Sep 11, 2023 | Alert, In the News, Misdemeanor Verdicts, Press Release, Uncategorized, Verdicts
Alameda County Receives $7 Million From Kaiser Settlement
Oakland, CA September 11, 2023 – Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Y. Price announced a historic agreement with Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan (together, “Kaiser”), resolving accusations that Kaiser improperly disposed of hazardous, medical, and universal wastes and patients’ private health information.
The agreement between Kaiser, the Alameda County District Attorney’s office, the California Attorney General’s office and five other county district attorneys will resolve the lawsuit brought against Kaiser, alleging violations of California’s Unfair Business Practices law and various consumer protections laws under the California Health & Safety Code, Civil Code, Code of Regulations, as well as the HIPPA law and related regulations.
The total value of the Stipulated Judgment is $49 million dollars, and includes statewide civil penalties totaling $37.5 million, costs of $4.8 million and credits for Supplemental Environmental Projects totaling $4.9 million. This is believed to be the largest judgment for illegal dumping of hazardous waste in California history.
Alameda County will receive $7.504 million in civil penalties, the largest share of the penalties and attorneys’ fees, equal only to that awarded to the California Attorney General’s office. Dating back to 2015, the Alameda County DA’s Office attorneys and investigators were central to the investigation and through those efforts helped achieve Kaiser’s ultimate compliance with the law and the Stipulated Judgment. The final settlement negotiations on behalf of Alameda County were conducted by the head of Alameda County’s Consumer Justice Bureau, Senior Assistant District Attorney Simona Farrise Best and Deputy District Attorney Carlos Guzman.
“This historic settlement marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to protect our environment and uphold the law. We are committed to ensuring that such violations do not occur again, and the funds allocated to our county will further strengthen our efforts” said Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price.
The funds are to be used to enforce and advance environmental protections within Alameda County. The Supplemental Environmental Projects funding, totaling $4.9 million, will assist in broader enforcement of environmental laws and protections throughout California.
Alameda County has been central to Kaiser’s operations since the 1940s. Both founded in Alameda County, Kaiser Foundation Hospitals (1948) and Kaiser Foundation Health Plan (1955) remain headquartered in Oakland, California to this day.
Crucially, today’s Stipulated Judgment also includes permanent injunctive provisions obligating Kaiser Permanente to continue to follow California laws regulating hazardous, medical and universal wastes and protecting patients’ private medical information.
“This settlement serves not only as a testament to the dedication of our office but to the collaborative efforts of our office, the California Department of Justice and our fellow District Attorneys,” added District Attorney Price. “It also highlights Kaiser’s commitment to improving its practices across its California facilities. The company has invested significantly in state-of-the-art procedures that exceed minimum compliance standards. We will be monitoring their compliance to protect the residents of Alameda County.”
Contact: Public Information Officer Patti Lee, patti.lee@acgov.org // 628-249-1288
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Nov 18, 2021
DA Senior Staff Pamela Y. Price, District Attorney Royl L. Roberts, Chief Assistant District Attorney Eric D. Lewis, Chief Inspector Cynthia Chandler, Senior Assistant District Attorney Simona Farrise Best, Senior Assistant District Attorney LEADERSHIP TEAM...
Oct 5, 2023 | Alert, In the News, Misdemeanor Verdicts, Press Release, Uncategorized, Verdicts
Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price Hosts Badge Ceremony For Promoted Inspectors
Oakland, CA. October 5, 2023 – Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price hosted a badge ceremony on Friday, September 29, 2023, for the seven District Attorney inspectors she recently promoted. DA Price and the Inspectors were joined by family, friend and well-wishers in a standing room only celebration.
“This is the most diverse class of inspectors ever promoted in the DA’s office,” said Alameda County DA Pamela Price. “These talented law enforcement professionals represent the diversity of Alameda County and our commitment to serve the entire community.”
District Attorney Inspectors James Morris, Simon Rhee, Sheralyn Padua and Tracie Lui were promoted to Inspector III, while Inspectors Kevin Wiley, Thomas Milner and Carl Bonner were promoted to Lieutenant of Inspectors. Their badges were presented to each of them by a family member or close friend.
In addition, the four (4) inspectors who worked tirelessly on the Kaiser illegal dumping case that resulted in a ground-breaking settlement of $49,000,000 with more than $7,000,000 awarded to the Alameda County District Attorney’s office for its environmental and consumer protection work – Inspectors Ted Chu, James Gordon, Frank Bonifacio and Mike Brown – received commendations for their work.
Lt. Thomas Milner received a commendation for his heroism in assisting a Walnut Creek police officer in a dangerous situation while off-duty in July 2023.
## Contact: Public Information Officer Patti Lee, patti.lee@acgov.org // 628-249-1288
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Oct 2, 2023 | Alert, In the News, Misdemeanor Verdicts, Press Release, Uncategorized, Verdicts
Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price Hosts Badge Ceremony For Promoted Inspectors
Oakland, CA. September 29, 2023 – Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price is hosting a badge ceremony on Friday, September 29, 2023 for the seven District Attorney inspectors she recently promoted. The Inspectors will receive their badges in a family-oriented celebratory ceremony at the District’s Attorney’s Oakport office.
“This is the most diverse class of inspectors ever promoted in the DA’s office,” said Alameda County DA Pamela Price. “They include multiple African-Americans, Asian-Americans and women, who represent the diversity of Alameda County and our desire to serve the entire community.”
The following inspectors will receive their promotional badges:
James Morris-Inspector III– Inspector III Morris began his law enforcement career with the Oakland Police Department in 1983, retiring as a Sergeant in 2011. Morris then worked for the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office and was named Senior Inspector of the Year in 2016. In 2017, Morris joined the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office. The 38-year veteran of law enforcement is assigned to the East County Hall of Justice.
Simon Rhee- Inspector III- Inspector III Rhee Began his law enforcement with the Oakland Police Department in 1999 after graduating from UC Davis. He worked in a variety of assignments before joining the District Attorney’s Office in 2011. The 23-year veteran of law enforcement supervises Public Assistance Investigations.
Sheralyn Padua- Inspector III– Inspector III Padua began her law enforcement career with the City of Berkeley in 2006. Padua worked in several investigative assignments before joining the District Attorney’s Office in 2016. The 17-year veteran of law enforcement is currently assigned to the Wiley Manuel Courthouse.
Tracie Lui- Inspector III– Inspector III Lui began her law enforcement career in the City of Berkeley in 2001 after graduating from UC Berkeley. Lui joined the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office in 2016. Lui brings 22 years of law enforcement experience to the team.
Carl Bonner- Lieutenant of Inspectors– Lieutenant Bonner began his service with the Oakland Police Department in 1985. He then worked at the San Francisco Police Department for 23 years before joining the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office in 2017. The 38-year veteran of law enforcement now serves as Lieutenant of Inspectors.
Thomas Milner- Lieutenant of Inspectors– Lieutenant Milner began his law enforcement career in 1985 in the City of Berkeley. He went on to work for the Sausalito Police Department and Newark Police Department where he retired as a Commander in 2012. The 38-year veteran of law enforcement has worked for the District Attorney’s Office since 2012 is currently assigned as the Special Operations Unit Lieutenant.
Kevin Wiley- Lieutenant of Inspectors– Lieutenant Wiley began his law enforcement career with the Oakland Police Department in 1986. After rising to the rank of Lieutenant and retiring in 2016, Wiley joined the District Attorney’s office. The 37-year veteran of law enforcement is assigned to the Consumer Justice Bureau.
In addition, DA Price will recognize four (4) inspectors who worked tirelessly on the Kaiser illegal dumping case that resulted in a ground-breaking settlement of $49,000,000 with more than $7,000,000 awarded to the Alameda County District Attorney’s office for its environmental and consumer protection work. Inspectors Ted Chu, James Gordon, Frank Bonifacio and Mike Brown will receive commendations for their work on the Kaiser case. Lt. Thomas Milner will be recognized for his heroism in assisting a Walnut Creek police officer in a dangerous situation while off-duty.
## Contact: Public Information Officer Patti Lee, patti.lee@acgov.org // 628-249-1288
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