Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Jesse Cushman, 43 of Fillmore, was killed on Saturday, September 12th in Moorpark city limits while driving northbound on Moorpark Road on his Suzuki motorcycle when he was struck head-on by an automobile. The accident took place around 5:20pm.

A Saturn Ion was heading southbound on Moorpark Road at about 55 mph when the driver swerved into Maciek Malish, 53 of Simi Valley, while he rode is bicycle southbound on the shoulder of the road. Malish was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver then appeared to over-correct, crossing into the northbound lane where she struck Cushman. He was also pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver was treated for minor injuries at a local hospital.

The driving actions of the driver are under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.

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Fillmore High School presents the F.H.S. Homecoming Parade 2015 next Thursday evening at 6:30pm. The F.H.S. Alumni Association also invites all the communities of Fillmore Bardsdale, and Piru to come celebrate our Hometown, and Fillmore High School as we celebrate Homecoming 2015. The game is Friday evening September 25th, and our Flashes host the Santa Ynez Pirates. The Parade will be the night before on the 24th, starting at 6:30 pm from Central and 2nd street, right through downtown, where all the floats will be parked between Sespe and Main for viewing that evening. Our downtown is open for business, so bring out that folding chair and come look at the floats, and the beautiful Fillmore Classic cars. All will be parked on Central. it's Homecoming Parade 2015. Don't miss it! GO FLASHES!!

VENTURA, California – District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Daniel Nuno (DOB 06/07/82), of Fillmore, was sentenced by Judge Ryan Wright to 50 years to life in prison after being convicted by a jury of first-degree murder for killing Ricardo Gonzalez, a chiropractor from Oxnard. The jury returned their verdict on August 7, 2015, after two hours of deliberation.

On August 9, 2012, Nuno armed himself with a loaded handgun and traveled to the home of Mr. Gonzalez’s mother in Fillmore. There, Nuno confronted Mr. Gonzalez as he stood in the driveway of the home beside his elderly mother and four-year-old son. After a brief conversation, Nuno quickly drew his firearm, pressed it to Mr. Gonzalez’s head and fired a single shot, killing Mr. Gonzalez. Nuno then fled the scene and disposed of evidence, including the murder weapon which was never found. Nuno was apprehended two hours after the murder by deputies from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. In addition to eye-witness testimony identifying Nuno as the shooter, Mr. Gonzalez’s blood and DNA were located on Nuno’s clothing at the time of his arrest.

Nuno will not be eligible for parole until he is 80 years old.

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Classic Cars, great food, old time music, and lot's of fun in downtown Fillmore This Friday, from 5:00pm to 9:00pm. It's our next to last Flashback Friday event, so make sure you make plans to come join in all the fun everyone's been having this summer with our Classic cars parked on Central. The Fillmore High Alumni will also be out in front of Central Station with all their Flashes gear available for this Fall Season. And speaking of Fall season, that means HOMECOMING. Next week is Homecoming week, and the Homecoming Parade is Thursday evening, September 24th at 6:30pm. On that night the Floats will be parked on Central along with the Classic old time cars from Fillmore. So it's two great events left for you to enjoy before our long wet raining season begins. (positive thinking) This Friday evening at Flashback Friday/Alumni Nights, and next Thursday for the Homecoming Parade along with the Classic Cars from Fillmore. Bring your folding Chairs, and we look forward to seeing you DOWNTOWN!!

California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith is reminding everyone to protect themselves when temperatures are very high as is expected the rest of this week in most of the state.

The excessive heat warning is in place through Friday, and Dr. Smith would like everyone to stay cool and hydrated.

“It’s going to be a hot week, and we would like everyone to protect themselves from the dangers of excessive heat,” Dr. Smith said. “It is important that everyone stay cool, stay hydrated, stay inside and take other precautions to prevent heat-related illness.”

Extreme heat poses a substantial health risk, especially for vulnerable populations including young children, the elderly, those with chronic diseases or disabilities, pregnant women and people who are socially isolated. Heat-related illness includes cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and death. Warning signs of heat-related illnesses may include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, weakness, headache and nausea. Vomiting, paleness, tiredness and dizziness can also be indicators of heat-related illness.

“Taking a moment to check on someone who lives alone can make a big difference in these extreme conditions,” says Will Lightbourne, director of the California Department of Social Services. “Care providers, relatives, friends or neighbors, we all share the responsibility of making our communities safe.”

In areas where air quality is poor, people with heart disease, asthma or other respiratory diseases should reduce or eliminate their outdoor activities. Schools and programs with children who have sensitive conditions, including heart disease, asthma and other respiratory diseases, should conduct activities indoors as much as possible.

Smith offers the following tips to stay safe during this period of excessive heat:
• Drink plenty of water or juice, even if you are not thirsty. Avoid alcohol.
• If you don’t have air conditioning, visit a cooling center or a public place with air conditioning (such as a shopping mall or library) to cool off for a few hours each day.
• Avoid outdoor physical exertion during the hottest parts of the day. Reduce exposure to the sun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. when UV rays are strongest, and keep physical activities to a minimum during that time.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat to cover the face and neck, wear loose-fitting clothing to keep cool and to protect your skin from the sun.
• Regularly check on any elderly relatives or friends who live alone. Many may be on medications which increase likelihood of dehydration.
• To prevent overheating, use cool compresses, misting, showers and baths. Get medical attention if you experience a rapid, strong pulse, you feel delirious or have a body temperature above 102 degrees.
• Never leave infants, children, elderly or pets in a parked car. It can take as little as 10 minutes for the temperature inside a car to rise to levels that can kill.
• Wear sunglasses that provide 100 percent UVA and UVB protection. Chronic exposure to the sun can cause cataracts.
• Liberally apply sunscreen (at least SPF 15) 15 minutes before venturing outdoors and re-apply at least every two hours – sunscreen may reduce the risk of skin cancer, the number one cancer affecting Californians.
Get more hot weather tips on CDPH’s Preventing Summer Heat Injuries Web page and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services’ Summer Heat Resources website.

Watch CDPH’s video message from Dr. Smith on extreme heat warning signs and tips.

www.cdph.ca.gov

Back in May, the Fillmore High Alumni Association awarded out $36,000.00 in Scholarships to the Class of 2015 Scholarship winners. This August, they are awarding an additional $19,000.00 to Fillmore High Grads who are continuing their Upper Education in Colleges, Universities, and Trade Schools. The Alumni Association Thanks all their loyal donors, and Alumni Members for their Contributions to our Association. If you’re an Alumni member you can be the first to see a complete list of all this year’s recipients by logging in here http://www.fillmorehighalumni.com/login/

Kevin McSweeney, Planning and Community Development Director

The Fillmore Planning Commission held a joint meeting with the Fillmore City Council on September 8, 2015. There has been a flurry of activity and development in Fillmore over the past year. Planning Department's Kevin McSweeney introduced Maura Macauso who has been working as a consultant for the past six months and is now an employee with the Planning Department. McSweeney then gave a presentation on Fillmore's 2014-2015 progress in residential, commercial and infrastructure.

He began with the light signal planned for the intersection of Mountain View and Highway 126. Cal Trans is now requiring a 3rd plan check. "It's turning into a large project" McSweeney told both the Commission and Council. Cal Trans is now requiring a large 140 ft. retaining wall on the north side of the highway on both east and west sides of Mountain View. All corners will be handicapped accessible, walkways will be heavily marked and wide. "It will be very visible" McSweeney stated. There will be a dedicated turn arrow for traffic in all directions and will have the positive effect of slowing traffic down as it enters town from the east.

Hearthstone Development is paying for half of the cost of the signal which was originally priced at $660,000 but the cost was brought down to half and is now running $330,000.

The second project discussed was the Business Park Master Plan Amendment. Fillmore has in the past asked the original developer of a project to pay much of the Common Area Infrastructure Fees up front before the rest of the project is completed. Then as new developers come on board a portion of the fees they then pay are reimbursed to the original developer.

Due to the CONTINUED »

Lt. Bob Friend
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Lt. Bob Friend was in attendance at the recent Wings Over Camarillo air show. At 95 years of age, Lt. Friend is one of few remaining Tuskegee-trained airmen.

Tuskegeeairmen.org explains: “Tuskegee Airmen" refers to the men and women, mostly African-Americans, who were involved in the so-called "Tuskegee Experience", the Army Air Corps program to train African Americans to fly and maintain combat aircraft. The Tuskegee Airmen included pilots, navigators, bombardiers, maintenance and support staff, instructors, and all the personnel who kept the planes in the air.”

The Tuskegee Airmen were initially equipped with P-40 Warhawks briefly with P-39 Aircobras (March 1944), later with P-47 Thunderbolts (June-July 1944), and finally with the airplane that they would become most identified with, the P-51 Mustang (July 1944).

During the war, the Tuskegee airmen painted their airplanes identifying colors to identify the four fighter squadrons of the segregated 332nd fighter group.

The colors representing the four fighter squadrons...

Red and yellow cowling represents the 302nd Fighter Squadron.

The A on the side represents the 99th Fighter Squadron.

Yellow banding on the wings represents the 301st Fighter Squadron.

Red fins on the wings represents the 100th Fighter Squadron.

The restored Red Tail P-51C Mustang is the most recognized of the Mustangs. The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Red Tail Squadron’s rare P-51C Mustang represents all of the personnel that are now known as Tuskegee Airmen: pilots, bombardiers, navigators, ground crews, mechanics, cooks, ambulance drivers, medical staff, administrative personnel, etc.

Chuck Aaron

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In any given aeronautical period, there's a pilot that performs extraordinary feats with his flying machine. Chuck Aaron is such a pilot. An aerobatic helicopter daredevil. As such, he's thrilled crowds with his incredible aeronautical maneuvers in the one-of-a-kind Red Bull chopper. No one else does backflips and 360 degree barrel rolls in a chopper. His signature 'Chuckcilvak' free fall is breath stopping.

Aaron is the first and only civilian pilot licensed to do what he does with a helicopter. He's also the first helicopter pilot to achieve the Art Scholl Showmanship award for outstanding air show performances. In 2011 Aaron was inducted to the Society of Experimental Test Pilots and in 2013 officially honored as a Living Legend in Aviation.

After 10 strenuous years of performing at air shows, Captain Chuck Aaron is retiring.

I had the opportunity to chat briefly with Aaron at the Camarillo airport prior to his recent Wings Over Camarillo air show performance.

Chuck, you're retiring, why?

Aaron began: “I've started doing this actually at this very air show back in 2005. I've done air shows all across the United States from Los Angeles, to Key West, New York, Chicago, Seattle, Hawaii twice and back to here. I usually do about 35 air shows a year which means I'm gone from home. So it's really about family. I love to fly, and I'll still always fly but I'm just going to stop the air show routine because it takes me away from home so much. Ten years of it is plenty... I think I've set a standard and set the bar up so the kids that see me will recognize, look he's thought outside the box and do what he does at air shows and I want them to at least also think outside of the box in anything they're doing. I don't care what it is. I don't care if they're cutting grass, or if they're engineers. I want them to think what can I do to change this world to make it a better environment to make it better for everyone else. And what I really want the kids to do is to change aviation and particularly change helicopters and make them so they're faster and more effective and more useful. So I just want to be an inspiration to kids to dream up ideas... they're the ones with the computer brains. I almost missed that whole part of life... I'm right in the middle of it at my age and I just hang onto what little computer work I know. My grandkids are here and they can whip through computers 10 times faster than me. I was born a little too early for the computer age but early enough to where I can do what I'm doing in aviation. But there's still a lot more to do and that's what I want. I want these smart kids to come up and do well and think outside of the box like I did and dream up new aviation opportunities.”

Do you know of anyone following in your footsteps, close to doing what you're doing, I asked?

No, but Sikorsky has a program where any child can come up with a better idea... an annual program where a kid can submit an idea... a drawing or an idea of some kind... of a new type of design. If they like your idea, they'll award a scholarship. After college, maybe bring them aboard the Sikorsky team. There are programs out there... we just need thinkers, we need doers, people thinking outside of the box.”

Who made the Red Bull helicopter that you fly, I asked?

“This aircraft was made by Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm.* I took it here to my hanger and did some secret modifications to it that I can't tell you about. All we did was make it a little more beefy, a little stronger, changed the center of gravity on it and some other little tricks so we could do air shows with it.
Has the industry learned anything from your work with this helicopter?

“I'm sure they have, of course,” Aaron said “Quadcopters have come out since then and I think that's where technology is going to go. I think, for an idea, is go with quadcopters. Try to make that scenario
of four blades inside a protective shroud like the drones. They could hover stable and fly really fast, super fast. That's where aviation is going... a mix of something between a helicopter which can only do 150 miles/hour maximum and a jet that can go 500-600 miles/hour. At some point, some time, a helicopter is going to get up to 500-600 miles/hour. It's going to get there. It's a matter of someone thinking about how am I going to get there, how can I make this happen. What do I have to engineer to make it work... to make it function. That's where the world is going. So the first person that does that is going to set the world on fire.”

Is Sikorsky the premier helicopter company? I asked.

“Them and Bell. I like both companies. Both companies are great... great American companies. Sikorsky is super innovative. They came out with the Sikorsky X2 which is a one of a kind prototype which has my rotor system on it, two of them, stacked on top of each other and counter-rotate. And they added a propeller that we call a pusher prop on the tail that pushes the aircraft. They don't have a tail rotor blade like I have to counter torque. The main rotor blades are used for liftoff and fly away like a helicopter and they add power to the pusher prop to push it faster. That type of idea, or something like it in the future is going to be the quadcopter type of effect. But they have that one (X2) doing 270 knots... almost 300 miles/hour. So we can go faster now by taking the next step. And that's how we have to do everything... step by step by step.”

Have they been analyzing your helicopter?

“Oh yeah they have,” was the immediate response, adding, “I've taken their test pilots up and showed them how it works.”

They must have gained a good deal of knowledge from your experience, I said.

“I'm sure they have but of course they won't be telling me about it”, said Aaron.

I have heard that it took an over abundance of courage to pull off the first back flip with the Red Bull chopper. So I asked.

“It's a long story but the short story of that is, after I got the aircraft certified by the FAA... at that time no one in the FAA has ever certified a helicopter to do aerobatics but I got it done. Then it came time for ME to get certified. Now that I've gone this far down the road, I had to teach myself to do a loop. I went out in the middle of nowhere and tried doing loops and couldn't do it. I'd chicken out. I tried it 50 times and every time I'd go up and maybe do one degree more and chicken out. You can't mess it up because if you do you die. Finally one day... it was the perfect clear day like today... I felt good so I went out and took it up and I was pulling up to go to my chicken point... it's been three months of doing this... and I said I'm finally going for it. I pulled it over and did the loop. I was so excited I did ten more in a row, right then, ten in a row because I didn't want to forget what I did and I wanted to remember how I did it. For me, it felt like I'd gone through the speed of sound.

That all happened in 2005 and Aaron has been thrilling air show crowds since.

His parting comments for future pilots: “Be careful. Practice. Think about what you're doing. Think about how to get out of something if you do something dumb. Make sure you have an escape plan. Always think things out... always talk it out with others, talk with your mentors, figure it all out before you jump off and do something. Don't do it on your own. Don't do it in a wild flash second, you have to plan it. That's what I did and I'm still alive to be here to tell you about it.”

If you missed the Wings Over Camarillo air show, the Miramar air show is the last best chance to see Chuck Aaron perform in the Red Bull helicopter. His rolls, flips, and 'Chuckcilvak' free fall are helicopter aerobatics to behold. You too will wonder... did I just see a helicopter do a back flip??? I often resort to pinching myself to be sure I really saw what I think I saw.

Aaron's remaining schedule is the Red Bull air race in Dallas, TX September 26-27. Then to the Miramar, CA air show October 2-4, and the last show is his half time performance at the Red Bull air race in Las Vegas NV on October 17-18.

Miramar air show info is at http://miramarair show.com/

*Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB) was a German aerospace manufacturer formed as the result of several mergers in the late 1960s. Among its best-known products was the MBB Bo 105 light twin helicopter. The company was bought by Daimler-Benz Aerospace AG in 1989, now part of EADS.

A Fillmore horse has tested positive for the West Nile virus. It has been six years since a horse has tested positive in Ventura County. The non-vaccinated horser tested positive on August 20, 2015. Birds continue to test positive for the virus, the latest in Ojai.

West Nile is spread by mosquitos and can infect humans. No human infections have been reported in Ventura
County. YTD: 108 Counties: 22 There were 25 new WNV human cases reported in California last week from the following counties: Butte (2), Colusa (1), Glenn (5), Los Angeles (2), Orange (3), Riverside (5), San Bernardino (2), San Diego (1), Santa Clara (1), Solano (1), and Yolo (2). These are the first WNV human cases from Colusa, San Diego, and Solano counties this year.

Two WNV-related fatalities have been reported in to CDPH from San Bernardino (1) and Nevada (1). 108 human cases from 22 counties have tested positive for WNV in 2015.

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Come on out to our next to last Flashback Fridays in Fillmore. Summer is winding down, so there will be only this one on September 18th, and possibly one more in October. (Depending on daylight and weather). Come see the beautiful classic cars that use to cruise up and down Central from years gone by. Last month our downtown restaurants were full, and our Vendors, BelAir Cafe, and Hot Dog stand sold out, so come out early and grab a bite to eat and take in the beautiful Cars, and our beautiful downtown scenery. No wonder Downtown Fillmore is in so many commercials.

Also on the same night of the 18th, Central Station will be showing the Fillmore High / Santa Paula High Football game. Streaming live on their big Flatscreens TV. (Game is in Santa Paula this year.) Game starts at 7:00pm. Flashes merchandise also available at the Alumni Table outside of Central Station.

F.H.S. Homecoming Parade 2015 will be taking place this year on Thursday evening September 24th at 6:30PM. Once the floats make it past Sespe Avenue coming from the High School, the Alumni Association will close the street down, and park the floats right on Central Ave between Sespe Street and Main Street that night along with the classic cars from Fillmore. The Alumni association invites all the communities of Fillmore, Bardsdale, and Piru to come look at the Floats and cars up close that evening on the 24th. We have Small town Americana like no other right here in Beautiful Downtown Fillmore, CA. Let's come out and enjoy it! GO FLASHES!!

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The Ventura County Sheriff's Office would like to remind residents of established locations throughout the county for persons seeking shelter from the heat. Updated lists are available at http://vcemergency.com/

City of Fillmore
Fillmore Senior Center
533 Santa Clara St, Fillmore
Monday - Friday: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm

City of Moorpark
Moorpark City Library
699 Moorpark Ave, Moorpark
Monday - Thursday: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Friday - Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Moorpark Active Adult Center
799 Moorpark Avenue, Moorpark
Monday - Friday: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

City of Ojai
Help of Ojai
111 W. Santa Ana Street, Ojai
Monday - Wednesday: 9:00 am – 4:30 PM (7:00 pm if needed)

City of Port Hueneme
Port Hueneme Community Center
550 Park Avenue, Port Hueneme
Monday-Friday: 08:30 AM – 05:00 PM (7:00 pm if needed)

City of Santa Paula
Santa Paula Community Center
531 W Main St, Santa Paula
Monday - Friday: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm

City of Simi Valley
Simi Valley Senior Center
3900 Avenida Simi, Simi Valley
Monday - Friday: 08:00 AM – 5:00 PM

City of Thousand Oaks
Thousand Oaks Alex Fiore Teen Center
1375 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks
Monday - Thursday: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Friday - Saturday: 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Sunday: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Thousand Oaks Goebel Adult Community Center
1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks
Monday - Thursday: 8:30 am – 9:00 pm
Friday: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday: 12 pm – 4:00 pm
Sunday: closed

Thousand Oaks Grant R. Brimhall Library
1401 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks
Monday - Thursday: 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
Friday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday: 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Thousand Oaks: The Oaks Mall
344 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks
Monday - Thursday: 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Sunday: 11:00 am – 7:00 pm

Newbury Park Branch Library
2331 Borchard Road, Newbury Park
Monday - Wednesday: 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Thursday - Friday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

The meeting began with recognition of Patriot Day and National Day of Service; and Remembrance by Education Services Director Stefan Cvijanovich.

The September 1, 2015 Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board Meeting began with two recognitions; the new teachers to the district by Assistant Superintendent Martha Hernandez and recognition of Patriot Day and National Day of Service; and Remembrance by Education Services Director Stefan Cvijanovich. During Information and Discussion, Fillmore Summer School Principal John Wilber gave a presentation on the success of this summer’s classes.

Wilber presented the Board the accomplishments of this year's summer school session. The 20 days (June 16-July 14) included a total of 575 students with classes available for students from preschool to high school. There were 75 Special Ed students, 45 math, 120 credit recovery, 58 Migrant Program, 85 English learner, 100 kindergarten and 92 STEM summer. The attendance was excellent with 143 high school students earning a combined 730 credits.

The nine Special Education classes included preschoolers to post-secondary students with ages ranging from 3 to 22 years. Wilber stated, "One of the neat things was the high school students helped out." Fillmore High School students served as peer tutors and received units of credits.

All four elementary schools participated in the two hour Summer Kinder Boot Camp. The goal, "To get them ready for the first day of school," Wilber told the Board. The two week program had eight teachers serving the 100 students.

The English Learner CONTINUED »

Five persons were indicted in May 2015 on grand theft and recycling fraud. The trial date for two of them, Belen Gonzales and Gonzalo Rodriguez, both of Piru, has been continued to November 23, 2015.

This week, James Gonzales pleaded no contest to the charges and was sentenced to 14 months in jail, 22 months of supervised release, and $1.3 million restitution. Mendoza pleaded no contest to the felony charges and was sentenced to 10 months in jail, three years probation, and $250,000 restitution to the state.

Suspect Adriana Rodriguez, 26 of Sylmar, remains at large.

In May the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) announced the indictments of the five Californians on grand theft and recycling fraud charges in Kern County. CalRecycle and the California Department of Justice’s Recycling Fraud Team conducted an investigation spanning nearly two years that revealed a complex scheme involving out-of-state used beverage containers, 24 Southern California recycling centers, and $14 million worth of fraudulent California Redemption Value claims.

In September 2013, after a referral from CalRecycle, DOJ Recycling Fraud Team investigators observed Rodriguez Recycling of Los Angeles County importing used beverage containers from Arizona. On April 16, 2014, DOJ Recycling Fraud Team agents traveled to Phoenix and witnessed a semi-truck being loaded with used beverage containers. The semi was followed to a dirt lot in Bakersfield, where the containers were off-loaded into a U-Haul truck and onto a 53-foot trailer. A man later identified as Mario Mendoza of Bakersfield then delivered two loads of containers to Sequoia Resources in Bakersfield. Mendoza was arrested. With assistance from CalRecycle, agents later learned the loads were claimed in the names of S&S Recycling, Ignacio Recycling, and Gonzalez Recycling, operated by James Gonzales of Bakersfield. CalRecycle held and denied payment for approximately $100,000 related to these claims.

Evidence obtained through search warrants showed Sequoia Resources loaned more than $20,000 a week to Gonzalez Recycling with the expectation that Gonzales would bring back enough material to cover the cost within three days. Agents also determined that between November 2013 and April 2014, the center fronted roughly $1 million to Gonzales for the redemption of CRV containers. The investigation ultimately determined that Gonzalo Rodriguez of Piru (Ventura County) organized the fraud scheme and relied on his family to either directly operate or form associations with approximately 18 recycling centers in Southern California. Those centers redeemed an estimated $14 million in fraudulent material from the summer of 2012 to the summer of 2014.

While the DOJ Recycling Fraud Team was investigating Rodriguez, CalRecycle conducted parallel administrative investigations and took actions on multiple recycling centers related to the criminal referral. As a result, CalRecycle terminated the program certifications of 20 recycling centers, four others voluntarily decertified from the program, and CalRecycle denied payment of $245,495 in handling fees.

On March 31, 2015, a Kern County Grand Jury indicted Gonzalo Rodriguez, James Gonzales, Mario Mendoza and family members Belen Gonzales of Piru and Adriana Rodriguez of Sylmar.

Source: calrecycle.ca.gov