San Diego, CA
Of course Eric Swalwell should drop out of the gubernatorial race
California’s weird gubernatorial race just got weirder with the ongoing implosion of Rep. Eric Swalwell’s campaign.
“Rep. Eric Swalwell’s campaign for governor was reeling Friday after two news reports detailed accusations of sexual assault and misconduct, with multiple staffers resigning and both prominent allies and rival candidates calling on the California Democrat to exit the race,” reports Politico.
Reporting by the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN detailed multiple reports by women alleging sexual misconduct, including rape, by the Democratic congressman.
Campaign spokesperson Micah Beasley told NBC News of one of the reports, “This false, outrageous rumor is being spread 27 days before an election begins by flailing opponents who have sadly teamed up with MAGA conspiracy theorists because they know Eric Swalwell is the frontrunner in this race.”
It’s unknown to me whether the allegations are true, but Swalwell’s longtime friend and ally Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona pulled his endorsement of Swalwell. That says something.
The California Teachers Association also pulled its support, as did Sen. Adam Schiff and Rep. Nancy Pelosi.
Sen. Alex Padilla, who didn’t endorse Swalwell, has called on him to drop out of the race. “Given the gravity of these claims, Rep. Eric Swalwell should step aside to ensure a full, transparent investigation free from undue influence,” he posted on X.
Effectively, the entire Democratic political establishment that tried to rally behind him to encourage Democratic voters to rally behind someone to prevent a top-two lockout has turned on him.
Swalwell of course hasn’t been arrested or charged with anything and should be able to respond to allegations. For his part, according to CNN, he has sent cease-and-desist letters and has denied the allegations. The outlet, however, reports it “found corroboration for key elements of each of the women’s claims, including the former staffer who said she was sexually assaulted.”
That will all play out as it will. But no one should be putting themselves out there to be governor of California under this dark a cloud.The state of California has a lot of problems that demand the full attention of whoever succeeds Gov. Gavin Newsom.
The last thing the Golden State needs is a governor under fire for multiple accusations of sexual misconduct.
With ballots going out to voters in a few weeks, Swalwell should put his own ego aside and drop out of the race and give the other candidates room to make their case to voters.
If he is ultimately vindicated, that might bode well for him for future public service. But for now, it’s kind of impossible to make the case he should stay in the race unless you’re a campaign staffer who badly needs the money.
Unless, that is, you’re Steve Hilton or Chad Bianco and are reveling in the chaos of the Democratic field.
Sal Rodriguez can be reached at salrodriguez@scng.com
San Diego, CA
3 face child-abuse suspects arrested after drugs found in Spring Valley home: Sheriff’s Dept.
Three people were arrested in connection with a child abuse investigation after hard drugs were also found inside a Spring Valley home, authorities said Friday.
Child Welfare Services, in coordination with personnel from the Rancho San Diego Station, served a search warrant around 2 p.m. Tuesday at a residence in the 9000 block of Eucalyptus Street, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office.
Officials said methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana and drug-related paraphernalia were discovered during the search. The three residents, later identified as Karina Rice, Diann Whitt and Jarron Wood, were all taken into custody. The suspects’ ages have not yet been released.
Wood, who reportedly had an outstanding warrant, was also found with an alleged 7 grams of meth on his person.
All three suspects were arrested on suspicion of child abuse-related charges and drug possession. They were booked into San Diego Central Jail, the sheriff’s office reported.
Details about the child abuse charges were not immediately available.
Authorities urged anyone with further information to call the Rancho San Diego Sheriff’s Station or the police.
San Diego, CA
North County private school accused of recording visiting student athletes in locker room
Santa Fe Christian Schools is being accused of secretly recording student athletes in a classroom-turned locker-room for a visiting team during a California Interscholastic Federation sporting event.
The attorney representing the three players listed in the complaint said it’s possible there are other sports and hundreds of other students may also be involved in the proposed class action lawsuit.
She told NBC 7 they first discovered there was a video tape back on Jan. 17.
“We were shocked that there were any cameras in there as students dress and undress in there,” Ellen Adler, Partner with Adler Law Group APLC said.
Adler is the attorney representing the three players listed in the complaint filed on April 1.
While it’s unclear what’s on the video, the complaint alleges Santa Fe Christian Schools “monitored and recorded minors, student-athletes, coaches from other schools, and others, while undressing to change into their uniform … without their knowledge or consent.”
“This was in violation of California’s constitution, the right to privacy, and also various statutory, both criminal and civil statues concerning the right to privacy,” Adler said.
In a statement to NBC 7, a spokesperson for Santa Fe Christian Schools confirmed the choir classroom does have a security camera stating: “as do all the other classrooms throughout the campus for their broader commitment to student safety and campus security.”
But the complaint alleges Santa Fe Christian Schools “did not disclose” the presence of cameras in the choir room to the visiting players.
“They were never told to go somewhere else to go change their clothes,” Adler said.
The statement from Santa Fe Christian Schools adds that the choir classroom is set aside for team meetings only, and the restrooms are designated for changing as needed.
“The difference is this wasn’t during school hours. This was for a sporting event and for visiting athletes who didn’t know there was a camera in there, who were directed as the visiting team to do everything they need to do to prepare for the game,” Adler said.
Adler said the athletic director of Santa Fe Christian initially shared the video with the athletic director of the visiting school to bring to their attention damage to the choir classroom that appeared to have occurred while members of the team were using that space.
Although she has not seen the video, she said the athletic directors of both schools involved and other administrators have.
She said she hopes this legal action stops other players from being recorded unknowingly, prevents the possible distribution of the recordings, and seeks to obtain fair compensation for any other player who may have been recorded unknowingly.
Adler said since the complaint was filed, she’s received numerous inquiries from multiple schools whose students were also placed in the choir room for sporting events.
She said it’s possible hundreds, if not thousands of students from other schools visiting and sporting events may have also been recorded unknowingly.
San Diego, CA
San Diego has so much water it’s considering selling thousands of acre-feet
Less than a month after cutting a deal with a Riverside County water district, the San Diego County Water Authority’s board is set to consider another agreement with a different water agency from the county to the north.
On Thursday, the board will consider supplying an annual quantity of 10,000 acre-feet to the Eastern Municipal Water District of Southern California for 21 years at a rate in year one of around $1,350 per acre-foot. Additionally, if approved, Eastern will pre-purchase an additional 30,000 acre-feet for $19 million. All told, in the first five years of the agreement, the water authority would generate $74 million in new revenue.
The Eastern Municipal Water District of Southern California serves largely rural areas of western Riverside County such as Perris, Hemet, San Jacinto and the Elsinore Valley and serves nearly 1 million people.
If the board approves, the deal would begin with Eastern purchasing 6,240 acre-feet (a unit of measurement describing the amount of water to cover an acre of land in one foot of water) this year, then adding around 950 acre- feet per year until the full annual quantity is reached in 2030.
Last month, the water authority and the Western Municipal Water District inked a similar long-term water supply agreement. Western will also receive a minimum of 10,000 acre-feet of water annually over the next 21 years, enough to supply around 30,000 Southern California households each year.
That agency, which provides water, wastewate, and recycled water services to nearly 1 million people across 527 square miles in Riverside County, also agreed to purchase around 30,000 acre-feet of water for future delivery, a nearly $40 million investment.
“This agreement is a win for San Diego ratepayers, a win for Western, and a win for Southern California,” said Water Authority Board Chair Nick Serrano when the deal was signed last month. “It allows us to maximize the value of the investments San Diego County residents made over decades, strengthen water reliability, and do so in a way that is mindful of affordability and public responsibility. It is exactly the kind of innovative, collaborative approach this moment demands.”
According to that deal, the partnership will generate $13.5 million annually in revenue for the San Diego County Water Authority, with the agreement expected to deliver around $100 million over the first five years after accounting for the upfront payments.
“These paired agreements reflect a continued positive shift in the water authority’s collaborative standing within the Metropolitan community, reinforcing the agency’s role in helping meet regional needs,” SDCWA documents read. “Collectively, they advance the water authority’s strategy to mitigate the risk associated with its contracted supplies by securing predictable and durable long-term agreements, generating stable revenue, and strengthening long- term operational flexibility.”
Water purchased as part of the deals will be delivered through existing connections within the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s system, meaning no new infrastructure is needed.
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