California
California state senator Marie Alvarado-Gil accused of sexual harassment by former staffer, leading to injury and discrimination, lawsuit claims
![California state senator Marie Alvarado-Gil accused of sexual harassment by former staffer, leading to injury and discrimination, lawsuit claims California state senator Marie Alvarado-Gil accused of sexual harassment by former staffer, leading to injury and discrimination, lawsuit claims](https://e3.365dm.com/24/09/1600x900/skynews-marie-alvarado-gil_6680723.jpg?20240910023628)
A California state senator has been accused of sexually harassing a staffer by pressuring him to perform sex acts – including to the point of injury – and firing him when he resisted.
Marie Alvarado-Gil’s former chief of staff Chad Condit accused both the senator and the California State Senate of discrimination in violation of employment law in a Sacramento Superior Court suit filed last week.
In the 39-page complaint – seen by Sky News – Mr Condit alleges Ms Alvarado-Gil groomed him and throughout his employment he was asked to perform sexual favours.
On the last occasion, where he alleges he was pressured to perform a sex act on the senator in the back of a car, Mr Condit claims he suffered three herniated discs in his back and a collapsed hip, which he said required surgery.
Speaking to POLITICO, Ognian Gavrilov, representing Ms Alvarado- Gil, said the accusations are “without any corroboration of evidence”.
He said: “This is an outlandish lawsuit and we’re going to fight it and we’re going to win it.”
According to the complaint, Mr Condit met Ms Alvarado-Gil in 2022 after he failed to win a primary election for the California assembly. She was elected as state senator that year and proceeded to bring Mr Condit on as her chief of staff.
He then alleges the senator began “grooming” him with intimate details of her personal life, and claimed Ms Alvarado-Gil told him she believed he would be more like his father, Gary Condit, a former Democratic Californian representative who had admitted to police he had affairs with multiple younger women. One of them, intern Chandra Levy, disappeared in 2001. Her decomposed body was found a year later, although Condit was cleared of any involvement.
In his complaint, Chad Condit alleged Ms Alvarado-Gil would also have him carry out personal errands such as driving her children and caring for her dog by January last year.
It reads: “This growing control and exercise of power by [Ms Alvarado-Gil] further conditioned [Mr Condit] into an unequal and subservient position.”
He then alleges that “after months of creating a dominant-submissive relationship” – including Ms Alvarado-Gil hiring his wife to her campaign in March 2023 – the state senator initiated sexual advances during a trip to Inyo County.
“[Mr Condit] was numbed and acted without thinking and it went from there with [Ms Alvarado-Gil] establishing her ability to dominate him,” the suit reads.
“[Mr Condit] briefly performed as demanded until she was satisfied by his submission to her.”
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When the former staffer began pushing back against the senator’s advances, Mr Condit alleged Ms Alvarado-Gil was “unhappy with him” but continued to make inappropriate comments to him.
He then claims Ms Alvarado-Gil retaliated to his refusal to participate in sexual acts by prompting the state Senate’s human resources representative to reprimand him, as well as allegedly going to his home to accuse him of cheating in front of his wife.
Mr Condit also claimed Vanessa Bravo, Ms Alvarado-Gil’s current chief of staff and a childhood friend, “proved herself tolerant and supportive” of her discrimination, harassment and retaliation.
He alleged he was given a notice of termination from the state senate in December, and said his “employment record and opportunities in public employment are irreparably damaged and will never be the same”.
Mr Condit is seeking compensation over the allegations, including lost wages, loss of earning capacity, employee benefits and damages for emotional distress.
![](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/np-logo.png)
California
5 charged with taking migrants hostage in California to demand relatives pay ransom
![5 charged with taking migrants hostage in California to demand relatives pay ransom 5 charged with taking migrants hostage in California to demand relatives pay ransom](https://assets3.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2024/09/10/b94ed19e-252b-40f5-97a1-1f2c727cdcb3/thumbnail/1200x630g2/b598c16ff804126e27286befba3c0a27/kidnap-download.png?v=631cf5f2b4e8db7f9bc428589402864d)
Four men were arrested and charged with kidnapping migrants who had been smuggled into the United States and demanding their relatives pay ransom for their release, officials said Monday.
The men have pleaded not guilty after they were arraigned on an indictment, the U.S. attorney’s office in Los Angeles said. A fifth man has been charged in the case but remains a fugitive, prosecutors said in a statement.
The defendants took the four migrants from an Arizona gas station last year and later held them hostage at a house in California, prosecutors said. The suspects allegedly used one of the hostage’s cellphones to demand ransom money from the victim’s family member in exchange for their release.
Three of the hostages were later moved to a motel where one escaped through a second-story bathroom window and ran to a nearby store, the statement said. One of the suspects followed him and “body-slammed the victim, placed him in a chokehold, and punched him repeatedly in the face in an attempt to re-kidnap him,” the statement said.
The defendants were identified as Miguel Angel Avila, 22, of Hemet; Omar Avila Salmeron, 41, of South Los Angeles; Jose Jaime Garcia, 20, of San Jacinto; Gabriel Michel Becerra, 22, of Palmdale; and Jose Alfredo Moreno Gonzalez, 21, of Oak Hills. Becerra is currently a fugitive.
“These defendants allegedly preyed upon victims who sought to emigrate to our country by demanding ransom from the victims’ families in exchange for their release,” U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada of the Central District of California said in a statement.
On March 23, 2023, Avila, Garcia and Becerra allegedly drove one of the hostages to a gas station, where they took $11,000 in cash from the victim’s brother in exchange for the victim’s release.
Migrants seeking to cross into the United States are frequently kidnapped by gangs and drug cartels in Mexico, and are also known to be vulnerable to kidnappings in the United States.
California
Pipe-wielding Tesla driver convicted for California road-rage attacks released less than a year into jail term
![Pipe-wielding Tesla driver convicted for California road-rage attacks released less than a year into jail term Pipe-wielding Tesla driver convicted for California road-rage attacks released less than a year into jail term](https://static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/09/Tesla-copy.jpg)
A pipe-wielding Tesla driver convicted of attacking other motorists on Southern California roads was released from prison last month after only serving less than a year of a five-year term, a move that outraged his victims.
Nathaniel Radimak, 37, was sentenced in September 2023 following a spree of violent attacks. He pleaded guilty to assault, vandalism, elder abuse and making criminal threats.
Radimak was known for driving a Tesla and using a pipe to attack the cars of his victims, mostly women.
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation told Fox News Digital that Radimak was granted 424 days credit for time served while he was awaiting his sentence. He was also eligible for opportunities to earn credit for good behavior while he was incarcerated.
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Nathaniel Walter Radimak, 37, was convicted of attacking several female drivers on Southern California roads. (Fox Los Angeles)
“Radimak was released to parole supervision in Los Angeles County on Aug. 28, 2024, after serving his full sentence as defined by law,” a CDCR statement said.
Many of Radimak’s victims were outraged at his release. Some said they weren’t consulted about the release or given a chance to contest the decision. They said the justice system failed by not giving them a chance to be heard.
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“I’m unable to believe such a short sentence would result in any sort of behavioral reform or rehabilitation considering the length of time he’s been committing crimes,” one unidentified victim said during a virtual news conference alongside attorney Gloria Allred.
“I am worried he will try to find the victims whose names have been released,” said another. “He is a menace to society, and I strongly disagree about his early release.”
Some said they were afraid that Radimak would possibly retaliate against them.
“His early release has shocked and disappointed many of the victims whom I represent,” Allred said.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office told Fox News Digital that it does not determine when an inmate is released.
![Nathaniel Walter Radimak after his arrest](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/09/1200/675/Radimak.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Nathaniel Walter Radimak was arrested Sunday for his alleged involvement in a road rage incident. (California Highway Patrol)
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“Our thoughts are with the survivors who endured the terrifying attacks by Mr. Radimak and are continuing to heal from his senseless actions,” the DA’s office said. “The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office does not determine when an inmate will be released from custody. This, as well as the notification of victims, is the responsibility of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.”
California
California’s Line Fire grows due to high temperatures, forces evacuations: See map
![California’s Line Fire grows due to high temperatures, forces evacuations: See map California’s Line Fire grows due to high temperatures, forces evacuations: See map](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/09/09/USAT/75140816007-458979870-934581468710935-1130225902898552413-n.jpg?auto=webp&crop=1966,1106,x0,y688&format=pjpg&width=1200)
“It’s critical that residents in the impacted areas remain vigilant and prepare to evacuate immediately if called for by local authorities,” said California Gov. Gavin Newsom in a statement.
Climate change fueling wildfires
A recent study attributes the drastic surge in California’s wildfires to climate change, primarily caused by human activities.
The Line Fire in Southern California has set over 20,500 acres ablaze and is 0% contained.
The wildfire was discovered Thursday, according to InciWeb’s data. It’s located in San Bernardino County, around 121 miles northeast of Los Angeles.
High temperatures have increased the fire’s activity Sunday night and will continue through Monday, and then temperatures will be below normal by Wednesday.
The fire is spreading towards the northeast direction, according to Daily Press, a part of the USA TODAY Network. However, the cooler weather will help moderate the flames below the marine level.
Over 36,000 structures, including single and multi-family homes, commercial buildings, and others, are threatened by the fire, and thousands are forced to evacuate.
The fire also set areas of the San Bernadino National Forest ablaze.
A Damage Inspection Team was ordered, and there were 1,855 personnel assigned to fight the fire while more resources arrived from other parts of the California.
Stories about our planet, explained. Sign up for USA TODAY’s Climate Point newsletter.
What caused the fire?
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
However, as firefighting efforts continued on Sunday, rising temperatures allowed the fire to increase, according to InciWeb.
“Temperatures ranged from the upper 80s to the mid-100s over the fire area,” stated its website.
Line fire map
State of emergency
California Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency and secured “a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help ensure the availability of vital resources to suppress the fire,” stated a press release, as the fire grew over 17,400 acres on Saturday.
“It’s critical that residents in the impacted areas remain vigilant and prepare to evacuate immediately if called for by local authorities,” said Newsom in a statement.
![](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/09/08/USAT/75135953007-cleans.jpg?crop=1079,607,x0,y768)
Emergency declared after Line Fire grows
California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in San Bernardino County where a fire has exploded past 17,000 acres.
Evacuation orders
People in areas with evacuation orders are required to leave for their safety as “there is an immediate threat to life and property,” according to InciWeb.
The following locations have been ordered to evacuate the area:
- The area from Calle Del Rio to Hwy 38, including Greenspot Road North
- Underdeveloped land from east of Highway 330 to Summertrail Place and north of Highland Avenue
- Areas of Running Spring east of Highway 330 and south of Highway 18
- Community of Running Springs
- Community of Arrow Bear Lake
- East of Orchard Road to Cloverhill from Highland Avenue north to the foothills
- North of Highland Avenue and East of Palm Avenue to Highway 330
- Garnett Street east to the 138 and Mill Creek north to the foothills
- Community of Forest Falls
- Community of Mountain Home Village
The following areas have evacuation warnings:
Conditions may worsen in areas with an evacuation warnings. People in the following areas will need to evacuate should conditions change, according to InciWeb:
- Boulder Avenue east to Church Street
- Greenspot Road north to the foothills
- Church Street east to the city limit
- Area from the foothills south to Greenspot Road
- Green Valley Lake, north of Highway 18
- Community of Cedar Glen
- Community of Lake Arrowhead
- Community of Crestline
- Community of Valley of Enchantment
- Angelus Oaks
- Seven Oaks
- Garnet Street to Bryant Street and Carter Street North the Mill Creek
Contributing: Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press
Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. She has covered various topics, from local businesses and government in her hometown, Miami, to tech and pop culture. You can connect with her on LinkedIn, follow her on X, formerly Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com.
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