children of legal permanent residents, and other categories of visitors and residents. 3 children who are US citizens — including one with cancer — deported with their mothers, lawyers and advocacy groups say (CNN) Three children who are US citizens were deported to Honduras with their mothers last week, including a 4-year-old receiving treatment for metastatic cancer, according to the families’ attorneys and civil rights and immigration advocacy organizations. DOGE is building a master database for immigration enforcement, sources say (CNN) Staffers from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency are building a master database to speed-up immigration enforcement and deportations by combining sensitive data from across the federal government… Wisconsin Judge Arrested, Accused of Shielding Immigrant From Federal Agents (NY Times) Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested on suspicion that she “intentionally misdirected federal agents away from” an immigrant being pursued by the authorities, the F.B.I. director said. Other national news Karoline Leavitt Refuses to Rule Out Arrest of Supreme Court Judges (New Republic) The White House press secretary is quietly warning the Supreme Court. Trump’s New Social Security Chief Was an Executive at Bank That Cooked Books For Enron Trump’s nominee to run the Social Security Administration – DOGE loyalist Frank Bisignano – was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on a party line vote Tuesday, with all Republicans voting yes and all Democrats voting no. Bisignano was a former senior executive at Citigroup’s investment bank during the years it was helping covering up financial crimes at the energy company giant Enron. Donald Trump Demands Investigations Into Negative Approval Rating Polls (Newsweek) President Donald Trump has said pollsters that have shown his approval ratings sliding in recent weeks should be investigated for “election fraud.” Trump cited recent polls from The New York Times, ABC News/The Washington Post, and Fox News, which put his approval rating on 42 percent, 39 percent, and 44 percent respectively. Trump Administration Texted College Professors’ Personal Phones to Ask If They’re Jewish (Intercept) The school later told staff it had provided the
GROSSMONT INVESTIGATED HIM, HE RESIGNED AND NOW HE’S CHIEF OF STAFF
After resigning from the Grossmont Union High School District in 2018, Jerry Hobbs found his way back seven years later. All it took was a law firm, a new investigation, a settlement and an entirely new position. Updated May 8, 2025 with comments from Hobbs sent to ECM. by Jakob McWhinney for Voice of San Diego Photo by Alexander J. Schorr: Crowd holds protest signs at the April 24, 2025 GUHSD board meeting. May 7, 2025 (El Cajon)–Seven years ago, Jerry Hobbs, a Grossmont Union High School District teacher, resigned after officials launched an investigation into allegations he’d engaged in misconduct. Years later, Hobbs was hired as a paralegal for a law firm that ended up doing work for the district. That work included conducting an investigation into Hobbs’ former boss, the person who launched an investigation into him. Hobbs worked on that investigation, which concluded he’d been a victim of retaliation. A settlement agreement he helped draft then cleared the way for his rehiring at Grossmont – and district officials wasted no time. They hired him the month after the agreement to serve in a lofty administrative role, even as the district’s deteriorating financial position led to job cuts. Now, in a leaked memo, the law firm at which he worked suggests he deceptively altered that settlement without their knowledge, adding potentially “illegal,” language. As Grossmont’s community continues to be roiled by controversial layoffs, the saga has added fuel to the fire. An Investigation Leads to a Settlement In 2018, Grossmont Union High School District began investigating Hobbs, then a teacher at the district’s REACH Academy, a special education school in El Cajon. He later resigned. Exactly what district officials were investigating is unclear. But he insists the allegations against him were unfounded and he said an investigation by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing into the 2018 situation did not find any grounds to discipline him. The commission’s website shows he has not been disciplined. After his resignation, Hobbs went on to work as a paralegal at JW Howard Attorneys, a local law firm whose connection with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made headlines. In July 2024, Grossmont’s board hired JW Howard Attorneys to conduct an internal investigation into allegations that Rose Tagnesi, the district’s former director of special education – and Hobbs’ former supervisor – engaged in retaliation against Grossmont employees. District officials had previously launched an investigation against Tagnesi and demoted her in February 2024. Tagnesi, who resigned following her demotion, has denied any wrongdoing and has since sued the district, alleging she faced discrimination and harassment because she is lesbian. Hobbs, who had worked at JW Howard for nearly two years and once worked below Tagnesi at Grossmont, took part in the firm’s investigation. “His background in legal research and, especially, in education and education policy and culture, suggested that he could be particularly helpful in the conduct of the investigation,” a memo addressed to Trustee Jim Kelly and dated April 27 reads. Kelly did not respond to requests for comment. John Howard, the founder of JW Howard, confirmed he had authored the memo but said he could not comment on the document. Hobbs said participating in the investigation of his former boss was not a conflict of interest. His role was simple and limited, he insisted. “I was the researcher. I was the person sorting evidence and putting it in front of an attorney,” Hobbs said. “I wasn’t really involved in the case per se.” JW Howard’s investigation ultimately identified 24 “victims,” of Tagnesi’s retaliation. Included among them was Hobbs. According to the memo, this led employees at JW Howard to believe Hobbs should be given another chance to work for Grossmont. “As a result of our findings, we were prepared to recommend that, in light of later developments, his record at GUHSD be updated and that he be made eligible for rehire,” the memo reads. Based on the advice of attorney William Diedrich, a lawyer experienced with educational issues, entering into a settlement with the district was the easiest way to make Hobbs rehirable. JW Howard then assigned Hobbs “the task of preparing the first draft of a settlement agreement,” with Grossmont, according to the leaked memo. Over a week in December, Hobbs, Diedrich and Howard sent back and forth drafts of the settlement. By Dec. 16, Diedrich sent an edited copy to Howard, who forwarded it to Hobbs to finalize. The copy of the settlement reviewed by Diedrich contained no mention that should Hobbs be rehired by Grossmont he would receive tenure. But the version sent by Hobbs to Howard later that day and labeled “Final,” did. “The district agrees that, should Hobbs be reemployed, he will be granted tenure on the first day of employment,” that copy of the settlement reads. The memo contends that Howard did not include this language in the settlement and that it’s illegal. “This is the first time the illegal language referring to ‘tenure’ appears in any version of the proposed settlement,” the memo from JW Howard notes, referring to the final draft of the settlement. This actually wasn’t Hobbs’ first stab at including language in the settlement stipulating he’d receive tenure. In the first draft of the settlement sent to Howard, Hobbs wrote that should Grossmont rehire him, he would “automatically be restored to a position with at least similar standing and pay as was effective in February 2018 including his full benefits.” Additionally, he added that his level of seniority and tenure rights revert back to what they were prior to his resignation. When Howard received the draft, he asked Hobbs to send it to Diedrich. But the version Hobbs sent Diedrich did not include this language. The only other time Hobbs included mention of tenure rights came in the final draft sent to Howard. The memo claims Hobbs didn’t just add language into the settlement. It claims Hobbs deleted elements
THE RIVER AT SYCUAN CASINO RESORT RETURNS FOR SUMMER WITH PRESTIGIOUS COUNTRY MUSIC ARTISTS
East County News Service May 6, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — Sycuan Casino Resort, in partnership with KSON, is bringing back The River from June through September. The River at Sycuan is San Diego’s only country concert pool party that will feature “the hottest country artists in the nation,” according to a Sycuan news release. The River will kick off summer with its first country concert pool party, featuring Caroline Jones (photo, right) – the first and only female member of the Zac Brown Band – on Thursday, June 26. Guests will enjoy Jones’ top country hits, including “Come In (But Don’t Make Yourself Comfortable)”, “So Many Skies,” “No Tellin’” and more! Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available online. To keep the party going, The River will continue its country pool parties once a month with upcoming country artists, including Dylan Marlowe on Thursday, July 24; Muscadine Bloodline on Thursday, August 14; and Jackson Dean (photo, left)on Thursday, Sept. 4. General and VIP tickets can be purchased online or at the Box Office. All pool amenities will be available for guests to enjoy during The River, including an expansive pool deck with two pools, a swim-up bar, a lazy river and a jacuzzi. These amenities also include poolside dinning with a new seasonal menu, featuring Tropical, Caribbean and Latin American style cuisines and cocktails. Cabanas and day beds can be reserved online. To learn more about The River at Sycuan Casino Resort, please visit www.Sycuan.com follow us on Instagram, Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter). Guests must be 21+ to enter Sycuan Casino Resort. Sycuan Casino Resort began as a humble Bingo Palace in 1983. Today, 41 years later, Sycuan Casino Resort includes a 12-story luxury hotel tower, amenities including a variety of new restaurants from fast-casual to fine dining, meeting and event space, a full-service spa, fitness center, plus pool and gardens area with a lazy river and swim-up bar. Sycuan also boasts an expanded casino floor for a total of 2,400 slot machines and 52 table games. Sycuan is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information visit www.sycuan.com or call 619.445.6002.
EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: LOCAL AND STATEWIDE NEWS
May 6, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s round-up stories include: LOCAL Man arrested in ICE raid near El Cajon is back with his family (KPBS) San Diego County Budget reserves proposal fails after Supervisors vote (KPBS) La Mesa-Spring Valley, Lemon Grove school mental health grants cut early by Trump administration (KPBS) Settlement reached in lawsuit over San Diegan Ashli Babbitt’s death in Jan. 6 attack (Times of San Diego) Poway sues councilmember Tony Blain over alleged public records violations (Fox 5) Tragedy strikes East County family days before ‘surprise’ announcement (10 News) STATE Hollywood’s reaction to Trump’s movie tariffs idea: Confusion, dread and a little hope (Politico) California high-speed rail leader pushes state to support private investment (AP) Judge restricts Border Patrol in California: ‘You just can’t walk up to people with brown skin’ (Cal Matters) Despite Newsom’s objections, Democrats approve striking penalty for soliciting older teens from bill (Los Angeles Times) For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down. LOCAL Man arrested in ICE raid near El Cajon is back with his family (KPBS) … An immigration judge released (Jorge) Lopez from custody on a $7,500 bond. He will fight the pending deportation case from his home in Escondido. San Diego County Budget reserves proposal fails after Supervisors vote (KPBS) The San Diego County Board of Supervisors Tuesday rejected a proposal to tap into the county’s reserve funds to prevent cuts to services being threatened by a budget crunch. After a robust debate and public feedback, the board voted 2-1-1, with the two sponsors Terra Lawson-Remer and Monica Montgomery Steppe in support, Jim Desmond opposed and Joel Anderson abstaining. Lawson-Remer and Montgomery Steppe introduced the proposal to “safeguard public health, housing and vital care systems,” citing looming state and federal budget cuts to multiple programs the county administers. La Mesa-Spring Valley, Lemon Grove school mental health grants cut early by Trump administration (KPBS) Federal grant funding that helps employ 30 mental health professionals across the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District and six in the Lemon Grove School District will be terminated early by the Trump administration, it was announced this week. Settlement reached in lawsuit over San Diegan Ashli Babbitt’s death in Jan. 6 attack Times of San Diego) The U.S. government has reached a settlement with the family of Ashli Babbitt, a supporter of President Trump who was shot and killed by a police officer during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, according to media reports. Top of Form Bottom of Form Babbitt, 35, an Air Force veteran who lived in San Diego, was fatally shot in the shoulder while she tried to climb through the broken window of a barricaded door to the House of Representatives Speaker’s Lobby. Poway sues councilmember Tony Blain over alleged public records violations (Fox 5) The City of Poway is suing Councilmember Tony Blain for allegedly withholding and destroying public records in violation of state law…. The lawsuit announced Wednesday against Blain claims he is refusing to produce requested public records from private email accounts, apps and devices. While Blain denies using private email for official business, the city claims it has evidence showing otherwise….The city also alleges Blain has asked others to delete messages, while encouraging them to use the encrypted signal app. Tragedy strikes East County family days before ‘surprise’ announcement (10 News) Greysi Rivas was just minutes away from home when a wrong-way crash claimed her life, coming days before she was set to receive an emotional surprise… Rivas, 66, was driving to her El Cajon home …around 3 a.m. last Thursday when, according to the CHP, a BMW SUV headed the wrong way crashed head-on into her Mini Cooper near San Diego State University. STATE Hollywood’s reaction to Trump’s movie tariffs idea: Confusion, dread and a little hope (Politico) Hollywood executives scrambled Monday to interpret President Trump’s call for stiff tariffs on movies produced outside the U.S. — a bombshell proposal that would upend how movies have been made for years. California high-speed rail leader pushes state to support private investment (AP) A long-delayed project promising nonstop rail service between San Francisco and Los Angeles in under three hours may be able to secure the private funding it desperately needs if California agrees to pay the investors back, its chief executive told The Associated Press. Judge restricts Border Patrol in California: ‘You just can’t walk up to people with brown skin’ (Cal Matters) A federal court on Tuesday issued a preliminary injunction forbidding the Border Patrol from conducting warrantless immigration stops throughout a wide swath of California. U.S. Despite Newsom’s objections, Democrats approve striking penalty for soliciting older teens from bill (Los Angeles Times) Despite California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s objections, Democratic state lawmakers on Thursday approved changes to a bill that removed tougher penalties for soliciting 16- or 17-year-olds for sex on Thursday.