Courts/Rulings & Lawsuits

Qualified immunity applies where victim was bullied by police

The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has conferred qualified immunity on a Los Angeles police officer who told the victim of a severe beating and an attempted rape that if she pressed charges against her attacker, whom she was then dating, the man might seek her arrest as the aggressor in which event she would go to jail - drawing a dissent by Circuit Judge Jacqueline H. Nguyen.

Metropolitan News-Enterprise

Kars4Kids jingle pulled from airwaves in California for false advertising

A California Superior Court judge in Orange County has ruled that Kars4Kids' long-running advertising jingle violates the state's False Advertising Law and ordered the nonprofit to stop airing the ads in their current form beginning June 8. The decision targets the charity's widely known commercials - including the familiar "1-877-Kars4Kids" refrain - which have been the subject of pop-culture jokes for years.

ABC7

Ninth Circuit clears path for foster youth lawsuit against Los Angeles County 

Munger, Tolles & Olson, together with Public Counsel, Alliance for Children’s Rights and Children’s Rights, secured a significant victory in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in Ocean S. v. County of Los Angeles, a landmark civil rights lawsuit brought on behalf of transition-age foster youth in Los Angeles County. In a May 15, 2026 decision, the Ninth Circuit cleared the way for the case to proceed in federal court, affirming the district court’s refusal to abstain from hearing plaintiffs’ claims.

Munger Tolles & Olson

LA seeks new trial or reduction in ex-LAPD commander’s $5.7M verdict

The city of Los Angeles is seeking a new trial or a reasonable reduction in damages in the case of a former Los Angeles Police Department commander who was awarded $5.7 million by a jury in her retaliation suit. Former Cmdr. Nicole Mehringer was found passed out and drunk in a police vehicle that crashed into a parked car while she was accompanied by a subordinate in 2018 in Glendale. 

MyNewsLA

Federal court rules antisemitic UN envoy Albanese can be served

Francesca Albanese, United Nations special rapporteur for the Palestinians, who has a long history of spreading Jew-hatred, can’t avoid being served in a defamation lawsuit, which two Christian charities filed, the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado ruled on May 15. The United States has sanctioned Albanese, whom several governments have decried for antisemitic and anti-Israel remarks.

Jewish News Syndicate

Forced blood draw allowed despite consent to breath test

The Sixth District Court of Appeal has issued a writ of mandate ordering the trial court to scrap its order suppressing the results of a blood test conducted on a drunk driver who caused a death, rejecting his contention that an officer’s application for a search warrant was tarnished by virtue of a material omission in not revealing that he had agreed to a breath test.

Metropolitan News-Enterprise

LA judge admonished over remarks about prospective jurors' English

The Commission on Judicial Performance publicly admonished Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Susan Bryant-Deason on Tuesday for remarks she made while trying to ascertain whether two prospective jurors understand English well enough to serve on a jury. The commission said her comments, asking how long they had been in America or citizens, created an appearance of bias of prejudice and undermined public confidence in the judiciary. 

Daily Journal

Hearing motions in limine does not count as starting trial

The Third District Court of Appeal held yesterday that a defendant’s speedy trial rights were violated where the case was called on the last day of the statutory window and the judge heard multiple motions in limine but put jury selection over for the next day due to a new court policy to not summon potential panelists on Mondays.

Metropolitan News-Enterprise 

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals hears Trump administration’s request for California voter data

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments in Pasadena Tuesday over whether the federal government has the right to access sensitive data about California’s 23 million voters. The court also heard a nearly identical case involving Oregon. California is among 30 states and the District of Columbia sued by the Trump administration in an effort to get access to unredacted state voter registration rolls.

LAist

Veterans affairs doctors have no heightened duty of care

The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals yesterday rejected the proposition that doctors at a veteran’s hospital should be subjected to a heightened standard of care in light of ex-soldiers being at a higher risk of committing suicide than the general populace, affirming a defense judgment in a wrongful death case brought by the parents of a man who served in the Army, experienced post traumatic stress disorder, and killed himself.

Metropolitan News-Enterprise 

Homeless services worker busted for fentanyl possession in LA: DOJ

A Culver City man who works for a nonprofit organization that distributes syringes to homeless drug users in Los Angeles and elsewhere was arrested Thursday on a federal charge of possessing fentanyl during a police stop near MacArthur Park earlier this month. Christopher Barret Johnson, 42, is charged in Los Angeles federal court with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

City News Service

Jury begins hearing trial of man charged in deadly Trader Joe's shooting

A jury trial began Monday in the 2018 fatal shooting of a Trader Joe's assistant store manager who was killed by a police bullet during a gunfight between a suspect and officers. A prosecutor called it a case about "choices, consequences and accountability.” Atkins, now 36, is charged with 42 counts, including murder, attempted murder, assault with a semi-automatic firearm on a peace officer, fleeing a pursuing peace officer's motor vehicle while driving recklessly, attempted carjacking and mayhem.

The Eastsider

Social media influencer charged with plot to kill child's father during custody dispute

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office on Tuesday charged social media influencer Gabriela Gonzalez, her father and her former boyfriend with a plot to kill former boy band singer Jack Avery - the father of her 7-year-old daughter - during a 2020 custody dispute. Gabriela Gonzalez, 24, her father Francisco Gonzalez, 59, and her former boyfriend Faron Cordrey, 26, were charged with attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder and solicitation of murder.

CBS LA

Los Angeles DA calls judge’s ruling in Stanford protest case ‘antisemitic

One of the highest-profile Jewish prosecutors in the country is accusing a Santa Clara County judge of issuing an antisemitic ruling in a case involving a 2024 pro-Palestinian protest at Stanford University. In a May 11 speech in the state capital, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman called it “unacceptable” that the judge removed Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen, who is Jewish, from the prosecution. 

The Jewish News of Northern California

California DOJ announces felony charges in $1.5 million SoCal Rolex watch scheme

The California attorney general announced felony charges against a jewelry store owner who allegedly stole nearly $1.5 million through fraudulent Rolex sales to victims in Los Angeles and Orange counties. Nelson Andres Holdo is accused of swindling 22 victims out of hundreds of thousands of dollars for Rolex watches that never existed. According to the CA DOJ, the thefts occurred over several years, beginning in 2021.

CBS LA

L.A. Jewish institution among targets of foiled terrorist attack, U.S. officials say

A Jewish institution in Los Angeles was among the locations targeted in a recently foiled terrorism plot, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton announced this week. The thwarted terrorist attacks were the result of the recent arrest of Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, an Iraqi national and senior member of Kata’ib Hizballah, U.S. officials said.

KTLA

Policy/Legal/Politics

Endorsement: Maria Ghobadi for Superior Court Office No. 64

Three candidates are running for the open Los Angeles County Superior Court judgeship in Office No. 64, but there’s really only one serious choice for the job. Maria Ghobadi, rated “Well Qualified” by the Los Angeles County Bar Association, has the experience, sensibilities and temperament one would hope to see from someone on the bench. Like many Californians and Angelenos, Ghobadi has an immigrant background that helped shape her view of the world.

Southern California News Group

San Francisco DA Brooke Jenkins warns ‘devastating’ California court ruling will unleash crime wave 

San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins has warned a recent court ruling will allow scores of career criminals to walk free - with “devastating” consequences for public safety across California. A decision from the California Supreme Court on April 30 found bail for accused criminals must be “attainable” and only those accused of violent crimes may be held in jail pending trial - a ruling with far-reaching consequences for prosecutors, Jenkins told The California Post in an interview.

California Post

Moving to California with a gun? You might have to take a four-hour course

Californians would have to take a four-hour course with live-fire training to buy a gun if a bill advancing through the Legislature gets signed into law. Senate Bill 948, by Berkeley Democratic Sen. Jesse Arreguín, also would require gun owners moving to California to obtain a firearm safety certificate and register their firearms within 180 days of their arrival. Beginning in 2028, obtaining that certificate would require completing the training.

CalMatters

California moves to new national bar exam after online testing failures

California is poised to adopt a new, in-person national bar exam starting in 2028 - a major about-face from its earlier plan to design and implement its own bar exam that can be taken online. The State Bar of California’s Board of Trustees on Thursday ‌unanimously voted to start using the NextGen bar exam in July 2028, when the current version of the national bar exam will no longer be available. 

Reuters

L.A. police union targets leftist mayoral candidate Rae Huang, who’s running in fifth

We’ve reached the point in L.A.’s city election season where a juicy piece of news is popping off every day. With a little over two weeks until the June 2 election, the campaigns’ remarks are getting more scathing, the spending more expensive and the scramble by supporters to get their chosen candidates into the top two more intense. Like everyone else, we’re struggling to keep track of it all.

Los Angeles Times

Newsom tries to fix deficit, leaves no new funds to Prop. 36

In presenting the May revision of his final budget as governor, Gavin Newsom proposed ways to fix California’s $35 billion multi-year budget deficit. The big picture: The likely presidential hopeful’s attempt to solve the state’s budget woes depends on estimated general fund revenue sources from personal income taxes, corporate taxes, and sales and use taxes. The Democratic governor projected the revenues would run $16.5 billion higher than what his initial budget projected in January. 

The Center Square

Sanctuary from what? Abortion, gun rights, other measures test the limits of local sanctuary policies.

Before Ventura, California, approved its Community Autonomy, Rights and Equality policy providing sanctuary protections to undocumented immigrants, transgender individuals and people seeking abortions last year, more than 100 residents showed up to a City Council meeting to debate the policy. Ryyn Schumacher, a City Council member, said during the meeting that with the policy, the city was “demonstrating moral leadership in a climate of fear” and standing on “the right side of history.”

Smart Cities Dive

Senate needles DOJ chief over billion-dollar ‘weaponization’ fund

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on Tuesday defended a billion-dollar fund unveiled by the Justice Department from Senate appropriators who claimed the new program was little more than a “slush fund" for President Donald Trump’s allies. But Blanche insisted to lawmakers that the “anti-weaponization fund” his agency had established was an unusual - but not unprecedented - avenue for the Trump administration to address longstanding claims that the government illegally targeted some people for political or ideological reasons.

Courthouse News Service

California urges Ninth Circuit to revive 'pay-for-delay' drug law

An attorney for California argued Tuesday before a Ninth Circuit panel that a lower court got it wrong by scuttling a state law regulating prescription drug settlements. At question was Assembly Bill 824, a 2019 law that stopped drug companies from paying competitors to keep generic drugs out of stores, a move known in antitrust law as “pay-for-delay.”

Courthouse News Service

Southern California

After the fire, outside investors were the bogeymen of Altadena. Now some are embraced

They watched with alarm as a developer known for building boxy duplexes in South Los Angeles started buying lots on their block in west Altadena. One in March, one in April, one in May. One in September. For Michael and Crystal Nerone, who were weighing the pros and cons of rebuilding their house destroyed in the Eaton fire, the prospect of four two-story rentals on their street was tilting the scale toward flight.

Los Angeles Times

Altadena's latest rebuilding roadblock: Who pays the $70 million needed for sewage upgrades?

Michele Hanisee has been doing everything in her power to expedite the arduous process of rebuilding her Altadena home. But after navigating permitting delays, insurance stalemates and design flaws, there's still one big unresolved issue that's complicating her progress: sewage. Hanisee owns one of nearly 700 properties in Altadena that's never had sewer lines, instead operating for decades on now-outdated septic tanks or even more archaic and environmentally hazardous cesspools.

Los Angeles Times

Supervisor Kathryn Barger responds to Citygate Associates’ investigation into West Altadena evacuation decisions

Supervisor Kathryn Barger today released the following statement in response to the Citygate Associates investigation report examining evacuation decisions made during the Eaton Fire: “Today’s release of Los Angeles County Fire Department’s independent investigation reflects the importance of thoroughly examining the decisions, communications, and emergency conditions surrounding the Eaton Fire response..."

Kathryn Barger News Release

L.A. County issues fraud alert over phishing emails targeting residents

Los Angeles County officials issued a public warning Friday regarding a wave of deceptive phishing emails targeting local residents under the guise of official government business. The Department of Regional Planning stated that unauthorized individuals are distributing emails from fraudulent domains to solicit personal data.

Santa Monica Mirror

California Supreme Court limits Coastal Commission's power to block development

In a decision that could lead to more development along the coastline, the state Supreme Court on Thursday limited the California Coastal Commission's authority to restrict or halt coastal construction that has been approved by a city or county. The commission, whose members are appointed by the governor and state legislators, "and local governments share responsibility for planning coastal development," Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero observed in the court's 7-0 ruling.

San Francisco Chronicle

$38 million speed camera contract moves ahead without city bidding process

The city is preparing to lock in a more than $38 million automated speed camera contract with a private vendor, using an accelerated approval process city officials say is needed to preserve both public safety benefits and future citation revenue. The Los Angeles Department of Transportation is asking the City Council to authorize an agreement to operate and manage the city’s Automated Speed Safety Camera System from May 1, 2026, through Jan. 1, 2032.

Westside Current

Public Safety

40 kids ID'd and rescued, 341 arrested after SoCal investigation of sex crimes against children

Hundreds of suspects were arrested, and 40 children were rescued and identified across Southern California as the result of an investigation into internet crimes against children. Between April 19 and May 3, the Los Angeles Police Department-led component of the Internet Crimes Against Children task force orchestrated the effort known as "Operation Firewall."

ABC7

LASD digs for evidence in jail-smuggling operation 

The L.A. County Sheriff’s Department is working on another investigation into drug smuggling at the Pitchess Detention Center, according to court records obtained by The Signal. The documents obtained from search-warrant requests detail how investigators monitor calls, X-ray inmates and conduct surveillance on friends and family outside as part of their efforts to stem the flow of narcotics into the Castaic facility.  

The Signal

Authorities seize drugs, cash in MacArthur Park Operation, 5 arrested

Five people were arrested on state charges following a narcotics enforcement operation in the MacArthur Park area, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Friday. Authorities said Rampart Division narcotics detectives conducted the operation Thursday evening around the 600 block of South Alvarado Street, across from MacArthur Park. Officials said an active scene of narcotics sales led to the detention of five people, who were also employees of a nearby business.

NBC4

Santa Monica kidnapping suspect arrested after pursuit, South LA shooting

The pursuit of a Santa Monica kidnapping suspect ended in a police shooting in South Los Angeles, authorities said. Officials with the Santa Monica Police Department said around 3:15 a.m. Monday, they located a suspect who was wanted in connection with an ongoing kidnapping investigation. While the suspect was located in Los Angeles, the investigation originated in Santa Monica.

Fox11

California fiscal watchdog says Gov. Newsom's revised budget leaves state 'ill-prepared for a slip-up'

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s latest budget plan leaves the state “overextended” and vulnerable in the event of a stock market decline, according to the Legislative Analyst’s Office. The LAO is a nonpartisan office that provides fiscal advice to the Legislature. Its initial response to Newsom’s proposed budget plan known as the “May Revise” criticized the plan, saying that it would leave the state “ill-prepared for a slip-up in revenues.”

KCRA

Are lawmakers or unelected staff making decisions on the Capitol Annex Project?

Since the Capitol Annex Project began in 2018, there has not been a single lawmaker consistently overseeing the construction. What has been consistent is the unelected staff that have been involved, and the power state lawmakers have given them to make decisions on the new office building for the legislature and governor. 

KCRA

Trump administration creates $1.776 billion fund for allies of the president after he drops lawsuit against IRS

The Justice Department on Monday announced the creation of a $1.776 billion fund to compensate President Donald Trump’s allies who claim they were unfairly targeted by the previous administration. It’s an unprecedented move that would allow the president’s administration to pay his supporters from a government agency he controls with taxpayer money.

CNN

Los Angeles County official calls for investigation of state gun chain after reporting by The Trace

A Los Angeles County elected official called for a probe into Turner’s Outdoorsman, California’s largest gun retailer, citing Trace reporting that showed an outsize number of crime guns linked to the chain. “What The Trace has uncovered in this data is shocking and demands investigation,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn said in a statement.

The Trace

Amazon sued over refusal to refund Trump tariff costs

Filed May 15, 2026, in Seattle federal court, the proposed class-action lawsuit accuses Amazon of collecting hundreds of millions in unlawful tariff costs by raising prices on imported goods during 2025 and early 2026. The tariffs, imposed by President Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, were struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in February 2026 as exceeding presidential authority.

Reuters

Nick Kristof’s incendiary Israel abuse claims spark civil war at New York Times: ‘I’m sick of being embarrassed’

A civil war has erupted inside the New York Times over Nicholas Kristof’s explosive column alleging widespread sexual abuse of Palestinians by Israeli prison guards. Staffers at the newspaper are questioning whether some of the most incendiary claims, including an allegation that Israel trains dogs to rape Palestinian detainees, would have ever cleared the paper’s newsroom standards, according to Puck News.

California Post

Woman agrees to plead guilty to paying people in Skid Row to vote

A Los Angeles County woman who worked as a longtime signature collector for ballot initiatives has agreed to plead guilty to paying people, including homeless individuals in the Skid Row area of downtown Los Angeles, to register to vote, officials announced Monday. Brenda Lee Brown Armstrong, 64, of Marina del Rey, also known as “Anika,” has agreed to enter a plea on a future date to one count of paying another person to register to vote, a federal charge that carries a penalty of up to five years behind bars.

MyNewsLA

Congressman to introduce bill targeting California for billions in COVID unemployment debt

GOP Rep. Vince Fong will introduce a bill on Tuesday targeting his home state of California for billions in COVID-era unemployment insurance debt owed to the federal government. Fong's legislation would require California to repay its $21 billion loan to the federal government before spending federal funds on other programs, Fox News reported. California would have to direct eligible federal funds toward repayment of the loan within five business days of receiving the money.

The National News Desk

Convictions/Pleas/Sentences/Parole

Man convicted of off-duty police officer’s murder

A 24-year-old man was convicted Friday of first-degree murder for an off-duty Monterey Park police officer’s shooting death in what authorities called a botched daytime robbery attempt in a Downey parking lot. The Norwalk jury deliberated about 40 minutes before finding Carlos Daniel Delcid guilty of the Aug. 8, 2022, killing of Gardiel Solorio, whom jurors were not told was an off-duty police officer.

MyNewsLA

Man sentenced for attacking two officers at LAPD’s Harbor Station

A Los Angeles man who pleaded no contest to assault and other charges stemming from an attack on a police officer and a watch commander at the Los Angeles Police Department’s Harbor Station in San Pedro was sentenced Wednesday to 33 years in state prison. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Debra Cole said it was “mind-boggling to me,” noting that Jose Cerpa Guzman had no previous criminal record.

MyNewsLA

L.A. Botox doc’s luxury lifestyle ends in $45M Medicare fraud conviction

A Glendale doctor has been convicted by a jury in what federal prosecutors describe as the largest Botox fraud scheme in the nation’s history. Violetta Mailyan, 45, was found guilty Wednesday in connection with a $45 million scheme that involved billing Medicare for thousands of unnecessary Botox injections, including treatments prosecutors say were never actually performed.

KTLA

Free tool from CalPrivacy helps block your personal details from data brokers

Starting August 1, brokers will be required to process those requests every 45 days. More than 300,000 Californians have already signed up. CA Residents can sign up at privacy.ca.gov. Tom Carroll spoke with Tom Kemp, the Executive Director of CalPrivacy, the state agency in charge of the program, to learn more.

Los Angeles Times

Mark Fuhrman, detective at center of OJ Simpson murder trial, dead at 74

Mark Fuhrman, the former Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) detective who played a central role in the 1995 O.J. Simpson murder trial, has died at the age of 74. Chief Deputy Coroner Lynette Acebedo of Kootenai County, Idaho, confirmed Fuhrman's death to Fox News Digital on Monday. Fuhrman died last week, according to NBC4. TMZ reported that Fuhrman's death followed a battle with an aggressive form of throat cancer.

Fox News