Stored data on severs in the People’s Republic of China, Los Angeles DA says

Contra Costa data “was not involved in the alleged incident” – Debi Cooper, County Clerk-Recorder-Registrar

Controversial Dominion voting equipment used by county does have removable media ports; test run on Friday

By Allen D. Payton

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced on Tuesday, Oct. 4 that the CEO of Michigan-based Konnech Corporation which is responsible for the software used in managing Los Angeles County election poll workers, has been arrested as part of an investigation into the possible theft of personal identifying information of those workers. The Contra Costa County Elections Division also uses the same software. However, it’s been confirmed that Contra Costa’s data was not involved in the alleged incident.

Konnech distributes and sells its proprietary PollChief software, which is an election worker management system that was utilized by the county in the last California election. The software assists with poll worker assignments, communications and payroll. PollChief requires that workers submit personal identifying information, which is retained by the Konnech.

“I want to thank my prosecutors and investigators for their commitment to eliminating cyber intrusions against government entities and local businesses,” Gascón said. “Data breaches are an ongoing threat to our digital way of life. When we entrust a company to hold our confidential data, they must be willing and able to protect our personal identifying information from theft. Otherwise, we are all victims.”

The investigation was concerned solely with the personal identifying information of election workers. In this case, the alleged conduct had no impact on the tabulation of votes and did not alter election results. But security in all aspects of any election is essential so that we all have full faith in the integrity of the election process.”

Earlier that day, Konnech Corporation Chief Executive Officer Eugene Yu was taken into custody on suspicion of theft of personal identifying information by investigators from the District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Meridian Township Police Department in Michigan. In addition, hard drives and other digital evidence were seized by LADA investigators.

The L.A. County District Attorney’s Office is seeking Yu’s extradition to Los Angeles.

Under its $2.9 million, five-year contract with L.A. County, Konnech was supposed to securely maintain the data and that only United States citizens and permanent residents have access to it. District Attorney investigators found that in contradiction to the contract, information was stored on servers in the People’s Republic of China.

The East Lansing Police Department and Ingham County Sheriff’s Office in Michigan also assisted in the investigation.

“Konnech was required to keep the data in the United States and only provide access to citizens and permanent residents but instead stored it on servers in the People’s Republic of China,” the L.A.D.A.’s office said.

As a result of Yu’s arrest, Prince William County, Virginia stopped using the PollChief software, this week, according to a Potomac Local News report.

Contra Costa Clerk Says County’s Data Not Included

Several questions were emailed to Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder-Registrar Debi Cooper, including “does your department use any Konnech software, including its proprietary PollChief, for the Elections Division? If so, do you know if any the personal data of any poll workers, any voters or anyone else in our county was part of the alleged theft and also stored on servers in China? If so, what if anything has the Elections Division done or are they doing about it?”

Cooper responded, “Contra Costa uses PollChief for our poll worker management and communication and asset management (supplies inventory). Our software and data are stored in a secure private cloud located in Lansing, Michigan. This system is used to schedule training and communicate with our volunteers and to track polling place supplies.  It is critical to note that this system is not connected to our voter registration/ elections management system nor to our stand-alone vote tabulation system, which is not connected to any other network or the internet.”

“Our poll workers’ personal info, such as SSN or vaccination information, is managed by the Contra Costa County HR database, which is not connected to PollChief in any way,” she continued. “We have confirmed that our data was not involved in the alleged incident.  Per our contract, our data and the system have remained in the secure cloud in Lansing, Michigan.”

“In addition, Contra Costa’s PollChief system does not require any personal identifiable information to apply as an Election Volunteer, therefore no volunteer personal identifiable information is captured or stored on Contra Costa’s PollChief site,” Cooper shared. “We continue to be in regular contact with the vendor as they work through this issue.  We have reviewed our contract terms and confirmed with the company that the terms continue to be met and our data remains fully secure and without breach.”

Contra Costa’s Dominion Voting Equipment Removable Media Ports Under Lock and Key

As previously reported the county has been using the controversial Dominion voting equipment since 2018.

Regarding election security in Contra Costa County, Cooper was asked, “does the Dominion voting equipment used by the Elections Division have ports in which a mobile hard drive can be inserted and/or removed? If so, who in the office handles that and why would it be done?”

She responded, “Any open ports on our equipment at in-person voting locations (ICX accessible voting equipment, ballot printers, etc.) have locking covers or port blockers installed, which we retain the keys to.”

10/17/22 UPDATE: Friday Test Results in 100% Accuracy

On Friday, Oct. 14th, the Elections Division performed the county’s official logic and accuracy testing on central ballot counting and processing equipment. Logic and accuracy testing is a standard pre-election procedure. The test is designed to confirm that all central count equipment is in working order and functioning properly. A set of test ballots was run through each scanner to ensure they are properly programmed and operating as expected.

Questions were sent to the Elections Division staff asking about the results of the test.

Helen Nolan of the County Elections Office responded, “Our logic and accuracy testing on Friday went very well. We scanned 22,000 ballot cards, which were a mix of pre-printed test ballots, hand marked test cards, ICX (Ballot Marking Device) ballots, RAVBM ballots, and MBP printed ballot cards. Our test decks were comprised of 167 different patterns for each ballot type (unique combination of contests, candidates, and rotations). These test ballots come to us with an expected set of results.

700 ballot cards were adjudicated in order to test each ‘out-stack’ condition (blank card, overvoted contest, indeterminate marks, and write-in positions) to ensure the scanners were accurately identifying those ballots with those pre-indicated conditions.

Our end results matched 100%, meaning after all test ballots were scanned and adjudicated, we found our test results matched the predetermined expected results with 100% accuracy.”

By Antioch Police Department

In October we wear pink 💕

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so you will see our officers proudly wearing pink patches. This is an annual campaign to increase awareness about breast cancer and the importance of early detection as well as showing our support for those who have been affected.

The Pink Patch Project is an innovative public awareness campaign to bring attention to the fight against breast cancer and to support breast cancer research organizations in combating this devastating disease.

Photos: Lt. Joe Vigil by APD and Captain Trevor Schnitzius by Allen D. Payton

To transform passenger rail network in 21-county Nor Cal Megaregion

Link21 is a long-range transportation program sponsored by the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) to transform the passenger rail network serving the 21-county Northern California Megaregion, which includes the greater San Francisco Bay Area, the Monterey Bay area, the Sacramento area, and the Northern San Joaquin Valley.

Phase 1 of Link21 is currently underway. The public is invited to attend one of several in-person and virtual events this fall to engage with the Link21 team on this critical long-term planning investment in a new train crossing of the Bay and other improvements. Public input on potential rail improvement concepts is critical to the success of the Link21 Program to create a connected, equitable network of train service that cares for the people, environment, and quality of life for generations to come.

New Transbay Rail Connection

Link21 is planning a new transbay passenger rail connection between Oakland and San Francisco. Travelers will be able to ride comfortably between the Sacramento Area and downtown San Francisco, the Northern San Joaquin Valley, the Peninsula, and the South Bay. Regional Rail riders with destinations across the Bay may be able to take a direct rail connection without transferring to a different service.

Watch experts talk about the benefits of Link21 or read a report on how the new transbay rail crossing will be a game changer for Northern California. – See California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), California State Rail Plan, 2018 and MTC, Horizon, 2019

The Northern California Megaregion is one of the nation’s most dynamic economies with a wide range of geographic, industrial and cultural diversity. Link21 will create a faster, more connected train service.

“We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to design the kind of system that will make rail transit the mode of choice for trips throughout the Megaregion for everyone,” said Sadie Graham, BART’s Link21 Program Director. “We can’t do this alone and need the public to be part of the planning process at every step of this generational undertaking.”

Three Community Meetings

Three virtual community meetings will be hosted in October to provide the public an opportunity to learn about Program concept development, including results of the service improvements survey, and how all of this information and public input will be used to support technical work and further developing and evaluating concepts. The first meeting will provide a Megaregional overview and benefits focus, while the other two will focus on specific locations.

• Megaregional Focus: Tuesday, October 18, 5:30–7 p.m.
• East Bay Focus: Wednesday, October 26, 5:30–7 p.m.
• San Francisco Focus: Wednesday, November 16, 5:30–7 p.m.

In addition, Link21 will be hosting three virtual office hours to give the public an opportunity to ask questions of the technical teams.­­­

• Wednesday, October 19: Noon–1 p.m.
• Monday, October 24: 5:30–6:30 p.m.
• Thursday, October 27: 4:30–5:30 p.m.

Register at Link21Program.org/events

Events will be in English with Spanish, and Cantonese translators available. To request American Sign Language and other accommodations, please email inquiries@Link21Program.org or call 855-905-Link (5465) between one and five days in advance of the meeting date.

Can’t Make an Event?

Link21 will also be in local communities to share information and engage with the public. Visit the website for more details. Recordings for all virtual events will also be posted on the website.

For tickets click, here – 2022 Heritage Foundation Dinner | Contra Costa County (cccfheritagefoundation.com).

Interim Chief Ford won’t say if APD has a policy on release of body cam videos; coordinates with council members on Community Forums

By Allen D. Payton

During a press conference by Antioch Interim Police Chief Ford Wednesday morning, Oct. 11, 2022, he reported that of the 102 sworn officers currently on the city’s police force there are only 76 active, with eight officers under investigation and on paid leave. That’s from the total of 115 sworn officers budgeted by the city council. Ford was joined by Captains Tony Morefield and Trevor Schnitzius, as well as Leiutenant John Fortner who helped provide information to answer reporters’ questions.

Two officers who are suing the city and District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker are also on paid leave. But it is not known if either or both officers are included in the eight under investigation. (See related article)

That leaves between 16 and 18 sworn officers who are on paid leave for illness or injury. Antioch Police PIO Darryl Saffold later confirmed, “we have several officers who are sick or injured.”

In response to a question of how many candidates the department currently has on in the academy, Schnitizius said they had one trainee in the Alameda County Police Academy, one of several used by the department, and that they had added four officers to the force in the past two months.

No Update on Investigation of Alleged “Crimes of Moral Turpitude”

Although he was expected to provide an update on the investigation of the officers by the FBI and Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office, Ford would not offer any additional details. He mainly said, “our officers deserve their due process…and should not be tried in the court of public opinion” and that “the purported allegations are not reflective of the organization as a whole.”

During the question and answer portion of the press conference, following Ford’s brief, prepared remarks, when asked for a definition of the term, “crimes of moral turpitude” that the eight are accused of and what could fall under that he responded, “I’m not prepared to speak to anything about the investigation, specifically.”

Asked if they were on paid leave, Ford responded, “they are technically separated from the organization and on unpaid leave.” When asked to clarify if the eight officers were on non-paid or paid leave, he said, “paid leave”.

(See related article)

APD Coordinates with Council Members on Community Forums

Ford was then asked if the Community Forums are his forums, the department’s or the council members’ forums and if he would commit to in the future not hold the in the afternoon, when most people are still not home from work, like the recent one. Ford responded, “the Community Forum is really a platform for the community, it doesn’t belong to us, it doesn’t belong to the council.”

“I do work in concert with each councilperson,” he continued. “I give them the respect to identify the venue in their district. Then we respond to the venue of their choice.”

Asked how many K-9 teams the department has deployed Sergeant

Asked about the suspect in the

Won’t Say if APD Has Policy on Officer Body Cam Footage Release

Since only two police body cameras have been released by APD since they’ve been used, he was asked what is the department’s policy for releasing videos and specifically the footage from the incident with Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker in October 2021.

“I just want to speak to the idea that…in consultation with our city attorney the decision that was made was made. I’ll leave it at that. We did consult with the city attorney.”

“So, it’s on a case-by-case basis?” he was then asked. Ford responded, “I’m not going to say that. With specific reference to what you just inquired, we did consult with the city attorney, and that decision was made.”

Pressed further for APD’s policy, he said, “There are rules and regulations surrounding that, for sure. Absolutely.” But Ford didn’t say what if any the department’s policy is for releasing body camera video footage.

 

 

 

Seven since she was elected include reports of gunshots, dirt bike riding, loud music, fireworks

By Allen D. Payton

Due to reports that there have been multiple calls for service by Antioch police at the home of District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha-Torres Walker over the past few years, a Public Records Act request was made to the Antioch Police Department. The response shows there have been 11 reports of incidents at her home between June 2020 and last month.

Two of the calls were about the same loud music on the same day on August 21, 2021, and four calls were on Oct. 2 and 3, 2021, which ended in her being charged with interfering with a police officer who responded to the scene of five or six gunshots. The charges against her were later dropped by the District Attorney. (See related articles here and here)

That totals eight separate incidents resulting in calls for service by Antioch police at Torres-Walker’s home in Antioch, of which seven occurred since she was elected in November 2020.

Following is the information about the complaints provided by APD’s Police Records Supervisor Amanda Nelson (her specific address has been removed by the Herald): Calls for service at Torres-Walker’s home – APD 092022

• 10/5/21 5:30 pm at — Gary Ave. Reports of someone riding a dirt bike up and down the street.
• 10/3/21 1:35 am at — Gary Ave. Reports the vehicle that fired shots earlier had returned and several people got out of the vehicle with flashlights.
• 10/3/21 12:27 am at — Gary Ave. Reports of a loud party in the area and 5-6 shots heard.
• 10/2/21 6:46 pm at — Gary Ave. Reports a group of people drinking alcohol in front of this location, and driving dirt bikes up and down the street.
• 10/2/21 5:38 pm at — Gary Ave. Reports people riding dirt bikes on the street and popping wheelies. 8/29/21 4:21 pm at 508 Gary Ave. Reports disturbance amongst guests and one refusing to leave.  Related to loud music calls and also a dog being let out.
• 8/23/21 8:04 pm at — Gary Ave. Reports a group of juveniles riding quads and dirt bikes and then gathering at this location.
• 8/21/21 2:00 pm at — Gary Ave. Reports loud music came back on after officers drove by.
• 8/21/21 1:34 pm at — Gary Ave. Reports loud music coming from a parked vehicle.
• 3/20/21 7:31 pm at — Gary Ave. Reports subjects from this residence riding a quad on the sidewalk.
• 6/10/20 8:37 pm at — Gary Ave. Reports of fireworks coming from the backyard of this location.

Questions for Torres-Walker Go Unanswered

About the incidents and what she’s done in response Torres-Walker was asked, “Were you at home during each of the calls for service? Did you speak with officers each time? If not, were any of your children at home at the time and responsible for the incidents? If so, have you spoken to them about the behavior that resulted in reports to the police department resulting in calls for service at your home and if so, what did you tell them? Have you apologized to your neighbors for the incidents and the impact on their quality of life?”

In addition, she was asked, “for full transparency by you, will you ask the Antioch Police Department to release the police body camera video footage of the incident on Oct. 3 in which you were accused of and charged for interfering with a police officer and do so before the election?”

She did not respond prior to publication time.

First elected in 2020, Torres-Walker is running for re-election to her District 1 seat this year.

Please check back later for any updates to this report.