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National Post
4 days ago
- Sport
- National Post
Rival baseball fans brawl in stands, multiple arrests made
A fan of the Los Angeles Angels sitting in the cheap seats was the victim of a nasty cheap shot. Article content During Wednesday night's rivalry game between the Los Angeles Angels and Dodgers at Angel Stadium, a man was punched and then kicked in the head during a violent incident in the outfield stands. Article content Article content The incident was captured on video and went viral on social media. Article content Oh my goodness they killed my boy here @Angels — Borgen (@Actually_Borgen) August 14, 2025 Article content During the game, an argument broke out between a group of fans wearing jerseys representing the opposing teams. From there, it escalated quickly. Article content Amidst some shouting, a man wearing a white Mike Trout Angels jersey was seen getting pushed back into a chair by a fan in the row in front of him. Article content Then, a man wearing a white Dodgers jersey jumps up into the empty row behind him and then kicks the Angels fan in the head after getting a running start. With the Angels fan clearly dazed from the kick, the Dodgers then landed a punch to his face before a woman in a red Angels jersey tries to protect him as the clip ends. Article content According to TMZ, the altercation led to two arrests. Article content According to the outlet, a spokesperson for the Anaheim Police Department said that the fight 'appears to have started over the stealing of a hat,' but they didn't state who took the headpiece. Article content Police said that two people, both in their mid-20s, were arrested in connection with the fight. One person was being charged with misdemeanour assault, while the man deemed to be the primary attacker faces a felony assault charge. Article content Article content The identities of the two individuals have not been released, nor has the victim's name. Article content Article content According to the outlet, the victim refused transportation to the hospital and it was unclear if he sought any medical attention after the game. Article content The incident in the outfield stands wasn't the only one to go down during the game, either. In a video posted to TikTok, two fans – one wearing a white Dodgers jersey were seen getting into a heated argument in the first few rows of seats down the third base line. Article content The clip shows two women yelling at each other for roughly 30 seconds before security gets involved. As the woman in the Dodgers jersey gives a slight shove to the woman in a yellow shirt, drawing a reaction from the crowd. Article content
Los Angeles Times
7 days ago
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Feds seek probation for ex-Democratic Party leader involved in corruption scandal
A federal judge is expected to sentence Melahat Rafiei, a former Orange County Democratic Party leader and key witness in the FBI's sprawling O.C. political corruption probe, after she pleaded guilty to attempted wire fraud and admitted to attempted bribery. U.S. District Court Judge Fernando Aenlle-Rocha will preside over Rafiei's scheduled sentencing hearing on Aug. 22. Attempted wire fraud carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. But, citing Rafiei's cooperation with the investigation and lack of a prior criminal record, federal prosecutors have argued in recently filed court documents that one-year probation and a $10,000 fine is an appropriate punishment. The corruption probe, which first publicly surfaced in 2022, exposed the inner workings of a self-described 'cabal' in Anaheim, halted the approved $320-million Angel Stadium deal and led to the conviction of disgraced former Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu for lying to FBI agents. Former Anaheim Chamber of Commerce president and chief executive Todd Ament also pleaded guilty to multiple felonies, including a retail cannabis-related wire fraud scheme. He awaits sentencing next year and may have his charges reduced for his own cooperation. 'Without defendant Rafiei's actions, the government likely could not have charged Ament or Sidhu,' court documents read. 'Rafiei devoted a significant amount of time to her cooperation, provided information that was truthful and timely and risked her own political, business and personal connections and reputation to do so.' Though the corruption probe ended the Angel Stadium deal and led to Sidhu's resignation as mayor, it traces its origins back to Irvine and Rafiei. In 2018, Rafiei attempted a bribery scheme involving $225,000, retail cannabis and two members of the Irvine City Council. Unbeknownst to Rafiei, she represented cannabis clients who also served as government informants. The scheme aimed to have the council members back a retail cannabis law favorable to her clients in exchange for the bribe. Former Irvine City Councilmember Melissa Fox released a statement in 2023 saying she cooperated with the FBI and provided Rafiei with a legal services quote but was never privy to any bribery scheme. No former members of the Irvine City Council have been named or charged in connection with the scheme. As part of Rafiei's plea deal in 2023, she admitted to but was not charged with bribery. Rafiei also represented one of the cannabis clients in Anaheim. When Jordan Brandman returned to the Anaheim City Council in 2018, he introduced Rafiei to Ament and political consultant Jeff Flint at the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce's office to discuss retail cannabis. He believed there would be a majority of votes on the council to legalize and regulate pot shops in the city. 'I wanted this policy and I wanted the tax revenue,' Brandman told TimesOC in a February 2024 interview months before his death from acute methamphetamine intoxication. Brandman said during the interview he had no knowledge of what happened between Rafiei, Ament and Flint in the months that followed his introduction in early 2019, which has since been outlined in FBI affidavits. 'I put them together and that was it,' he said. 'I'm the council member. They were supposed to develop the policy, bring it to the council and I'll get the votes.' According to the FBI, Rafiei told her client that a payment of at least $300,000 would enable her to have a tailored retail cannabis law passed through Ament and Flint's influence over the Anaheim City Council. She claimed that she would keep $10,000 for her services but actually intended to pocket $100,000. Rafiei was already working on retail cannabis efforts in Anaheim for other clients before the attempted wire fraud. Neither Irvine nor Anaheim have passed any related laws. Rafiei 'engaged in serious and deceptive behavior, demonstrating complete disregard for the democratic process and the public interest and prioritizing only her own financial gain,' federal prosecutors argued. 'Conduct like [hers] threatens to undermine public trust in government and the political process, at a time when public trust is already low.' Rafiei served as the executive director of the Democratic Party of Orange County from 2007 to 2009. After growing the party's base, she turned her attention to political fundraising and consulting. Rafiei founded Progressive Solutions Consulting in 2009. The firm worked on local campaigns before setting its sights higher. In 2018, Rafiei worked as a fundraising consultant on Kevin de León's bid to challenge the late Sen. Diane Feinstein when she was running to retain her seat. According to Federal Election Commission records, De León's campaign paid Progressive Solutions Consulting $168,500 that year. She later became secretary of the California Democratic Party in 2021 and served as a member of the Democratic National Committee. She resigned from both positions when the federal corruption probe surfaced the following year.
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Angels miss chance to move above .500, losing to Nationals
Nationals fielder Jacob Young avoids a pitch while trying to bunt during the fifth inning of a game against the Angels Sunday at Angel Stadium. (William Liang / Associated Press) Young Angels fans who lined the infield for autographs as the team jogged onto the field Sunday, may not know the thrill, heart-racing suspense of the postseason — nor the captivating, religious-like fervor the rally monkey could bring. Neither did the Angels that took their places in the field, combining for zero postseason appearances — a group that hadn't even made their major-league debuts when Mike Trout last led the Angels to the playoffs. Advertisement 2014 represents the longest postseason drought in MLB. Meanwhile, the 2002 World Series title may read more as a story told by parents to the kids who ran back up into the shaded seats away from the blistering sun after receiving signed baseballs from a group featuring some present-day Angels — Nolan Schanuel, Christian Moore and Logan O'Hoppe. Does the pressure of holding a postseason spot, potentially hitting a benchmark goal before the All-Star break, change the short-term focus of the franchise? When asked about the expectations before Sunday's game, interim manager Ray Montgomery said he's just focused on the now, a message he's been trying to instill in the clubhouse since spring training. 'If we worry about ourselves and playing the day that we're scheduled to play, and not worry about the other stuff, we'll continue to be fine,' Montgomery said. On Sunday, however, focus collapsed in the ninth and extra innings, a winning record remaining just past arm's length in the Angels' 11-inning, 7-4 defeat to the Nationals (35-49). Closer Kenley Jansen blew his first save of the season in the ninth while up one run, and despite a scoreless 10th from Connor Brogdon, he gave up three runs (two earned) in the 11th after a CJ Abrams triple broke the game open. Advertisement The Angels (41-42) had plenty of opportunity to hold on to secure their first winning record since April 20. Outfielder Taylor Ward had a career-high three doubles, the first of which scored Schanuel — who reached on a walk — in the first to give the Angels a 1-0 lead. In the sixth, down 2-1, Ward led off the bottom half with a double, on a ground ball deflected by a diving attempt by Nationals third baseman Brady House. Read more: Angels' Ron Washington will remain on medical leave for rest of season The eighth-year Angels veteran scored on a single from Jo Adell — extending his hit streak to a career-high 11 games — in the next at bat. Moore, who got his first taste of stardom Saturday with a fan meet-and-greet in Tustin, treated the home crowd to a go-ahead single scoring Adell later in the inning. Quickly becoming a fan favorite for the Halos faithful, Moore capped off his introductory homestand with another clutch at bat — in a week that started with a bang thanks to his two home run spectacle Tuesday against the Red Sox. The rookie second baseman collected five tying or go-ahead hits across the homestand. Advertisement Angels starting pitcher Jack Kochanowicz was drilled in the left leg with a comebacker in the first inning, but pitched into the fifth until Montgomery pulled the sinkerballer after a walk and double. He gave up two runs and five hits and two walks, while striking out two. The Angels bullpen was solid after Kochanowicz removal, combining for five strikeouts, three walks, three hits and two runs before extra innings began. Reid Detmers highlighted the combined effort, striking out three across 1 ⅓ innings, and helping Ryan Zeferjahn escape the seventh with just one run to his name. The southpaw was in line for the victory before Jansen's blown save sent the game to extra innings. Jumping for Jo(y) Adell has strung together a potential AL Player of the Month-level campaign in June, socking 11 home runs — best in the AL — as well as .284 batting average and 18 RBIs. Advertisement So far, Adell is already on pace a career-high in wins above replacement rating with 1.0 entering the game, according to Baseball Reference, and is on track for career-best marks in on-base percentage and slugging percentage as well. 'I'm rooting for him,' Montgomery said. 'The home runs are nice, and it's a byproduct of being on the field every day, the work he's doing. But everything defensively, base running, he's contributing every way possible.' Etc. Zach Neto pinch-hit in the seventh inning for shortstop Kevin Newman and then played the remainder of the game — his first time back fielding since jamming his shoulder Tuesday. Advertisement Montgomery said before the game that conversations with Neto and the medical staff leaned to giving him a full off day, along with having the Monday off day, rather than just being in the lineup as the designated hitter. But when push came to shove in a then-tied game, Neto (0-for-2) and Mike Trout — who began the game on the bench — had an at bat. Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Angels fail to capitalize on chances and bullpen implodes in loss to Nationals
Angels right fielder LaMonte Wade Jr. makes a sliding catch during the eighth inning of a 15-9 loss to the Washington Nationals at Angel Stadium on Friday night. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Associated Press) Game 81. The halfway point of the 2025 season arrived at Angel Stadium — and the Angels, albeit squarely in contention at .500, were dealing with a bit of organizational uncertainty. Angels General Manager Perry Minasian announced before Friday's game that manager Ron Washington would remain on medical leave for the rest of the season because of an undisclosed health issue. Advertisement Bench coach Ray Montgomery took over the reins on June 20 as the acting — now interim — manager as the Angels entered Friday as winners in seven of their last 10 games. The Angels are in a much better spot than 2024. This time last season, after game 81, they were 11 games under .500 — squarely out of the postseason hunt. Read more: Angels' Ron Washington will remain on medical leave for rest of season Friday, however, even after losing 15-9 in a three-hour, 11-minute slog of a series opener against the Washington Nationals (34-48), the Angels (40-41) still are just two games out of the third American League wild card spot. Advertisement In a game where the Angels and Nationals combined for 24 runs and 30 hits — with the 19 hits and 15 runs given up by the Angels' pitching staff representing season-worst marks — what ultimately separated the teams was the Angels' inability to come through with runners on base. In the sixth and seventh innings — down one and two runs, respectively — the Angels had opportunities to take the lead or tie the game with runners in scoring position, but failed to capitalize. From there, the Nationals' lead would grow, with Hunter Strickland giving up four runs in the ninth as part of a 10-run barrage against the Angels' bullpen. In the early innings, the Angels had plenty of opportunities against Nationals starting pitcher Jake Irvin, who struggled against the heart of the lineup. Jo Adell struck a 92-mph fastball high and away to right field for a solo home run — his 18th overall and 11th in June — in the second. An inning later, Nolan Schanuel and Taylor Ward received hanging breaking balls — a high curveball and slider, respectively — and pulled the ball for short-porch home runs. Advertisement Read more: Shaikin: Why many cost-conscious MLB owners are rooting for Angels' success Three home runs across three innings helped the Angels build a three-run lead. Across 4 ⅓ innings of work against Irvin, the Angels' lineup continued to click. They tallied nine runs (eight earned to Irvin) on nine hits — just enough for an early lead as José Soriano tossed his worst outing of the season. Soriano couldn't exit the fifth against the Nationals. The shutdown pitching he had featured in his last three starts — giving up just two runs across 20 ⅔ innings — looked like a distant memory. The right-hander struck out four and walked two, while giving up eight earned runs and nine hits. Angels shortstop Zach Neto (shoulder) returned to action, striking out in the seventh inning as a pinch hitter. Advertisement Before the game, Neto said that he'd likely be able to hit before throwing — something he's yet to do — after jamming his shoulder on a stolen base attempt Tuesday. Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Brent Rooker's two-run homer (16)
Rooker's second home run of game pulls A's within one of Angels Athletics outfielder Brent Rooker blasts his second home run of the game, bringing the A's within one of the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday at Angel second home run of game pulls A's within one of Angels originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
