Anti-protest gates installed at freeway ramps, Ex-employee accused in LAUSD money laundering scheme, UCLA sues over Bianco Prop 50 investigation— Morning Edition

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Today on the LA Report Morning Edition, gates are going up along the 101 to keep tomorrow's

no-kings protests off the freeway.

A former LA unified employees accused of being part of one of the largest money laundering

schemes in district history.

I broke all law for you already, LOL.

And UCLA sues to stop the Riverside County Sheriff's investigation into the Prop 50 election.

The issue here is unusual because the sheriff is running for governor.

Good morning, it's Friday, March 27th, I'm Austin Cross, and this is the LA Report

from LA's News.

CalTrans is installing gates on ramps to the 101 in downtown LA.

They're meant to prevent freeway protests ahead of tomorrow's no-kings rallies.

In recent years, some marches have shut down parts of the 101 forcing CHP to block

ramps with their vehicles.

More than 50 no-kings events are scheduled across the Southland tomorrow with organizers

expecting 100,000 people to show up.

The former LA unified employee and a tech company CEO are facing felony charges, and what

prosecutors say is one of the largest money laundering schemes in district history.

LA County District Attorney Nathan Hockman says, Hong Grace Payne of Pasadena, steered

$22 million in contracts to the company and Nive.

He says the proof is in the text between Payne and Nive CEO, Galtham Sampath.

What did you say in Nive is lucky, Payne responds because you have me, LOL, on the selection

committee.

It's cone of silence, I broke all law for you already, LOL, I can't make this stuff

up.

Can't make this stuff up indeed.

Payne told LA as she has no comment, a lawyer for Sampath said his client had no involvement

in how the contract was awarded.

The UCLA is suing to stop Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco's secret ballot count in

last year's Prop 50 election.

The school's voting rights project says Bianco is counting more than 600,000 ballots without

election officials or observers present.

Political science professor Jack Pitney tells CBSLA the investigation may be about more

than election integrity.

The issue here is unusual because the sheriff is running for governor, and that leads to

criticism that this is an effort to gain statewide visibility and curry favor with supporters

of President Trump.

The suit was filed in state court after a federal judge declined to step in.

Coming up, we're going to be addressing that because that was not good.

A close call in the skies near John Wayne Airport, stick around.

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Back with the LA report, I'm Austin Cross.

The feds are investigating a near miss from this week at John Wayne Airport in Orange

County.

On Tuesday, a California Air National Guard Black Hawk helicopter crossed in front of

the path of a United Airlines plane.

It got so close, the United Pilot received an RA or resolution advisory warning him to

pull up.

Our media partner CBSLA obtained audio from the cockpit.

We had a resolution advisory for you guys at an RA.

Thank you and we're going to be addressing that because that was not good.

The plane landed without incident.

The U.S. Transportation Department has recently changed rules for helicopters around airports

after recent close calls, including one at Burbank Airport.

Let's talk sports.

We are.

We're so back.

Lots of winning yesterday.

Dodgers beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-2 on opening day.

Andy Pahez hit a three-run homer in that win.

Angels Meanwhile also started the season with a three-nothing win over the Houston Astros.

Mike Trout, homer in that game.

Alright, let's talk hockey.

The ducks beat the Calgary Flames 3-2 and over time.

Mikhail Grandland scored a hat trick, including the game winner.

The Kings shut out the Vancouver Canucks, Ford, a Zip later today in March Madness, UCLA

Women take on Minnesota in the sweet 16.

That's at 430.

Hey, thanks for listening to the LA Reports Morning Edition hosted by me, Austin Cross, and

produced by Kyle Kreis.

Our engineer is Federico Garcia Rodriguez.

Check back here at 1 for the afternoon edition.

You can read more on our website, laist.com, or listen live anytime on the laist app, or

on the radio at 89.3 FM listeners like you make the LA Report possible.

Please donate at laist.com slash join.

The LA Report is supported by Gordon and Donna Crawford, who believe quality journalism

makes Southern California a better place to live.

Hi, I'm Jen Boffman, Director of Programming here at LAist.

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