Latest news with #Hochman
2 days ago
- General
Suspect charged with murder in shooting that killed 2, including officer
A suspect accused of fatally shooting a man and then opening fire on responding officers, killing one of them, has been charged with murder, authorities in Southern California said Tuesday. The suspect -- 22-year-old Eduardo Roberto Medina Berumen -- is also charged with attempted murder of a peace officer in what authorities described as a chaotic gunfight. The incident occurred Saturday evening in the Los Angeles County city of Baldwin Park. Darius Wong, a 43-year-old father of two, was fatally shot after just parking his car, authorities said. "He was senselessly murdered that night," Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said at a press briefing Tuesday. "This loss is devastating to their family, and all of us." When Baldwin police officers who responded to a call of a man firing a rifle arrived at the scene, the gunman "immediately" fired upon them, Luna said. Officer Samuel Riveros was killed by the suspect's gunfire, the sheriff said. "When the bullets were flying, he ran into those bullets to try and keep his community safe and in doing so, he made the ultimate sacrifice of his life," Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said of Riveros at the briefing. Officer Anthony Pimentel was also injured by shards of glass after a bullet "exploded through a windshield," Hochman said. A third officer who was among the first to respond to the scene was not injured, authorities said. The suspect was shot in the exchange of gunfire with officers and remains hospitalized in stable condition, Luna said. An "AR-15-style weapon" with two high-capacity magazines was recovered at the scene, according to Luna. Near the weapon were approximately 40 to 60 expended casings, according to Hochman. A motive remains under investigation, Luna said. The sheriff's department is also still investigating whether the suspect had any prior connection to Wong, he said. Medina Berumen was charged with two counts of murder with the special circumstance allegations of multiple murders and murder of a peace officer, the district attorney's office said. He also faces two counts of attempted murder of a peace officer and one count of possession of an assault weapon. His arraignment will be scheduled for a later date. If convicted as charged, he faces death or life in state prison without the possibility of parole. A decision on whether to seek the death penalty will be made at a later date, following a review that is expected to take several months, Hochman said.
Los Angeles Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Even tough-on-crime district attorneys know prison reform is smart
On a recent morning inside San Quentin prison, Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman and more than a dozen other prosecutors crowded into a high-ceilinged meeting hall surrounded by killers, rapists and other serious offenders. Name the crime, one of these guys has probably done it. 'It's not every day that you're in a room of 100 people, most of whom have committed murder, extremely violent crimes, and been convicted of it,' Hochman later said. Many of these men, in their casual blue uniforms, were serving long sentences with little chance of getting out, like Marlon Arturo Melendez, an L.A. native who is now in for murder. Melendez sat in a 'sharing circle,' close enough to Hochman that their knees could touch, no bars between them. They chatted about the decrease in gang violence in the decades since Melendez was first incarcerated more than 20 years ago, and Melendez said he found Hochman 'interesting.' Inside San Quentin, this kind of interaction between inmates and guests isn't unusual. For decades, the prison by the Bay has been doing incarceration differently, cobbling together a system that focuses on accountability and rehabilitation. Like the other men in the room, Melendez takes responsibility for the harm he caused, and every day works to be a better man. When he introduces himself, he names his victims — an acknowledgment that what he did can't be undone but also an acknowledgment that he doesn't have to remain the same man who pulled the trigger. Whether or not Melendez or any of these men ever walk free, what was once California's most notorious lockup is now a place that offers them the chance to change and provides the most elusive of emotions for prisoners — hope. Creating that culture is a theory and practice of imprisonment that Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to make the standard across the state. He's dubbed it the California Model, but as I've written about before, it's common practice in other countries (and even in a few places in the United States). It's based on a simple truth about incarceration: Most people who go into prison come out again. Public safety demands that they behave differently when they do. 'We are either paying to keep them here or we are paying if they come back out and harm somebody,' said Brooke Jenkins, the district attorney of San Francisco, who has visited San Quentin regularly for years. Jenkins was the organizer of this unusual day that brought district attorneys from around the state inside of San Quentin to gain a better understanding of how the California Model works, and why even tough-on-crime district attorneys should support transforming our prisons. As California does an about-face away from a decade of progressive criminal justice advances with new crackdowns such as those promised by the recently passed Proposition 36 (which is expected to increase the state inmate population), it is also continuing to move ahead with the controversial plan to remake prison culture, both for inmates and guards, by centering on rehabilitation over punishment. Despite a tough economic year that is requiring the state to slash spending, Newsom has kept intact more than $200 million from the prior budget to revamp San Quentin so that its outdated facilities can support more than just locking up folks in cells. Some of that construction, already happening on the grounds, is expected to be completed next year. It will make San Quentin the most visible example of the California Model. But changes in how inmates and guards interact and what rehabilitation opportunities are available are already underway at prisons across the state. It is an overdue and profound transformation that has the potential to not only improve public safety and save money in the long run, but to fundamentally reshape what incarceration means across the country. Jenkins' push to help more prosecutors understand and value this metamorphosis might be crucial to helping the public support it as well — especially for those D.A.s whose constituents are just fine with a system that locks up men to suffer for their (often atrocious) crimes. Or even those Californians, such as many in San Francisco and Los Angeles, who are just fed up with the perception that California is soft on criminals. 'It's not about moderate or progressive, but I think all of us that are moderates have to admit that there are reforms that still need to happen,' Jenkins told me as we walked through the prison yard. She took office after the successful recall of her progressive predecessor, Chesa Boudin, and a rightward shift in San Francisco on crime policy. Still, she is vocal about the need for second chances. For her, prison reform is about more than the California Model, but a broader lens that includes the perspectives of incarcerated people, and their insights on what they need to make rehabilitation work. 'It really grounds you in your obligation to make sure that the culture in the [district attorney's] office is fair,' she said. For Hochman, a former federal prosecutor and defense lawyer who resoundingly ousted progressive George Gascón last year, rehabilitation makes sense. He likes to paraphrase a Fyodor Dostoevsky quote, 'The degree of civilization in a society is revealed by entering its prisons.' 'In my perfect world, the education system, the family system, the community, would have done all this work on the front end such that these people wouldn't have been in position to commit crimes in the first place,' he said. But when that fails, it's up to the criminal justice system to help people fix themselves. Despite being perceived as a tough-on-crime D.A. (he prefers 'fair on crime') he's so committed to that goal of rehabilitation that he is determined to push for a new Men's Central Jail in Los Angeles County — an expensive (billions) and unpopular idea that he says is long overdue but critical to public safety. 'Los Angeles County is absolutely failing because our prisons and jails are woefully inadequate,' he said. He's quick to add that rehabilitation isn't for everyone. Some just aren't ready for it. Some don't care. The inmates of San Quentin agree with him. They are often fiercely vocal about who gets transferred to the prison, knowing that its success relies on having incarcerated people who want to change — one rogue inmate at San Quentin could ruin it for all of them. 'It has to be a choice. You have to understand that for yourself,' Oscar Acosta told me. Now 32, he's a 'CDC baby,' as he puts it — referring to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation — and has been behind bars since he was 18. He credits San Quentin with helping him accept responsibility for his crimes and see a path forward. When the California Model works, as the district attorneys saw, it's obvious what its value is. Men who once were nothing but dangerous have the option to live different lives, with different values. Even if they remain incarcerated. 'After having been considered the worst of the worst, today I am a new man,' Melendez told me. 'I hope (the district attorneys) were able to see real change in those who sat with them and be persuaded that rehabilitation over punishment is more fruitful and that justice seasoned with restoration is better for all.' Melendez and the other incarcerated men at San Quentin aspire for us to see them as more than their worst actions. And they take heart that even prosecutors like Jenkins and Hochman, who put them behind bars, sometimes with triple-digit sentences, do see that the past does not always determine the future, and that investing in their change is an investment in safer communities.
New York Post
19-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
LA County DA Nathan Hochman promises crackdown on illegal immigrants: ‘The fun is over'
Tough-on-crime Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman is doubling down on border crossings and vowed that criminals will now be held 'fully accountable for their illegal actions.' Hochman, a Republican-turned-Independent, defeated incumbent progressive prosecutor George Gascón by a 20-point margin. Advertisement Gascón was considered by many voters to be soft on crime. 'I am standing at the border between LA County and San Bernardino County where criminals used to enjoy crossing in the LA direction, thinking that little to no consequences would occur if they stole, robbed and engaged in criminal conduct,' Hochman shared in a video posted on his X account on Sunday. 'Times have changed! The fun is over. A new DA was elected. And criminals in LA County will now be prosecuted and held fully accountable for their illegal actions,' he continued.' Hochman, a former federal prosecutor and lifelong Los Angeles resident, campaigned as a 'hard middle' candidate, rejecting both mass incarceration and the 'public safety failure' of Gascón's liberal policies, which Hochman said led to increased crime and a lack of consequences for juvenile offenders. Advertisement 3 Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman speaks to reporters outside of an LA courthouse on May 9, 2025. Getty Images He also previously served as the president of the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission and accused Gascón of 'catastrophic incompetence' on the campaign trail and vowed to restore order and common sense. While in office, Gascón survived two recall attempts as voters voiced concern over his policies. He also co-authored the infamous Proposition 47, a 2014 voter-approved measure that downgraded most thefts from felonies to misdemeanors if the amount stolen were under $950, and reclassified some felony drug offenses as misdemeanors. Advertisement 3 Mexican national Manuel Seberiano Garcia-Muñoz was arrested in Los Angeles for illegally re-entering the US. HSILosAngeles/X 3 Jaime Gonzalez Alvarez, a suspected member fo the Citron Street gang was arrested in Los Angeles for illegally being in the US. HSILosAngeles/X Despite political differences between voters, public safety is a crossover issue, said Hochman. 'I spoke to ultra-left liberals, independents and conservative Republicans. And it turns out that even though they don't agree on much, they do agree that making sure that the district attorney prioritizes their safety and implements policies that will hold criminals accountable for their actions in a smart and proportional manner really matters,' he said.
Malaysian Reserve
18-05-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Prestigious 2025 Gold Plate Award Goes to Kevin Hochman
IFMA The Food Away from Home Association honors the CEO & President of Brinker International with coveted Gold Plate Award CHICAGO, May 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Hundreds of industry leaders were on hand in the Great Hall of Chicago's Union Station on Saturday night, May 17, as Kevin Hochman, CEO & President of Brinker International was awarded the 2025 Gold Plate Award from the IFMA The Food Away from Home Association. Hochman was nominated in the Chain Full Service category by The Coca Cola Company and selected from the eight honorees who took home Silver Plate awards this year. Hochman became CEO and President of Brinker International, Inc., in 2022. Brinker is one of the world's leading casual dining companies and home of Chili's® Grill & Bar, and Maggiano's Little Italy®. Brinker-owned restaurants serve about 800,000 guests daily, with a workforce of 70,000+. Under Hochman's leadership, the company's market capitalization has increased to over $7 billion. Hochman was introduced at the awards ceremony by his mentor, Dave Goebel, Chairman of Jack in the Box, who told the attending crowd that 'The combination of Kevin's intellectual capacity, his spirit of inclusiveness, his transparency and authenticity, his heart and genuine concern for the thousands of Chiliheads and Maggiano's team members is core to his success, what brings him here this evening and will serve those brands well for years to come.' In accepting the Gold Plate, Hochman thanked the many people who have supported him, from his mother, wife, and family to his colleagues and mentors. He said that, reflecting on the great success of Chili's led him to three important realizations, 'One: Dining out is not dead…eating out is as relevant as ever for consumers. Two: If you can do the fundamentals well…you can make your operation a success. And Three: Listen to the front lines. Those closest to the customer can help you make better decisions.' For 71 years, IFMA The Food Away from Home Association has presented awards to extraordinary foodservice operators through the Gold & Silver Plate Awards, the most respected awards program in foodservice. Each year, the group solicits nominations from across the industry and a distinguished jury of industry experts weighs the merits of candidates who represent a variety of foodservice segments. Selected honorees receive a Silver Plate Award, and one is then chosen by secret ballot to receive the Gold Plate Award for overall industry excellence. Past Gold Plate winners include Danny Meyer (2000), Van Eure (2004), Charlie Trotter (2008), Timothy J. Dietzler (2010), Wolfgang Puck (2017), Regynald G. Washington (2019), Antionette Watkins (2021), Lance Trenary (2022), Jessica Shelly (2023), and Chris Tomasso (2024). In addition to Hochman, 2025 Silver Plate recipients are: Geoff Alexander, President and CEO of Wow Bao, in the category of Grocery, Convenience, & Specialty Retail, nominated by Ecolab Ryan Conklin, Director & Executive Chef Culinary and Nutrition Services at UNC Health Rex, in the category of Healthcare, nominated by ITW Food Equipment Group Gary Crompton, President & CEO of Aramark Workplace Experience Group, in the category of Business & Industry / Foodservice Management, nominated by PepsiCo Whitney Ellersick, Executive Director for Nutrition Services at Hillsboro School District, in the category of Elementary & Secondary Schools, nominated by Nestlé Professional Solutions Patti Klos, Director of Dining Services at Tufts University, in the category of Colleges & Universities, nominated by ITW Food Equipment Group Richard Schneider, Chief Development Officer at Areas USA, in the category of Travel & Leisure Foodservice, nominated by Ecolab, Hormel Foods, and Nestlé Professional Solutions Michael Skipworth, President and CEO of Wingstop, in the category of Chain Limited Service, nominated by Ecolab and Tyson Foods 'It was an honor to present the Gold Plate to Kevin Hochman this year,' said Phil Kafarakis, IFMA The Food Away from Home Association's President & CEO. 'All our winners are nominated by food, beverage, and equipment manufacturer partners who know their stories first-hand. It's a remarkable class of honorees that proves the point that our entire industry is interconnected and stronger together. And it's exciting to realize that these leaders will continue their relationship with us through the Gold & Silver Plate Society, made up of all past award winners.' The black-tie celebration for the 2025 Silver Plate Class was attended by hundreds of food-away-from-home leaders and luminaries and emceed by the 2022 Gold Plate honoree and CEO of Golden Corral, Lance Trenary. The event opened with the presentation of the National Restaurant Association's Legends Award, presented to Past Golden Corral CEO, Ted Fowler. Trenary spoke from the heart in honoring Fowler, 'I have had the privilege of having a front row seat to this man's life and as my mentor, my friend, my confidant, my fellow foodie, and my fly-fishing buddy so I can honestly say, I am grateful beyond words.' IFMA The Food Away from Home Association is currently soliciting candidates for the 2026 Silver Plate Awards. Nominations will be accepted through September. The 2026 Gold & Silver Plate Awards Celebration will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2026. For more information, visit About IFMA The Food Away from Home AssociationIFMA The Food Away from Home Association is a trade association founded in 1952. The organization empowers, nurtures, and connects an inclusive and diverse $1.5 trillion food-away-from-home ecosystem of manufacturers, distributors, operators, and others. By sharing insights, fostering best practices, and developing networking and educational opportunities through events, IFMA The Food Away from Home Association informs and instructs its members, and motivates change to improve both individual organizations and the food-away-from-home industry at large. For more information, visit
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
LA DA Hochman touts Prop 36 success for deterring retail theft
The Brief LA County DA Hochman hailed Prop 36 for deterring retail theft. The announcement was made outside a 7-Eleven that has been victimized 12 times in recent weeks. He said since December, over a thousand arrests have been made for theft. LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman hailed the success of Proposition 36 for deterring retail theft. What we know Hochman held a press conference Wednesday outside a 7-Eleven store on Olympic Blvd. that has been repeatedly targeted by flash-mobs and other robberies. He also announced a campaign to distribute thousands of bright yellow stickers to be posted at businesses, warning potential thieves of the stepped-up criminal penalties for robberies. Prop 36, which California voters passed in November, increased some shoplifting offenses from misdemeanors to felonies in an effort to crack down on robberies and burglaries. Hochman said the increased penalties serve as a warning to potential offenders. What they're saying "Is it working? Has Proposition 36 actually resulted in more felony arrests? The answer is yes. Since Dec. 18, we have had over a thousand Proposition 36 arrests for thieves alone," Hochman said during the press conference. "Our goal is not to fill our prisons with these thieves. That would be the failure of efforts. Our goal is to deter these criminals from committing these crimes in the first place," he added. "And when I say victims, I don't mean just the stores and the store owners -- the quality of our life is degrading." SUGGESTED: California Prop 36 explained: Increasing penalties for theft and drug trafficking Target pulls the plug on self-checkout amid shoplifting surge $300,000 in stolen merchandise recovered during LA retail theft bust The owner of the 7-Eleven store in the 8500 block of West Olympic Boulevard where Hochman made his remarks, echoed his sentiments saying retailers have been targeted by repeat offenders with no fear of reprisal. "Communities have been targeted repeatedly by shoplifters -- not one- time offenders, but the same individuals coming back over and over knowing that there were no real consequences," Jawad Ursani told reporters. "My store was targeted not once but twice by a smash-and-grab by about over 50 teenagers and a repeat shoplifter who is now detained and will be held accountable by this D.A.'s Office as we speak." One of the flash-mob robberies at Ursani's store occurred in September of last year, when dozens of teens on bicycles swarmed the location and ransacked the store. The Source Information for this story is from the office of LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman. City News Service contributed to this report.
