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Pasadena Press pasadenapress.com
MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015 - JANUARY 25, 2015
Tail of Two Councilmembers’ Opinions on Pasadena’s $6.5 Million Scandal By NICK KIPLEY At last week’s meeting Council Member Terry Tornek had been particularly vocal about quickly getting to the bottom of the scandal. In a follow-up interview later on in the week, Tornek told the Pasadena Press, “I was a city employee… this is incomprehensible to me. I don’t know how so many people missed so many signals for so long. It’s horrifying.” When asked if he thought that Wooten was working with just his accomplices or if he had more conspirators Tornek replied, “I think this is a guy (Wooten)—a fairly low to middle management guy—who figured out a way to exploit the system and became more brazen and careless over the years. But what we’re dealing with is a culture of complacency. Back in 1983, somebody decided that this [Underground Utilities Fund] didn’t need purchase orders. That innocuous bureaucratic seam allowed [Wooten] into the system. If everyone was doing his or her job this wouldn’t have happened. People were signing off on re-
VOLUME 2, NO. 3
City Seeks Legal Action to recover embezzled money By Terry Miller
to the victims and arrested without incident. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed felony charges. Other homicides in 2014 include: -1500 block of North Raymond Avenue (one Victim; one Suspect); the suspect was known to the victim and was arrested without incident. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed felony charges.
Mayor Bill Bogaard announced plans to file a civil lawsuit to recover funds lost in the $6.4 million embezzlement of the utility funds at this week’s City Council meeting. The announcement followed a closedsession prior to the regular council meeting Monday night. Bogaard also announced the formation of an ad hoc committee comprised of City Councilmembers who will probe the case as well as a citizens’ task force which will also consider if a review of the city’s 131 separate funds is needed in an effort to ensure no other city funds are being abused. City councilmembers Steve Madison, Victor Gordo, Margaret McAustin and John Kennedy will be on that committee. Members of the citizens’ task force, which will meet publicly, have yet to be appointed. Under state law, ad hoc committees are not typically subject to California open meeting laws. The Mayor’s plan to do this is designed to consolidate, “input and assistance from outside consultants and city staff in looking in to activities related to the embezzled funds as well as the extent to which the investigation leads to discovery of any problems with systems or payments beyond that particular fund.” “The council received legal advice from our attorneys and as
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Terry Tornek
imbursements for projects that hadn’t even been started yet. It was someone’s job to say, ‘Hey, wait a minute, this can’t be right.’ But I don’t believe that everyone in the building is working this way.” When asked if City Manager Beck might be forced to resign due to the tension felt in the council chamber last week
– Photos by Terry Miller
Tornek said, “Oh yeah, of course. My volume of emails is accelerating, not diminishing.” Councilmember Tornek claims that “Because wrongdoing went on for such a long period and because we on the council knew about it, there’s gonna be a response,” but, “the Please see page 2
Police Chief Sanchez Looks Back 2014 Pasadena Police Chief Phillip Sanchez points out, in his weekly newsletter, that there have been significant increases in serious crimes but also some decreases: Statistics cited are as follows: - 2014 Significant Increases: Homicide 200% Domestic violence 21% Assault with a Deadly Weapon 10% -2014 Significant Decreases: Grand Theft Auto -21% Residential Burglary -17%
see page 4 for Clown bar at redwhite+bluezz
Robberies -13% The increase in homicides last year can be attributed in part to two incidents involving multiple victims: -Summit Avenue: An Active Shooter suspect murdered three victims; the suspect was known to the victims and arrested without incident. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed felony charges. -Madison Avenue: A Stabbing suspect murdered two victims; the suspect was related
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Councilmembers' Opinions on Embezzlement Scandals Continued from page 1
challenge right now is not to scapegoat, not to demonize, not to lay on so many procedures that we become paralyzed. We need to get our arms around this—we need to do it quickly—but it’s not going to be in a week.” In an interview with Council Member Steve Madison on the role of the new ad hoc committee offered a different take on Tornek’s position, “Take everything Terry says with a grain of salt. Remember, he was on the oversight committee for municipal services… and that auditor issue.” Councilmember Madison’s prepared statement of last Monday’s talking points better explains what he means when referring to when he mentions Tornek and the oversight committee, “I looked at some of the Munici-
pal Services Committee agendas,” said Madison, “and there was a big report about the undergrounding program back in 2013, a year before. And one of the first things I read in that report that was presented at that Committee was that there was a surtax reserve balance of $2,372,000, and anticipated revenue of $5.4 million annually. Why weren’t the questions asked at that point, back in June of 2013, when we might have stopped a third of the money that was stolen? Because right there, that would jump off the page, and anyone would say, “Wait a minute, there’s only $2.4 million in the fund and we’re taxing $5.4 million annually? Where’s the money going?” [and] Do you know that twothirds –well, one-third--of the money that was stolen was sto-
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len in the last two years? And fully half of it was stolen in the last three years? So I don’t think any of us should be patting ourselves on the back about asking some questions in the eleventh year of a theft scheme.”
Steve Madison
– Photo by Terry Miller
And “that auditor issue,” Councilmember Madison referred to comes from another section of his prepared notes from last Monday’s meeting: “We eliminated two internal auditor positions, and presumably that was a staff recommendation that came through the Finance Committee, and that was endorsed and supported and of course those auditors had not caught this for a number of years prior to 2011, but again one can’t help but wonder if we had those auditor positions, would they possibly have discovered this?” When asked if a single auditor could go through all 131 of Pasadena’s various funds Madison responded, “Of course. An audit is a spot check. Someone could spend half a day on every one and learn plenty.” What seemed consistent with both Madison and Tornek is that they both believed that Danny Wooten acted—for the most part—alone and they both expressed that they, “would be surprised,” if the four city employees under investigation were found out to have been acting in a criminal capacity. At the beginning of this week’s council meeting, Mayor Bogaard made an announce-
ment that Pasadena would be going after its stolen money and that three of the four city employees under investigation are now undergoing a criminal investigation headed by the District Attorney. Working closely with the D.A., the mayor said, “We intend to pursue our responsibilities to the City and to the community aggressively, thoughtfully and thoroughly [and to] pursue appropriate remedies against the three defendants against whom proceedings have been initiated to the full extent of the law.” The Mayor’s plan to do this involves forming an ad hoc committee designed to consolidate, “input and assistance from outside consultants and city staff in looking in to activities related to the embezzled funds as well as the extent to which the investigation leads to discovery of any problems with systems or payments beyond that particular fund.” The Mayor also said that function of this committee would be required to work closely with the city attorney and any attorneys hired through that office in an effort to, “recover any of the funds that have been embezzled or otherwise improperly taken from the city.” Mayor Bogaard then listed the members of the ad hoc oversight committee: Councilmember Steve Madison (chair), Councilmember Victor Gordo, Councilmember Margaret McAustin, and Councilmember John Kennedy.
Former Pasadena City employee Danny Wooten. – Courtesy photo
JANUARY 19, 2015 - JANUARY 25, 2015 | 3
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Police Chief Sanchez Looks Back 2014 Continued from page 1
-600 block of South Arroyo Parkway (one Victim; one Suspect); the suspect was known to the victim and was arrested without incident. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed felony charges. -Old Pasadena (one Victim, one Suspect); the suspect was known to the victim and was arrested without incident. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office did not file charges in this case. The assault was classified as a mutual-combat. -1400 block of El Sereno Avenue (one Victim, Unknown Suspects(s); Detectives are actively working this case. Of special note: The El Sereno Avenue homicide may be gang-related and if proven so, it would be the only gang-homicide in 2014. In the vast majority of the 2014 homicides, the suspect(s) was known to the victim(s) and/ or related to the family. Of note, Pasadena Police officers detained the suspect(s) immediately after the incidents or an arrest was made by police detectives following their robust investigations. While each loss of life is tragic, the homicides committed in 2014 were not random (with the possible exception of the El Sereno Avenue). The suspects responsible for the killings are awaiting trial or have been set aside by the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office. Domestic Violence continues to be problematic. The Pasadena Police Department is in the process of launching a Domestic Violence Emergency Response Team, in partnership with Peace Over Violence (POV). It is hopeful that the newly formed unit will help reduce Domestic Violence through education, advocacy, and enforcement. The recent shootings in our community will be included in the January 2015 Crime Index. In the meantime, please know the police department is working around the clock to resolve the spike in violent activity. We frequently communicate with
the Altadena Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies to ensure we have all available information regarding the shootings. PPD detectives are working tirelessly to identify the responsible suspect(s) and determine if the shootings are gangrelated. I have authorized extra patrols, covert resources, and assigned two police commanders to the reduction effort. Keeping our community informed is also part of the solution. Police officials attended the Northwest Commission meeting on January 8, 2015 to discuss the recent shootings and at least two other community meetings on January 10th. Pasadena Police Community
Outreach officers conducted foot patrols in the impacted areas talking with neighbors about crime activity and how to safely report their observations. Equally important PPD gangofficers conducted several inhome intervention sessions (at the residences of at risk youth) to help keep parents informed and reduce gang-recruitment through our collective efforts. The police department is working with elected official, field representatives, and community members to schedule other meeting in the coming days. Please take a moment to review the December 2014 Crime Index (http://www.cityofpasadena.net/Police/Crime_Statistics/).
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“Edwin Mills by Equator” Gastropub Opens Edwin Mills by Equator, the sophisticated new gastropub-esque restaurant and bar from Pasadena-based businessman and Restaurateur Teddy B., is set to open its doors January 22 at 4:00pm. Falling on the revamped venue’s Thirsty Thursdays, the occasion will be marked with a selection of Martinis, appetizers, mixed drinks and beer for only $3.00 each. Located in the heart of Old Pasadena at the intersection of Mills Place and Edwin Alley, the opening of the rebranded and aptly-renamed modern tavern (formerly Equator Café) also marks the long-revered venue’s 22nd anniversary at 22 Mills Place. Featuring fresh and affordable fare, the new menu ranges from Bites and Starters including specialty Mac ‘N Cheese with broccoli, Spicy Calamari or Crispy Tuna Tacos to Fist Food’s such as the Old Time Burger, spiced Pulled Pork Sandwich or The Alley Dog among others. The Main Event offerings include Chicken Piccata, Shepherd’s Pie, Pork Chops, Potato Wrapped Snapper and more. In addition to Thirsty Thursdays, Edwin Mills’ Happy Hour program (excluding holidays and private parties) also includes Monday Madness, Tasty Tuesdays and Wine Down Wednesdays – all from 4:00pm to close
along with Foreplay Fridays, from 4:00pm-7:00pm. Saturday’s kick off the restaurant and bar’s Bottomless Weekends that include $10.00 all-you-can-drink Mimosas with brunch from 11:00am to 4:00pm. “With the New Year comes new beginnings and we are thrilled to kick-off 2015 with the opening of Edwin Mills by Equator and to share this exciting fresh experience with our long-time customers and friends while welcoming new ones,” said Teddy B. “Equator is proud to have been a vital member of this thriving community for more than two decades and we remain committed to continuing to serve and grow with it for decades to come.” Built in 1894, the site of Edwin Mills by Equator began as the China Palace. It’s storied past includes housing a thriving marketplace, a stable, a mechanic shop, a storage space, and, ultimately, in 1993, Equator Café. Edwin Mills by Equator is open Monday through Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. and Thursday through Sunday beginning at 10:00 a.m. The phone number is (626) 564-8656. More information can be found at www.edwinmills.com. You can like and follow Edwin Mills on Facebook as well as on Twitter and Instagram at @edwinmills with #edwinmills.
Clown Bar at redwhite+bluezz By jennifer schlueter Your experience at Clown Bar starts while waiting in line for the redwhite+bluezz restaurant at the Pasadena Playhouse. The clowns are already in character – some of them mean and grumpy, o t h e r s happy and funny – and will interact with you throughout your first few minutes in the bar area where you can grab drinks. Then, you will be seated and enjoy a delicious three course prix fixe dinner during the show. Written by Adam Szymkowicz and directed by Jaime Robledo, Clown Bar evolves around former-clown-now-cop Happy (Shawn Parsons) investi-
gating the killing of his brother Timmy, an unsuccessful clown (Joe Fria). To reunite with his former girlfriend Blinky (Emily Goss), Happy must face boss-clown Bobo (Bruno Oliver), and things get heated. The rest of the cast is enhancing the show by (dirty) jokes -Courtesy Photo and sexy, funny, silly and sometimes random (singing) performances. Great for a date night, Clown Bar runs Thursdays at 7:30p.m. throughout January 29. Tickets are $60 and include the prix fixe dinner with three entrée options. Call 800-8383006 or reserve them online at BrownPaperTickets.com .
Legal Action to Recover Money Continued from page 1
a result of the discussion instructions were given to the city attorney to pursue and retain outside counsel and pursue prompt and full recovery of losses and damages city has suffered in the problem,” Bogaard said. Last year Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office arrested Danny Ray Wooten, 51, a management analyst in the city’s Public Works Department. He and two others, Tyrone Collins, 55, of Altadena and Melody Jenkins, 46, of Pasadena, are charged with 60 felony counts of felony counts of conflict of interest, misappropriation of funds among other charges. However, much heat is falling on city manager Michael Beck, who is the CEO of the city.
“What I’m seeing is the same actors, recycling themselves throughout the different communities, going from community to community to community, spreading this very negative culture which is not servicing the public,” activist Jason Hunter said. Pointing out that the City Of Riverside had similar problems when Beck was there as Assistant City Manager. “And Mr. Beck is one of those.” Interviews on a local TV station, Michael Beck was asked outright if he’s considering resigning after so many have called for his resignation. Beck’s answer was somewhat ambiguous - “ Right now, I’m not considering that. I will evaluate those considerations later…”