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Former Silicon Valley tech executive charged by feds for alleged role in fraud scheme

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:32:08 GMT

SAN JOSE — A Silicon Valley-based tech executive was charged with wire fraud this week for his alleged role in a scheme to divert funds and business from his employers to a business he had a controlling and financial interest in, according to federal prosecutors.In documents filed Wednesday, Mountain View resident Kevin Chao, 64, was accused of defrauding his employer of millions of dollars in business and software-licensing fees while serving as its global business director. Prosecutors said he directed those funds to Zillsoft, a business that he controlled, without first disclosing his interest in the company to his employers.According to the U.S. Justice Department, Chao had a “duty to of loyalty” and a “duty to disclose outside business” to his employers. While a news release did not name the company that employed Chao, his LinkedIn profile lists him as global business director for San Jose-based Rockwell Software from January 2007 to January 2020.Prosecu...

Photos: The Coliseum goes to the dogs as Oakland A’s host “Bark in the Park”

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:32:08 GMT

It was a “ruff” day at the ballpark on Tuesday night as Oakland A’s fans brought their hounds to watch the game against the Boston Red Sox.Though loads of fun was had and many dog treats were consumed, the A’s lost to the Red Sox 3-0. From chihuahuas to Great Danes, there were canines of all shapes and sizes in the outfield plaza section, many wearing team jerseys or bandannas.As the Oakland A’s Brent Rooker hit a double in the fifth inning, Greg Farias, of Oakland, stood up and cheered with his 60-pound husky Sky in his arms.“We love all of the wonderful people and dogs, and just A’s fans in general; it’s really a community,” Farias said.The popular event takes place each Tuesday home game throughout the season. Fans and their four-legged friends can sit in sections 200-202 of the plaza outfield section.There are four more Bark in the Park nights this season. Click here for more info and to pre-register your pup.Greg Farias and ...

VP Kamala Harris says Florida rules on Black history pushed by Gov. DeSantis are ‘propaganda’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:32:08 GMT

By CHRIS MEGERIAN and BRENDAN FARRINGTONWASHINGTON — Vice President Kamala Harris said extremists want to “replace history with lies” as she traveled to Florida on Friday to assail Republican efforts to overhaul educational standards, plunging into a battle over schooling that has rippled through classrooms around the country.“They dare to push propaganda to our children,” she said in Jacksonville. “This is the United States of America. We’re not supposed to do that.”Her trip came two days after the Florida Board of Education approved a revised Black history curriculum to satisfy legislation signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican presidential candidate who has accused public schools of liberal indoctrination. The new standards include instruction that enslaved people benefited from skills that they learned.“How is it that anyone could suggest that in the midst of these atrocities that there was any benefit to being subjected to this level of dehumanization?” Harris asked.She did ...

Former Alameda County prosecutor, facing misdemeanor charge, strikes back in court

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:32:08 GMT

OAKLAND — In a defiant court appearance Friday, a former Alameda County prosecutor blasted the District Attorney’s Office for exposing his address and other identifying information in court documents related to his pending misdemeanor case.Amilcar “Butch” Ford, a veteran prosecutor who was charged this week by District Attorney Pamela Price’s office, said his information was public for two days, exposing him to potential harm by the killers, robbers and rapists he worked to put behind bars.Calling the breach “inexcusable,” Ford, a fierce critic of Price, alleged it was done intentionally.Leah Abraham, a deputy district attorney in Price’s office, said in court that the exposure of personal information was not done purposefully and redacted documents had since been filed.The incident prompted Ford’s former union, Teamsters Local 856, to send a letter to Price this week, saying the exposure of Ford’s address raises serious sa...

Car crashes into Round Table Pizza in Hayward after road rage incident: police

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:32:08 GMT

HAYWARD, Calif. (KRON) -- A road rage incident led to a car crashing into a pizza shop Friday afternoon, the Hayward Police Department confirmed to KRON4. The car drove into the Round Table Pizza located at 22457 Foothill Blvd. SF restaurant named among most ‘legendary’ in the world Two vehicles were involved in the crash: a white Toyota Corolla and a truck. Someone inside the Corolla shot at the truck.No injuries were reported from the crash. The driver of the Corolla who fired shots fled the scene, along with the Corolla's other occupant(s), according to police. The truck driver remained at the scene and cooperated with the police investigation.You can view photos of the scene (below).This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Eastbound traffic on Richmond-San Rafael Bridge blocked

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:32:08 GMT

(KRON) -- Eastbound traffic stopped on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge on Friday afternoon due to a mental health crisis, California Highway Patrol said.Negotiators are at the scene trying to resolve the situation. There is no estimated time for the bridge to reopen. Drivers are asked to avoid the area and take a different route, if possible.This is a developing story. Stick with us for updates.

Data Doctors: Understanding the new initiative meant to make our devices more secure

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:32:08 GMT

Q: What will the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark mean for nontechnical people?A: Our appetite for smart gadgets in our homes has opened an attack vector for a variety of bad actors. Smart devices, such as TVs, thermostats, baby monitors, health monitors and security cameras can be vulnerable because they often incorporate weak security measures.Estimates are that nearly 17 billion smart devices are now connected to the Internet around the world and are a huge target for hackers.These devices pose risks to individual consumers and can be used in wide-scale cyberattacks on critical resources and infrastructure.Hackers go after the weakest link; in this case, it’s all our Internet-connected smart gadgets.A government initiative called the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark has been in the works since last year to encourage manufacturers to voluntarily provide more secure devices and offer consumers an easier way to identify them.It will be much the same as Energy Star or Underwriters Laboratory badges that d...

Justin Thomas headed to Minnesota to salvage Ryder Cup hopes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:32:08 GMT

HOYLAKE, England (AP) — Justin Thomas never imagined using the second round of the British Open as a tune-up for the 3M Open next week in Minnesota.That speaks to the state of the game. And it’s not good.Thomas is in a slump for the first time in his PGA Tour career, bad enough that his season could end before the lucrative FedEx Cup playoffs begin, and it has jeopardized his chances of being in Rome for the Ryder Cup.He missed the cut Friday — that was inevitable after he made 9 on the final hole of his opening round for an 82, his worst score in a major. And he had no choice but to make plans for the 3M Open next week and the Wyndham Championship in North Carolina after that.“The golf in Minnesota is obviously slightly different than here in Liverpool,” Thomas said after a 71 in the second round. “But I’m hitting a lot of good shots. I’m just making so many bonehead mistakes.”Thomas went into the British Open at No. 75 in the FedEx Cup, problematic on several lev...

Cody Bellinger hits 2-run homer as Chicago Cubs edge St. Louis Cardinals 4-3

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:32:08 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Cody Bellinger hit a two-run homer, and the Chicago Cubs stopped St. Louis’ six-game win streak with a 4-3 victory over the Cardinals on Friday.Bellinger capped Chicago’s four-run third inning with a 400-foot drive to right against Jack Flaherty. He finished with three hits in another strong performance at the plate.Bellinger, a possible trade target ahead of the Aug. 1 deadline, is 10 for 20 in his last five games. Since returning from a bruised knee on June 15, the 2019 NL MVP is batting .381 (40 for 105) with six homers.All-Star left-hander Justin Steele (10-3) struck out a season-high nine in 6 1/3 innings for Chicago, bouncing back from a lackluster performance against Boston. He allowed two runs and six hits.Miles Mastrobouni lined his first big league homer for the Cubs, and Mike Tauchman added an RBI double.Flaherty (7-6) was charged with four runs and eight hits and six innings. The right-hander went 4-0 with a 3.24 ERA in his previous four starts...

Amazon is asking some corporate workers to relocate as part of its return-to-office policy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:32:08 GMT

Amazon is asking some corporate workers to relocate to other cities as part of its return-to-office policy, which mandates workers to be in the office three days a week. An Amazon spokesperson confirmed on Friday that relocations are happening but would not comment on reports by several news outlets that the tech giant was requiring some workers in smaller offices to move to main offices located in bigger cities. Amazon didn’t provide details on the number of employees that will be required to relocate. Amazon spokesperson Brad Glasser said the company will provide “relocations benefits” to workers who are asked to move and consider requests for exceptions on a case-by-case basis. “There’s more energy, collaboration, and connections happening since we’ve been working together at least three days per week, and we’ve heard this from lots of employees and the businesses that surround our offices,” Glasser said in a prepared statement. “We continue to look at the best ways to brin...