CA: An Outward Show of Political Influence

LA Times ^ | 3/13/06 | Stuart Pfeifer and Lance Pugmire

[NormsRevenge]

On paper, Gary Nalbandian would appear to be an influential figure in Southern California law enforcement.

He has served as director of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homeland Security Support Unit, the Riverside County Sheriff's Executive Council and the Bureau of Justice for the San Bernardino County district attorney's office.

But Nalbandian is not a professional cop. The only paid law enforcement position he has held is as a volunteer reserve deputy with the Los Angeles County sheriff — salary, $1 a year. His real job is running a tire store in Glendora.

He is, however, a major political fundraiser for Southern California law enforcement officials. Over the last nine years, Nalbandian has tapped a network of businessmen and acquaintances, most of them from the Armenian community, to raise tens of thousands of dollars in political contributions for Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca, Riverside Sheriff Bob Doyle and San Bernardino County Dist. Atty. Mike Ramos.

The three officials subsequently authorized the issuance of badges, identification cards or other official-looking credentials for many of the donors, designating them members of groups including Baca's "Homeland Security Support Unit," Doyle's "Sheriff's Executive Council" and Ramos' "Bureau of Justice."

The law enforcement officials insist the credentials were appropriate, since the men did important volunteer work aiding crime victims, translating Arabic-language documents for investigators and facilitating anti-terrorism activities.

But critics say the granting of badges and titles to political supporters creates the appearance that they are rewards for donations.

"We were getting a lot of new members and, believe me, they were not coming to see new faces or to eat the food," said Vahe Maranian, the owner of a La Crescenta auto electric shop and a former member of Doyle's Executive Council.

"They were there for the badges."

[calcowgirl]

Any connection to these guys? Lots of curious law enforcement types running around in So Cal.

Ferrari Case Takes New Twist With Possible Tie to Bus Agency

As sheriff's detectives investigate last week's crash that destroyed a $1-million Ferrari, they are now looking into an obscure nonprofit organization that provides disabled people with transit in the San Gabriel Valley.

The car's owner, a former video game executive from Sweden, told Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies ...he was deputy commissioner of the San Gabriel Valley Transit Authority's police anti-terrorism unit, detectives said Thursday.

A few minutes after the crash, two unidentified men arrived at the scene, flashing badges and saying they were from "homeland security," according to Sheriff's Department officials.

Deputies allowed the men into the accident scene, where they spoke to Stefan Eriksson before leaving, Sgt. Phil Brooks said.

CA: OC reserve sheriff's deputy suspended, faces more charges over dispute on golf course

SANTA ANA – An Orange County sheriff's reserve deputy has been suspended from duty after he was arrested for allegedly flashing his badge, pulling a gun and threatening to kill a group of golfers at a Chino Hills course.

Raymond Yi, a reserve deputy since 2002 and Sheriff Michael Carona's martial arts instructor, turned in his badge and his department-issued gun Tuesday.