Fake COVID Testing Sites

On January 25, 2022 the California Attorney General issued a statewide alert for consumers to beware of illegitimate COVID-19 testing sites. These sites may fail to provide test results and/or use the patients’ personal identifiable information to commit fraud. The AG’s alert offers tips on how to avoid testing site scams, as well as how to locate legitimate, verified testing sites. Attorney General Bonta Warns Californians to Beware of Illegitimate COVID-19 Testing Sites | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General Please report fake testing sites in San Mateo County to our Consumer & Environmental Unit. A complaint form can be obtained by calling (650) 363-4651. State and spell your name and address on the recording and a complaint form will be mailed to you. You can also fill to out here: consumer complaint form. Completed complaint forms should be emailed to smda@smcgov.org, sent by US mail to San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office, 400 County Center, 3rd Floor, Redwood City, CA 94063 or delivered to our office.

Executive Order prohibiting price gouging of at-home COVID test kits

On January 8, 2022 the Governor issued a statewide Executive Order (N-2-22) prohibiting price gouging in the sale of at-home COVID testing kits. It is operative through March 31, 2022. It generally prohibits anyone who sold at-home testing kits as of December 1, 2021 from increasing prices by greater than 10 percent. Anyone selling testing kits who did not sell them as of December 1, 2021 is prohibited from charging 50 percent greater than what they paid for the kit themselves. Violating the Executive Order is a misdemeanor violation of Government Code section 8665, which is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 or imprisonment for up to six months, or both. This would also constitute a violation of the Unfair Competition Law. Please report illegal price gouging in San Mateo County to our Consumer & Environmental Unit.  A complaint form can be obtained by calling (650) 363-4651.  State and spell your name and address on the recording and a complaint form will be mailed to you.  You can also fill out the consumer complaint form.  Completed complaint forms should be emailed to smda@smcgov.org, sent by US mail to San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office, 400 County Center, 3rd Floor, Redwood City, CA 94063 or delivered to our office.               

SMC Community College District Official Pleads Guilty

On January 5th, 2022, Jose Nunez, Vice Chancellor of Facilities for the the San Mateo County College District pled nolo contendere to two counts of the Education Code section 7054 felony: Use of Community College District resources for political purposes (the election of candidate Mohr for District Board and the bond measure for District projects). The defendant’s pleas were conditioned on his testifying fully and truthfully if called to testify as a witness in any proceeding or trial related to the DA’s Office ogoing investigation of the Community College District. There was no sentence limitation and the defendant faces a maximum sentence of 3 years, 8 months in state prison for the two felony convictions. The case was continued to July 15, 2022 8:30 to set a date for sentencing. The remaining charges were dismissed as part of the plea bargain for truthful testimony. The defendant remains out of custody on his own recognizance.

Dec. 7, 2021: Board of Supervisors Approves “Communities Together” Map of New District Boundaries

Vote minimizes divisions, empowers communities of interest Redwood City – The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors today voted unanimously to adopt the “Communities Together” map that sets district lines for the next decade.

BAY AREA PROSECUTORS JOIN FORCES TO COMBAT ORGANIZED RETAIL THEFT

  BAY AREA PROSECUTORS JOIN FORCES TO COMBAT ORGANIZED RETAIL THEFTAs Organized Retail Thieves Turn to New Tactics,  Bay Area Prosecutors Form Alliance to Ensure Accountability STOCKTON – Today, San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe announced an alliance between Contra Costa, Alameda, San Francisco, Marin, San Joaquin, and Santa Clara counties, law enforcement, and state agencies to combat the recent increase in organized retail theft. Each office has pledged a prosecutor to collaborate and participate in the joint effort.    

Board of Supervisors Create County Gun Buyback Program

REDWOOD CITY – Today, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors approved a grant of up to $208,000 in Measure K Reserves to establish a San Mateo County Gun Buyback Program. 

People v Neustaedter

People v. Randall Neustaedter On October 5, 2021, after less than a full day of deliberations, a jury found Defendant Randall J. Neustaedter guilty of 9 felony counts relating to the sexual assault of 3 different women who had been patients at his acupuncture clinic located on Woodside Road in Redwood City in 2015.

People v. Lamar Dekari Stevens

People v. Lamar Dekari Stevens  On October 5, 2021, a jury found Defendant Lamar Dekari Stevens guilty of 14 felony counts relating to the burglary and sexual assault of a 65 year-old victim in Menlo Park in 2017.  

Sept. 28. 2021: San Mateo County’s First Homeless Navigation Center A Step Closer

Redwood City – The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors today took a major step toward fulfilling a decade-long pledge to effectively end homelessness. The Board voted 5-0 to approve a key agreement with the City of Redwood City that will allow development of a 240-bed, state-of-the-art shelter east of Highway 101 off of Maple Street. The shelter, called a Navigation Center, will provide intensive counseling and other supportive services.

Sept. 28, 2021: County Invests in Pandemic Recovery as Board of Supervisors Approves Revised Budget

Redwood City – The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors today unanimously approved a revised budget for the 2021-22 Fiscal Year that will help drive the economic recovery of individuals, families and small businesses hit by the pandemic. Overall, the $3.8 billion budget advances three key goals: economic recovery; ending homelessness; and ensuring that government policies and programs reach and lift every neighborhood in San Mateo County.

People v. Victoria Soledad Garcia

People v. Victoria Soledad Garcia On September 22, 2021, a jury convicted Defendant Victoria Soledad Garcia of second-degree murder and felony dissuading a witness. The jury also found the special allegation of the use of a deadly weapon to be true.

Sept. 16, 2021: Redistricting: Shape San Mateo County's Future!

Redistricting, or the redrawing of district lines based on population data, is a once-in-a-decade opportunity to ensure a fair democratic process at the local level. Here in San Mateo County, the effort is led by 2021 Supervisorial District Lines Advisory Commission. The commission is seeking your input and ideas for the County's five supervisorial districts.   The commission's next meeting will be at 9 a.m. this Saturday, September 18. Learn more at smcdistrictlines.org.