News Briefs

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Drivers in Mulholland crash charged for alleged ‘speed contest’

Felony charges have been made against the drivers of a Ferrari and Mustang who took part March 25 in an alleged road race on Mulholland Drive that injured two motorcyclists. A new section of the state Vehicle Code just came into law this year, calling for felony charges if a person causes severe injury to another because of participation in a speed contest. Itamar Lieberman, 60, of Beverly Hills and Manuel Menchaca, 28, of Agoura Hills, if convicted, could face nearly nine months in prison and/or a fine of $2,000.

According to California Highway Patrol officials, Lieberman was driving the Ferrari and Menchaca was traveling in the Mustang as they raced eastbound on Mulholland Highway east of Kanan Dume Road at a high rate of speed. Lieberman was in the lead, according to CHP, when he lost control of the car and crossed the double yellow line, striking a motorcyclist traveling in the opposite direction head-on. The rider was ejected from the motorcycle and another motorcyclist made a hard brake, and was also ejected from the motorcycle. Menchaca’s Mustang, unable to stop quickly enough because of the high speed, crashed into the Ferrari.

The motorcyclists, 46-year-old David Espinoa and 38-year-old Allen Espinoa, both Long Beach residents, were treated for serious, but not life threatening injuries.

Zell’s Malibu retreat

The winning bidder for the Tribune Co., Sam Zell, might be spending more time at his Malibu home once he takes over operations of the Los Angeles Times and KTLA-TV Channel 5 (the deal, valued at $8.2 billion, is pending regulatory and shareholder approval). The billionaire real estate mogul hit the headlines when it was announced he purchased the company on Monday.

The Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday that Zell owns a 12,000 square foot home, designed by John Lautner, north of Zuma Beach, which he bought in 1998 for $13 million. Neighbors say that Zell and his wife Helen visit their Malibu retreat about 26 weekends a year, but mostly keep to themselves.

Zell is not the only Malibu homeowner who was in pursuit of owning the company that includes the Los Angeles Times. Music and movie producer David Geffen, who owns a home on Carbon Beach, offered $2 billion for just the paper, but was turned down. He’s reportedly still interested in buying it.

Philanthropist Eli Broad, who also owns a home on Carbon Beach, and Ron Burkle had offered what was reported to be $8.1 million for the Tribune Co., but Zell beat them on the deal at the 11th hour.

Endowment fund to help provide hospital care for underserved

The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation has established an endowment fund at Saint John’s Health Center to provide inpatient care for the underserved with a $1 million grant, a portion of which will be used to complete the Frances Hilton Endoscopy Center in the new Howard Keck Diagnostic and Treatment Center. The Frances Hilton Endoscopy Center honors the late wife of Conrad Hilton who was involved with Saint John’s for many decades.

The endowment for the new Conrad N. Hilton Charitable Care Endowment Fund to help the disadvantaged will be expanded through additional gifts made to the Saint John’s Foundation as part of its Legacy Project, which is spearheaded by Sister Marie Madeleine of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, co-chair of the Legacy Project and former CEO of the Health Center.

Conrad Hilton contributed to the construction of the original hospital during World War II. His son, Barron, is a life trustee of the Saint John’s Health Center Foundation and grandson, Steven, has had a life-long association with the Health Center. The Hilton family helped rebuild the Health Center after the 1994 earthquake.

-Jonathan Friedman