San Diego, California - District Attorney Summer Stephan announced criminal charges today against three defendants who filed fraudulent claims to scam the state’s unemployment benefit system and received more than $1.3 million in illegal payments. The fraud occurred between February and December of last year. The defendants applied for and received EDD Bank of America debit cards in other people’s names. The trio used their three residential addresses in Escondido and five different P.O. Boxes located in Escondido, Carlsbad, and Vista to receive the EDD cards.

Sacramento, California - Following last year’s record-breaking fire season, Governor Gavin Newsom today announced emergency early action to boost firefighting support as California faces another difficult wildfire year. Using Emergency Fund authorization, Governor Newsom has approved $80.74 million for 1,399 additional firefighters with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to bolster fuels management and wildfire response efforts. The Governor’s January 2021 budget proposes $1 billion to support wildfire and forest management.

Fresno, California - A federal grand jury returned an indictment Thursday charging a Turlock man with being a felon in possession of a firearm, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

Sacramento, California - California Attorney General Xavier Becerra today announced a $10 million settlement against Medical Device Business Services, Inc. (MDBS), a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, and a $1.5 million settlement against global private equity firm The Gores Group (Gores). The settlements resolve allegations that each company engaged in improper marketing tactics and submitted false claims to state Medicaid programs, including California’s Medi-Cal program. It is alleged that both companies improperly marketed prescription medical device systems developed by Therakos Inc. (Therakos), a company which MDBS and Gores each owned at separate times. 

Sacramento, California - Scott Stephen Howard, 36, of Yuba City, pleaded guilty Tuesday to possession of child pornography, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

Sacramento, California - A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment Thursday against Guy Joseph Bass, 29, of Vacaville, charging him with being a felon in possession of ammunition, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.