OC Politics Blog | Category Archives: OC Grand Jury

The OC Grand Jury finds perceived favoritism and retaliation based on sexual relationships at the OCDA

Posted on June 28, 2017 by Editor Posted in OC District Attorney, OC Grand Jury, OCDA, Orange County, Santa Ana, Tony Rackauckas Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

Date: June 27, 2017

STATEMENT ON OC GRAND JURY REPORT INVOLVING OCDA BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Today, the Orange County Grand Jury (OCGJ) released a report entitled “Another Hostile Work Environment?” in which the members of the OCGJ explored personnel concerns within the Orange County District Attorney’s (OCDA) Bureau of Investigation.

“I thank the members of the Grand Jury for their service to our community, for their report that provides a great recitation on the laws and policies regarding sexual harassment, and for recognizing that even a perception is important to address,” said District Attorney Tony Rackauckas. “The OCDA takes this issue seriously and has been conducting its own internal personnel investigation for the last seven months, taking appropriate actions as necessary. I have requested that the OCGJ turn over any specific information on actionable items so we can bolster the current investigation; I eagerly await their response,” said Rackauckas. Continue reading→

The O.C. Superior Court extends the Grand Jury application deadline to February 1

Posted on January 10, 2017 by Editor Posted in Courts, OC Grand Jury, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Court Extends Grand Jury Application Deadline to February 1

Santa Ana, CA – Hon. Kirk Nakamura, Assistant Presiding Judge of the Orange County Superior Court and chair of the Grand Jury Recruitment and Selection Committee, announced today that the Court has extended the deadline to apply to serve on the next Grand Jury to February 1, 2017 due to a shortage of applicants.

Judge Nakamura said, “By law, the Court must impanel a 19-member Grand Jury each fiscal year to serve a one-year term. It is difficult to attract qualified individuals from all areas of Orange County who can devote 30 to 35 hours per week for this unique community service opportunity.” Panelists receive a $50 per day stipend, reimbursement for mileage, and reserved onsite parking at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana, where they meet. Continue reading→

O.C. Grand Jury applications are now available

Posted on October 9, 2015 by Editor Posted in Courts, OC Grand Jury, Orange County Leave a comment

Grand Jury Applications are Available

(Portion courtesy of Superior Court of California County of Orange)

The Orange County Superior Court encourages Orange County residents to apply to serve on the next Grand Jury. A new 19-member Grand Jury will be empaneled for a one-year term that begins July 1, 2016.

What does the Grand Jury do? Continue reading→

Orange County CEO says the OC Grand Jury’s report on OC Animal Care is flawed

Posted on June 17, 2015 by Editor Posted in Frank Kim, Jennifer Hawkins, OC Animal Care, OC Grand Jury, Orange County Leave a comment

OC Animal Care

Grand Jury Report on OC Animal Care Flawed

An Orange County Grand Jury report released today criticizing management and operations at OC Animal Care was based in part on unsubstantiated allegations.

“It is our belief that the report in its totality does not accurately reflect the current OC Animal Care program or the commitment of all County staff and our volunteers to the humane treatment of animals,” County Executive Officer Frank Kim said.

Among recent improvements made to the operations of OC Animal Care: Continue reading→

OC Grand Jury applications are now being accepted

Posted on October 17, 2014 by Editor Posted in Courts, OC Grand Jury, Orange County, Todd Spitzer Leave a comment

OC Grand Jury applications are now being accepted

By OC Supervisor Todd Spitzer

(Portions courtesy of the Orange County Superior Court)

The Orange County Superior Court is now accepting applications for the 2015-2016 Orange County Grand Jury. A new 19-member Grand Jury will be empaneled for a one-year term that begins July 1.

As mandated by the California Constitution, the Grand Jury has three basic functions: weighing criminal charges and determining whether indictments should be returned; weighing any allegations of misconduct against public officials to determine whether to present formal accusations requesting their removal from office; and acting as the public’s “watchdog” by investigating and reporting on the affairs of local government. Most of the Grand Jury panel’s time is spent performing civil oversight of local government by reviewing and evaluating county and city agencies, schools, and special districts within the county. Continue reading→

Clarification regarding the OC BOS vote on the Grand Jury’s ethics report

Posted on September 17, 2014 by Editor Posted in Janet Nguyen, Jean Pasco, OC Board of Supervisors, OC Grand Jury, Orange County Leave a comment

Clarification regarding OC Board vote on Grand Jury report

By Jean Pasco, Manager, Government Affairs, County of Orange

This message is being sent to provide clarity for the vote taken yesterday, September 16, 2014, by the Orange County Board of Supervisors regarding Board meeting agenda Item #36, the response to the Grand Jury report titled “Ethics and Campaign Reporting: Why and How to Implement Stronger Oversight, Transparency and Enforcement.”

The motion to send the response to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court (as required for Grand Jury reports) was approved unanimously, 5-0, on a motion by Supervisor John Moorlach and seconded by Chairman Shawn Nelson. Continue reading→