West
Lawyer for LA DA George Gascon's embattled right-hand man speaks out: 'Without a doubt falsely arrested'
FIRST ON FOX: The lawyer for Los Angeles’ embattled chief deputy district attorney broke his silence Wednesday after police unveiled video stemming from a 2021 arrest that led to a $10,000 out-of-court civil settlement.
“The video shows that Mr. Iniguez was 100%, without a doubt falsely arrested,” Iniguez’s attorney Glen Jonas told Fox News Digital. “He was lucid, calm, direct and in full control.”
Azusa police pulled over Iniguez’s then-fiance, who was driving the couple home from a wedding.
FELONY CASE AGAINST LA PROSECUTOR SPILLED OUT OF CO-WORKER’S BOOZY CLASH WITH COPS: DOCS
A still image taken from jailhouse surveillance video shows Los Angeles Chief Deputy District Attorney Joseph Iniguez making a phone call from lockup after a 2021 arrest for public intoxication. (Azusa Police Department)
Although the fiance was handcuffed, he was not charged, and the public intoxication case against Iniguez ultimately fell apart. However, while examining the incident, investigators found evidence that led to 11 unrelated felony charges against Diana Teran, another top Gascon aide.
Mr. Iniguez in my book is a hero, he took a false arrest and used it to protect the good citizens of Azusa who are now because of him protected with body worn cameras.
WATCH: Video shows Los Angeles DA’s righthand man arrested on public intoxication charge
“I would hope that all of us would try to protect their fiancé under these circumstances,” Jonas said. “Mr. Iniguez in my book is a hero, he took a false arrest and used it to protect the good citizens of Azusa who are now because of him protected with body worn cameras.”
Iniguez recorded the incident on his cellphone. At the time, Azusa police were not equipped with bodycams.
Joseph Iniguez and George Gascon attend Reform L.A. Jails Summit + Day Party: Mental Health Matters on November 09, 2019 in Pasadena, California. (Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Patrisse Cullors)
VIDEO SHOWS LA DA GEORGE GASCON’S RIGHT-HAND MAN ARRESTED IN DUI STOP: ‘YOU’VE PULLED OVER THE WRONG PERSON’
“Without body worn cameras, more innocent citizens would be subjected to false arrests and defamation,” Jonas said.
In the video, Iniguez tells officers, “You’ve pulled over the wrong person, let me tell you.”
“This is not right,” he says. “This is why when they talk about law enforcement and like our interactions with law enforcement – he did the right thing tonight, and drove me. We were at a wedding.”
After handcuffing the driver, the officer told Iniguez he was under arrest as well. (Azusa Police Department)
Iniguez also urged the officers to check his license plates, which could have revealed to them that he worked for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
“Run our plates, and see what you find,” he said. “Honestly. I’m not saying anything, just see what you find.”
‘WOKE’ CALIFORNIA PROSECUTOR ‘IRONICALLY IN CHARGE OF ETHICS’ CHARGED WITH FELONIES
He admits to drinking at the wedding and repeatedly interrupts the officer who is attempting to question the fiance.
Also during the encounter, Iniguez urges his fiance not to cooperate with the officers, a potential violation of DA policy and state law.
An officer escorts George Gascon’s right-hand man Joseph Iniguez into a cell after a 2021 stop for public intoxication. (Azusa Police Department)
Iniguez sued Azusa over his arrest, alleging a federal civil rights violation, and received a $10,000 settlement, described by critics as a “nuisance payment,” last year.
According to Jonas, Iniguez donated the payout to “a nonprofit that advocates for modern approaches to constitutional policing.”
On Tuesday, the Azusa Police Department said in a statement that its officers fully complied with state law and internal policies.
Iniguez was accused of repeatedly interrupting an Azusa police officer who was trying to question his then-fiance after a traffic stop. (Azusa Police Department)
“City of Azusa and Chief [Rocky] Wenrick stand firmly behind our employees and the decisions made during [Iniguez’s] arrest,” the department said.
Gascon’s office declined to comment on the matter.
Iniguez also came under fire in recent weeks after the district attorney’s office said it would remove the two lead prosecutors on a child murder trial from the case before sentencing over an apparent conflict of interest – involving Teran. He later backtracked, and they remained on the case after it was transferred to a unit Teran had no connection to.
Read the full article from Here
The body of a 25-year-old California firefighter was recovered off a San Diego pier early Thursday morning after a beach trip with family and friends, police said.
The Oakland Fire Department confirmed via Facebook that Caedan Laffan died unexpectedly Thursday morning, and that “drowning appears to be the cause of death.”
Lt. Rick Romero with the San Diego Fire-Rescue said it was “possible” alcohol was involved, KUSI reported. His exact cause of death is undetermined pending an autopsy.
TAYLOR CASEY BAHAMAS SEARCH: MISSING AMERICAN’S PHONE FOUND IN OCEAN, POLICE SAY
Caedan Laffan, 25, graduated from the Oakland Fire Academy in 2019 and joined his father at the Oakland Fire Department. His body was recovered off a San Diego pier on Thursday. (Oakland Fire Department/Facebook)
Laffan’s friends and family alerted lifeguards after the 25-year-old walked into the ocean about chest to waist deep near Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach, took a couple of strokes in the water, then disappeared from view.
The San Diego Police Department responded to the scene at 1:56 a.m., and a search began in the coastal area near Grand Avenue.
“We searched for a couple of hours with a rescue boat, land units, and a Coast Guard helicopter,” Romero told KTVU. “We weren’t able to locate him.”
COUPLE MISSING IN UTAH MAY HAVE BEEN SWEPT AWAY IN FLASH FLOOD WHILE EXPLORING TRAIL ON UTV
Laffan was reportedly in San Diego for the California Firefighter Summer Games. (Oakland Fire Department/Facebook)
Laffan’s body was recovered north of the pier around 4:15 a.m.
“Our lifeguard sergeant spotted him,” Romero said. “He had washed onto the beach on the north side of the pier. Unfortunately, incidents happen. And it’s just a sad story.”
The Oakland firefighter was in town to compete in the California Firefighter Summer Games, his department said.
RESCUERS WORK TO RETRIEVE 3 BODIES DISCOVERED ON JAPAN’S MOUNT FUJI
Laffan’s body was recovered just north of Pacific Beach’s Crystal Pier, pictured. (Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images)
Laffan’s body could be seen draped in a U.S. flag as police, fire personnel, friends and family carried him to the San Diego Medical Examiner’s van, according to KUSI.
“Caeden Laffan was a young enthusiastic member of the Oakland Fire Department, with a bright future ahead of him, and we’re all heartbroken today after learning of this tragic event,” Oakland Fire Chief Damon Covington wrote in the department’s Facebook post. “Our hearts go out to the entire Laffan family, and all who know him, worked with him, and loved him.”
Firefighting was a legacy in Laffan’s family, according to KTVU. Laffan’s father was the Oakland Fire Department’s assistant fire chief before dying of a heart attack in the line of duty in 2020, his grandfather worked as a firefighter, his mother runs a business that offers mental health services to fire crews, and his younger brother Cooper is currently training in the fire academy.
Read the full article from Here
The 2024 NHL Draft continued starting with the second round Saturday, and the Seattle Kraken kicked off the day in a similar fashion to Friday’s first round by tapping into an in-state Western Hockey League squad.
Morosi: Why Dan Bylsma is ‘best possible’ coach for Seattle Kraken
Rounds 2 through 7 took place on the draft’s second and final day. Here’s a look at the seven players Seattle picked on Saturday, plus Friday’s first-round pick.
Round 1
Eighth overall: Berkly Catton, C
The Kraken kicked off their fourth draft as a franchise by taking a talented offensive prospect in Catton from the WHL’s Spokane Chiefs. The 18-year-old center racked up 54 goals and 62 assists with the Chiefs last season. Catton, a 5 foot 10, 170-pounder, was the WHL Rookie of the Year in 2022-23 with 23 goals and 22 assists.
🎥BERKLY CATTON – HIGHLIGHT REEL🎥
The purrfect highlight reel doesn’t exi—@spokanechiefs | #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/EMoIJ3MfkP
— The WHL (@TheWHL) June 28, 2024
The Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, native is a left-handed shot and the eighth-ranked North American skater in the draft, according to NHL Central Scouting.
Round 2
40th overall: Julius Miettinen, C
Seattle’s second pick came from one of Spokane’s cross-state division rivals in the WHL. Miettinen, a 6 foot 3, 203-pounder, netted 31 goals and added 36 assists for the Everett Silvertips last season.
Hey @SeattleKraken.
You’re gonna LOVE Julius Miettinen.#SeaKraken | #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/6SiKXEBKq7
— Everett Silvertips (@WHLsilvertips) June 29, 2024
The Helsinki, Finland, native is another left-handed-shooting centerman, but much larger in stature than Catton. Miettinen was a late riser on draft boards, moving from 49th to 18th in NHL Central Scouting’s final international skater rankings.
63rd overall: Nathan Villeneuve, C
The Kraken continued their early run on centers by taking Villeneuve from the Ontario Hockey League’s Sudbury Wolves with their second second-round pick. Villeneuve, an Ottawa, Ontario, native, amassed 23 goals and 27 assists in 56 games with the Wolves last season.
2024 #NHLDraft prospect Nathan Villeneuve capped the @Sudbury_Wolves‘ comeback Friday night with the OT winner! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/80ZoZy4B9C
— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) February 24, 2024
The 5-foot-11, 192-pounder made it three for three in terms of left-handed shooters taken early by Seattle. Villeneuve, 18, is the 60th-ranked North American skater.
Round 3
73rd overall: Alexis Bernier, D
Bernier, 18, had four goals and 27 assists in 67 games for the Baie-Comeau Drakkar of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League last season. Bernier, a 6-foot-1, 189-pound right-handed shot, is the 62nd-ranked North American skater.
88th overall: Kim Saarinen, G
Saarinen, 17, is a big-bodied goaltender who played across multiple levels in Finland this past season. The 6-foot-4, 176-pounder from Finland is the third-ranked international goalie.
Round 4
105th overall: Oliver Josephson, C
Josephson, 17, was the third left-handed WHL centerman taken by the Kraken. He totaled 12 goals and 35 assists for the Red Deer Rebels last season. Josephson, who measures in at 6-foot, 178 pounds, is the 40th-ranked North American skater.
It’s a shortie for Ollie Josephson!@Rebelshockey | #WHLPlayoffs | #FeedingTheFuture pic.twitter.com/dPIfYJeeGH
— The WHL (@TheWHL) April 6, 2023
Round 5
141st overall: Clarke Caswell, LW
Caswell, 18, scored 26 goals and dished out 51 assists for the WHL’s Swift Current Broncos last season. The 5 foot 11, 170-pounder is the 77th-ranked North American skater.
Round 7
202nd overall: Jakub Fibigr, D
Fibigr, 17, netted seven goals and had 36 assists in 61 games for the Mississauga Steelheads of the Ontario Hockey League last season. The 6-foot, 171-pounder is a left-handed shot and the 67th-ranked North American skater.
Potential Sonics return may have played role in Kraken coach change
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — A revived San Francisco tradition.
People in the Sunset District marched down the Great Highway on Saturday for the inaugural “Oceanside Fourth of July Parade.”
It’s been decades since the city had a July 4th parade.
Two bands, 25 dancers as well as several parents and kids took part.
Inside effort to bring Fourth of July parade back to San Francisco for first time in decades
Supervisor Joel Engardio organized the event because he says it is time the City had its own Fourth of July parade.
“An event like this tells the world, we are not a doom loop. It tells the world that we have a lot of joy, and we are creating more of it. And, we are imaginative or innovative, and we are going to create our best San Francisco,” Engardio said.
Organizers had the parade on June 29 to make sure people who already made holiday plans could attend.
The supervisor says the plan is to have this on July 4th, next year.
Copyright © 2024 KGO-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Florida Tech Names Kimberly Williams New Vice President for Administration, Chief Financial Officer – Space Coast Daily
Why The Bulgarian Split Squat Is A Must-Add To Your Workout Routine? Expert Answers
When movie ratings make absolutely no sense
The Children’s Place girls Assorted Leggings 2 Pack
Video: Young People Demand Change Ahead of Britain’s Election
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
At least 2 dead as tornadoes hit Alabama, damage homes across Southeast
Video: How Blast Waves Can Injure the Brain
The New Yorker editor calls for Biden to step down after 'antagonizing' debate performance
Norway's LQBTQ community party at the Pride parade in Oslo
Rescuers try to keep dolphins away from Cape Cod shallows after a mass stranding
Atlanta Journal-Constitution editorial board calls for Biden to drop out 'for the good of the nation'
-
News1 week agoTracking a Single Day at the National Domestic Violence Hotline
-
Fitness1 week agoWhat's the Least Amount of Exercise I Can Get Away With?
-
News1 week agoSupreme Court upholds law barring domestic abusers from owning guns in major Second Amendment ruling | CNN Politics
-
World6 days agoIsrael accepts bilateral meeting with EU, but with conditions
-
Politics1 week agoTrump classified docs judge to weigh alleged 'unlawful' appointment of Special Counsel Jack Smith
-
Politics1 week agoSupreme Court upholds federal gun ban for those under domestic violence restraining orders
-
World7 days agoNew Caledonia independence activists sent to France for detention
-
World1 week agoIs Israel’s Smotrich fulfilling his dream of annexing the West Bank?