Citizen Academy still has openings The Laguna...

Citizen Academy still has openings

The Laguna Beach Police Department is still accepting applications

for the Citizen Academy, a 12-week course designed to educate the

community on local law enforcement. The academy begins Sept. 14 and

is free to anyone who works or lives in Laguna Beach.

Throughout the course, citizens will learn about crime scene

investigation, narcotics enforcement, the police K9 program and more.

The class will also include a tour of the Orange County Jail and a

chance to shoot a weapon at the police firing range.

The course will meet from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday nights.

Applications can be obtained by calling the police department at

(949) 497-0701. Applications will be accepted until Monday.

Former resident pleads guilty to fraud

A former Laguna Beach resident who headed a now-defunct charity

organization pleaded guilty to mail and wire fraud charges Aug. 15 in

U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.

Donald Westover, 36, who formerly headed the Hope for Life

Foundation, a charity organization, admitted that he cheated two

investors out of more than $500,000, said Assistant U.S. Atty. Tom

McConville.

Westover also posed as an investment counselor and solicited money

from two investors, telling them he was collecting money for a

high-yield investment, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.

Westover allegedly told investors he was arranging an investment

deal with two telecommunications firms. In return for providing cash

to the firms, Westover told investors they would receive large

returns, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.

Instead of investing the money, Westover used the money for

personal expenses, the indictment alleged.

The money Westover obtained from investors was deposited in the

charity’s bank account, and Westover admitted Monday that the

financing arrangement with the firms never existed.

Westover is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 23. Westover is facing

a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison.