Recently in Palos Verdes Estates Category

Mahendra Udani, a former gastroenterologist convicted of molesting two female patients, appeared in court today for a restitution hearing. However, Torrance Superior Court Judge Michael Vicencia said he wasn't going to hear arguments or make any rulings on the issue because the case is still on appeal.

Udani was convicted in March 2007 of 18 charges and was sentenced to two years in jail. However, he remains out of jail on bond pending appeal of his case. Previously, Vicencia ordered Udani to pay the women a total of $115,000. Part of that money, their attorney said, was to get diagnoses and treatment plans for therapy.

Now, the two women who were 22 years old in November and December 2004 when Udani groped them, are asking Vicencia to order Udani to pay them about $500,000 to carry out that treatment plan, according to their attorney. Vicencia said if Udani's convictions are upheld on appeal, they can come back and ask again.

Udani, 56, of Palos Verdes Estates, massaged, squeezed and pinched the patients' breasts while they were under his care at a Torrance hospital and his Redondo Beach office. The jury who convicted him also heard evidence that he had inappropriate sexual contact with two additional women. He has since lost his license to practice.

Robert Soloway, who will spend four years in prison beginning Sept. 22 for the barrage of spam e-mails he sent, opened up for an interview that was published last week by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

The Palos Verdes Peninsula High School graduate, who got filthy rich at a young age from his business, told the newspaper: "Here's my dysfunction," Soloway said recently. "It was that notoriety. People knew me. No one clapped for me at my high school graduation. Maybe it's not how I want to be famous, but (my thinking was) 'At least people know who I am.' "

Previously:

Spam King sentenced

Sentencing hearing underway for Spam King

Robert Soloway, a 1997 graduate of Palos Verdes Peninsula High School, was sentended in a Seattle federal courtroom this afternoon for charges related to his business of spamming e-mail inboxes with unsolicited messages - including those advertising his own business.

I'll have a full report on the case and sentencing in tomorrow's Daily Breeze. However, I'd like to note that, in the hour or so that I've been writing this story, I've received messages with these subject lines in my e-mail inbox:

• Stop Collection Calls
• PayPal Security Department
• Summer discount on w4tches delivery
• Angelina Jolie nude movie
• Do you want to enlarge your penis?
• Winning notification

Not that I'm against these cases or think that spammers shouldn't be targeted, but I can't help but think that prosecuting spammers is like filling a swimming pool with water - with an eye dropper.

 

A professional household manager was ordered to stand trial today on attempted murder, assault and threat charges after allegedly beating and choking his Palos Verdes Estates employer.

The case, which will be fully vetted in tomorrow's Daily Breeze, gave a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of wealth - where homes need managers to oversee everything from maintenance and security to dog walking and errands.

Peter Woods said got the job through an online ad. The prosecutor asked him if the ad was "like Craigslist," and he said yes - but it's not clear if that's where it was. However, I did find this today, for those of you who may be interested in such a job. Woods said he earned his household manager certification at Starkey International Institute.

Although violence is really never funny, there was a kind of snarky moment during today's preliminary hearing after Woods described his job duties.

Deputy District Attorney Antranig Balian: "So, she paid you $2,000 to turn on the air, alarm and TV?"

Woods: "I think it's a little more complicated than that."

Indeed.

It's been an unusual couple of days in a Washington state federal courtroom, where former Palos Verdes Estates resident Robert Soloway is undergoing a sentencing hearing for his spamming activities. It's a landmark case - the biggest ever against the largest spammer known. The government asked for two days to present witnesses to testify about Soloway's fraudulent, annoying and damaging business, but they did not finish Monday as expected.

The case is scheduled to continue next Tuesday, July 22. Prosecutors have asked for nine years in prison, Soloway's attorneys said no more than two is justified. The Palos Verdes Peninsula High School graduate faces a maximum of 20.

Here's a preview of photos that will appear in tomorrow's paper from today's search and arrests of the suspected mail robbers:

An 8-year-old boy killed in a crash on the San Diego Freeway in Carson on Sunday night has been identified as Brandon Lundy of Palos Verdes Estates.

If anyone knows Brandon's family, please contact me at 310-543-6655 or larry.altman@dailybreeze.com.  I have been unable to locate them.

 A short story will appear in Tuesday's paper about the crash.

It already appears on dailybreeze.com, but will be updated later.

Student journalists at Palos Verdes High School’s “Live from 205” pay tribute today to their classmate Andrew Sakura on their weekly newscast.

Students interview his soccer teammates, friends, father and teachers. Here it is: Livefrom205/Sakura


Sakura was killed March 8 when he lost control of his father’s Chevrolet Corvette while apparently speeding on Crenshaw Boulevard near Skypark Drive in Torrance and crashed into two other cars. His funeral was held today at Rolling Hills United Methodist Church. Burial followed at Green Hills Memorial Park in Rancho Palos Verdes.

Sakura’s girlfriend and another motorist were seriously injured in the crash.

Torrance police, meanwhile, have submitted their reports on the crash to the California Highway Patrol’s Major Accident Investigation Team for specialized work to determine how fast Sakura was going when he lost control.

Investigators also are continuing to conduct interviews to determine if Sakura was racing, Torrance police officer Dave Crespin said.

In addition to the Sakura broadcast, here’s the “Live from 205” report on the death of Rancho Palos Verdes resident Randal Simmons, an LAPD SWAT officer killed last month. Livefrom205/Simmons

I received this email from Viraf Pudumjee, parent of a Palos Verdes High School student, in response to my post about some of the harsh user comments on a story about the death of student Andrew Sakura. The 17-year-old was killed in a car accident in Torrance last week:

 

"I just read your blog entry which expressed views on this tragic accident, that took the life of Andrew Sakura on Saturday night.  I was gratified to read that you recognized the harshness of some people’s comments, and how these comments affect the Sakura family and Andrew’s friends at PVHS.

I can tell you that every night after visiting the memorial at school, we have a group of seniors here at our house, all close friends of Andrew’s, who just want to be together, to get through this tragedy. Every night, they sit at our dining table, and make necklaces with Andrew’s name, that are being sold at school to raise funds for a new goal at PVHS, dedicated to Andrew Sakura. 

When I see these kids dealing with their grief with a sense of purpose and maturity and a desire to make a difference, by honoring a great friend, I realize what great kids they really are, and just how ridiculous and disgusting all the speculation and negativity really is. It is our goal to provide a home for these kids to hang out and be together, for as long as it takes them and us, to deal with the grief that has impacted us all. The reality is that loving parents lost a wonderful kid and the students at PVHS lost a great friend. Nothing else anyone says really matters at all.  

This has hit us all very hard.  When my son transferred schools and came to PVIS in the 8th grade, Andrew was one of the first friends he made.  He was welcoming in the new environment, and made it a point to involve my son with his circle of friends.  That led to a close relationship, and a guest in our home eventually became one of the family. Their close friendship has lasted through high school, and their famous quote was 'I’m your brother from a different mother.'

He was a great kid, with an infectious smile that would light up a room, and over the years became a part of our family.  Always well-mannered, enthusiastic and very friendly, he was always caring and kind towards our two younger children as well. Andrew brought a sense of purpose and energy, wherever he went.   He will be greatly missed by us, but never forgotten.  This is what really matters."