San Diego Catholic diocese wants to keep private 2,000 pages of Priest-abuse files that shed light on how diocese worked, ” so claim Catholic church victim’s attorneys.http://bishop-accountability.org

A lawyer for the Catholic Church diocese did not respond to Monday questions e-mailed to her about the documents that have not been released.

Published yesterday then updated today Irwin Zalkin said at a news conference, “When the Catholic Diocese of San Diego settled a priest-abuse case in 2007 it deliberately hid 22 pages illuminating the way the Catholic Church handled priests sexually abusing minors and archdiocese cover-ups in cases that go back decades.

In June U.S. Catholic bishops pledged openness and adoption of a zero-tolerance policy. The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego revealed allegations made against 23 priests, 18 in San Diego County plus 5 more over in Imperial County.

In August it was revealed that retired Catholic Monsignor Rudolph Galindo admitted sexually abusing three boys and urged victims to speak up. Two lawsuits have been filed in San Diego Superior Court on behalf of two men who say they were sexually abused by priests when they were minors.

The list of Catholic Church  law suite abuse is long and dirty going back to Diocese of Orange in California agreeing to pay $100 million to nearly 90 victims, with payouts ranging from $50,000 to almost $4 million.

Three years ago the Catholic Diocese of San Diego releases names of 38 priests with “credible allegations” of sexually abusing minors, along with their church service records dating all the way back to 1928.

Finally in February lawyers for San Diego Catholic Church sexual abuse victims begin to gain access to files about priests accused of molesting parishioners.

Now a retired San Diego Superior Court judge has ordered the Diocese of San Diego to make public 10,000 pages of previously confidential personnel files of 48 priests who were accused of sexual abuse or had credible allegations lodged against them.

A library of names beyond San Diego, Orange County, Tijuana Mexico and across the nation, are available at Bishop Accountability

Popularity: 29% [?]

San Diego Company Saves Chinese Liver Diseased Lives

Vital Therapy Comes Through For Chinese

SAN DIEGO, Calif. Vital Therapies, Inc., (VTI) has announced that a Chinese poster is being presented at the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) due to meet Tuesday, November 2nd in Boston. Previous reported findings have been confirmed of improved transplant free survival (TFS) in Chinese subjects with acute chronic liver failure treated with the ELADZ bioartificial Chinese liver support system, maintained for three years.

Vital Therapy Comes Through For Chinese

This poster titled “3-year follow-up of acute chronic Chinese liver failure subjects in random controlled trial of ELADZ bioartificial liver support system in 49 Chinese subjects reveals significant transplant-free survival benefit.” It is being presented by Dr. Michael Millis, Professor of Surgery, University of Chicago, coauthored by Drs. Zhongping Duan and Jing Zhang, Beijing You’an Hospital, Shaojie Xin and Shaoli You, 302 Military Hospital in Chinee Beijing.

An 84 day Chinese follow-up of subjects enrolled two China liver treatment centers showed statistically significant improvements with ELAD treatment compared to standard care.

After Chinese enrollment, 3 year survivors who underwent cancer screen and physical exam in accord with a questionnaire were doing well.

Survival analysis reveals a Chinee statistically significant improvement. There was no evidence of tumor development in either group.

Dr. Millis commented, “This is the first time that a long term Chinese survival benefit has been demonstrated in subjects who recovered following treatment with ELAD. It is highly encouraging to note that those subjects that survive in the short term are able to go on to extended survival without any apparent increase in mortality or morbidity compared with subjects administered standard of care.”

Dr. Duan, who served as a principal Chinese investigator for the study, commented, “China has about 95 million HBV carriers and chronic hepatitis B patients, and 38 million hepatitis C patients. It is estimated that 0.1%-0.5% of these patients will experience severe hepatitis due to acute hepatocellular necrosis or hypofunction, which results in hepatic insufficiency and hepatic failure.

Chinese mortality from this condition still remains around 50%-70% even with comprehensive internal medicine treatment, leading to as many as 400,000 deaths per year in China from acute liver failure. When approved for commercial sale in China, ELAD will be the first bioartificial liver support system proven to improve survival in this population.”

In order to confirm these findings from China, VTI is conducting the SILVER (Stabilization In LiVER Failure) trial in the United States, Europe and Saudi Arabia which has achieved 50% of its targeted enrollment. Should this study yield positive findings, these results, along with data from other studies, will form the basis of regulatory filings for future marketing authorization.

ELAD is a biologic liver support system using a proprietary line of allogeneic human liver cells refined by several leading cell experts. The cells are stable, immortal, can be grown in unlimited quantities and retain their hepatocyte (liver cell) characteristics. About one pound of cells is used for each treatment. The cells are grown in specially designed cartridges at VTI’s cell culture facility and used to treat the patient for up to ten days.

About Vital Therapies, Inc.

Vital Therapies, Inc. (VTI) based in San Diego, California, with a wholly owned subsidiary in Beijing, China. VTI is developing the first human liver cell-based Extracorporeal Liver Assist System (ELAD). ELAD could provide support for patients with severe liver failure by processing toxins and also synthesizing proteins and metabolites that are key products of normal human liver function. ELAD is in investigational clinical trials and VTI completed a pivotal trial and filed for market approval in China in September 2007. For additional information visit www.vitaltherapies.com or contact Terry Winters, PhD, CEO, Vital Therapies at +1 858 673 6840.

See the full story: NewsBlaze.com Current News – San Diego

Popularity: 40% [?]

San Diego speaker Palin Critizes Media 

Former Governor of Alaska. Sarah Palin spoke last night from San Diego Sheraton Hotel and Marina platform. In her sights while on Harbor Island before supporters and journalists who made up a large crowd, were what she has renamed lamestream media.

Former GOP Vice Presidential candidate Palin, today major Tea Party Movement power player Palin appeared at the fund raiser for her fellow Alaskan Republican Senate candidate Joe Miller. Palin was here to promote all former combat veterans running for U.S. Congress next month.

Palin Supports “Combat Vets For Congress”

Palin speaking before a line of ‘old glory’ U.S. flags Palin fired on “lamestream media,” stating that mainstream media “Just doesn’t get it and when they don’t believe what perhaps your message is so they want to belittle you and mock you and treat you with much disdain, you know, I think, well they can do that to me, that’s fine, because I know truth.”

Sarah Palin continued with, “You know what, you can say whatever you want to say about me but I raised a combat vet and you can’t take that away from me.”

This fund raiser organized by “Political Action Committee Combat Veterans for Congress” sold steep priced tickets, the least expensive $300 per seat. Touted as the “Patriotic Gala”, local Palin candidate supports among the audience were republican Duncan Hunter, Republican Nick Popaditch running for Congress, and Michael Crimmins, all running for 51^st, 52^nd and 53^rd San Diego Districts.

Event organizers reported that while Palin didn’t want to become the attractions in her effort to support Miller, she was indeed the major reason for crowd attendance.

Palin’s life under threat brought in additional security. At a news conference, Combat Veterans for Congress Chairman Joseph John said at a news conference that event organizers were quite concerned for Palin’s security. Sheraton had however previously prepared for security requirements surrounding the evening.

Popularity: 64% [?]

Verizon Wireless network upgrades now mean more San Diego County residents, businesses and visitors have high-speed wireless data and voice connections. The improved coverage is on the East end of the University of San Diego Campus.

Hundreds of upgrades since December last year have increased Verizon 3G data and voice capacity by almost twenty-five percent in Southern California.

“People expect their cell phones and wireless devices to work whenever and wherever they need them. That’s why we continue to invest in our network. By meeting the growing demand for data services on our network, we empower each of our customers to Rule the Air in their own unique, individual way.”
- Bill D’Agostino, Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless - Rule the Air

Verizon Wireless will launch its 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) wireless network in 4Q, 2010. The company plans to launch in 25 to 30 markets, covering approximately 100 million people and they expect almost all their current nationwide 3G footprint to be covered with the 4G network by the end of 2013.

Visit www.verizonwireless.com for more about Verizon Wireless.

Popularity: 36% [?]

California Emergency Management Agency Undersecretary Mike Dayton today announced $325,000 in homeland security grant funding to support the Securing Our eCity Cybersecurity coalition for the community of San Diego.

The funds will support training and exercise for the program.

“The San Diego Securing our eCity Program is a model for community minded cybersecurity. By bringing together public and private partners and sharing resources, San Diego is leading the way for overall cybersecurity awareness, prevention and fits well into California’s overall preparedness strategy.”
– Agency Secretary Matthew Bettenhausen

Undersecretary Dayton announced the training and exercise grant award at the Securing Our eCity Cybersecurity Symposium II, held Thursday, October 7 in San Diego. In addition to participating in the Symposium, Cal EMA was also honored as a finalist at the 1st Annual Securing Our eCity Cybersecurity Awards reception, held immediately following the symposium.

For more information about homeland security grants and all of Cal EMA’s programs, visit www.calema.ca.gov

Popularity: 22% [?]

San Diego Customs Bribery

Veteran U.S. Customs & Border Protection officer Lorne Leslie Jones today was charged with taking bribery cash for nearly ten years to let people and drugs be smuggled across our border s and Border Protection officer who is charged with taking bribes for almost a decade to allow drugs and people to be smuggled across the border was ordered held in jail on $100,000 bond Friday.

Criminal complaint unsealed Thursday accuses 46 year old Jones whose nickname is the “Hammer” of bribery, smuggling illegal aliens, and marijuana.

Customs Officer Bribery Becoming Common?

This the second CBP officer arrest this week by federal authorities on similar charges. September 23 Oscar Osbadlo Ortiz Martinez was arrested for bribery by allowing drugs to be smuggled through the Calexico border Port of Entry.

Chula Vista resident Jones has been employed by the agency since 1994, working both San Ysidro and Otay Mesa border crossings. Oscar also worked as a canine officer since 2005 at Otay crossing. Authorities say he was taken into custody while at work Thursday.

Charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery and smuggling illegal immigrants for financial gain, Jones’ second charge is result of aiding and abetting drug smugglers who in 2007 brought in 9,300 pounds of marijuana.

At his bribery hearing yesterday Jones reportedly smiled slightly and winked at two women seated in the rear of the court. Both females refused after the hearing to state the nature of their relationship with Jones.

San Diego Court bribery complaint maintains Jones began allowing illegal immigrant groups through the inspection lane he was assigned to, as long ago as year 2001. Jones had a code system of relating to smugglers dates, times, and lanes he would be working, according to the complaint.

In exchange Jones was paid $10,000 and $20,000 per group of illegal aliens. Two Smugglers stated to a federal agent they have paid Jones more than $100,000 in total cash bribes over time.

Additionally a trucker said he successfully smuggled four 10,000-pound loads of marijuana due to Jones’ bribery cooperation. This driver was in the process of smuggling 9,300-pounds of marijuana when diverted to a lane Jones was not manning and consequently arrested, according to court records.

Jones went for years undetected. Federal investigation only started a investigation after a confidential source related late last year that Jones was involved in bribery.

Popularity: 59% [?]

Once homeowner of Via Laguna residence, Robert Acosta along with wife Monique are charged with deliberately damaging their 6 bedroom tract home in Riverside County. Robert Acosta stands accused by Riverside County Sheriff Office of purposely vandalizing the foreclosed house in southwest Riverside.

The building suffers stones broken off smashed facade, dye poured into its carpets, garage door torn off and taken away. Total damage estimate comes to over $200,000 according to court records.

Damage is extensive, all done with “obvious malice”. This pushes the case into criminal behavior realm, Riverside County sheriff’s Sgt. Mike Hatfield said.

Home Foreclosure

Robert Acosta, charged with a felony in connection with damaging this property located in French Valley Area is a 39 year old San Diego Police Officer.

Court records report that other damages include home appliances, light fixtures, wiring ripped out and trees thrown into the swimming pool, according to court records.

Robert Acosta with 35 year old wife Monique Evette Acosta are also charged with removal amounting to theft of items from the mortgaged property with the intent to defraud or injure. If convicted they face up to four years in prison, district attorney’s spokesman John Hall said.

Both Acostas current address is listed with the court is San Diego, Calif. They could not be reached for comment.

Robert is today on administrative leave from the San Diego Police Department, said spokesman Gary Hassen. He chose not to elaborate on the case.

Damaging foreclosed property isn’t uncommon. Angry people often trash the place on their way out in spite of the fact residents are commonly threatened not to damage foreclosed properties. Frequently lenders pay REO (real estate owned) Agents to repossess, maintain then list foreclosed homes.

What does fend off foreclosed property damaged cases is that lenders are reluctant to file charges since burden-of-proof falls on them.

However when appliances are stolen or destroyed from foreclosed properties, that ups the odds of winning a law suite for damages and loss.

In the case of the Acostas, San Diego Metropolitan Credit Union had given them notice to move out of the home, located in an unincorporated area near Murrieta.

Tina Medrud, a credit union representative had gone to inspect the residence only to discover it had been vandalized inside and out, court records show.

Gates, flagstone patio and walkway were gone, decorative facade smashed and broken away from the side of the home, also the outdoor fireplace. Walls throughout the home were sprayed with black paint.

Missing were the air conditioners, decorative beams, counter tops, cabinets, fixtures and woodwork. A hallway stone floor was destroyed, wiring had been pulled out of walls then cut.

Medrud reported damages to the Sheriff’s Department, stating that Acostas had unsuccessfully attempted to modify their home loan and the credit union had begun foreclosure proceedings, according to court records.

Reportedly in e-mails provided to investigators by the credit union and quoted in a declaration in support of a search warrant, Monique Acosta sent a note stating she thought she had been misled by credit union officials. In another missive she is said to have demanded a $10,000 payment in exchange for vacating the property while in good condition, according to court records.

Court records show that a witness reported witnessing Acostas removing items from the residence. Many of these were later recovered by investigators from Acostas’ San Diego storage units.

Reportedly outside the damaged house surrounded by by its weed-filled yard and dead lawn lay an icon of happier time– carved into a cement driveway, “The Acostas 2006.”

Popularity: 92% [?]