Today's top stories from behind the Orange Curtain:
Carona Takes Paid Leave -- LAT, OCR and OC Weekly
The sheriff, who has been indicted on corruption charges, announces he will take a paid 60-day leave of absence. He names an aide, Undersheriff Jo Ann Galisky, as interim head of the agency.
Frank Mickadeit: Janet Could Have Stuck Pins In Mikes -- OCR
As the sheriff's world turns.
Irvine Chose Convicted Felon To Head Project -- LAT
Despite history of embezzling money and using cocaine, public works director was promoted to lead billion-dollar Great Park.
Lessons From The Ashes -- OCR
Everyone lost something in the Santiago fire, canyon residents say.
Santiago Fire Scar Appears In New Satellite Image -- OCR
Like the headline says.
Anaheim Hears Hospital Plans And New resort Tack -- OCR
Anaheim hears the plans for a new hospital and reconsiders a ballot measure for the Anaheim Resort area near Disneyland.
Campaign Finance Hike Axed -- OCR
Supervisors decided not to ask voters to approve a measure that would have increased campaign contribution limits.
Stadium Kicks Off Debate -- OCR
Critics says $3 million is too much for a football arena while CUSD classrooms suffer.
Audit Criticizes Executive Pay At CSU -- OCR
Urges the system's trustees to change their procedures and make future compensation decisions public.
Medical Marijuana May Be Banned In Huntington Beach -- OCR
The council voted Monday night to introduce a law against medical marijuana dispensaries opening in the city.
Ex-Anaheim Councilman Admits Tax Evasion -- LAT
Richard Chavez could face up to five years in prison for failing to pay taxes in 2003 when he worked for a shelter for abused children.
State Pursues Anaheim Firm -- LAT
PacifiStaff is accused of helping contractors avoid paying workers' comp insurance.
Teed Off About Losing Golf Course -- OCR
More than 100 residents showed up at City Hall to oppose turning Casta Del Sol into a retirement community.
Vietnamese American Community To Revive Tet Parade -- OCR
Members of the Little Saigon community in February will try to resuscitate the Tet Parade, a tradition that vanished three years ago after parade organizers ran out of money.
'Bella' Beats Hollywood Odds, For Now -- OCR Parts 1 and 2
The movie, made by an Irvine lawyer, is finding an audience among people who want clean entertainment.
Newport Offers Online Notification Of City Events -- OCR
Looking for information on the next City Council meeting in Newport Beach? How about details from the previous meetings, road and local government building closures or special meetings?
Op-Ed: Don't Turn Our Backs On Pakistan -- OCR
Whether Musharraf is there or not, U.S. needs to stay involved, by Rep. Ed Royce.
Rigonomics: City Trying To Throw Us A Curve -- OCR
Jim Righeimer opines on Irvine Company's Newport Center/Fashion Island plans.
I am not sure abut the LAT story about the Great Park.
If he was convicted 20 years ago, paid his debt to society and since then has been a contributing member of society, clearly a good employee of Irvine, then what's the big deal?
Posted by: Hanna | November 07, 2007 at 11:15 AM
Hanna: it's more a reflection of the mismanagement of the Great Park process than it is on the employee.
Posted by: Rifleshot | November 07, 2007 at 01:42 PM
NEWS RELEASE
Response of Defendant, PacifiStaff, Inc., a Corporation, to the “Complaint for Injunctive Relief”, etc. filed on November 6, 2007, by the People of the State of California ex rel. Edmund G. Brown, Jr., as Attorney General of the State of California, Orange County Superior Court, Case No. 07CC11686.
PacifiStaff provides staffing solutions for blue collar companies, and enables them to reduce their workers’ compensation costs. PacifiStaff assists employers in establishing employee ownership programs, which allow employee-owners to voluntarily choose to be exempted from California’s troubled workers’ compensation system.
PacifiStaff has reviewed the Complaint filed by the Attorney General. PacifiStaff denies that the business model adopted by its clients in any way constitutes an unlawful or unfair business practice in violation of Section 17200 of California’s Business & Professions Code.
Contrary to the allegations in the Complaint, all workers who become beneficiaries of the business structure adopted by PacifiStaff clients do so on a knowing and voluntary basis. Workers who opt to not becoming “employee-owners” are not terminated from their employment. Such workers remain employed and continue to be afforded the protection of traditional workers’ compensation insurance coverage.
For those workers who elect to become employee-owners, full health insurance coverage is provided both as to injuries suffered on the job and off. Such coverage is provided on a no cost basis, and an injured worker does not have to prove that their employer was at fault or that the worker was not at fault in order to obtain benefits. The benefits provided include those which are available under California’s Workers’ Compensation Act, including but not limited to, medical treatment, temporary and permanent disability payments, and vocational rehabilitation.
Workers who choose to become employee-owners obtain substantial additional benefits not typically provided in a traditional employer-employee relationship. Such additional benefits, include but are not limited to, life and disability insurance.
As admitted in the Complaint, California Labor Code Section 3351 allows for the business model promoted by PacifiStaff. In this lawsuit, the Attorney General’s office characterizes as unlawful conduct which is not prohibited by law. Arguably, this is an issue for the legislature to address, not the Attorney General’s office.
Employers that adopt PacifiStaff’s business model do not seek to avoid their obligation to provide meaningful benefits to their workers. The Attorney General admits that his office is not aware of any workers whose injuries have gone untreated or who have not received appropriate benefits for such injuries. The People of the State of California are benefitted by PacifiStaff’s business model. Injury claims are diverted from California’s already overloaded workers’ compensation claims system.
Posted by: PacifiStaff | November 07, 2007 at 05:26 PM