CALIFORNIA BRIEFS: Owner of Santee trucking company charged in $2 million credit card scheme

SAN DIEGO

Owner of Santee trucking company charged in $2 million credit card scheme

Hasan Korkmaz, 44, of Las Vegas, the owner and operator of San Diego Logistics Group Inc., a Santee trucking company, was arraigned in federal court today on an 18-count indictment charging him with bank fraud, money laundering and aggravated identity theft.

According to the indictment, in 2022 and 2023, Korkmaz executed a credit card "bust-out" scheme - where fraudsters establish seemingly legitimate credit card accounts and then "bust out" by maxing out the credit line with no intention of paying the balance.

The indictment alleges that Korkmaz obtained names, dates of birth, social security numbers and other personally identifiable information corresponding with real individuals. Korkmaz then applied for numerous credit card accounts with that information. After opening the fraudulent credit card accounts, Korkmaz allegedly used the credit cards to incur charges at various businesses, including Korkmaz's San Diego Logistics Group Inc. The charges were in the thousands of dollars each, including some charges as high as $18,500 in a single transaction.

To perpetuate the scheme, Korkmaz also made fraudulent payments, with checks drawn on accounts with insufficient funds or drawn on non-existent accounts, to the credit card accounts, thereby temporarily restoring the available credit limits, the indictment said. Korkmaz would then incur additional charges on the credit card accounts at or near the maximum credit limits for the accounts.

As alleged in the indictment, Korkmaz laundered the bank fraud proceeds, including by transferring proceeds from the fraud scheme to a Turkish bank account controlled by Korkmaz. In total, Korkmaz caused over $2,103,000 in losses to two banks.

SACRAMENTO

Senator applauds U.S. Transportation Secretary's federal spending on California's High-Speed Rail project cut

Senator Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) commended U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy for taking decisive action to hold the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) accountable by issuing a notice to terminate its federal funding agreements. The decision follows a scathing 310-page Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) report detailing the California High-Speed Rail Project's persistent failures, including missed deadlines, inflated ridership projections, and a staggering $7 billion funding gap.

"For years, I've called for ending California's high-speed rail to nowhere, and the DOT's 310-page report delivered by Secretary Duffy slams its delays, mismanagement, and billions in wasted federal funds," said Senator Shannon Grove. "Let's redirect these taxpayer funds to real infrastructure, not this disaster that won't be completed before our grandkids retire."

LOS ANGELES

ACLU: Settlement Protects Against Re-Detention at Adelanto by ICE

Individuals detained at Adelanto ICE Processing Center during a three-year period from 2020 to 2023 and who were ordered released by a U.S. district court are protected for one year against re-detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to a settlement approved by a district court judge on Wednesday.

Individuals detained at Adelanto between March 23, 2020 and May 11, 2023 and who were released by the district court, qualify as class members in Hernandez Roman v. Wolf and have certain protections against re-detention by ICE. People released on bond by an immigration judge are not protected against re-detention.

"We witnessed a natural experiment in what happens when you free people from immigration detention while their case is being adjudicated. People are free to be with their families, health outcomes are better, and people show up to court and abide by their release conditions," said Eva Bitrán, director of immigrants' rights at the ACLU Foundation of Southern California. "Ultimately, GEO's profiteering from human suffering in continuing to operate Adelanto is untenable. We urge ICE to shut down the facility and encourage cities like Adelanto to divest from immigrant detention."

The case began in 2020, after conditions in Adelanto, used by ICE to imprison up to 1,900 people, made it impossible to keep people safe from COVID-19. The ACLU SoCal filed a class-action lawsuit in 2020 to demand a drastic reduction in the number of people detained at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center during the pandemic. As a result of the suit, the entire facility of Adelanto housed just three individuals at the end of 2024, down from a daily average population of 1,200 people.

GEO Group operates Adelanto, which has been found by numerous state and federal oversight agencies to have "serious deficiencies in physical and mental healthcare" for the people entrusted to its custody.

According to the settlement, ICE can only re-detain class members in the following circumstances:

An individual violated a material condition of their release, like failing to show up for court or violating the terms of their probation or parole; orAn individual was arrested for criminal conduct that threatens public safety following their release from ICE custody and ONLY if the criminal conduct would have made the person an enforcement priority under the Biden administration; orAn individual had a particularly serious conviction before their release from ICE custody, and ICE received headquarters approval to re-detain them.

SACRAMENTO

Doctor agrees to pay $125,000 for Controlled Substances Act Violations at Sutter Imaging Capitol Pavilion

Philip Yen, M.D., has agreed to pay the United States $125,000 to resolve allegations that he failed to comply with federal statutory requirements related to his role as the Drug Enforcement Administration registrant at Sutter Imaging Capitol Pavilion, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced on Wednesday.

Dr. Yen is a radiologist employed by Sutter Medical Group. From 2018 to 2024, he was the DEA registrant at Capitol Pavilion, which is located at 2725 Capitol Avenue, next to Sutter Medical Center, in Sacramento. As the registrant, Dr. Yen was required by the Controlled Substances Act to keep detailed records related to Capitol Pavilion's receipt and dispensing of controlled substances to ensure that controlled substances, including opioids and other addictive and dangerous drugs were maintained, recorded, and documented properly in order to prevent their diversion.

An inspection conducted in 2022 of controlled substance records at Capitol Pavilion identified multiple recordkeeping violations at the facility. Other evidence developed that Dr. Yen was not adequately trained regarding the role and responsibilities of a DEA registrant and that Sutter staff was aware of the risk of diversion of controlled substances from Capitol Pavilion.

In addition to paying civil monetary penalties, Dr. Yen has agreed to complete comprehensive training on his obligations under the CSA as a registrant, including recordkeeping requirements and effective controls against theft and diversion.

"Healthcare facilities and their employees are entrusted to handle dangerous drugs with care," said Acting US Attorney Beckwith. "Compliance with the CSA and its recordkeeping requirements is critical to preventing diversion and protecting the public."

"Controlled substance recordkeeping requirements are an essential line of defense against prescription drug diversion. Every dose must be accounted for to prevent misuse and save lives," said DEA Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris. "The DEA will continue to pursue healthcare providers who are not in compliance with mandatory regulations."

WASHINGTON

Senators blast Trump administration's plan to gut California High-Speed Rail funding

U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.) released a joint statement on Wednesday after Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy announced his plan to terminate billions of dollars of previously allocated federal funding to the California High-Speed Rail Project.

"In Donald Trump's corrupt world, there's no need for high-speed rail when you can accept a $400 million jet from a foreign government. But for the millions of Californians left to pick up the tab for Trump's reckless trade wars and rising costs of living, today's announcement is devastating.

"High-speed rail is the future of transportation — with the potential to bring customers to new businesses, businesses to new employees, and to connect communities hundreds of miles away with affordable and faster transit. The fact is that the California High-Speed Rail Project is already the most audited public works project in the country. Rather than advance the progress being made in the Central Valley, Secretary Duffy has used a review process to appease President Trump and punish Californians who didn't vote for him. We'll keep fighting every partisan, self-defeating policy of this Administration as we build infrastructure fit for the 21st century."

Last year, Senators Padilla and Schiff and their California Congressional colleagues urged former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg to approve the California High-Speed Rail Authority's grant application for $536 million in federal funds. Padilla previously supported the Department of Transportation's announcement of $3.1 billion for the California High-Speed Rail Authority, as well as over $200 million for the agency from the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Grant Program. Padilla and the late Senator Dianne Feinstein previously announced $25 million for the Authority's Merced Extension Design Project through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program.

SACRAMENTO

California Citizens against Lawsuit Abuse thank state senator for passing SB 84

California Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA) applauds the California State Senate for voting to approve Senate Bill 84, a long-overdue and balanced reform measure that will bring much-needed relief to small businesses and community nonprofits while continuing to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities.

SB 84, authored by Senator Roger Niello, passed the Senate with bipartisan support—demonstrating that common-sense reform is possible when lawmakers prioritize practical solutions over special interests. This bill is a crucial step toward stopping the abuse of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by predatory attorneys who exploit technical violations for personal profit, not accessibility.

As the Executive Director of CALA, I want to thank the many Senators—on both sides of the aisle—who stood with California's small business owners, community leaders, and consumers to support SB 84. Their vote sends a strong signal that the State of California is ready to put an end to exploitative lawsuits that harm—not help—our communities.

However, we are deeply disappointed by the "No" votes from Senator Dave Cortese and Senator María Elena Durazo. Their opposition stands in contrast to the growing consensus that real ADA reform is not only necessary but overdue. Small businesses across the state—especially in working-class and immigrant communities—are disproportionately targeted by serial litigants who use the threat of costly lawsuits as a weapon. For many of these businesses, one lawsuit can mean closing their doors for good.

Let's be clear: SB 84 does not reduce accessibility standards. It simply provides business owners with a fair opportunity to correct alleged violations before being dragged into court. That's not just reasonable—that's responsible policymaking.

Over the years, California has become ground zero for abusive ADA lawsuits. A small number of law firms and plaintiffs file thousands of copy-paste complaints, often without ever visiting the location in question. These drive-by lawsuits exploit the legal system and siphon millions of dollars away from community investment and job creation. SB 84 will restore balance to the law while preserving the fundamental rights and dignity of individuals with disabilities.

With Senate approval secured, SB 84 now heads to the California State Assembly. We urge every Assemblymember to support this bill and put an end to the misuse of laws that were designed to help, not harm.

We also call on Assembly leadership to give this bill the prompt attention it deserves. Californians have waited long enough. It's time to protect our local businesses from legal shakedowns while ensuring true accessibility for all.

At California Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse, we will continue to mobilize our coalition of small business owners, veterans, disability advocates, and legal reformers in support of SB 84. We remain hopeful that our Assembly representatives will listen to the voices of reason and fairness across the state.

California can be both accessible and just. SB 84 proves that we don't have to choose between protecting civil rights and protecting our small businesses—we can do both.

WASHINGTON

Garamendi statement on Hegseth cutting Pentagon's Chief Watchdog

Representative John Garamendi (D-CA-8), Senior Member of the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement in response to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's order to slash the Pentagon office responsible for weapons testing and oversight:

"Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth are gutting accountability, endangering military readiness, and putting lives at risk by cutting hundreds of positions from the Office of the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E). This office ensures our weapons function properly, costs are controlled, and troops remain safe. Cuts to this office will mean skyrocketing costs, unsafe equipment, and a devastating blow to our military readiness.

"This move is foolish. It contradicts bipartisan priorities and undermines what our military needs. Secretary Hegseth claims that this reduction will save money, but the reality is that it will cost the American people many times over because of improper oversight. It is antithetical to the Trump administration's pledge to cut waste, fraud, and abuse.

"Secretary Hegseth must reverse his short-sighted decision. I urge Congressional Republicans to defend the values they claim to uphold — protecting our national security and the lives of those who serve.

SACRAMENTO

Senator Strickland: Senate Democrats' idea of affordability is 'Bizarro World'

Senator Tony Strickland (R-Huntington Beach) criticized Senate Democrats after they voted on a package of bills they referred to as their "Affordability Package."

"In Sacramento, I describe it as a 'Bizarro World' where everything is the opposite of what it should be," Senator Strickland stated. "Earlier this year, Senate Democrats promised to address the high cost of living in California and make things more affordable for families. However, today we witnessed the opposite, as Senate Democrats approved a legislative package that will not provide any immediate relief for Californians' pocketbooks. If this crisis wasn't so serious, it would be laughable."

Earlier on Wednesday, Senate Democrats blocked Senator Strickland's proposed affordability amendments aimed at allowing Californians to keep their gas-powered furnaces and water heaters, rather than forcing them to purchase costly electric units due to government mandates. He also supported a vote on Senate Bill 2 (2025, Jones), which sought to repeal the governor's 65-cent gas price hike. These policies would make California more affordable immediately.

- Arturo Bojorquez, [email protected]