Feb 28, 2012
$900K embezzlement alleged
2 arrested, 3rd sought in case involving tribe
February 27, 2012
EUREKA — Search warrants were served on three locations in Humboldt County on Thursday seeking individuals and evidence linked to an embezzlement case involving the Yurok Tribe and totaling more than $900,000, authorities said.
The Del Norte County District Attorney’s Office is leading the investigation.
Former Yurok Tribe Director of Forestry Roland Raymond is suspected of bilking more than $900,000 from the Yurok Tribe over nearly a three-year span with the aid of an environmental association and auto body shop based in Eureka, according to an affidavit compiled by District Attorney Investigator A.C. Field.
A majority of the money — $870,064 — is alleged to have been siphoned from the Yuroks’ coffers for spotted owl surveys that may not have been completed by Mad River Biologists, a consortium of scientists based in Eureka, the document states.
Raymond was terminated from employment last October, the document states.
“These are the three that have million-dollar warrants,” said Field on Thursday as he pointed to photos of Raymond and two biologists.
The two biologists were arrested Thursday, but Raymond is still being sought.
Field was briefing authorities from the Del Norte and Humboldt county DA offices, Eureka Police Department, Yurok Tribal Police and the California Automotive Bureau of Repair, who were seated around a large oval table in the law library of the Humboldt DA’s Office on Thursday around 9:15 a.m.
Ron LeValley, president of Mad River Biologists, and Sean McAllister, an associate biologist, were linked by Field to the alleged scheme during his five-month investigation. It started with the discovery of seven missing iPads by Yurok employee Forrest Gregg and led to 75 banking transactions between the Yurok Tribe and Mad River Biologists from February 2008 through December 2010, the document states.
“At first we caught (Raymond) doing a few things,” said Field, citing alleged gas thefts and missing iPads. “Then what ended up happening is Mad River Biologists came into play.”
The suspect checks averaged $11,600 for each spotted owl survey, the document states. Field interviewed Greg Blomstrom, who has worked in forestry for over 30 years and is familiar with Mad River Biologists, the document states.
Blomstrom said spotted owl calling usually occurs from February through July and described the costs for the owl spotting surveys as “unimaginable” based on his knowledge of the company’s staffing, the document states.
Raymond would forward invoices regarding the owl surveys to the same accounts payable clerk a majority of the time, the document states. Field found two types of invoices — one he identified to be legitimate and one that appeared falsified, the document states.
The suspected forged invoices had different formats and sequential numbers as opposed to the legitimate ones, which had varied numbers suggesting other Yurok work had been done, and had sparse information regarding the spottings, the document states.
In addition, a majority of the suspected false invoices have written requests to have a check for Raymond to retrieve the same day for hand delivery, the document states.
Acting Director of the Tribe Troy Fletcher made a request to Mad River Biologists to retrieve some of the suspected false invoices last November, but never received them after initially being told they would be faxed to him, the document states. Fletcher was told by LeValley to contact Raymond about them, the document states.
“We believe a lot of the cash went straight to Mr. Raymond,” said Field. “We don’t know why (the biologists) trusted him so much.”
“We don’t know where he is spending this money at this point,” said Field to the 13 officers in the room.
“We’re going to try to make this a simultaneous execution,” said Field of the warrants as he stood in front of a white board listing the locations of Raymond’s house, Mad River Biologists headquarters and Wonder Bros. Auto Body.
A list of officers and investigators were assigned to each location with the most heavily assigned being Raymond’s house.
“This is the location that gives us worry,” said Field.
About six officers arrived at Raymond’s house, 2257 Hillcrest Ave in Eureka, at around 10:50 a.m.
Nobody answered the door when officers knocked. They used a 20-pound battering ram to bust it open.
Raymond’s son was found inside. He left shortly thereafter.
There was a late model white Chevrolet Tahoe and Dodge Ram truck parked near the house. The vehicles were bought in the same month, Field mentioned during the briefing.
Raymond wasn’t home.
Authorities shot photographs and collected evidence there for several hours.
Authorities did make an arrest when they served a warrant at Mad River Biologists, 417 2nd St. McAllister, 45, was found and arrested on suspicion of embezzlement and burglary.
Several computers were taken from the business on the second floor of the building overlooking the retail shops and restaurants in the Old Town section of Eureka.
At the third location, Wonder Bros, a search warrant was served seeking evidence of Raymond’s alleged falsification of Yurok vehicle repair invoices to perform work on his personal vehicles, the document states.
Authorities suspect at least $5,000 worth of work was performed on Raymonds’ vehicles and possibly as much as $60,000 since 2004, the document states.
LeValley, 65, was eventually contacted and convinced by District Attorney Jon Alexander around 4:30 p.m. to drive up to Del Norte County from Mendocino and turn himself over to authorities. He was booked into the county jail on suspicion of embezzlement, burglary and conspiracy. Bail for both LeValley and McAllister was set at $1 million.
“We are very invested in this case,” said Alexander. “Any form of embezzlement involves a breach of trust that is particularly offensive in the arena of theft. The fact that the documentary evidence in this case involves not only a staggering amount of tribal funds, but used as its chief vehicle a program central to the Yurok culture — the preservation of tribal lands and the sacred creatures that inhabit those lands — is particularly reprehensible.”
|
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, any copyrighted
material herein is distributed without profit or payment to those who have
expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit
research and educational purposes only. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml
This information and much more that you need to know about the ESA,
the Klamath River Basin, and private property rights can be found at The
Klamath Bucket Brigade’s web site – http://klamathbucketbrigade.org/index.html –
please visit today.
Feb 28, 2012
NOAA issues Klamath dam coho conservation permit; PacifiCorp to pay $510,000 annually for projects
Donna Tam
The Times-Standard
February 28, 2012
PacifiCorp says its ongoing conservation efforts reflect the energy company’s dedication to the Klamath dams removal project. The recent approval of its coho salmon habitation conservation plan may highlight these efforts.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service issued an incidental take permit Friday, putting into place a conservation strategy that will be in effect until the dams are removed. Coho salmon are protected under the federal Endangered Species Act, and the permit regulates any potential harm to coho with habitat conversation measures.
Irma Lagomarsino, NOAA fisheries service supervisor for Northern California, said measures include projects that improve the complexity of the coho habitat by adding woody debris to streams to improve their survival rates in swift-moving waters.
PacifiCorp spokesman Bob Gravely said Monday that the plan does not directly relate to the dam removal but allows the company to have a permanent plan in place. The plan was an interim measure required by the Klamath dams removal agreements, which were agreed upon by multiple parties in 2008.
”This is great news for us,” Gravely said. “It settles this issue for the interim period.”
Lagomarsino said the permit is for 10 years, but if the dams come down, the permit would be moot. The plan was developed over the last two years and has been subject to environmental review and public comment through the fisheries service, according to NOAA.
”We’re really excited that PacifiCorp is providing species conservation for the coho in the Klamath,” Lagomarsino said Monday. “A lot of hard work went into working with them, and we applaud them for stepping up and doing this.”
Under the terms of the permit, PacifiCorp will work with the fisheries service, the California Department of Fish and Game and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to identify, select, and implement conservation projects. PacifiCorp will contribute $510,000 annually to fund projects to enhance coho conservation in the Klamath River below Iron Gate dam — the lowest dam on the river.
According to NOAA, the company has already contributed $2.5 million in funding to benefit the coho since 2009.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, any copyrighted
material herein is distributed without profit or payment to those who have
expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit
research and educational purposes only. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml
This information and much more that you need to know about the ESA,
the Klamath River Basin, and private property rights can be found at The
Klamath Bucket Brigade’s web site – http://klamathbucketbrigade.org/index.html –
please visit today.
Feb 28, 2012
Salazar to put Klamath determination on hold
By Tim Hearden
Capital Press
February 27, 2012
YREKA, Calif. — U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said today there would not be a determination by March 31 on the feasibility of removing four dams from the Klamath River as he had hoped.
He blamed Congress’ lack of movement on a bill that would authorize the determination, which would either signal the go-ahead for the dams’ removal or require PacifiCorp to continue its application for a new hydropower license for the dams.
The department is continuing to obtain peer review of an “overview report” on draft environmental documents and scientific studies it issued in September, which assert the dams’ removal would create thousands of jobs in the Klamath Basin without directly affecting agricultural water supplies.
In response to Salazar’s statement, the Klamath Water Users Association today called for a detailed congressional hearing on the environmental documents. Executive director Greg Addington said enough flexibility was built into the agreements to accommodate a delay in the secretarial determination yet keep the timeline for important activities on track.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, any copyrighted
material herein is distributed without profit or payment to those who have
expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit
research and educational purposes only. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml
This information and much more that you need to know about the ESA,
the Klamath River Basin, and private property rights can be found at The
Klamath Bucket Brigade’s web site – http://klamathbucketbrigade.org/index.html –
please visit today.
Feb 27, 2012
Trademark America’s President, Staci Grant on Feb. 27, announced that Siskiyou County California Supervisors have been told by Secretary of Interior Salazar that he will delay indefinitely any decision about whether to allow the process for destruction of Klamath River dams to continue.
Salazar must announce this decision to delay, because U.S. Congress must grant authorization for action on the Klamath River. He was expected to make a decision before March 31, 2012. This definitely puts a crack in the armor of the KBRA, Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement, which decrees the four well-maintained, functioning hydro-electric dams are destroyed.
In a ballot initiative in Nov. 2010, more than 79 percent of the county citizens voted the dams should be saved and continue providing electricity. Siskiyou County was left out of the KBRA secretly-held meetings and the county was not allowed to be a stakeholder, even though three of the four dams are located in Siskiyou County.
Siskiyou County Supervisors Jim Cook and Michael Kopseff are in Washington, D.C. to advise Congress and staff of the severe economic losses that would result from destruction of the dams.
Grass roots groups, especially Siskiyou Co. Water Users Assoc., and the County of Siskiyou has insisted for months that the Department of Interior has violated federal law requiring that the Department coordinate the dam removal decision with the County, and seek consistency with County ordinances and policies that do not support dam destruction.
According to Supervisor Cook, “we were told that the Secretary is going to announce today that he will delay any decision on destruction of the dams until Congress grants him authority to take such action on the Klamath River.”
This is a huge eye-opening for those who believe the dams will come out, no matter what.
Supervisor Kobseff said, “the commitment was made that the Secretary will comply with all our County ordinances and policies and will follow all federal laws and guidelines. It was clear to us that there will be compliance with the coordination requirements in federal law.”
Adding to the pressure has been COPCO Volunteer Fire District and Sheriff Jon Lopey, working with the Siskiyou Water Users, which has held four coordination meetings with the Dept. of Interior, other federal agencies and Calif. Dept. of Fish and Game demanding consistency with local district and county policy regarding dam removal.
Finally, the federal governments are acknowledging that coordination is a process they must legally follow.
Supervisor Cook advised Congressional staff that destruction of the dams would eliminate “clean energy produced by hydroelectric generation that powers all of Siskiyou County.”
The County Supervisors have been assisted in their efforts to seek compliance with the coordination requirements of federal law by Trademark America’s Staci Grant, Jon Grant and attorney Fred Kelly Grant.
Staci Grant was present during Feb. 27th’s critical meeting. She said, “the Foundation’s Board cannot be happier that we have been able to work with the County Supervisors and County Counsel Tom Guarino in seeking such decision. It justifies all the work that so many people have put in around the nation to emphasize the importance of local government in the federal system.”
The two supervisors will hold more meetings with key members of Congress urging action to deny the Secretary the authority to allow destruction of the dams. And urge forest initiatives that will make the national forest lands in the County more economically productive, more wildlife friendly, and healthier.
Feb 27, 2012
Agriculture,
Agriculture - California,
California water,
Endangered Species Act,
Federal gov & land grabs,
KBRA or KHSA,
Klamath River & Dams,
Oregon governments,
Over-regulations,
Property rights,
Salmon and fish,
Siskiyou County,
Threats to agriculture,
Tribes
PNP comment: The three items starting in red have not occurred, so dam removal can not happen. California has no funds to support foolish dam removal of well-functioning hydro-electric dams. THEN the paragraph further below, in blue, is nothing but lies. I guess Salazar believes if you tell a lie long enough, pretty soon everyone will believe it.
Well the majority in Siskiyou County will not be deceived.
Salmon runs will be destroyed by dam destruction. AND jobs !!! The local economy of agriculture will collapse if the dams are removed. Local jobs will be lost. Anyone working on dam removal will be brought in by a huge world-wide company that obtains the contract and has the funds to put up the financial bonds. Salazar does not speak the truth. — Editor Liz Bowen
The following press release was issued today by the Dept. of the Interior:
Salazar Praises Work of Klamath Agreements Parties
News Release
02/27/2012
Contact: Adam Fetcher (DOI) 202 208-6416
SAN FRANCISCO – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today thanked the many parties to the Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement (KHSA) and the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement (KBRA) for their continued support of the Agreements and their work with the Department as it completed numerous peer-reviewed scientific and technical studies and an environmental analysis during the past year to inform a pending Secretarial Determination on whether removal of four dams on the Klamath River is in the public interest and will advance the restoration of salmon and steelhead fisheries in the Klamath Basin.
Because Congress has not enacted legislation necessary to authorize a Secretarial Determination under the terms of the KHSA, there will not be a decision by March 31, 2012 on potential removal of the dams. In light of this, the Secretary’s Chief of Staff Laura Davis, Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Mike Connor and Special Advisor to the Chief of Staff John Bezdek consulted with several of the parties to the Agreements on next steps.
“The Department of the Interior, working with our partners at NOAA and the U.S. Forest Service, has upheld our commitments in these agreements that are so important to strengthening the health and prosperity of those that depend on the Klamath River for their way of life,” said Secretary Salazar. “I am proud of the work of our team of experts who have completed more than 50 new studies and reports that are providing significant new information on the potential effects of Klamath River dam removal as part of a transparent, science-based process.”
Two years ago, Secretary Salazar, Under Secretary of Commerce Dr. Jane Lubchenco, Klamath Basin farmers, fishermen, conservation groups, American Indian tribes, the governors of Oregon and California, and the CEO of PacifiCorp – the owner of four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River – announced the completion of the KBRA and the KHSA. The signing of these documents marked the beginning of a period of analysis of potential dam removal and the need to work with Congress to authorize a Secretarial Determination. At the time of the signing, Secretary Salazar hailed the importance of this comprehensive, locally-driven solution to one of the nation’s most bitter and longest running water disputes.
Under the terms of the KHSA, the Secretary agreed to use “best efforts” to make a decision by March 31, 2012; however, Congressional action is required to pass legislation authorizing the Secretary to make a Secretarial Determination, which will result in either the removal of the dams eight years from now, or require PacifiCorp to continue its application for a new hydropower license for the dams.
The KHSA stipulates that three key conditions must first be met before a Secretarial Determination can be made:
-
The Interior Department must conduct additional studies in order to provide a clear and accurate description of the costs, benefits, and liabilities associated with dam removal (expected to be released in final form this spring);
-
Oregon and California must identify a source for financing their share of the dam removal costs (Oregon has done so, and it is expected that California will confirm details of its share very soon); and
-
Congress must authorize a Secretarial Determination (legislation was introduced last November, but there has been no further action).
A Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) was published late last year describing the potential environmental effects of dam removal and the KBRA. The Draft EIS/EIR evaluated several different alternatives including two options for leaving the dams in place. Scores of meetings and briefings with the public, stakeholders, tribes and local governments have been held throughout the Klamath Basin and beyond to gather input and seek feedback from the communities that will be most affected by the Secretarial Determination. More than 3,200 comments on the Draft EIS/EIR were received during the public comment process.
In addition, the studies released in September 2011 were peer-reviewed by independent experts and have been summarized into a single draft “overview report” that is currently undergoing an additional peer review.
“The reports tell us that removal of the dams has the potential to support thousands of additional jobs in the Klamath Basin, including new fishing and recreational opportunities, while providing increased water delivery certainty to Basin farmers and wildlife refuges and would increase the harvest opportunity for salmon and steelhead in the river,” added Salazar. “We will continue our collaboration with states, tribes and local communities to finalize the scientific studies and environmental analysis, and we will continue to work with Congress on legislation that would authorize a decision to be made.”
Although a Secretarial Determination will not be made by March 31, the final studies and environmental analysis will be released this spring.
###
Matthew D Baun
Public Affairs Specialist
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Yreka, CA
(530) 842-5763 – tel
(530) 842-4517 – fax
Feb 27, 2012
Yreka Tea Party Patriots:
Meeting on Tuesday, February 28th 6:30PM
Decision Life Church
1301 South Main St. Yreka
Program: Open Microphone. Let’s talk and discus issues.
Public Welcome
Call Louise for more information 530-842-5443
Contact
Subscribe
No Comments 