Ex-LA utility head admits taking bribes in billing scandal
LOS ANGELES — (AP) — The former head of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power — the nation’s largest public utility — has agreed to plead guilty to taking bribes in a corruption scandal that grew out of an automated billing disaster that stuck ratepayers with exorbitant bills, federal prosecutors said Monday. The statement from federal prosecutors said he signed the plea agreement last month before prosecutors announced charges against the lawyer, Paul Paradis, whose company received the no-bid contract. He had been hired by the city attorney's office in the billing disaster that left hundreds of thousands of utility customers with excessively high bills. Prosecutors said Wright instructed Paradis, after he began covertly cooperating with the FBI, to destroy incriminating emails and text messages, the statement from prosecutors said. In 2019, Wright urged the water and power department board to award a new $10 million cybersecurity contract to another Paradis company, the statement said.
wftv.comRifle-toting demonstrator shows up outside courthouse where jurors are deliberating Kyle Rittenhouse's fate, as hundreds of National Guard troops stand by for a verdict
Rittenhouse is charged with fatally shooting two men and injuring a third during a protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in August 2020.
news.yahoo.comFrancisco Lindor all smiles after trade from Indians to Mets
In this screen grab taken from video, Major League baseball player Francisco Lindor answers questions during a virtual press conference introducing him as the New York Mets new shortstop, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, in New York. (New York Mets via AP)NEW YORK – Francisco Lindor smiled widely for a full 40 minutes, enthralled to join a New York Mets team bulking up under new owner Steven Cohen. I’m not against it,” Lindor said in a news conference from Florida, wearing his new team’s royal blue cap. But the Indians did not think they could afford a multiyear contract with the 27-year-old, so they chose to make the trade. If Lindor agrees to a long-term deal, it likely would become the largest in Mets' history, surpassing the $138 million, eight-year agreement of captain David Wright that covered 2013-20.
Harper's 2 HRs help Phils top Nats 12-3, eliminate champs
Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper, left, celebrates his home run with third base coach Dusty Wathan during the sixth inning of the team's baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Washington. With Harper leading the way, and homers from Andrew McCutchen, Didi Gregorius and Andrew Knapp, too, the Phillies beat the Nationals 12-3 Wednesday night. “We’re at the part of the season where I need to be on the field," Harper said. TRAINER’S ROOMPhillies: 1B Rhys Hoskins (left elbow) is unlikely to be activated off the injured list before the regular season ends, Girardi said. UP NEXTPhillies: Off on Thursday, then finish the regular season with a three-game series at Tampa Bay that opens Friday.
Terror suspects were plotting attacks, say Boston officials
Hours after terror suspect Usaama Rahim was killed by Boston officers on Tuesday, authorities arrested David Wright. Investigators believe Wright and Rahim had been plotting to attack law enforcement. CBS News correspondent Jeff Pegues reports.
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