Obagi State Bar trial heads to closing briefs
The State Bar trial for Redondo Beach City Council Member Zein Obagi, Jr., nears conclusion after testimony ended Aug. 22.
All that remains are closing briefs, due Sept. 8, followed by the judge’s verdict within 90 days.
The case hinges on Obagi’s actions stemming from a financial dealing with a former client, and the subsequent malpractice suit Obagi filed against his original attorney relating to the first seven of 12 State Bar counts.
Obagi could face suspension of his law license or disbarment.
The trial opened April 18, and resumed Aug. 8-9 after delays, then concluded Aug. 22. The State Bar Prosecutor in the case was replaced in May.
On Aug. 2, Obagi filed a motion to dismiss the case “for prosecutorial vindictiveness and misconduct.”
Judge Manjari Chawla responded a week later, denying the motion due to “respondent’s failure to establish the application of the prosecutorial vindictiveness doctrine to State Bar Court proceedings, and for being extraordinarily untimely.”
Obagi told the Easy Reader earlier this year that the charges were the result of a “bad prosecutor.”
The State Bar did not comment on the change in prosecutors.
Water main break leads to beach warning
L.A. County Lifeguards posted signs Tuesday urging residents to avoid the ocean from Avenue C to Vista Del Mar after a storm drain sediment discharge due to a water main break in Redondo Beach.
After the break, a storm drain flowed “heavily for approximately 5-10 minutes,” according to L.A. County Lifeguards. The beach was not closed, though people were urged not to go in the water.
The two water main breaks closed a section of Prospect Avenue on Sunday.
Consultant to coach co-teachers at RUHS
Twelve co-teach pairs in Language Arts at Redondo Union High School will work with education consultants this year. The Redondo Unified school board last week approved $91,000 to hire Solution Tree to coach the 12 pairs, as well as give two days of professional development for teachers districtwide on the subject of supporting all students within their classrooms.
Co-teach is two teachers, one in the realm of special education, simultaneously leading a classroom with a mix of students learning the same content. An RBUSD co-teach task force studied the matter last year, led by Danielle Duncan, district executive director of special education.
“Teachers were requesting additional support,” Duncan said.
“Just like athletes have coaches, our teachers need coaches,” said Susan Wildes, assistant superintendent, educational services. ER
