Volume 2, Issue 4 — April 2026

Defending the City’s Dollars and Holding Manufacturers Accountable

My office is taking decisive action to safeguard taxpayer dollars and protect our City's resources.

This week, we filed an antitrust lawsuit alleging that several major fire‑truck manufacturers spent years consolidating the market and driving up the cost of essential emergency equipment. According to the complaint, these companies bought up independent builders, restricted supply, and forced cities into using overpriced proprietary parts — tactics that inflated the price of fire engines and slowed the delivery of critical equipment our firefighters rely on.

For San Diego, that meant paying far more than we should have for lifesaving apparatus. Those inflated costs don’t just strain our fire‑rescue operations, they siphon dollars away from other public‑safety and community needs, burdening taxpayers and limiting the City’s ability to invest in essential services.

The Complaint also details how these anticompetitive practices created production backlogs and significant delays, compounding the financial and operational impact on local fire departments statewide.

Our office is seeking injunctive relief to end the alleged misconduct, unwind unlawful mergers, and recover financial losses on behalf of taxpayers to ensure fair competition and protect public‑safety resources.

Taking Action Against Owners of Hazardous Property in Mountain View

For years, a blighted property in Mountain View has posed serious risks to the surrounding neighborhood, and we’re taking action to address it.

My office has filed a civil enforcement lawsuit against the owners of a long‑neglected property on Ocean View Boulevard that has become a major safety concern. The site has fallen into severe disrepair, with fire damage, structural hazards, unsecured access points, and issues like exposed wiring, debris buildup, and overgrown vegetation — despite repeated warnings and inspections.



Safe neighborhoods matter, and we will continue using every tool available to protect our communities.

Taking Action Against Problem Business in North Park

When a business undermines the safety and well‑being of an entire neighborhood, we take action — and that’s exactly what we’re doing in North Park.

My office has filed a civil enforcement action against the owner of a North Park massage business accused of operating as a front for ongoing unlawful activity. The complaint alleges officers being solicited for sex during nearly every undercover visit, along with patterns of lewd conduct and attempts to evade law enforcement.

The property also has significant building and zoning violations, including unpermitted construction, unsafe modifications, and illegal residential use — conditions that have created safety hazards and fueled a persistent nuisance for nearby residents.

Through this action, we are working to shut down the unlawful operation, hold the owner accountable, and protect the health, safety, and integrity of the North Park community.

Standing Up for Safe and Livable Homes in Oak Park

My office has filed a civil enforcement action to protect the Oak Park community from an illegal and unsafe housing operation. The Complaint details significant health and safety hazards — including unpermitted construction and ongoing code violations that persisted despite repeated warnings.

The property has generated more than 146 fire‑department calls and over 200 police‑department responses, including incidents involving violence, drug overdoses, medical emergencies, and homicides. These conditions have created a persistent public nuisance that endangers the well‑being of the surrounding neighborhood.

We’re taking action to shut down the unlawful operation, bring the property into full compliance, and deliver long‑overdue relief to the Oak Park community.

Building Connections and Sharing Impact

Protecting San Diegans from Wage Theft

Wage theft is impacting workers across San Diego, and our office collaborated with the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council to raise awareness and help residents protect themselves.

Wage theft can take many forms, including unpaid wages, missed breaks, unpaid overtime, withheld tips, off‑the‑clock work, or misclassification. It could be happening to you, a coworker, or someone in your community.

Every worker has rights. Keeping records of your hours, pay, and work‑related communications is one of the strongest ways to protect yourself, and it is illegal for employers to retaliate when someone speaks up or files a complaint.

If you believe you are experiencing wage theft, you can report patterns of violations to my office's Affirmative Civil Enforcement (ACE) Unit, file a claim with the California Labor Commissioner, or seek legal advice to recover unpaid wages.

2026 Progressive Labor Summit 

I joined a panel at this year’s Progressive Labor Summit, “It’s Built This Way on Purpose,” to discuss how systems, especially our legal system, are built and why that design matters when we’re working toward real change.

I spoke about the barriers many workers face when seeking justice, including cost, time, and fear of retaliation, particularly for those dealing with immigration concerns or economic insecurity. These obstacles make issues like wage theft incredibly difficult to address.



I was grateful to be part of a conversation that brought together labor leaders, advocates, and community partners focused on expanding access to justice and creating meaningful solutions. 

I had a great time visiting my alma mater ('06), USD Law, for their Law Career Resources event. I joined a panel to share my path into government work, offer insights I’ve picked up along the way, and answer questions from students.

I also enjoyed connecting with so many future attorneys during the networking session. Thank you to USD Law for the invitation and for supporting the next generation of legal professionals. 

Our team had a great time connecting with the community at the Rolando Street Fair. Staff from our Gun Violence Reduction Unit and Your Safe Place – The San Diego Family Justice Center were on-site answering questions, sharing resources, and supporting a safer, stronger San Diego. We’re grateful to everyone who stopped by and to the Rolando Community Council for hosting such a wonderful event. 

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Team Spotlight

In celebration of Internship Awareness Month (April), I’m proud to spotlight the outstanding interns who contribute so much to our office. This month, we’re recognizing the talented individuals supporting both our legal and non‑legal teams and the meaningful impact they make each day.

We’re grateful for our Post‑Bar Interns, Justin and Bella, who assist our Criminal Division; Communications Intern Sofia, who supports our outreach and public messaging; our Investigative Interns, who help with essential case‑support tasks, and our outgoing Civil Division interns for all their hard work.

Each of our interns brings energy, professionalism, and a fresh perspective — and their contributions strengthen the work we do for the public!

In the News