RLn BRIEFS: July 26, 2016

Voluntary Port Mitigation Fund Approved

LONG BEACH — On July 25, the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners authorized a $46.4 million program to lessen the impacts of port-related pollution on the community.

The investment is expected to be disbursed within 12 to 15 years.

The previous funding from the Community Mitigation Grants Program helped pay for projects, which included air-filtration systems at schools, renewable energy projects, energy efficiency upgrades and asthma outreach health programs.

Before the port could consider establishing a new mitigation-related program, state law required the completion of a study identifying the port’s cumulative impacts to air, traffic, noise and water. The study, released in April, valued the impacts at $46.4 million.

In early fall, the port will host a public workshop to help develop grant guidelines for allocating funds to the variety of community health, facility improvement and community infrastructure projects identified in the study.

Funding is expected to be awarded beginning in 2017.

Long Beach Lobbyist Pleads Guilty to Tax Offense

LONG BEACH — Long Beach-based lobbyist Carl A. Kemp was charged June 7 with subscribing to a false tax return for the year 2012.

Kemp is 43, of Long Beach and is the owner of the public relations firm The Kemp Group. He entered the plea before United States District Judge Philip S. Gutierrez.

“For years, Mr. Kemp failed to accurately report his income to the [Internal Revenue Service] going so far as reporting zero taxable income for 2012 when his business brought in more than $200,000,” said U.S. Attorney Eileen M. Decker. “Everyone, no matter what business they are engaged in, has a responsibility to fully report their income on their income tax returns.”
He admits failing to report receiving an income of $754,783 from illegal marijuana stores and failed to report on his taxes for the years 2007 to 2012. Kemp admits that he owes the IRS $210,661 to cover the back taxes due for those six years, as well as a civil fraud penalty.

“As admitted by Kemp in documents filed with the court today, all forms of income are taxable, including cash payments received from illegal marijuana dispensaries and fees paid for lobbying services,” said IRS Criminal Investigation Acting Special Agent in Charge Anthony J. Orlando.

The charge of subscribing to a false tax return includes a maximum penalty of three years in federal prison. Kemp will be sentenced on Nov. 7, when he will face a statutory maximum sentence of three years in federal prison.

LA Homeless Services Authority Expands Shelter Hours

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority announced that nine crisis housing facilities are now open 24 hours per day. The shelters were previously open for 14 hours per day.

Eight-hundred-twenty beds make up 93 percent of the crisis housing beds funded by the Los Angeles through LAHSA.”

Los Angeles provided $1.5 million to convert the facilities from 14 hours to 24 hours.