Candidate for
Supervisor; County of Orange; Supervisorial District 5

As a native of Orange County, I have helped keep our community safe for 35 years. I am married and have a 6 year old daughter. We are blessed to live in south Orange County and want to pass on the Orange County we love to future generations.

Protecting Us--How It All Began

When I was about 5 years old, while stopped at a red light, I heard shouts coming from a car stopped next to us. I looked towards the screaming and saw a man and woman yelling at each other. The woman rolled down her window, grabbed a ring that was on her finger, and threw the ring out of the car onto the street. As the ring bounced along the asphalt, she opened the door and walked quickly across the intersection towards a gas station. The man jumped from the car and ran after her. Catching her in the street, the man grabbed the lady by the neck and began shaking her like a rag doll. She grabbed his hands as she futilely tried to pry them from her neck. As he strangled and shook her, the young lady's hands slowly loosened until her arms drooped down to the side of her now flaccid body. As she collapsed to the ground, the man didn't stop choking her. The only movement she made was caused by the man as he choked and shook her--bouncing her head on the pavement. I saw men and women standing in the parking lot of the gas station watching. Others in cars sat and watched. Nobody helped that lady--nobody.

The impact of witnessing this horrible crime and other events in my life steeled my resolve to always stand for those who can't defend themselves.

Protecting Us--My Army Years (Active Duty: 1979-1982)

Following in my parent's footsteps, I volunteered to join the Army when I turned 18. While I was assigned to a Hawk missile battery in Giessen, Germany, Russia amassed on the border of Poland and other countries, threatening to attack us and our N.A.T.O. allies. Fortunately, as we assembled for battle, Russia backed off. During my active duty service, I received two Army Commendation medals and an Army Achievement medal for going above and beyond the call of duty on countless occasions. I continued my military service in the reserves and National Guard until Gulf War I was complete.

Protecting Us--My Police Years (1982-1995)

When I turned 21, I became an Orange County Deputy Sheriff working in the main jail. In 1983, I transferred to the Costa Mesa Police Department where I worked in various assignments. These assignments included working patrol, as a training officer, on the City's first and cutting edge recidivist offender team, and as a detective. I also volunteered to work concurrent assignments on the riot control team and on the S.W.A.T. team. After 6 years, I transferred to the Santa Ana Police Department where I worked patrol, worked a two officer major crime response team, as well as on the gang task force. During my service as a fair, but tough, police officer, I received a lifesaving award and numerous commendations for service above and beyond the call of duty.

During these years, I also felt the scar of the sword as well--four friends were killed in the line of duty.

Protecting Us--My Education

To continue my influence as a problem solver and to strengthen my stand against the hoodlums and predators that prey upon us, I furthered my education during my non-duty time. I attended law school while working as a police officer, sacrificing and scrimping to pay off my law school tuition. This hard work paid off as I completed my education and became the first person in my blue collar family to obtain a four year college degree and subsequently a Juris Doctorate. My formal education includes obtaining an A.S. in Criminal Justice, a B.S.L. in Law and a J.D. in Law.

Protecting Us--My Continuing Years as a Criminal Prosecutor (1995-Present)

I have been a criminal prosecutor since 1995. During this time, I worked in various assignments that helped prosecute thousands of criminals, culminating in the honor of becoming a lead voice in identifying, locating and dismantling transnational and international organized crime groups. Various scams and technology were used by these criminals to specifically target and steal from Orange County residents and elsewhere in the United States. Determined and undaunted, I helped create an international coalition of likeminded police officers, federal agents, prosecutors, and foreign governments to pursue these criminals. Through much diligence and a dogged pursuit of justice, hundreds of these criminals stealing millions of dollars from hard working folks and businesses in Orange County and elsewhere in America are now doing hard time.

For nearly two decades as a Deputy District Attorney and as a Special Assistant United States Attorney, I have prosecuted an array of violent and serious criminals and "third strikers." These offenders include street gang members, violent motorcycle gang members, organized crime groups, drug dealers and cartel members. I also prosecuted criminals involved in clandestine labs, domestic violence, elder abuse, drug cases that endangered children, weapons violations, and arson and explosives cases.

Most recently, I handled many of the most complex and sophisticated major fraud crimes ranging from embezzlement, corporate bribery, real estate fraud, identity theft, construction fraud, fraud and schemes targeting the elderly, money laundering, and public corruption.

When time permits, I also teach at Trinity Law School as an Adjunct Law Professor.