County Safe Drug Disposal Ordinance Making Headlines
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L-R: Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan, Alameda County DA Nancy O'Malley, Alameda County Counsel Donna Ziegler, and Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley.
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The final hurdle facing the Alameda County Safe Drug Disposal Ordinance was recently overcome when the United States Supreme Court refusing to hear the challenge brought by the pharmaceutical industry against the county. The ordinance, passed in 2012, requires drug manufacturers to take ownership of the disposal costs of unused medicines in Alameda County.
DA Nancy O'Malley cited the growing problem of prescription medication abuse, in the county and beyond, as a factor in establishing the ordinance.
"Prescription drug abuse is a significant public safety and public health concern. Studies show that the majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from the home medicine cabinet of family and friends, and Alameda County's ordinance marks a milestone in the battle against the unsafe storage and disposal of prescription drugs.
"The safe disposal of both over-the-counter and prescription medication is vital to prevent the misuse of these substances, and to end the harmful environmental impacts of disposing of them in landfills or through our water system," DA O'Malley said. Read more...
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DA's Office contributes to campus sexual assault MOU |
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Attorney General Kamala Harris speaking at the press conference, flanked by supporting contributors to the MOU, including two representatives from our Office [ Source] |
The Alameda County District Attorney's Office partnered with California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris, University of California Office of the President, and numerous others to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) addressing the issue of sexual assault on campus. The MOU includes a How-To Guide and Template MOU for higher educational institutions and law enforcement agencies to improve their coordination, collaboration and transparency in response to cases of campus sexual assault. Alameda County District Attorney Nancy E. O'Malley, a national leader in the prosecution of sexual assault, said, "The work we have undertaken will forever impact the way California's universities and colleges address sexual assaults on campus. "Sexual assault victim-survivors will be assured that their voices are heard, that the crime will be investigated, and that they will receive the medical attention vital to their physical and psychological well-being. Also of great importance, campus personnel and law enforcement will now have clear guidance as to how to proceed when a victim reports a sexual assault," she said. Read more... |
DA O'Malley Announces $11.5M Settlement with ConocoPhillips and Phillips66
Alameda County District Attorney Nancy E. O'Malley announced an $11.5 million settlement with Phillips 66 and ConocoPhillips on May 7, 2015. The settlement resolves law enforcement allegations that the companies violated state laws governing the proper operation and maintenance of underground storage tanks used to store gasoline at retail gas stations. The companies failed to comply with hazardous materials and hazardous waste laws at over 560 gasoline stations owned or operated by the companies in the state of California.
"My office is committed to protecting the environment and the public from potential exposure to hazardous materials," says District Attorney O'Malley. "When corporations place our valuable water resources in jeopardy by failing to comply with environmental laws and regulations, they must be held accountable. The settlement today achieves this important goal." Read more...
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Randy Alana Found Guilty of First Degree Murder
On May 20, 2015, Alameda County District Attorney Nancy E. O'Malley announced that a jury found defendant Randy Alana, age 58, guilty of first degree murder for the killing of Sandra Coke. He was also convicted of second degree robbery, unlawful taking of a vehicle, and two counts of grand theft.
The trial, in which 84 witnesses were called to testify, lasted in excess of two months. The jury took less than three hours to reach the verdict of guilty on all five counts.
"Randy Alana brutally murdered Sandra Coke, and with today's verdict her friends and family as well as the community know that justice has been served," said DA O'Malley. "We sincerely hope that after today's guilty verdict Ms. Coke's family will be able to begin the long process of healing."
Deputy District Attorney Colleen McMahon prosecuted the case with assistance from DA Inspector Jad Jadallah and Victim-Witness Advocate Kelli Sage.
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June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month
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Representatives from the Alameda County District Attorney's Office and Adult Protective Services receive the Proclamation from Supervisor Wilma Chan.
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June 2015 is recognized as Elder Abuse Awareness month. The DA's Office has worked with all 14 incorporated cities in Alameda County to issue proclamations in support of this good cause. Serving our elder and dependent adult population is important to us at the DA's Office, as this group are some of our most vulnerable citizens.
"Elder abuse encapsulates more than just physical abuse and neglect of our elder and dependent adult population. We are seeing more and more cases of elders being targeted for their financial resources by scammers and those they know. Our Elder Abuse Unit at the Alameda County Family Justice Center stands up for these victims, and holds the abusers of our elders accountable," Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley said.
Read more about how the DA's Office helps the victims of elder and dependent adult abuse.
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DA's Office Successfully Resolves Homeowner Bill of Rights Case In one of the first cases of active enforcement of the Homeowner Bill of Rights by a law enforcement agency, the Alameda County District Attorney's Office has successfully obtained an injunction against Central Mortgage for engaging in business practices that contravene these rights. Read more about the case...District Attorney Nancy O'Malley applauded the settlement with Central Mortgage, saying it has ushered in a new era in protecting homeowners from foreclosure. "While multi-million dollar settlements make splashier headlines, many of those large settlements occur only after hundreds of homeowners have lost their homes or been irreparably harmed," said DA O'Malley. "Our office is committed to protecting homeowners as early as possible. In this case, one homeowner complaint was all we needed in order to investigate this case and ask Central Mortgage to comply with the law." |
DA O'Malley Honored at #FreedomSummit2015 Anti-Human Trafficking Conference |
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US Congressman Mike Honda, Alameda County DA Nancy O'Malley and BAATC Executive Director Betty Ann Boeving
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On May 8, a team from the Office's H.E.A.T. Watch Unit attended the 2015 Freedom Summit, a one-day event that united law enforcement, service providers and the community to stand against human trafficking in the Bay Area. Big sporting events, such as the Super Bowl, are epicenters for human exploitation and trafficking -- not simply sex trafficking, but also labor trafficking. The event was held at Levi's Stadium to highlight the forthcoming Super Bowl in February 2016, and to raise local awareness of the issue of human trafficking. Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley was honored by the organizers of the event with the Freedom Award for her work fighting human trafficking in our community for over twenty years. Find out more about how the DA's Office fights human trafficking in Alameda County, the Bay Area and beyond, visit our H.E.A.T. Watch website. |
H.E.A.T. Watch Initiatives Receive Prestigious Award
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L-R: Executive Director of CSAC Matt Cate, Assistant District Attorney Ken Ryken, Alameda County Supervisor and 2015 CSAC Executive Board Member Keith Carson, and Alameda County President of the Board of Supervisors Scott Heggarty.
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On May 5, 2015, the District Attorney's Office was presented with the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) Merit Award for our the innovative and effective community initiatives of H.E.A.T. (Human Exploitation And Trafficking) Watch. Our H.E.A.T. Watch Community Initiatives serve to engage and educate the public, as well as reach those victims currently being trafficked. The initiatives included our successful 2014 and 2015 billboard campaigns, engagement and discussion with the community on social media about the issues surrounding human trafficking, the successful passage of Senate Bill 1193, and the accompanying web application to track signage compliance.
Matt Cate, Executive Director of CSAC, made the journey from Sacramento to present the prestigious award to Alameda County Assistant District Attorney Ken Ryken. Read more...
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DA's Office Recognized for 50-Year Partnership with CalVCP
 In late April, the California Victim Compensation Program (CalVCP) acknowledged the Alameda County District Attorney's Office commitment and dedication to serving victims of crime, and also recognized the Office's 50 year partnership with CalVCP.
DA Nancy O'Malley was pleased to accept this award on behalf of the Office.
"What drives the employees of our office, both past and present, is to serve victims of crime and ensure justice is administered. It's wonderful to be acknowledged by CalVCP for our steadfast commitment to victims of crime and we look forward to collaborating for at least another 50 years to ensure victims of crime in Alameda County can access the services they require," said DA O'Malley. |
People v Janet Lynn Holmberg
On May 12, 2015, a jury convicted Janet Lynn Holmberg of one count of felony reckless driving with serious injury including an enhancement for causing great bodily injury, as well as misdemeanor hit-and-run.
At about 6:30pm on July 5, 2013, defendant Janet Lynn Holmberg was driving her SUV westbound on Hampton Road in Hayward. She ran up over the curb and onto the sidewalk, hit a 'no parking' sign, then briefly stopped. Read more...
Defendant Janet Lynn Holmberg is due to be sentenced on June 26, 2015. The case was prosecuted by DDA Matt Gaidos with assistance from Victim-Witness Advocate Nadia Bueno.
People v Dominic Daniel
On April 29, 2015, a jury found defendant Dominic Daniel guilty of the second degree murder of his 33-year-old girlfriend, Tsega Tsegay.
In the early morning hours of July 31, 2012, defendant Dominic Daniel and his girlfriend of four years, victim Tsega Tsegay, were drinking alcohol by Lake Merritt. Defendant Daniel had a history of domestic violence against the victim and had just recently been released from custody for a prior assault against her. Read more...
Defendant Dominic Daniel will be sentenced on June 29, 2015. The case was prosecuted by DDA Laura Passaglia with assistance from Inspector Andrea Moreland and Victim-Witness Advocate Kelli Sage.
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If you would like to see a particular question answered in our next newsletter, please email us at info@alcoda.org.
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