CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION VOTE TO DISMISS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CHARLES LESTER 7-5: Seven Commissioners Olga Diaz, Erik Howell, Wendy Mitchell, Effie Turnbull-Sanders, Mark Vargas, Martha McClure & Roberto Uranga Voted YES; Five Commissioners Carole Groom, Mary Shallenberger, Chair Steve Kinsey, Vice Chair Dayna Bochco & Mary Luevano Voted NO

ABSTRACT: Twelve California Coastal Commissioners, including one alternate, voted 7-5 to dismiss Executive Director Charles Lester at the meeting on Wednesday, February 10, 2016. According to reporting, dismissal immediate; Senior Deputy Director Jack Ainsworth acting executive director until interim and permanent executive director hired.

VOTES TO DISMISS CHARLES LESTER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, February 10, 2016

Governor's Appointments-VOTE
Effie Turnbull-Sanders-YES
Wendy Mitchell-YES
Martha McClure-YES
Erik Howell-YES

Senate Rules Committee Appointments-VOTE
Vice Chair Dayna Bochco-NO
Mary Shallenberger-NO
Chair Steve Kinsey-NO
Roberto Uranga-YES

Assembly Speaker Appointments-VOTE
Mary Luevano-NO
Mark Vargas-YES
Carole Groom-NO
Olga Diaz, (Alternate)-YES

REFERENCES:

Commissioners & Alternates

Coastal Commission fires executive director over objection of hundreds of supporters
By Tony Barboza and Dan Weikel Contact Reporters
FEBRUARY 10, 2016

The California Coastal Commission

Full Coverage

Firing of the California Coastal Commission executive director

FEBRUARY 10, 2016

Commissioners vote 7-5 to dismiss executive director

Los Angeles Times

FEBRUARY 10, 2016

California Coastal Commission ousts CEO Charles Lester
MICHAEL R. BLOOD
ASSOCIATED PRESS | February 11, 2016

U.S.
California Coastal Commission Votes to Fire Executive Director
By ADAM NAGOURNEY FEB. 11, 2016
The New York Times

SUPERSEDING INDICTMENT UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff, v. PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY, Defendant. Case No. 14-cr-00175-TEH

ABSTRACT: In the SUPERSEDING INDICTMENT, Pacific Gas and Electric Company is charged with one count of obstruction of an agency proceeding in violation of 18 U.S.C. §1505, and 27 separate counts of violations of the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968 (PSA).  ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANT’S MOTION TO DISMISS FOR MULTIPLICITY (filed 12/23/15):  The Court GRANTS PG&E’s Motion to Dismiss for Multiplicity: Counts 3, 7, 8, 10-14, 16-18, and 20-23.  Ergo, fifteen counts dismissed of total twenty-eight counts.

PG&E - Superseding Indictment

Filed 07-30-14
SUPERSEDING INDICTMENT

REFERENCES: Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney’s Office
Northern District of California
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, July 29, 2014

PG&E Charged With Obstruction Of The Investigation Of The National Transportation Safety Board And Additional Violations Of The Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act

Judge dismisses half of criminal counts against PG&E

By Jaxon Van Derbeken SFGATE

Updated 6:04 pm, Wednesday, December 23, 2015

CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION: Consideration of Dismissal of the Executive Director, February 10, 2016

ABSRACT; On Wednesday, February 10, 2016, the California Coastal Commission is scheduled to consider Agenda Item 8, Consideration of Dismissal of the Executive Director. Consideration and possible action to dismiss the Executive Director of the California Coastal Commission. Pursuant to Government Code § 11126(a), after the conclusion of the public hearing, the Commission may deliberate regarding this item in closed session. If the Commission takes any action during closed session to dismiss the Executive Director, the roll call vote will be reported publicly when the Commission reconvenes in open session.   Background Information and a Path Forward by Charles Lester, Executive Director, and Comments Received, including Written Correspondence (49 pages) between January 25 and February 5, 2016 and Electronic Comments (18,489 pages) between January 23 and February 4, 2016 and Chief Counsel Memorandum, are featured.
NOTE: Wednesday Location Changed to:
Morro Bay Community
Center Auditorium
1001 Kennedy Way
Morro Bay, CA 93442

CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION

February 2016 Agenda

Hearing procedures for Agenda Item 8

      8. Consideration of Dismissal of the Executive Director
         Comments Received  Chief Counsel Memo

    Consideration and possible action to dismiss the Executive Director of the California Coastal Commission. Pursuant to Government Code § 11126(a), after the conclusion of the public hearing, the Commission may deliberate regarding this item in closed session. If the Commission takes any action during closed session to dismiss the Executive Director, the roll call vote will be reported publicly when the Commission reconvenes in open session

9. Selection Process for Executive Director

If necessary, consideration and possible action regarding the selection process for a new Executive Director of the California Coastal Commission.

10.  Selection of Interim Executive Director or Executive Director 

If necessary, at an appropriate time during the meeting, the Commission may meet in closed session to consider the appointment of an Interim Executive Director or a new Executive Director pursuant to Government Code § 11126(a). If the Commission takes any action during closed session to appoint an Interim Executive Director or new Executive Director, the roll call vote will be reported publicly when the Commission reconvenes in open session.

E-mail correspondence concerning Items 8-10
may be sent to [email protected]

Lester Memo w8!2!2016

CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION

February 4, 2016

TO: California Coastal Commission and Interested Parties

FROM: Charles Lester, Executive Director

SUBJECT: W8 – Background Information and a Path Forward

Chief Counsel Memo W8!2!2016

M E M O R A N D U M

February 6, 2016

TO: California Coastal Commissioners

Interested Members of the Public

FROM: Christopher Pederson, Chief Counsel

RE: Hearing on Consideration of Potential Dismissal of the Executive Director

(for the Commission Meeting of February 10, 2016)

REFERENCES:
Coastal Commission chief defends his record as panel moves to fire him

Tony Barboza Contact Reporter Los Angeles Times

FEBRUARY 5, 2016

35 former members of California Coastal Commission oppose effort to oust executive director
Dan Weikel and Tony Barboza Contact Reporters Los Angeles Times
FEBRUARY 2, 2016

Coastal Commission chief Charles Lester responds to firing threat
By Peter Fimrite SFGATE
Updated 1:23 pm, Saturday, February 6, 2016

Staff turmoil shakes powerful California coastal agency
By MICHAEL R. BLOOD, AP
Jan. 20, 2016

ORDER REGARDING BIFURCATION OF THE ALTERNATIVE FINES ACT ALLEGATIONS UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff, v. PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY, Defendant. Case No. 14-cr-00175-TEH

Order Regarding Bifurcation

Filed 02-02-16

ORDER REGARDING BIFURCATION OF THE ALTERNATIVE FINES ACT

ALLEGATIONS

Calendar for: Judge Thelton E. Henderson

Courtroom 2, 17th Floor/Courtroom 12, 19th Floor
Courtroom Deputy: Tana Ingle

Monday, Mar 7 2016

03:00PM

	- Pretrial Conference - Courtroom 2, 17th Floor
	3:14-cr-00175-TEH - USA v. Pacific Gas and Electric Company Motion Hearing Motion in Limine
	3:14-cr-00175-TEH-1 - USA v. Pacific Gas and Electric Company Pretrial Conference REFERENCE: Courthouse News Service More PG&E Fines Possible for San Bruno Blast By NICHOLAS IOVINO  Thursday, February 04, 2016

ORDER DENYING DEFENDANT’S MOTION TO DISMISS FOR ERRONEOUS LEGAL INSTRUCTIONS UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff, v. PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY, Defendant. Case No. 14-cr-00175-TEH

Order Denying Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss for Erroneous Legal Instructions

Filed 12-23-15

ORDER DENYING DEFENDANT’S MOTION TO DISMISS FOR ERRONEOUS LEGAL INSTRUCTIONS

ORDER DENYING DEFENDANT’S MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE AN OFFENSE: COUNT ONE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff, v. PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY, Defendant. Case No. 14-cr-00175-TEH

Order Denying Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss Count One

Filed 12-23-15

ORDER DENYING DEFENDANT’S MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE AN OFFENSE: COUNT ONE 

ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANT’S MOTION TO DISMISS FOR MULTIPLICITY UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff, v. PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY, Defendant. Case No. 14-cr-00175-TEH

Order Granting Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss for Multiplicity

Filed 12-23-15

ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANT’S MOTION TO DISMISS FOR MULTIPLICITY