Hemp Farm Owner Sentenced for Theft of Labor, Tax Evasion and Failure to Maintain Workers’ Compensation Insurance

The San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office announced that defendant David Wayne Jenkins was sentenced today after a plea of no contest to charges related to his failure to pay farm workers during December 2020 and January 2021, at the hemp farm he was operating in Half Moon Bay. The defendant also pled no contest to charges that he failed to transmit taxes withheld from his employees’ wages and failed to maintain a workers’ compensation insurance policy.

People v. Atonio Finauhuia William Finau

People v. Atonio Finauhuia William Finau On April 27, 2022, after less than 2 hours of deliberations, a jury convicted Defendant Atonio Finauhuia William Finau of five felony counts including robbery, commercial burglary and recklessly evading a police officer.

People v. Ronald Dario Galatolo

In April 2019, the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office received a whistle-blower complaint of public corruption against members of the executive leadership of the San Mateo County Community College District. The District operates three Colleges: Cañada College, College of San Mateo, and Skyline College. The current Board of Trustees, through their outside counsel, Pillsbury, Winthrop, Shaw, Pittman, LLP., has been supportive of our efforts in obtaining records and conducting interviews of District personnel, assisting our investigation that has resulted in the filing of these felony charges. In December 2021, the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office brought felony charges against former Vice Chancellor of Facilities Jose Nunez, who pled guilty to two felony violations of Education Code Section 7054 (Use of School Funds for Political Purposes) in January 2022.

People V. Patrick Joseph Andorfer

On March 11, 2022, after 1 day of deliberations, a jury found Defendant Patrick Joseph Andorfer guilty of one felony count of soliciting sex with a minor and one felony count of contacting a minor for a sexual offense.

The California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls Announces 7.9 Million Dollar Investment in Women’s Recovery Response

The California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls is honored to announce that the state budget includes additional one-time funding of 7.9 million dollars, 5 million of which will be utilized to facilitate a statewide Women’s Recovery Response in the wake of COVID-19.  The Commission thanks the Governor and the California Legislature, especially Budget staff and Chairs Senator Nancy Skinner and Assemblymember Phil Ting, and Women’s Caucus Chair Assemblymember Christina Garcia, for their commitment to California’s women and girls.

Keynotes for RISE 2022 Announced

The Commission on the Status of Women is thrilled to introduce two amazing keynote speakers for the RISE 2022 Women’s Leadership Conference. Sallie Krawcheck, CEO and co-founder of Ellevest, will be providing a morning keynote at 9:00am while Lan Phan, CEO and founder of community of SEVEN, will be providing the closing keynote at 4:00pm.

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.

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.    

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.