Law Archives - OC Watchdog

OC Officials Call for Chilean Action to Combat ‘Burglary Tourism’

McCarthy's Visit to Santa Ana House Speaker Kevin McCarthy visited Santa Ana on Friday to discuss the pressing issue of "burglary tourism" with Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer and several local congressional representatives. McCarthy conveyed his intention to hold back funds for Homeland Security unless the department takes firm actions against the misuse of...

Orange County Is Helping Refugees And Immigrants Access Essential Services

Refugees and immigrants living in Orange County may soon get help from county officials to get into social safety nets and schemes. It happened after 500 Afghans who ran away from the Taliban in 2021 forced Orange County officials to move quickly to help refugees get health care, benefits, and jobs. On Tuesday, OC Supervisors voted...

Concerns regarding accountability and transparency are reinforced by a state audit of the Orange County Electric Authority

A recent state audit of Orange County Power Authority (OCPA), a problematic sustainable energy business, revealed opaque marketing and financial services contracts. The agency's financial stability was also thrown into doubt by the audit. California's state auditor, Grant Parks, wrote to the governor and leaders of the state legislature that "OCPA demonstrated a pattern of...

“I Panicked And Fled To My House” : An OC Woman Describes Her Stalking Experience

I was inspired to write this narrative after listening to two women. On my lunch break, the three of us were speaking when one of them began to tell me about her recent experience dealing with a stalker. She vowed that she wouldn't live in terror, despite how eerie and frightening it was. After...

When FBI Seized Millions From OC Nursing College Owners

The Justice Department once accused Pacific College owners of running a student aid scam and sought ownership of the over $3 million that the FBI seized after a corruption investigation. The Education Department, the California Department of Consumer Affairs, and the FBI investigated a fraud scheme whereby Pacific College defrauded the ED of FSA...

When OC Accused Newport Beach Attorney Of Dodging Malpractice Debt

Many regarded Phillip Greer as the poorest veteran attorney of California, known for representing Orange County Republicans with many difficulties. The list of Greer’s embattled clients included Congressperson Ed Royce, State Assemblyperson Janet Nguyen, and Orange County Board of Supervisor member Shawn Nelson. Attorney Greer lived for years in a costly Newport Coast residence near...

Throwback: When OC Activist Filed Lawsuit About YouTube Dislikes

In 2018, Kenneth Strawn filed a lawsuit that alleged that people who disliked his videos on YouTube trampled his rights as a US citizen. A conservative activist from Orange County, Strawn used to rant against Jewish people, African-Americans, unlawful immigrants and lesbians when supporting former President Donald Trump. Strawn claimed that Charlottesville resident Simone Tartaglia...

Throwback: When New Law Enabled Including More Dispensaries In OC

In May 2019, Santa Ana had an illegal dispensary nestled between quinceanera stores and costly cafes. It operated each day without permits, laboratory-tested goods, or applying the right taxes to its final cost. That Santa Ana location was among the many different dispensaries in Orange County that operated in that manner. Santa Ana’s Planning Commission...