City to challenge federal court ruling
The City Council last week voted to ask a federal district judge to reconsider his decision that the Santa Monica Baykeeper and Natural Resources Defense Council had grounds to sue the city regarding water quality standards.
The lawsuit alleges the City of Malibu is to blame for local watershed pollution. The city had attempted to get the suit tossed. Although he ruled against some allegations, Judge A. Howard Matz determined there was enough evidence for trial. City Attorney Christi Hogin said at last week’s council meeting that there were several inaccurate statements in the decision.
Court hearing continued for attempted rape suspect
The pretrial conference for the 30-year-old man accused of attempting to rape a Point Dume jogger was postponed on Monday to Sept. 1. Christian Marcus Verdin was charged April 6 with attempt to commit rape, robbery, grand theft auto and assault with a deadly weapon for the alleged March 12 crime.
Vehicle stolen, recovered
A Bentley was reported stolen last week on Wednesday at the Malibu Beach Inn after a female suspect allegedly took the keys from the valet. Deputy Steve O’Neil of the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station said the vehicle was recovered the next day in the Westward Beach area. The woman was arrested. He said information was not immediately available about her name. The hotel’s general manager did not immediately return a call for comment on Tuesday.
Gibson crashes car
Actor and filmmaker Mel Gibson’s troubled summer continued Sunday evening when he crashed his 2008 Maserati Quattroporte on Malibu Canyon Road. The California Highway Patrol reported the accident as “minor,” and Gibson was not injured. Drug or alcohol use has not been alleged.
Gibson is currently under investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department regarding accusations that he hit former girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva. The department is also looking into the accusation that Gibson was extorted in relation to the domestic violence allegation. The Los Angeles Times on Tuesday quoted Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Steve Whitmore saying that both investigations are expected to finish soon.
Lagoon restoration hearing postponed
The California Coastal Commission’s hearing regarding the multiagency project to restore the Malibu Lagoon was postponed. The hearing was supposed to take place last Thursday in San Luis Obispo. A call to the Coastal Commission on why the item was delayed was not immediately returned on Tuesday.
The restoration project, nearly two decades in the making, has received support from most environmental groups in the state. Marcia Hanscom, who heads several organizations, told The Malibu Times earlier this month that there were various problems with the project. Her allegations have sparked a debate in the California environmental community
Wells Fargo party home sold
The Malibu Colony home that was allegedly used by a Wells Fargo executive for parties after it went into foreclosure was sold earlier this month.
The purchase by an undisclosed buyer was for a reported $14.95 million, approximately $6.5 million under the original asking price. Wells Fargo executive Cheronda Guyton allegedly spent time in the home with her family and hosted parties.
The story received international media attention. Guyton was dismissed from the company shortly after the allegations surfaced.