The Anatomy of Public Corruption

Investor Fraud Summit

Investor Fraud  










Co-Conspirators

Cnetscandal.blogspot.com

The Investor Dragons

I've been researching for three years as my story is Hydra the Seven Headed Dragon.  The heads get lopped off and there is another tangent of this messy story.  

Federal Level Changes 
Investor Fraud Summit Arms Consumers with Information to Protect Retirement Funds and Life Savings



Bar K Investors 
Benny Chetcuti Jr. 

My ex lived next door to Chetcuti for ten years and that means she knew Butler we were married.  It also means she's well aware of that they tried to kill me via arson, beating and accidents.  One mistake was the 2005 accident nearly killed her own sons.  

Link to PG&E, CNET Cops and Walnut Creek  

The Torres Clan 
The woman with the Tattoo's walked right past me about 18 months ago.  The Tat's were a dead giveaway - through the Soccer Moms Confidential segment I was able to link to Butler.  He was in my house in 2004 days after the assault with Collins, he's dead was killed here in 2011. 

Then then link to Butler and my accidents became evident as the litigation unfolded.  A court battle is going on between the county and several lawsuits.  This is another point where my story could emerge.  

For months I searched images when via several pictures of the Walnut Creek Explosions and tiring forensic accounting, records searches which ended up being tied my failed cabinet shop in Summer 2004 linked the arson cases to the cops and the agencies investigative failures.   

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Walnut Creek Real Estate Investor Indicted For Fraud

Benny Chetcuti Jr. Walnut Creek Real Estate Investor Indicted For Fraud
By Pete Bennett CNET Scandal Date: March 3rd, 2014




Posted: Summer 2012 Pete Bennett 
Lost In Walut Creek, CA 94596 
P: (925)-399-1082 
Email:pcbennett@outlook.com


TrackingNumber:PCB0002


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Dead PayPal Employee under Thiel's leadership? Gawk me if you can

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Secretary of State Bowen

Now with time available Pete Bennett is cleaning up his documentation. 


Secretary of State
Election Division
1500 11th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

Dear Secretary Bowen,

On August 7th 2014 I completed forms with the Walnut Creek City Clerk Suzie Martinez for City Council.  Everything was done properly.

On Monday I returned to get for nomination signatures and was told I could only submit 30 signatures.  The answer was in-congruent with prior information as I'd planned to collect 100 to be safe.

I believe part of this was a honest mistake that could have been overcome but when attempting to clear up other matters with Planning and Police Department eventually was escorted from the building and told not able to return for the rest of the day.

Members of the City Council, Staff and WCPD have attempted arrest, threats of arrests, false allegations of assault and have been this resident from accessing city records, called police when attempting to speak at public hearings, falsely informed officers that meeting was closed, attempted to arrest Bennett for disturbing meeting that had not started.

The CHP Threat Assessment has been investigating incidents since July 2011 accident that was attempted murder, are well aware of incidents in Walnut Creek, mugging of clients, roommates and long list of deaths since first meeting in 2011.  State Senator Mark DeSaulnier sent TAU to Bennett after Bennett faced off with officers with guns with clear threat of Bennett's safety.

On Monday a WCPD officer admitted to knowing about my 2004 arson case and that it was arson all along.  They've been co-conspirators all along or failed in their duties and WC city council failed to protect this resident


I am withdrawing from race for my personal safety from WCPD and Council
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Connecting Blackhawk Networks, Bank of America and AB Acquisition




SUBSEQUENT EVENT
Distribution of Blackhawk Shares On March 24, 2014, Safeway's Board of Directors declared a special stock dividend to its stockholders of all of the 37.8 million shares of Class B common stock of Blackhawk owned by Safeway, representing approximately 94.2% of the total outstanding shares of Blackhawk's Class B common stock and approximately 72% of the total number of shares of Blackhawk common stock of all classes outstanding.  On April 14, 2014, Safeway distributed the special stock dividend to all Safeway stockholders of record on April 3, 2014 (the "Record Date").  The distribution took place in the form of a pro rata dividend of Blackhawk Class B common stock to each Safeway stockholder of record on the Record Date.  Safeway stockholders received 0.164291 of a share of Blackhawk Class B common stock for every share of Safeway common stock held as of the Record Date, less any shares withheld in respect of applicable withholding taxes.  No fractional shares of Blackhawk stock were distributed.  Instead, Safeway stockholders received cash in lieu of any fraction of a share of Blackhawk stock.

Assuming the acquisition by AB Acquisition is completed as contemplated by the Merger Agreement (see Note A), it is expected that Safeway’s distribution of Blackhawk shares will be taxable to Safeway and Safeway’s stockholders. Based on Safeway’s preliminary estimates and after the application of tax payments previously made in connection with Safeway's sale of shares in the initial public offering of Blackhawk's Class A common stock in April 2013, Safeway expects that the distribution of Blackhawk shares will result in an incremental tax to Safeway of approximately $360 million.



PCB00001
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Silverado Council Boy Scouts of America and The Ellinwood Farm Murders

By Pete Bennett

There is dark cloud hanging over the entire City of Pleasant Hill CA.


Council Officers


Frank Starn | President
Former SVP & COO – McKesson Pharmaceutical
Jerry Dees | Council Commissioner
Trust Administrator
Dr. Joe Barton | VP of CommunicationsER Physician
Randy Campbell |  Legal Counsel
Attorney
Cory Higbee | Council Treasurer
Treasurer – Ross Stores
Anne O’Neal | VP of Administration
Global Manager, Operational Excellence and Health, Environment and Safety-Chevron
Rodney Mangus  | VP of Properties
Paleontologist
Tom Santos | VP of Membership
Software Engineer-AT&T
Peter Schakow | VP of District Ops
President – Hope or Cope, LLC  
Paul Shimotake | VP of Program
Vice President & Senior Counsel, Law Department, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Tom Weibert | VP of Marketing
Owner-Elevare Consulting
Vacant | VP of Major Gifts
Vacant | VP of Fundraising

Executive Board Members


Randy BushPrincipal – Deloitte
Barton GledhillRetired Veterinarian– Livermore LabsBiotechnology Education and Workforce Training Consultant – City College of San Francisco
Alan GouldRetired Attorney; Commercial Property Owner
Pat GriffithCo-Owner – Promana, LLC
Tom HansenBusiness Manager – IBEW Local Union 302
Marcus LampleyVP Excess Liability Div. – Great American Insurance Group
Adam LewisMerrill Lynch
Dan LuchtGen. Mgr.-Zephyr Express and Director of Operations, Western Region – The Winebow Group
John MarshallTech Start-up
Dave NewtonSafeway – IT Director
Lou PaulsonPresident – California Professional Firefighter Assoc.
Lou RamondettaPresident – Surplus Service
Tim ReppIndependent Consultant
James TeareVeterinarian
Brian ThiessenAttorney
Caroline TsuyukiFaculty-Carondelet HS – Advance Sciences
Brian Weaver Asst. VP -Federal Reserve Bank
Harper WongDir. Community Lending Solutions – MGIC


Advisory Board


Bob CarnsRetired Principal – 4C Enterprises
Kent ClayburnSenior VP – Morgan Stanley
Bill CollettRetired Treasurer – Dreyer’s Ice Cream
Rick CronkRetired Co-Owner – Dreyer’s Ice Cream
Bob CrossRetired CEO – CleanAir Logix
Drake DierkhisingOwner-Sarafornia Restaurant, Calistoga
Tom EdwardsRetired Board Chair – Wentworth, Hauser, and Violich
Tom GiugniRetired Fairfield Police Captain
James JonesAttorney
Alfred KappadahlRetired
Steven PhillipsRetired PG&E
Chuck SmithRetired Pres/CEO – AT&T West
Ken StrongmanMediation Attorney
Richard UtterBusiness Continuity Specialist – Bank of the West
Matt WestphalCo-President Bay Alarm
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Senior Contra Costa County Law Enforcement Official

The Department of Justice Files

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The Great Seal of Department of Justice

Senior Contra Costa County Law Enforcement Official and Concord Private Investigator Indicted
Two Alleged to Have Engaged in a Spectrum of Corrupt Activities, Including Stealing Methamphetamine and Marijuana from Evidence and Selling it for Profit, Protection of a Prostitution Establishment, and Armed Robberies of Prostitutes

U.S. Attorney’s Office August 15, 2011
  • Northern District of California (415) 436-7200

SAN FRANCISCO—A federal grand jury in San Francisco indicted Norman Wielsch of Antioch, Calif., and Christopher Butler of Concord, Calif., on Aug. 8, 2011, for federal narcotics offenses, civil rights violations, and extortion, United States Attorney Melinda Haag announced.

According to the indictment, Wielsch, 50, and Butler, 50, are alleged to have participated together in criminal activities made possible by Wielsch’s position as the commander of the Contra Costa County Narcotics Enforcement Team (CNET). The indictment alleges the following abuses of Wielsch’s position, in which Butler, a private investigator based in Concord, participated and assisted:

  • Wielsch, aided and abetted by Butler, stole from county evidence facilities methamphetamine and marijuana that had been seized in CNET operations. Wielsch and Butler sold some of the stolen narcotics and intended to sell the remainder. The quantity of methamphetamine sold by Wielsch and Butler was sufficiently large to trigger a mandatory minimum term of 10 years’ imprisonment, if proven at trial.
  • Wielsch and Butler participated together in a phony “sting” operation in which they falsely detained a person under the guise of a legitimate law enforcement operation, conducted warrantless searches, and kept narcotics that were taken from the person during the “sting.”
  • Butler opened a massage parlor in Pleasant Hill, Calif., in which prostitution activities took place. He required the women working in the parlor to make weekly payments, which he shared with Wielsch, in exchange for Wielsch’s agreement to provide protection to the women from law enforcement action.
  • Wielsch and Butler together conducted “stings” directed at prostitutes. Wielsch and Butler identified individuals they believed to be prostitutes through online advertisements and arranged meetings with them, typically in hotels. Wielsch and Butler then staged what purported to be legitimate sting operations, but instead of seizing evidence and citing the prostitutes, they unlawfully took the prostitutes’ money and property for themselves.

“This indictment alleges a pattern of lawlessness that not only violated the trust of the people of Contra Costa County, but also brings dishonor to all the fine men and women in law enforcement who work hard, do the right thing, and risk their lives every day protecting our communities,” U.S. Attorney Haag said. In May 2011, the Contra Costa County District Attorney asked the U.S. Attorney’s Office to lead the investigation. “The District Attorney’s Office led the initial investigation and did a thorough and professional job,” U.S. Attorney Haag said. “When the extent of the alleged misconduct became apparent, however, District Attorney Mark Peterson asked our office and the FBI to take the lead. We took that responsibility without hesitation.”

Wielsch and Butler were arrested this morning by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, who have been investigating the case since May 2011.

The defendants’ initial appearance took place this morning in federal court in San Francisco; they are currently being held without bail pending detention hearings. Butler’s detention hearing is scheduled for Aug. 18, 2011, at 9:30 a.m. before Magistrate Judge Nathanael Cousins in San Francisco. Wielsch’s detention hearing is scheduled for Aug. 22, 2011, at 9:30 a.m. before Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler in Oakland, Calif.

The maximum statutory penalties for each count are as follows, although any sentence imposed by the court following conviction would take into consideration the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553:

Count 1 – Narcotics Conspiracy, 21 U.S.C. § 846 (Wielsch and Butler)

  • Life imprisonment (10-year mandatory minimum)
  • Five years’ supervised release
  • $10,000,000 fine
  • $100 special assessment

Count 2 – Methamphetamine Distribution, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) (Wielsch and Butler)

  • Life imprisonment (10-year mandatory minimum)
  • Five years’ supervised release
  • $10,000,000 fine
  • $100 special assessment

Count 3 – Methamphetamine Distribution, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) (Butler)

  • Life imprisonment (10-year mandatory minimum)
  • Five years’ supervised release
  • $10,000,000 fine
  • $100 special assessment

Counts 4 through 9 – Marijuana Distribution, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) (Butler)

  • Five years’ imprisonment (10-year mandatory minimum)
  • Three years’ supervised release
  • $10,000,000 fine
  • $100 special assessment

Counts 10 through 13 – Theft From Programs Receiving Federal Funds, 18 U.S.C.m § 666(a)(1) (Wielsch)

  • 10 years’ imprisonment
  • Three years’ supervised release
  • $250,000 fine
  • $100 special assessment

Count 14 & 16 – Civil Rights Conspiracy, 18 U.S.C. § 241 (Wielsch and Butler)

  • Life imprisonment
  • Five years’ supervised release
  • $250,000 fine
  • $100 special assessment

Count 15 & 17 – Extortion, 18 U.S.C. § 1951 (Wielsch and Butler)

  • 20 years’ imprisonment
  • Five years’ supervised release
  • $250,000 fine
  • $100 special assessment

Hartley M.K. West and John Hemann are the Assistant U.S. Attorneys who are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Alycee Lane, Rania Ghawi, and Cristhian Escobar.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office.

Please note, an indictment contains only allegations against an individual and, as with all defendants, Mr. Wielsch and Mr. Butler must be presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Further Information:

CASE #: CR—11-0529-SBA

A copy of this press release may be found on the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s website at www.usdoj.gov/usao/can.

This content has been reproduced from its original source.
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Department of Justice - The Historical Coverage

Senior Contra Costa County Law Enforcement Official and Concord Private Investigator Indicted
Two Alleged to Have Engaged in a Spectrum of Corrupt Activities, Including Stealing Methamphetamine and Marijuana from Evidence and Selling it for Profit, Protection of a Prostitution Establishment, and Armed Robberies of Prostitutes

U.S. Attorney’s Office August 15, 2011
  • Northern District of California (415) 436-7200

SAN FRANCISCO—A federal grand jury in San Francisco indicted Norman Wielsch of Antioch, Calif., and Christopher Butler of Concord, Calif., on Aug. 8, 2011, for federal narcotics offenses, civil rights violations, and extortion, United States Attorney Melinda Haag announced.

According to the indictment, Wielsch, 50, and Butler, 50, are alleged to have participated together in criminal activities made possible by Wielsch’s position as the commander of the Contra Costa County Narcotics Enforcement Team (CNET). The indictment alleges the following abuses of Wielsch’s position, in which Butler, a private investigator based in Concord, participated and assisted:

  • Wielsch, aided and abetted by Butler, stole from county evidence facilities methamphetamine and marijuana that had been seized in CNET operations. Wielsch and Butler sold some of the stolen narcotics and intended to sell the remainder. The quantity of methamphetamine sold by Wielsch and Butler was sufficiently large to trigger a mandatory minimum term of 10 years’ imprisonment, if proven at trial.
  • Wielsch and Butler participated together in a phony “sting” operation in which they falsely detained a person under the guise of a legitimate law enforcement operation, conducted warrantless searches, and kept narcotics that were taken from the person during the “sting.”
  • Butler opened a massage parlor in Pleasant Hill, Calif., in which prostitution activities took place. He required the women working in the parlor to make weekly payments, which he shared with Wielsch, in exchange for Wielsch’s agreement to provide protection to the women from law enforcement action.
  • Wielsch and Butler together conducted “stings” directed at prostitutes. Wielsch and Butler identified individuals they believed to be prostitutes through online advertisements and arranged meetings with them, typically in hotels. Wielsch and Butler then staged what purported to be legitimate sting operations, but instead of seizing evidence and citing the prostitutes, they unlawfully took the prostitutes’ money and property for themselves.

“This indictment alleges a pattern of lawlessness that not only violated the trust of the people of Contra Costa County, but also brings dishonor to all the fine men and women in law enforcement who work hard, do the right thing, and risk their lives every day protecting our communities,” U.S. Attorney Haag said. In May 2011, the Contra Costa County District Attorney asked the U.S. Attorney’s Office to lead the investigation. “The District Attorney’s Office led the initial investigation and did a thorough and professional job,” U.S. Attorney Haag said. “When the extent of the alleged misconduct became apparent, however, District Attorney Mark Peterson asked our office and the FBI to take the lead. We took that responsibility without hesitation.”

Wielsch and Butler were arrested this morning by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, who have been investigating the case since May 2011.

The defendants’ initial appearance took place this morning in federal court in San Francisco; they are currently being held without bail pending detention hearings. Butler’s detention hearing is scheduled for Aug. 18, 2011, at 9:30 a.m. before Magistrate Judge Nathanael Cousins in San Francisco. Wielsch’s detention hearing is scheduled for Aug. 22, 2011, at 9:30 a.m. before Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler in Oakland, Calif.

The maximum statutory penalties for each count are as follows, although any sentence imposed by the court following conviction would take into consideration the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553:

Count 1 – Narcotics Conspiracy, 21 U.S.C. § 846 (Wielsch and Butler)

  • Life imprisonment (10-year mandatory minimum)
  • Five years’ supervised release
  • $10,000,000 fine
  • $100 special assessment

Count 2 – Methamphetamine Distribution, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) (Wielsch and Butler)

  • Life imprisonment (10-year mandatory minimum)
  • Five years’ supervised release
  • $10,000,000 fine
  • $100 special assessment

Count 3 – Methamphetamine Distribution, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) (Butler)

  • Life imprisonment (10-year mandatory minimum)
  • Five years’ supervised release
  • $10,000,000 fine
  • $100 special assessment

Counts 4 through 9 – Marijuana Distribution, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) (Butler)

  • Five years’ imprisonment (10-year mandatory minimum)
  • Three years’ supervised release
  • $10,000,000 fine
  • $100 special assessment

Counts 10 through 13 – Theft From Programs Receiving Federal Funds, 18 U.S.C.m § 666(a)(1) (Wielsch)

  • 10 years’ imprisonment
  • Three years’ supervised release
  • $250,000 fine
  • $100 special assessment

Count 14 & 16 – Civil Rights Conspiracy, 18 U.S.C. § 241 (Wielsch and Butler)

  • Life imprisonment
  • Five years’ supervised release
  • $250,000 fine
  • $100 special assessment

Count 15 & 17 – Extortion, 18 U.S.C. § 1951 (Wielsch and Butler)

  • 20 years’ imprisonment
  • Five years’ supervised release
  • $250,000 fine
  • $100 special assessment

Hartley M.K. West and John Hemann are the Assistant U.S. Attorneys who are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Alycee Lane, Rania Ghawi, and Cristhian Escobar.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office.

Please note, an indictment contains only allegations against an individual and, as with all defendants, Mr. Wielsch and Mr. Butler must be presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Further Information:

CASE #: CR—11-0529-SBA

A copy of this press release may be found on the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s website at www.usdoj.gov/usao/can.

This content has been reproduced from its original source.
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CNET Scandal Indictment





Senior Contra Costa County Law Enforcement Official and Concord Private Investigator Indicted
Two Alleged to Have Engaged in a Spectrum of Corrupt Activities, Including Stealing Methamphetamine and Marijuana from Evidence and Selling it for Profit, Protection of a Prostitution Establishment, and Armed Robberies of Prostitutes

U.S. Attorney’s Office August 15, 2011
  • Northern District of California (415) 436-7200
SAN FRANCISCO—A federal grand jury in San Francisco indicted Norman Wielsch of Antioch, Calif., and Christopher Butler of Concord, Calif., on Aug. 8, 2011, for federal narcotics offenses, civil rights violations, and extortion, United States Attorney Melinda Haag announced.
According to the indictment, Wielsch, 50, and Butler, 50, are alleged to have participated together in criminal activities made possible by Wielsch’s position as the commander of the Contra Costa County Narcotics Enforcement Team (CNET). The indictment alleges the following abuses of Wielsch’s position, in which Butler, a private investigator based in Concord, participated and assisted:
  • Wielsch, aided and abetted by Butler, stole from county evidence facilities methamphetamine and marijuana that had been seized in CNET operations. Wielsch and Butler sold some of the stolen narcotics and intended to sell the remainder. The quantity of methamphetamine sold by Wielsch and Butler was sufficiently large to trigger a mandatory minimum term of 10 years’ imprisonment, if proven at trial.
  • Wielsch and Butler participated together in a phony “sting” operation in which they falsely detained a person under the guise of a legitimate law enforcement operation, conducted warrantless searches, and kept narcotics that were taken from the person during the “sting.”
  • Butler opened a massage parlor in Pleasant Hill, Calif., in which prostitution activities took place. He required the women working in the parlor to make weekly payments, which he shared with Wielsch, in exchange for Wielsch’s agreement to provide protection to the women from law enforcement action.
  • Wielsch and Butler together conducted “stings” directed at prostitutes. Wielsch and Butler identified individuals they believed to be prostitutes through online advertisements and arranged meetings with them, typically in hotels. Wielsch and Butler then staged what purported to be legitimate sting operations, but instead of seizing evidence and citing the prostitutes, they unlawfully took the prostitutes’ money and property for themselves.
“This indictment alleges a pattern of lawlessness that not only violated the trust of the people of Contra Costa County, but also brings dishonor to all the fine men and women in law enforcement who work hard, do the right thing, and risk their lives every day protecting our communities,” U.S. Attorney Haag said. In May 2011, the Contra Costa County District Attorney asked the U.S. Attorney’s Office to lead the investigation. “The District Attorney’s Office led the initial investigation and did a thorough and professional job,” U.S. Attorney Haag said. “When the extent of the alleged misconduct became apparent, however, District Attorney Mark Peterson asked our office and the FBI to take the lead. We took that responsibility without hesitation.”
Wielsch and Butler were arrested this morning by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, who have been investigating the case since May 2011.
The defendants’ initial appearance took place this morning in federal court in San Francisco; they are currently being held without bail pending detention hearings. Butler’s detention hearing is scheduled for Aug. 18, 2011, at 9:30 a.m. before Magistrate Judge Nathanael Cousins in San Francisco. Wielsch’s detention hearing is scheduled for Aug. 22, 2011, at 9:30 a.m. before Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler in Oakland, Calif.
The maximum statutory penalties for each count are as follows, although any sentence imposed by the court following conviction would take into consideration the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553:
Count 1 – Narcotics Conspiracy, 21 U.S.C. § 846 (Wielsch and Butler)
  • Life imprisonment (10-year mandatory minimum)
  • Five years’ supervised release
  • $10,000,000 fine
  • $100 special assessment
Count 2 – Methamphetamine Distribution, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) (Wielsch and Butler)
  • Life imprisonment (10-year mandatory minimum)
  • Five years’ supervised release
  • $10,000,000 fine
  • $100 special assessment
Count 3 – Methamphetamine Distribution, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) (Butler)
  • Life imprisonment (10-year mandatory minimum)
  • Five years’ supervised release
  • $10,000,000 fine
  • $100 special assessment
Counts 4 through 9 – Marijuana Distribution, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) (Butler)
  • Five years’ imprisonment (10-year mandatory minimum)
  • Three years’ supervised release
  • $10,000,000 fine
  • $100 special assessment
Counts 10 through 13 – Theft From Programs Receiving Federal Funds, 18 U.S.C.m § 666(a)(1) (Wielsch)
  • 10 years’ imprisonment
  • Three years’ supervised release
  • $250,000 fine
  • $100 special assessment
Count 14 & 16 – Civil Rights Conspiracy, 18 U.S.C. § 241 (Wielsch and Butler)
  • Life imprisonment
  • Five years’ supervised release
  • $250,000 fine
  • $100 special assessment
Count 15 & 17 – Extortion, 18 U.S.C. § 1951 (Wielsch and Butler)
  • 20 years’ imprisonment
  • Five years’ supervised release
  • $250,000 fine
  • $100 special assessment
Hartley M.K. West and John Hemann are the Assistant U.S. Attorneys who are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Alycee Lane, Rania Ghawi, and Cristhian Escobar.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office.
Please note, an indictment contains only allegations against an individual and, as with all defendants, Mr. Wielsch and Mr. Butler must be presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Further Information:
CASE #: CR—11-0529-SBA
A copy of this press release may be found on the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s website at www.usdoj.gov/usao/can.
This content has been reproduced from its original source.
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Officer Lester Garnier July 1988






Douglas M. Baker, Jr.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ecolab Inc.

Douglas M. Baker, Jr., is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ecolab Inc., a provider of water and hygiene services and technologies for the food,
hospitality, industrial and energy markets. He has served as Chairman of the Board of Ecolab since May 2006 and Chief Executive Officer since July 2004,
and served as President from 2002 to 2011.

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OBIT:ANDREA HUSEBY

Andrea's Obituary

ANDREA HUSEBY The family of Andrea Huseby sadly announces her passing on February 8, 2002 at the age of 32, from injuries resulting from a car accident. She and her husband Chris were on their way to the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympic Games. Andrea was a resident of Danville, where she had lived for six years with her husband. Andrea was born in Hayward, grew up in Niles, and was a life-long Bay Area native. In 1995 she joined Irwin Home Equity in San Ramon where she went on to develop and head the telecommunications department for many years. Last August she left to pursue the study of classic Mediterranean art, archaeology, and history at the University of California, Berkeley. She was a junior and expected to graduate next year. She loved the ocean, collecting antiques, and adventuring around the world. Her gentle manner and warm smile and laughter will be greatly missed by her devoted husband J. Christopher Huseby, her loving parents Geraldine and Paul Wright of Brentwood, her sisters and their spouses, Jamie and Peter DeLucchi of Castro Valley, and Stephanie and Scott Carstairs of Brentwood, her brothers and their spouses, Robert and Diane Wright of Brentwood, and Jon and Sue Wright of Modesto, her youngest brother Peter Wright of San Ramon, her Grandfather Mike Long of Salt Lake City, her nieces and nephews Kyle, Chase, Taylor, Scott, Morgan, Logan, Ciara, and Shelby, and Aunts and Uncles. A memorial celebration of Andrea's wonderful life will be held at The Church on the Hill, 20801 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon, Ca, 94583. on Saturday, February 16 at 11:00 am with a Luncheon reception immediately following the service. Internment will be private and the family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Andrea Huseby Scholarship Fund, Attention: Debbie Whiteman, The Irwin Home Equity Foundation, 12677 Alcosta Blvd., Suite 500, San Ramon, CA, 94583. The Andrea Huseby Scholarship is chartered to help working adults return to school to complete their academic studies.
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DOJ:PG&E Ordered To Develop Compliance And Ethics Program As Part Of Its Sentence For Engaging In Criminal Conduct


Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney’s Office
Northern District of California

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, January 26, 2017

PG&E Ordered To Develop Compliance And Ethics Program As Part Of Its Sentence For Engaging In Criminal Conduct

Five years of probation and fines make up sentence for PG&E’s violations of the National Gas Pipeline Safety Act and for Obstructing Agency Proceeding

SAN FRANCISCO—  Pacific Gas and Electric Company (“PG&E”) was sentenced today to submit to an expansive program of probation after having been found guilty of multiple willful violations of the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968 (“PSA”) and obstructing an agency proceeding, announced U.S. Attorney Brian J. Stretch, San Mateo County District Attorney Stephen M. Wagstaffe, U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General Special Agent in Charge William Swallow, and FBI Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett.  Among the provisions included in the program of probation issued by the Honorable Thelton E. Henderson, District Judge, are the obligation to submit to a corporate compliance and ethics monitorship, the obligation to complete 10,000 hours of community service, and the requirement to spend up to $3 million to inform the public in print advertisements and television commercials to notify the public of the utility’s criminal and neglectful behavior.

On August 9, 2016, after a 5 ½ week trial, a federal jury found PG&E guilty of multiple willful violations of the PSA and obstructing an agency proceeding.  The PSA-related charges stem from PG&E’s record keeping and pipeline “integrity management” practices and were uncovered in the course of the San Bruno investigation.  The obstruction charge was added after investigators discovered PG&E attempted to mislead the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) during its investigation.  The evidence at trial demonstrated that, between 2007 and 2010, PG&E willfully failed to address recordkeeping deficiencies concerning its larger natural gas pipelines knowing that its records were inaccurate or incomplete.  The evidence further demonstrated that PG&E willfully failed to identify threats to its larger natural gas pipelines and to take appropriate actions to investigate the seriousness of threats to pipelines when they were identified.  In addition, PG&E willfully failed to adequately prioritize as high risk and properly assess threatened pipelines after they were over pressurized, as the PSA and its regulations required.  These charges were filed in an indictment on April 1, 2014.  In finding PG&E guilty, the jury concluded the company knowingly and willfully violated the PSA and its regulations between 2007 and 2010.   The jury found PG&E guilty of six felony counts—five willful violations of the PSA and one count of corruptly obstructing the federal investigation into the 2010 fatal pipeline explosion in San Bruno, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1505.  The jury acquitted PG&E of an additional six alleged violations of the PSA.

The charge of obstructing an agency proceeding was included in a superseding indictment filed July 29, 2014.  The evidence at trial demonstrated that during the course of the NTSB’s investigation, PG&E provided a version of a policy outlining the way in which PG&E addressed manufacturing threats on its pipelines, and then sought to withdraw the document.  According to PG&E’s letter, the policy was produced in error and was an unapproved draft.  In finding PG&E guilty of obstructing an agency proceeding, the jury concluded PG&E intentionally and corruptly tried to influence, obstruct, or impede the NTSB investigation, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1505. 

“Today, the Pacific Gas and Electric Company was sentenced for its crimes after having been found guilty of violating federal regulations designed to keep our citizens safe and obstructing an agency proceeding,” said U.S. Attorney Stretch. “As a part of the sentence, the court has imposed upon PG&E a monitor to ensure the company’s future compliance with the rules and regulations the company has chosen in the past to flaunt.  As we know from the horrible explosion in San Bruno in 2010, the failure of PG&E to deliver gas safely can have devastating consequences that no amount of fines and no monetary penalties can ever remedy.  While the conviction and sentence in this case will not bring back those who were lost on September 9, 2010, or eliminate the suffering of their surviving family members, it does take necessary steps toward ensuring PG&E will never again engage in this type of criminal behavior that puts all of its customers at substantial risk.  I would like to acknowledge the many public servants—including the men and women of this office, the California Attorney General’s Office, the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office, the San Bruno Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General—whose hard work uncovered PG&E’s violations of the law and the company’s efforts to obstruct the investigation.  We are gratified that the verdicts and sentence memorialize PG&E’s criminal conduct.”

“Today’s sentencing of PG&E makes clear the solemn obligation that those entrusted with the public’s safety must make it their highest priority,” said William Swallow, regional Special Agent-in-Charge, USDOT OIG.  “The pipeline system is a critical part of our Nation’s infrastructure, and working with our Federal, state and local law enforcement and prosecutorial colleagues, we will continue to protect the safety and integrity of our transportation infrastructure from fraud, waste, abuse and violations of law.”

“The residents of San Mateo County are indebted to the public servants of the Office of the United States Attorney,” said District Attorney Wagstaffe. “We are very thankful for their hard work and perseverance without which we would not have seen such a successful conclusion to this case.” 

"The FBI San Francisco Division echoes the sentiments of our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners. PG&E demonstrated a lack of concern and irresponsibility to our community,” said FBI San Francisco Special Agent in Charge Jack Bennett. “We have a responsibility not only to uphold and enforce the laws of the United States but also to do everything within our power to protect our citizen’s and our community. This sentence is symbolic of the FBI’s commitment to serving justice and to show that no company is too large to be held accountable for criminal acts.”

In handing down the $3 million monetary penalty, Judge Henderson ordered PG&E to pay the maximum statutory penalty allowable for each count charged under the PSA and for obstruction of justice.  In addition to the monetary penalty, Judge Henderson ordered PG&E to the maximum term of five years’ probation.  While on probation, PG&E will submit to a corporate compliance and ethics monitorship, pay for advertising in national media outlets to publicize its criminal conduct, and engage in community service.

Judge Henderson ordered PG&E to develop within the first six months “an effective compliance and ethics program” as well as a schedule for implementation of the program.  Judge Henderson’s order directs PG&E to create a program that will prevent criminal conduct with respect to gas pipeline transmission safety.  In addition, during the five-year period, PG&E will be supervised by a Compliance and Ethics Monitor whose job it will be to approve the program, oversee PG&E’s compliance with the program, inspect PG&E’s records, and receive notifications from PG&E regarding any changes in the company’s financial status.

With respect to publicity, Judge Henderson ordered PG&E to spend $3 million to publicize “the nature of the offenses it committed, the convictions, the nature of the punishment imposed and the steps that will be taken to prevent the recurrence of similar offences.”  The $3 million expenditure will include two parts.  PG&E must purchase a full page advertisement in both the Wall Street Journal and the San Francisco Chronicle.  Also, PG&E was ordered to purchase television time to air commercials “to the greatest extent possible replicating the same channels and air times that PG&E used” in the time period around when the case was being tried. 

Judge Henderson also ordered PG&E to engage in 10,000 hours of community service that must be pre-approved by a federal probation officer.  Of the 10,000 hours, 2,000 must be completed by “high level” employees.  In addition, Judge Henderson stated his expectation that the planned community service would be approved only if is separate from, and in addition to, service that PG&E already had planned to do.  Judge Henderson also advised PG&E that he expected the community service would be completed, to the greatest extent possible, in San Bruno. 

Assistant United States Attorneys Hallie Hoffman, Jeff Schenk, and Hartley West prosecuted the case with the assistance of Denise Oki, Beth Margen, Maryam Beros, Alycee Lane, Bridget Kilkenny, and Maureen French.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California, the California Attorney General’s Office, the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office, the United States Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, the FBI, the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration, and the City of San Bruno Police Department. 

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Topic(s): 
Financial Fraud
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Updated January 27, 2017

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