12 felony counts filed against Medrano

By Larry Altman Staff Writer
Article Launched: 03/15/2008 12:25:20 AM PDT

Prosecutors on Friday filed 12 felony counts against former Gardena City Councilman Oscar Medrano, charging he sexually abused a relative from the time she was in elementary school to high school.

For years, Medrano forced the girl to engage in sexual acts, it is alleged. It began with touching when she was about 8 years old, but escalated to sexual activity when she was 10, a source told the Daily Breeze.

"He manipulated her, and told her she wasn't good for anything else but sex - that nobody would ever love her, and therefore, he kept abusing her," said the source, who is familiar with the victim.

The alleged crimes occurred almost weekly, sometimes in the shower and in a motel, the source said.

Medrano, 47, is scheduled to be arraigned Monday at the Torrance courthouse. He remained in jail Friday after his bail was raised to $960,000.

Medrano faces eight counts of lewd acts upon a child under 14, one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, and three counts of committing a lewd act upon a child 14 or 15 years old. The last count relates to an incident that allegedly occurred when she was 15 years old. The first nine counts also allege that the acts committed were of substantial sexual conduct, prosecutors said.

If convicted, Medrano could face 32 years in prison, and would be required to register as a sex offender upon his release, Deputy District Attorney Beatriz Dieringer said.
Sheriff's Department investigators have not released details of the abuse and declined to comment for this article.

The Daily Breeze knows the girl's name, her relationship to Medrano, and specifics about the alleged abuse, but is omitting information that can identify her.

In an interview, a source said the victim had tried for years to get someone to believe that Medrano sexually assaulted her.

Nobody listened until recently.

As late as a few months ago, the victim believed no one would trust her story because Medrano's cousin is Gardena Police Chief Ed Medrano and would take his side, the source said.

Detectives at the sheriff's Special Victims Bureau stepped in when someone reported the case to a police officer.

Medrano abruptly resigned from the Gardena City Council on Tuesday night, citing a bad back that made it difficult to sit or work. He was arrested two days later at his family's jewelry store in downtown Gardena.

Gardena Councilman Oscar Medrano resigns

By Sandy Mazza Staff Writer
Article Launched: 03/13/2008 01:27:47 AM PDT

Oscar Medrano has resigned from the Gardena City Council, citing health issues that have restricted his ability to work.

Medrano, who was elected in March 2007 for his second four-year term, has been absent from most council meetings since July, when back surgery limited his movement and left him in severe pain.

He did not attend Tuesday's meeting, instead announcing his resignation in a letter to the council.

"Due to the ongoing, unpredictable health problems that I'm experiencing, it has become very apparent to me that I am no longer able to serve in my current council member capacity," Medrano wrote.

Medrano, 47, has struggled with degenerative disc disease for three years.

In 2005, halfway through his first term, Medrano underwent back surgery to replace three degenerated vertebrae in his lower back. Four months later, the implants disintegrated and Medrano had to wear special shoes and a back brace. Last year, he had spinal fusion surgery to stabilize his lower spine. The surgery was successful, but Medrano said it left him in constant, severe pain.

He took morphine and other sedatives to dull the pain, but the medicine made him groggy, and he found it difficult to work.

"I still have trouble sitting too long and standing too long," Medrano said. "When I lie down, it's a constant pain. I've been trying not to go back on narcotics. I'll have to live with this the rest of my life. I've gotten closer to my maker, you could say."

At Tuesday's meeting, Councilman Steve Bradford said he is disappointed that Medrano was forced to resign.

"He brought a very homespun, common-sense approach," Bradford said. "His service will be truly missed. But the most important thing is his health and the challenges he faces with his back."

State law dictates that the City Council must decide how to replace Medrano by April 9. The council can either appoint a successor, or hold a special election for voters to decide. If the council appoints someone, that person would serve until the March 2009 election. If the voters decide, the replacement will serve out Medrano's term until 2011.

Medrano has managed his family's business, Osmar Jewelry in downtown Gardena, since 1992. He said he plans to sell the business because he can no longer work.

He recently bought a home in Romoland, which is near Sun City in Riverside County, where he will move with his wife and two youngest children. He has five children.

Before he managed the family business, Medrano worked as an X-ray technician until 1982. From 1982 to 1986, he served in the Army.

"I never thought I would leave Gardena," said Medrano, whose family moved to the city from New York in 1964. "It's too expensive. (In Romoland) I won't spend as much money. Land and housing is cheaper."

On the dais, Medrano has been a proponent for small-business owners in the city. He said he is most proud of being on the council when the city's $26 million debt was resolved in 2006 with a payment plan that has allowed the city to generate a budget surplus.

He said he is also proud that he voted to approve the first new General Plan in the city in 30 years. The plan, adopted in April 2006, lays out a vision to bring more commercial business to the city, and to add mixed-use development along the city's major arteries.

City Manager Mitch Lansdell said Medrano will be difficult to replace.

"Councilman Medrano was a local businessman. He was in the community for a long time," Lansdell said. "He certainly brought to the council a businessman's perspective. That perspective is going to be difficult to replace because, if we look back, the City Council has not had a lot of local business owners."

But Medrano also has faced controversy during his tenure.

In 2003, he was criticized for backing the city's efforts to form a Redevelopment Agency after he had campaigned against such a move.

More recently, he was accused of holding secret meetings with the city's residential and commercial trash haulers in January 2007.
According to the commercial hauler, Waste Resources of Gardena, Medrano solicited illegal campaign contributions. Medrano said the accusations are untrue.

"I'm a Christian; I don't do those things," Medrano said. "It was more humiliation for my family. My kids don't want to hear bad things about their father in school."

Though his time on the council has been bittersweet, Medrano said he is sad to leave.
"I'm going to miss everybody. They've become my second family - employees, city staff," Medrano said. "I really want to thank the people of Gardena for putting their trust in me and electing me."

WHAT'S NEXT
State law dictates that the City Council must decide by April 9 how to replace Oscar Medrano. The council can appoint a successor who would serve until the March 2009 election, or hold a special election for voters to decide, and the replacement would serve out Medrano's term until 2011.

Gardena printer to pay thousands in lawsuit

From wire reports
Article Launched: 03/13/2008 11:22:45 PM PDT

The company that prints the Daily Breeze and the national edition of the New York Times and other major newspapers agreed to pay $125,000 to two female employees at its Gardena plant to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit, federal officials said Thursday.

The women alleged they had to endure touching, lewd comments and propositions, and Southwest Offset Printing failed to address their complaints, according to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which filed the lawsuit.

Stephen Rogers, vice president of Southwest Offset Printing's human resources department, had no comment when reached by telephone Thursday.

"An employer's duty to keep their employees safe and free from discrimination becomes more important when an employee, like this charging party, worked in an isolated environment with the harasser," said Anna Park, the EEOC's regional attorney for its Los Angeles office, in a statement.

Southwest Offset Printing's Web site states the company is "one of California's largest privately owned printing companies."

The Web site also lists clients such as the Christian Science Monitor and the London Financial Times.

U.S. EPA fines Gardena pesticide producer $15,500

WEBWIRE – Monday, November 26, 2007

SAN FRANCISCO – In a recent settlement, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Pioneer Chemical Company, a Gardena, Calif. based pesticide producer, agreed to a $15,500 fine for the company’s alleged failure to submit accurate annual pesticide production reports to the Agency.

The EPA determined that Pioneer Chemical Company, was producing Super 60 PYM Foamer, a disinfectant and fungicide for hospital, institutional and industrial use, and not reporting it to the EPA in its annual pesticide production reports.

“Companies producing pesticides must be careful to report the production of all products produced in their facilities,” said Katherine Taylor, associate director of the Communities and Ecosystems Division in the EPA’s Pacific Southwest region. “The EPA uses these reports to track pesticide production and ensure safe management and distribution.”

The violations were discovered as a result of an inspection performed at the Gardena facility by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation.

The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act regulates the sale, distribution, and use of pesticides within the United States. Federal law requires each producer or repackager to report the registered pesticides and the quantity of such pesticides produced annually.

Auto parts manufacturer to place operations in Indiana

HSAC Acquisition Corporation, a leading supplier to the automotive industry, announced November 27 that it will relocate its California operations to Fort Wayne, Ind., creating more than 145 new jobs by 2011.

The Gardena, Calif.-based company, which will do business as Hi-Shear Automotive, will invest more than $5 million to relocate its manufacturing operations to a 34,000-square-foot facility in southeast Fort Wayne with plans to begin operations at the facility by mid-2008.

"HSAC joins a growing list of companies, like Medco and Really Cool Foods, that are choosing to locate new operations in Indiana. We have worked hard to create a competitive business climate that encourages just this kind of investment, and this is another sign that our efforts are paying off and creating new jobs for hard-working Hoosiers," said Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels.

The company, which specializes in the manufacturing of wheel bearing retainer nuts and brake cable tension limiters, will begin hiring managers, engineers, clerical staff, warehouse specialists, maintenance technicians and production and assembly workers in mid-2008.

The relocation of HSAC follows Defiance Acquisition LLC’s purchase of the company earlier this year. The cross-country move will bring the company closer to its sister company, Defiance Stamping, located nearly 45 miles northeast of Fort Wayne in Defiance, Ohio.

"We purchased Hi-Shear earlier this year because we knew it had excellent product offerings and great growth potential," said Yosufi Tyebkhan, president of Defiance Acquisition LLC. "We have started to realize some of that potential, and the time is right to accelerate that growth through the synergies to be gained by working even more closely with Defiance Stamping."
HSAC is a Tier 1 and Tier 2 supplier to the automotive industry including Ford, GM, Dana and Chrysler.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered HSAC Acquisition Corporation up to $855,000 in performance-based tax credits and up to $30,000 in training grants based on the company’s job creation plans. The state will also provide the City of Fort Wayne with a grant of up to $75,000 to assist in off-site infrastructure improvements needed for the project. The city, through the Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance, will provide the company with property tax abatement and a $100,000 performance-based grant to help offset the cost of reconfiguring the building. WorkOne Northeast will assist the company recruit, screen and train candidates for the new jobs.

"Fort Wayne is proud to welcome HSAC to the corporate community of Northeast Indiana," said Mayor Graham Richard. "This new operation will allow the company closer proximity to key customers, as well as close proximity to HSAC’s sister company in Ohio."

Police break up cockfights

Tip brought Gardena police to an Artesia Boulevard site where they found about 100 spectators and more than 100 caged fowl.

By Larry AltmanStaff Writer (Daily Breeze)

Officers found dead roosters, injured birds and gambling sheets showing about $40,000 in business when they uncovered a cockfighting operation in Gardena, police said Monday.
About 100 people watching the fights scattered when officers showed up Sunday morning in an arena behind businesses in the 1400 block of Artesia Boulevard. About 30 people were detained, but the fight promoters disappeared, Gardena police Lt. Ed Burnett said.

"It was like a scene out of a movie with all the people running out," Burnett said.

Birds were fighting in a ring at the time but ran with the spectators. Equipped with razors attached to their legs, the roosters continued fighting beneath a car until they ran off.

"They got away pretty much during the stampede of people," Burnett said.

On Sunday and Monday, police and animal control officers removed the more than 100 roosters and hens from cages, taking them to several shelters.

Although most were healthy, some birds showed signs of scratches and other injuries, Burnett said.

An anonymous 911 caller tipped Gardena police to the operation at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. Officers went to check the site behind a U-Haul and automotive business and could hear roosters crowing as they approached, Burnett said.

A few men standing at the entry to several poorly constructed wooden shacks spotted the officers and alerted the people inside, Burnett said.

Fights were under way at one shack that served as an arena. Although most people escaped, the 30 detained spectators were identified, interviewed and released.

In addition to finding cages full of chickens, officers found three dead roosters in buckets, razors and other apparatus used for fighting.

Officers also found a bottle of Ascorbol, an injectable drug used as a steroid to prepare roosters for fighting. The bottle had a rooster on the label, Burnett said.

Tally sheets left behind by the organizers showed about $40,000 in wagers. The operators also were selling refreshments and souvenir sweat shirts and caps inscribed with the word "cockfight."

"It's not real sophisticated; just a lot of money has exchanged hands," Burnett said.

Detectives are working to identify the operators and determine who owns, leases and subleases the property. The site was located far enough from the street and residences that no one could see or hear the activity, Burnett said.

The people who were detained could face criminal charges, but spectating at a cockfight is a lower-grade crime than organizing one, Burnett said.


USER COMMENTS

"Uhh, umm"
This is a perfect example of low moral standard. The reality of these type of event's. It bring's drug dealer's, gang members, other low life's. There is no regulation to such event's. Then there is alot of money in cash around. So all can figure what might transpire. It is not that i believe that a living being should be in that much pain. I do indeed. The people who put on such event's should. Let someone from jail get on steroid's and go attack them with knive's. It is event's like this that are bringing the dollar down to the peso standard.- Disgusted
posted: Tuesday, November 27th at 14:41 PM

Dont blame everything on the brownie
posted: Tuesday, November 27th at 14:17 PM
"If they were superstar athletes the local DA would hang them like a pignata!"
Poor Micheal Vick is going to get 5yrs for dog fighting?!! In earlier news an 83yr old Texas oilman, Wyatt, got 1 year for stealing $11M in an oil for food scam involving crooked Iraqis. Why is justice so uneven?- MakeMyDay

posted: Tuesday, November 27th at 14:01 PM
""Response to Nationality""

There is only one culture that raises chickens in urban America.
posted: Tuesday, November 27th at 13:57 PM

"Where is PETA when you need them..."
Stalking rich women in furs....

posted: Tuesday, November 27th at 13:50 PM

Trash Fees Piling Up

Anonymous said...
Dear Gardena Watch,I agree with that comment last Friday from one of the readers. Keep up the good work and thanks for gathering the info. My trash fees went up and seems kind of high.Thanks for letting me post anonymous since I had a bad experience with one of the city folks and don't want to be on their bad side.
November 13, 2007 5:56 PM

Council Meeting Minutes For Chosen Few

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Meeting Minutes": Hey, Gardena Watch. Your site is really cool. I don't have cable and don't know what is going on. The city makes you pay $10.00 if you want a copy of the meeting. I can't afford that. Used to be able to go to the library and check out a copy. Wonder why they stopped that? Makes me think they want to keep us ignorant so they can do whatever they want and nobody complains. Lots of good information. Please keep it going! Thank you!

Posted by Anonymous to Gardena Watch at November 8, 2007 5:51 PM

Councilman Parking

We know where he parks his car but do we know if he lives in Gardena?

Head-swatting case still high (melo)drama

Former Carson councilwoman returns to court after breaking 9-foot restraining order.´ No. 1 HitBy Gene MaddausStaff Writer

Eight months after Carson became a national laughingstock when Vera Dewitt swatted Jan Schaefer in the head with a sheaf of papers, Schaefer's shriek of agony is still echoing in the courts.

Who could forget the moment, immortalized on YouTube, when the former councilwoman whacked the city commissioner during a February council meeting? Schaefer hesitated before screaming and rolling on the floor, offering instant talk-show fodder and an unintentional summation of all that is childish in Carson politics...

Read the entire article from The Daily Breeze that hit the newsstand today.

See the video link above on You Tube (No. 1 Hit-first line of this posting) and a direct link above this article of Parody Video by teenager.

Lowering the Bar

Anonymous said...
Yeah, no kidding. There are 3 stumps right in front of Smart N Final on Redondo Beach Blvd. I don't know how long they've been sitting there like that. What pisses me off is that the city tries to look good by bringing in these stores and then they don't keep up the maintenance. No wonder most people like to shop in Torrance (me included). But look at the choices we have--all low-income clientele business. The 99 Cent store and more drug stores you can shake a stick at.

Can't we aim higher than this? And as far as the 99 Cent Store, it's fallen into shambles. I've been hoping for a Trader Joe's in this city but I know they respond to a higher standard than what Gardena has to offer. And what happened to the Senior Housing Project that was approved by the City Planning Commission? Shot down, of course, by the city "leaders." Not in their best interest," obviously. Now there are condos going up on Artesia.

Shame, shame, shame on our city leaders. The only thing they're interested in is what they can reap for their own agendas and most likely their own pockets.Thanks Gardena Watch. This is a Godsend for people who feel so frustrated. We want better for ourselves and this city.

Comments posted anonymously or cited on Gardena Watch are the express opinions of those individuals and not the opinion of Gardena Watch.

Response to City Planning

Anonymous said...

What's up with the City? Do they know what they're doin'?The picture looks like this new structure is out of place. I hope the final product blends in with the neighborhood. I've seen more ugly colored buildings every year. Dark blue on Normandie, Orange on Marine, ugly gold houses. There are some ugly signage and fences too.A neighbor was so frustrated when he wanted to take a pool out. When getting the demo permit he was told one thing. When the inspector came out he was told another thing. When another inspector came out again he was told yet another thing. The city can't even get a routine thing like demoing a pool straight forward for the public.I tried telling the city, no one listens. Thanks for making this GardenaWatch blog.I want to hear from other folks so write in.

Comments posted anonymously or cited on Gardena Watch are the express opinions of those individuals and not the opinion of Gardena Watch.

October 18, 2007 6:34 AM

Dear Me

Bradford's real home address has been the topic of conversation for some time. Maybe someone in Carson can tell us what's really going on because Gardena City Council is obviously operating under a code of silence.

Ex-Mayor Dear, can you help us out? Since we think your brother lives in Carson, would you mind asking him and get back to us?

Comments posted anonymously or cited on Gardena Watch are the express opinions of those individuals and not the opinion of Gardena Watch.

No Answer

Anonymous said...
There's many more just like this. I emailed the city before on a street request for repair, never happened, never even got a answer.
October 14, 2007 11:43 PM

Comments posted anonymously or cited on Gardena Watch are the express opinions of those individuals and not the opinion of Gardena Watch.

Yesterday and Today

Above: Gardena railway depot in the early 1900s; Below: Gardena Boulevard Today (2007).

Architectural Potpourri

Gardena Valley Baptist Church, as seen today

Construction at Gardena Valley Baptist Church is moving along nicely. Unfortunately it's another architectural hodgepodge in our city that makes the words city planning sound like an oxymoron. The church, with it's A-Frame style, surrounded by stone, is now dwarfed by this imposing, heavy, boxy addition. Is architectural integrity too much to ask for in this city?

Deal or No Deal?

Anonymous said...
I’m not so concerned about Landsdell working a trash deal in Los Alamitos Were those comments posted by a disgruntled city employee or Gardena city official? Who knows. If Landsdell leaves we‘re still stuck with our city council. Talk about making deals. Look at all the stuff that's gone on with Waste Resources and Phoenix Waste in Gardena. Gardena citizens many not be very vocal but they’re not naïve.

Comments posted anonymously or cited on Gardena Watch are the express opinions of those individuals and not the opinion of Gardena Watch.

City Manager Moving?

Anonymous said...
Mitch Landsdell is trying to make a move behind the scenes to leave Gardena and move to the City of Los Alamitos as it's new City Manager, post firing of their former City Manager. The rumor is that he is trying to work a deal into Los Alamitos so a new trash company can be brought in...maybe Landsdell has more $$$$ through the trash men than we all know!Landsdell is working with the Los Alamitos City Council majority, led by Egomaniacal Councilman Troy Edgar to make his move into Los Alamitos...check it out.
October 7, 2007 9:51 AM

Comments posted anonymously or cited on Gardena Watch are the express opinions of those individuals and not the opinion of Gardena Watch.

Citizens Stumped by Cutting Down of City Trees

The Public Works Department of Gardena has been cutting down trees in our city. The problem is--the trees are not being replaced. The one pictured on the left, at 15829 Dalton, near Marukai Market, an inside source tells the editor, has allegedly been cut down and covered by a barricade for over a year. Not only is the wooden barricade a hazard for pedestrians, it's an eyesore and diminshes the quality of life in our city.

Home Sweet Home--Gardena?

Anonymous said...

Is Steven Bradford still on your council? You should check his address. . .he lives in Carson. Maybe that's why the Gardena council doesn't care how things look. Isn't living there a requirement to hold office?
October 6, 2007 6:02 PM

Comments posted anonymously or cited on Gardena Watch are the express opinions of those individuals and not the opinion of Gardena Watch.