Author: Emilie St. John

COMPTON – A former Compton councilmember has had his election fraud trial delayed again due to the constant change in prosecutors. Ex-Compton Councilman Isaac Galvan was due in court today on charges stemming from election fraud allegations and had his trial delayed while the new district attorney assigned to the case catches up to speed. This is the third attorney assigned to the trial. The first district attorney was removed because they were put on leave for “election theory” conspiracies that made headlines. Deputy District Attorney Eric Neff was been placed on administrative leave in November 2022 for his role…

INGLEWOOD – The city of Inglewood established the Rent Housing Board as required under the Inglewood Rent Ordinance during the regular city council meeting held June 13. The City established rent control in mid-2019 after a dramatic push to put the issue on the ballot failed. Under Ordinance No. 20-03 the Rent Housing Board is codified in the Inglewood Municipal Code Section 2-152.88. The Rent Housing Board consists of five members, with four being either a residential landlord or owner and the other being a City employee. The board is responsible for hearing disputes between tenants and their landlords, and…

COMPTON, Calif. (2UrbanGirls) – A former Compton councilmember has had his election fraud trial delayed again due to the constant change in prosecutors. Ex-Compton Councilman Isaac Galvan was due in court today on charges stemming from election fraud allegations and had his trial delayed while the new district attorney assigned to the case catches up to speed. This is the third attorney assigned to the trial. The first district attorney was removed because they were put on leave for “election theory” conspiracies that made headlines. Deputy District Attorney Eric Neff was been placed on administrative leave in November 2022 for…

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (SBE) – An Inglewood Starbucks location has sold for $5.1 million. According to ConnectCRE, the listing was called a “trophy location” due to its proximity to the Kia Forum and SoFi Stadium. Located at 801 E. Manchester Blvd., Inglewood residents knowo the location was the former home to M&M’s Soul Food. In announcing the close of the sale, it was noted the deal was made possible due to a long-term “corporate guaranteed lease” structure that is believed to have helped drive up the value of the property. “While the current cap rate climate is trending upwards, we were…

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (SBE) – The South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) are studying underutilized commercial properties in some South Bay cities to create more housing. The South Bay COG “is leading a project to identify and reimagine underutilized commercial properties that are strong candidates for new housing to increase housing supply”. “The study we’re doing is very innovative in terms of the scale,” said Wally Siembab, research director, SBCCOG. “Other cities have conducted studies, but not across an entire subregion. We are looking at many different land-use configurations, sizes and community characteristics. The results will be shared across all…

INGLEWOOD (SBE) – The City of Inglewood is scheduled to reject a claim filed on behalf of a man wrongfully convicted of murder during the regular city council meeting scheduled for June 13. Maurice Hastings was convicted for the abduction, sexual assault, and slaying of 30-year-old Roberta Wydermyer, and the attempted murder of Wydermyer’s husband, Billy Ray, and his friend George Pinson. He served 38 years in prison and was released in October 2022 after being declared factually innocent after DNA testing ruled him out and implicated Kenneth Packnett. Wydermyer had made a late-night trip to a market in Inglewood,…

LOS ANGELES (SBE) – Ex-politician Mark Ridley-Thomas filed a motion with the court seeking an acquittal of his federal conviction in early May and the U.S. Attorney’s office filed their motion in opposition on May 22. Ridley-Thomas, 68, was found guilty of seven felonies: one count of conspiracy, one count of bribery, one count of honest services mail fraud, and four counts of honest services wire fraud in March of this year. His co-defendant, ex-USC Dean Marilyn Flynn plead guilty to federal bribery charges in September 2022 and is due to be sentenced on July 24. The court has responded…

LOS ANGELES (SBE) – Ex-USC Dean Marilyn Flynn has had her sentencing continued until next month. Flynn was due to be sentenced on June 26 but according to court records “good cause” has been shown to continue that date to July 24. This is the second time her sentencing has been pushed back, which was originally scheduled for March 20. Flynn faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison. Prosecutors have agreed to recommend she satisfy her custodial term by way of home confinement and have agreed to seek a fine against her of no more than…

COMPTON (SBE) – The Compton city council unanimously approved a donation from BODYARMOR to refurbish an outdoor basketball court during the regular city council meeting held May 16. BODYARMOR is on a mission to refurbish ten basketball courts and renovate youth clinic facilities across the nation. The initiative is in the memory of late NBA star Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna. The company has partnered with the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation to refurbish basketball courts around the country. In May 2022, founder Mike Repole announced the company would donate $24 million to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation — the single…

LOS ANGELES (SBE) – Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has appointed famed attorney Carl Douglas to the Metropolitan Water District Board of Directors, according to journalist Daniel Guss. Douglas’ appointment comes month’s after he withdrew from consideration of being appointed to the LA City Employees Retirement System. If confirmed, Douglas’ appointment would run through June 30, 2026. Metropolitan Water District is  governed by a 38-member board of directors, representing each of the district’s 26 member agencies. Each member agency is represented by one or more directors based on the assessed property valuation of its jurisdiction. The board is responsible for…