Jeff McDonald
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byjeffmcdonald.bsky.social
Jeff McDonald
@byjeffmcdonald.bsky.social
Equal opportunity antagonist and senior apothecary at The San Diego Union-Tribune
Despite San Diego facing $250M+ budget deficit and a “ban” on nonessential travel, records show mayor’s secret trip to Philippines cost more than $8k www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/02/17/s...
San Diego taxpayers spent more than $8,000 on mayor’s trip to Philippines, records show
Todd Gloria said he paid his own way to Manila and back, but his office acknowledged that two members of the mayor’s security detail joined the delegation.
www.sandiegouniontribune.com
February 18, 2025 at 3:12 PM
While federal courts across the country pause Trump executive orders, two U.S. appellate judges reverse San Diego court order to release sheriff’s jail-death records www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/02/10/u... latest w/ @kellylynndavis.bsky.social
U.S. appeals court reverses ruling ordering release of internal sheriff’s records
The opinion, unsealed Monday, came in a 2-1 decision, with the dissenting judge saying the material in dispute should be made public.
www.sandiegouniontribune.com
February 11, 2025 at 2:49 AM
What happens when a sheriff refuses to follow the law? Nothing, apparently. In stunning detail, @kellylynndavis.bsky.social examines San Diego Sheriff Kelly Martinez’s handling of new disclosure rules over jail deaths, and it’s hugely disturbing www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/02/02/f...
First jail-death records obtained under new oversight law show lapses in care — and limits of disclosure
Gaps in materials disclosed by sheriff’s officials under SB 519 raise questions about whether the law is being interpreted as intended.
www.sandiegouniontribune.com
February 2, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Feds indict San Diego sheriff’s deputy, accusing him of violating inmate’s civil rights by beating him while shackled then lying to cover up the excessive force www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/01/31/s...
Sheriff’s deputy accused of excessive force against inmate in federal indictment
Deputy Jeremiah Manuyag Flores was indicted Thursday with charges of violating civil rights and falsifying a record in a federal investigation
www.sandiegouniontribune.com
February 1, 2025 at 3:33 AM
Reposted by Jeff McDonald
Why are so many people dying in San Diego jails? A conversation with Jeff McDonald, investigative reporter from the San Diego Union-Tribune.

YouTube (40min)
https://buff.ly/4jaSdMH

@byjeffmcdonald.bsky.social
January 23, 2025 at 3:38 PM
New year, but same old deaths happening in San Diego County jails www.sdsheriff.gov/Home/Compone...
www.sdsheriff.gov
January 10, 2025 at 11:02 PM
San Diego police accused of illegal spying at hugely popular Pride and Comic-Con events www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2024/12/20/l...
Lawsuit alleges San Diego police improperly used surveillance equipment at Comic-Con, Pride
The suit alleges that the police department did not receive proper approval from the City Council to place surveillance equipment at the events
www.sandiegouniontribune.com
December 21, 2024 at 5:09 PM
Two more San Diego jail deaths follow failed safety checks by sheriff’s deputies, civilian oversight board finds www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2024/12/18/o... latest w/ @kellylynndavis.bsky.social
Oversight board finds safety-check failures in two jail deaths. To advocates, they’re ‘monumental failures.’
Months before Matthew Settles and Abdiel Sarabia died in San Diego County jails, a state audit had already warned that safety checks in the system were inadequate.
www.sandiegouniontribune.com
December 18, 2024 at 5:21 PM
Hundreds of people died in San Diego County jails over the past two decades. Elected officials finally did something about it, and the sheriff is not happy www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2024/12/10/t...
To fight jail deaths, San Diego County supervisors approve new powers for civilian oversight board
Sheriff Kelly Martinez opposed the plan. ‘There is an active narrative that we are not making changes or improving our system,’ she said. ‘This is a false narrative.’
www.sandiegouniontribune.com
December 11, 2024 at 4:49 AM
Hours after grieving mother collapses at protest demanding answers about her son’s death in San Diego jail, prosecutors announce no criminal charges www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2024/12/09/m...
Months after her son died, grieving mother demands answers from sheriff
Abdul Kamara, 29, died during an encounter with San Diego sheriff’s deputies more than nine months ago.
www.sandiegouniontribune.com
December 10, 2024 at 2:59 AM
After their daughter died a horrible death in San Diego County jail, the Serna family used part of the $15M legal settlement to start a charity to help other families whose loved ones died in custody www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2024/12/02/t...
Their daughter died in jail. Wrestling triumph from tragedy, they launched a nonprofit to seek justice, reforms.
‘We are united by the loss of our loved ones, and we all have a common goal: to get answers and find justice.’
www.sandiegouniontribune.com
December 3, 2024 at 3:35 PM
One great perk of elective office in CA is behested payments, the ability to ask for donations to pet causes. This review of San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria’s latest solicitations is the first in a trio of reports looking at local officials’ recent filings www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2024/11/26/m...
Mayor Gloria uses his elected office to solicit donations to nonprofits. Now another city leader is joining him.
A spokesperson said Mayor Gloria’s record of soliciting contributions reflects his willingness to use his office to expand city services without adding to the budget.
www.sandiegouniontribune.com
November 26, 2024 at 4:48 PM
Legal challenge to multibillion-dollar franchise agreement between San Diego and SDG&E rejected by state appeals court www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2024/11/21/c...
Challenge to San Diego’s franchise agreements with SDG&E rebuffed by state appeals court
In a split decision, a majority of a three-judge panel agreed with the trial court that the plaintiff violated legal procedures by not first asking the City Council to reverse its decision before s…
www.sandiegouniontribune.com
November 22, 2024 at 1:19 AM
Hard to believe San Diego officials didn’t know about this guy’s criminal history, given all the publicity that caper received five years ago voiceofsandiego.org/2024/11/18/a... Good get by Will Huntsberry
A Man Convicted in a Major Law Enforcement Scandal Is Doing Big Business with the City
In 2022, Giovanni Tilotta was convicted of three felonies as part of a gun-trafficking scheme involving former sheriff's captain Marco Garmo. Since that time, he's sold more than $1 million worth of g...
voiceofsandiego.org
November 19, 2024 at 5:54 PM
San Diego sheriff, probation chief ignore and reject majority of recommendations from civilian oversight board www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2024/11/17/m...
More often than not, San Diego sheriff, probation chief reject or delay oversight board recommendations
Over nearly five years, the Citizens’ Law Enforcement Review Board issued 91 formal recommendations. Only 34 have been accepted, a new analysis finds.
www.sandiegouniontribune.com
November 18, 2024 at 2:21 AM