Crime · Los Angeles, CA
Federal and state prosecutors announced Thursday charges against 15 people, at least eight arrested, for allegedly siphoning nearly $2 billion through fraudulent healthcare claims in Southern California. The scheme involved fake substance abuse treatment centers that billed over $1.5 billion for addiction treatment never provided, along with unnecessary surgeries performed by doctors to bill Medicaid. Among those charged are Hany Malek, 61, a chiropractor arrested in Tarzana, and Dr. Harold Tabaie, 78, of Anaheim, who prosecutors allege made roughly $134 million through medically unnecessary atherectomies. The operation is part of a broader federal anti-fraud initiative that also saw indictments in Ohio and a new state collaboration announced in Missouri.
Crime · Los Angeles, CA
Federal and state prosecutors announced Thursday that 15 people in Southern California were charged with allegedly siphoning nearly $2 billion through fraudulent healthcare claims at substance abuse treatment centers, hospice services, and surgical practices. At least eight were arrested, including Hany Malek, 61, a Tarzana chiropractor accused of posing as a doctor to refer patients for unnecessary invasive surgeries, and Dr. Harold Tabaie, 78, of Anaheim, who allegedly performed the procedures. Prosecutors say the pair made roughly $134 million through medically unnecessary atherectomies billed to Medicaid. Separately, a network of dozens of fake substance abuse treatment centers allegedly collected more than $1.5 billion for addiction treatment never provided.
Local Politics
At least 26 resolutions, moratoriums or bans on data center development have been passed or proposed across California since June, according to Food & Water Watch. In the first half of October, Oakland's city council unanimously approved a 45-day moratorium—the first in Alameda County and fourth in the Bay Area—while San Francisco approved a similar measure this month. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors postponed a vote on permanently banning hyperscale facilities on unincorporated land after receiving an overwhelming volume of public feedback, and Santa Clara is advancing new water and air pollution regulations for data centers. Alhambra residents will vote on a moratorium measure in the November election. The local pushback follows Gov. Gavin Newsom signing seven state laws last month focused on disclosure, environmental impact studies and grid protection, which opponents say do not go far enough.
Local Politics
Federal prosecutors appointed by President Trump sent a letter to California Secretary of State Shirley Weber and Los Angeles County Registrar Dean Logan threatening prosecution if election officials tabulate ballots from individuals identified as noncitizens. The DOJ also announced charges against 28 alleged noncitizen voters, including Vacaville resident Giezell Viduya Adawag. Elections and legal experts characterized the prosecution threat as legally unsupported, noting federal prosecutors would need to prove election officials intentionally committed a crime. Secretary Weber refused the DOJ's demand to sequester mail-in ballots within 48 hours, citing lack of methodology disclosure; the DOJ subsequently sued. Multiple county election officials in Solano, El Dorado, and Shasta counties said they lack tools to verify voter citizenship and acted in accordance with existing law.
Public Safety · Los Angeles, CA
United Airlines Flight 1157, traveling from Hawaii to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), encountered severe turbulence on Wednesday night. At least two flight attendants sustained neck and back injuries during the incident, which passengers described as a sudden, intense drop. The aircraft landed safely but remained on the tarmac for at least 30 minutes while medical assistance was coordinated.
