October 15, 2015
By FRED SHUSTER
City News Service
California Attorney General Kamala Harris unveiled an online resource in Los Angeles Wednesday providing information for victims, the tech industry and law enforcement agencies to help combat cyber exploitation — commonly known as “revenge porn.” The distribution of sexually explicit photos or videos online without the subject’s consent exists in a legal gray area throughout much of the country, where victims often have few options for recourse and perpetrators often go unpunished. Harris said she hopes to change that perception.
Revenge porn can have dramatic consequences for victims — from harming their careers and reputations to intimidating them into silence or putting them directly in harm’s way, the AG said at a downtown Los Angles news conference.
“Posting intimate images online without consent is a cowardly crime that humiliates and belittles victims,” she said. “These new tools will assist law enforcement in combating cyber exploitation and support victims in seeking justice.”
The online resource “hub” — at www.oag.ca.gov/cyberexploitation — aims to help empower victims with information on how to have images that were posted without permission removed from popular websites and search engines, and provide clear guidance to local law enforcement about laws to investigate and prosecute cyber exploitation cases. The site will also include guidelines for technology companies to help them develop policies that prevent the posting and sharing of cyber exploitation images. Designed as a “one-stop-shop” for law enforcement, victims and technology companies, the site will include information graphics with steps individuals can take after being a victim of cyber exploitation, and the first-ever comprehensive collection of major technology platforms’ privacy policies and links to report improper use of intimate images and how to have them removed from social media sites and online search engines.
Harris said tech companies including Facebook, Twitter, Google and Microsoft have agreed to revise or update their policies in dealing with victims of cyber exploitation.
“Sharing intimate images of someone without their consent can be both devastating and dangerous for the victim,” Antigone Davis, Facebook’s head of global safety policy, said. “Such activity is not allowed on Facebook and we are proud to support Attorney General Harris’ anti-cyber exploitation initiative to raise awareness of this abhorrent practice and promote tools to fight it.”
Calling the website “a major milestone in the fight against cyber exploitation,” law professor and author Danielle Citron said she hopes the resource acts as a model for other states to follow.
“In my research, I’ve interviewed more than 50 exploitation victims,” said Citron, author of the book “Hate Crimes in Cyberspace,” describing the effects of the crime on victims as “devastating.”
“Victims had a hard time finding employment because their nude images and contact information appeared prominently in online searches,” Citron said.
“They were terrified that strangers would confront them in person. They moved, some changed their names — all were distraught.”
In tandem with the introduction of the anti-cyber exploitation initiative, Harris issued a Law Enforcement Bulletin, with instructions for the state’s law enforcement agencies on how to use and enforce new and existing laws related to cyber exploitation crimes. This past legislative session, the AG sponsored two bills to enable more effective prosecution of cyber exploitation crimes. AB 1310, sponsored by Assemblyman Mike Gatto, D-Glendale, expands the jurisdictional options for prosecuting cyber exploitation cases and allows law enforcement to use a search warrant to investigate cyber exploitation cases.
SB 676, sponsored by state Sen. Anthony Cannella, R-Ceres, adds cyber exploitation to the list of computer crimes eligible for forfeiture and destruction of property as part of a judgment and provides law enforcement with a process for seizing and destroying cyber exploitation images. Both laws were signed by Gov. Jerry Brown and become effective Jan. 1. The initiative will also include a digital campaign using the Twitter hashtag #EndCyberExploitation, to raise awareness of the crime and connect victims with resources.
John Doherty, vice president of state policy and general counsel at the Microsoft web portal TechNet, said that while the Internet has brought countless positive changes to society, “there is a dark side.”
“We must remain vigilant in the effort to protect Internet users from this type of terrible and troubling cyber exploitation,” he said. “This is a crime that violates the victim on the most personal and private level possible.”
October 08, 2015
City News Service
A woman whose 2014 beating at the hands of a California Highway Patrol officer along the Santa Monica (10) Freeway sparked outrage and lawsuits was taken into custody this week in the same area where last year's encounter took place. Two CHP officers found Marlene Mardella Pinnock about 2:25 a.m. on the right shoulder of the La Brea Avenue off-ramp to the eastbound 10, near the very spot where she was repeatedly punched after being taken to the ground by a CHP officer on July 1, 2014. The officers who found her took her from the freeway to a safer location and, after further evaluation, she was taken to County-USC Medical Center for a psychiatric evaluation and treatment, according to a CHP statement.
Pinnock, who was 51 at the time of the beating, sued the CHP in federal court and received a $1.5 million settlement that included the resignation of Officer Daniel Andrew.
Her lawyer, Caree Harper, who was criticized by a federal judge for taking a 42 percent share of the settlement, said Pinnock suffers from bipolar disorder and didn't take her medication for months before the run-in with Andrew, who had been on the job for two years. At the time the settlement was announced, CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow said a large portion of the funds would be placed into a special-needs trust for Pinnock ``to provide a mechanism for her long-term care.'' Before the beating video was made public, the CHP said Pinnock was walking barefoot along the freeway shoulder and occasionally in traffic lanes and when she did not respond to orders to stop, Andrew got out of his patrol vehicle and confronted her, at which time she became combative.
Pinnock's beating was recorded with a cell phone camera by music producer David Diaz, who was driving along the freeway near La Brea Avenue and witnessed the altercation. Meanwhile, a CHP captain sued the agency and Farrow in Los Angeles Superior Court, claiming he was punished for resisting pressure from his employer to find that Andrew acted improperly during Pinnock's arrest. Capt. Gregory Hammond alleged the investigation was taken from him when he resisted management's orders and that he became the target of an administrative interrogation.
He claimed he was ordered to attend a meeting shortly after the beating and told by CHP chiefs that there was ``tremendous pressure'' coming from Washington, D.C., and Gov. Jerry Brown's office ``to get this matter resolved favorably.''
The captain claimed he was told, ``We want you with us on this and we hope you know what you have to do,'' and that he responded by telling his bosses he could not support firing Andrew unless the facts warranted his dismissal. Hammond, who claimed he was denied promotions and suffered damage to his reputation, went on stress leave in August 2014 and returned to duty in November, according to his lawsuit.
October 08, 2015
LAWT News Service
The seven members of the 2016 Tournament of Roses Royal Court were announced this week at Tournament House. Selected from a group of 39 finalists, the Royal Court will attend nearly 100 community and media functions, acting as ambassadors of the Tournament and the Pasadena community at large. Their reign will culminate with the 127th Rose Parade® presented by Honda and the 102nd Rose Bowl Game® presented by Northwestern Mutual.
The announcement follows a month-long process in which more than 900 Pasadena-area young women participated. The Tournament’s Queen and Court Committee made its selections based on a number of criteria including poise, speaking ability, academic achievement, and community and school involvement.
The seven Royal Court members are (in alphabetical order): Bryce Marie Bakewell (#171), 17, Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy; Donaly Elizabeth Marquez (#22), 17, Blair High School; Natalie Breanne Hernandez-Barber (#673), 17, Alverno High School; Rachelle Chacal Renee Liu (#337), 17, San Marino High School; Regina Marché Pullens (#466), 17, Maranatha High School; Sarah Sumiko Shaklan (#443), 17, La Cañada High School; Erika Karen Winter (#562), 17, Flintridge Preparatory School.
“The 2016 Royal Court is comprised of seven impressive young women who — starting today — will be ‘finding adventure’ as we build up to America’s New Year’s Celebration® on January 1,” said Ed Morales, chair of the Tournament of Roses Queen and Court Committee. “Over the next few months, the Royal Court will participate in a wide variety of events and experiences that will be memorable ones for years to come.”
Rose Princess Bryce Marie Bakewell, 17, is a senior at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy and lives in Pasadena. Bryce serves as the president of the Black Student Union and volunteers within a daycare for disabled children. She enjoys yoga, volunteer work and spontaneous trips with her family. In college, she hopes to work on a pre-law track majoring in Unites States History and minoring in Spanish. She would like to eventually become a criminal justice attorney. Bryce is the daughter of Danny Jr. and Tana Bakewell; she has three siblings: Taelor, Danny III and Devyn.
Rose Princess Donaly Elizabeth Marquez, 17, is a senior at Blair High School and lives in Pasadena. Donaly enjoys soccer, writing poems, singing and dancing. She currently works for the Ambassador Youth Program, is on the prom committee and is active with her church. In the future, she wants to study criminal justice or enter into the medical field. Donaly is the daughter of Ignacio and Sara Marquez; she has six siblings: Alicia, Silvia, Sara Marie, Emily, Abraham, and Elijah.
Rose Princess Natalie Breanne Hernandez-Barber, 17, is a senior at Alverno High School and lives in Pasadena. Natalie serves as an Alverno Ambassador, works with the Campus Ministry, plays varsity volleyball and is the recipient of the Carol Ladere Memorial Scholarship. She enjoys cooking, graphic design, outdoor activities and sports such as track, basketball and karate. Natalie would like to study broadcasting and communications in college and hopes to become a radio or television host. She is the daughter of Jeffrey Barber and Rebecca Hernandez; Natalie has two siblings: Sydney and Madison.
Rose Princess Rachelle Chacal Renee Liu, 17, is a senior at San Marino High School and lives in Arcadia. Rachelle serves as the president and founder of the LEO (Leadership, Experience, Opportunity) Club and captain of the both the Speech and Debate team as well as the Mock Trial Team. She is the director of the Holiday Angels musical group and Kids Play for Kids. Rachelle enjoys playing the Chinese harp, hiking and singing. In college, she would like to study biology and hopes to become a doctor who works with Doctors Without Borders helping people world-wide. Rachelle is the daughter of Daniel and Chacal Liu.
Rose Princess Regina Marché Pullens, 17, is a senior at Maranatha High School and lives in Altadena. Regina founded the Glam Girl Club and is a teacher’s assistant for the science department. She has traveled to the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua on mission trips and has served as a counselor for vacation bible school at the Altadena Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Regina enjoys reading, writing, and playing both the piano and clarinet. She would like to study pre-medicine in college and hopes to become an anesthesiologist. Regina is the daughter of Reginald and Renita Pullens; she has three siblings: Teneka, Reece and Reid.
Rose Princess Sarah Sumiko Shaklan, 17, is a senior at La Cañada High School and lives in Altadena. Sarah volunteers frequently at Huntington Memorial Hospital and The Ronald McDonald House in Pasadena. She participates in AYSO Soccer, works on the yearbook and is a member of the Sierra Madre Interact Club. Sarah enjoys photography, reading and babysitting. She hopes to study criminal justice and pre-law in college. Sarah would like to become a lawyer who works in the non-profit sector helping people and organizations that lack finances to hire defense attorneys. Sarah is the daughter of Stuart and Pamela Shaklan; she has two siblings: Jonathan and Andrew.
Rose Princess Erika Karen Winter, 17, is a senior at Flintridge Preparatory School and lives in Pasadena. Erika is part of the cheer and dance team, student senate and is a middle school commissioner. She is the president of the Hip Hop Club and Craft Club. Erika serves as a peer counselor and a volunteer instructor for autistic dance classes and captured the lead role in her school’s spring musical. Erika enjoys singing, acting, spin-cycling and watching hockey. She would like to study marketing and psychology in the future and hopes to work in marketing and communications within the fashion industry. Erika is the daughter of Tim and Kristine Winter.
The members of the Royal Court receive wardrobe and accessories for their busy schedule of media events and community appearances from Macy’s, formal gowns from Tadashi, hair styling from The Spa Santé, cosmetics and consultation from Estée Lauder and crowns and tiaras courtesy of Mikimoto.
The Announcement and Coronation of the 98th Rose Queen® and Presentation of the Royal Court is on October 22 at the Pasadena Convention Center; the event is sponsored by Citizens Business Bank. A limited number of tickets are available for purchase from Sharp Seating Company.
October 01, 2015
LAWT News Service
Betty T. Yee, California’s State Controller, recently endorsed Katrina Manning for Hawthorne’s City Council.
“Katrina Manning’s demonstrated commitment to public service and her policy and financial experience to improve the quality of life for residents and businesses of the Los Angeles region are the skills that will make her an effective leader and member on the Hawthorne City Council,” said Betty T. Yee.
“I am proud to support Katrina and am excited about the dedicated leadership she will bring in serving the city
of Hawthorne.”
“I am honored to receive the support of Betty Yee and I pledge to demonstrate the strong leadership that is critical to the economic and fiscal health of Hawthorne if elected in November,” responded Katrina Manning.
State Controller Betty T. Yee was elected in November 2014, following two terms of service on the Board of Equalization. As Controller, she continues to serve the Board as its fifth voting member.
A 25-year resident of the City of Hawthorne, Katrina Manning is a wife, mother, community leader and small business owner running for Hawthorne City Council. Learn more about her at www.4KatrinaManning.org.