Annual Report 2007 - San Diego County District Attorney

investigators contacted hundreds of residences, providing
materials and important information to educate and
protect the public.
District Attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis worked alongside
county officials, other law enforcement leaders, and
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to provide updated
information to the public. When a state of emergency was
declared by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors,
the DA’s Office made sure businesses were aware of
increased penalties for price-gouging and the public was
protected from unscrupulous individuals looking to
profit from the fires.
The wildfires of 2007 brought out the best in people –
and sometimes brought out the worst in people who
were looking to take advantage. As San Diego rebuilds,
the District Attorney’s Office is working closely with
other public safety agencies to continue protecting
county residents affected by the fires. ■
As the fires were gaining strength,
the San Diego District Attorney’s
Office immediately mobilized.
Insurance Fraud Division investigators worked with the
Department of Insurance, San Diego Sheriff’s Office,
and the Contractors State Licensing Board to set up
sting operations in two of the neighborhoods hit hardest
by the fires: Rancho Bernardo and Ramona. As a result,
eight defendants were prosecuted for operating as an
unlicensed contractor during a declared emergency.
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