Voice of San Diego is suing San Diego County — again.
When District Attorney Summer Stephan announced a blockbuster criminal case that ensnared a former county contractor in February, she also mentioned a 2023 whistleblower complaint to county officials that raised alarms long before those charges.
Our Lisa Halverstadt submitted a formal records request for that complaint and others about the Harm Reduction Coalition of San Diego. Halverstadt hoped to find out what county officials knew about potential improprieties — and when they knew it. County leaders refused to release the complaints, arguing it would have a chilling effect on other potential whistleblowers.
Now, Voice of San Diego is suing the county to try to force the release of those documents. The county’s denial conflicts with state law requiring the release of misconduct records when allegations are substantiated – and the only way to enforce the California Public Records Act is via civil lawsuits.
Not our first rodeo: We successfully sued the county in 2020, when officials declined to give us Covid-related death certificates. Death certificates are now much more open to the public than they were before. Voice also has an ongoing lawsuit against the county over its refusal to release misconduct records tied to its Behavioral Health Services department.
Border Report: The Effort to Help Immigrant Victims of Violence
Immigrant victims of violence have started to come forward less since the Trump administration escalated its anti-immigrant policies and rhetoric.
Across the country, advocates and professionals who work with victims of domestic violence and human trafficking are reporting that immigrant survivors are becoming increasingly hesitant to report violent crimes because of fears of deportation. Many survivors are even dropping their cases against their abusers because of these concerns, writes Voice contributor Kate Morrisey.
Now, officials on both sides of the border are hoping to encourage victims to come forward without fear.
Last month, District Attorney Summer Stephan and Ambassador Alicia Kerber Palma from the Consul General of Mexico in San Diego signed an updated agreement to allow for cross-border support for immigrant survivors. The goal is for consulate staff to be able to better coordinate with organizations in San Diego that help survivors of violence and human trafficking.
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In Other News
- Two San Diego County sheriff’s deputies engaged in criminal conduct in connection with the death of a man in the Vista Detention Facility, after he repeatedly pleaded for help, the Citizens’ Law Enforcement Review Board found. (Union-Tribune)
- The Department of Education announced on Monday it’s dissolving Title IX agreements, which are intended to protect the rights and privacy of transgender students, with five school districts and a college, including the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District. (KPBS)
- A San Diego warship will recover the Artemis II astronauts when their space capsule splashes into the ocean west of San Diego on Friday. (Union-Tribune)
- After Rep. Darrell Issa suddenly dropped out of the 48th Congressional District race and outgoing County Supervisor Jim Desmond jumped in, some Democratic officials are worried Desmond may be a formidable opponent. (KPBS)
- UCSD’s student newspaper the Guardian and Annenberg Media revealed in February that bodies donated to UCSD were being used by the Israeli military for training. Now, the student newspaper reports on families who were disturbed to learn their loved ones might have been used for military training purposes and others who removed themselves from the organ donor registry. (UCSD Guardian)
The Morning Report was written by Lisa Halverstadt and Tigist Layne. It was edited by Will Huntsberry.