Over in the Napa Valley, we’ve got some updates on the endlessly intriguing and mysterious federal investigation that’s been unfolding over the past few months. The first scandal of the week involves the beleaguered Clover Flat landfill in Calistoga, which was the target of one of three main subpoenas issued by the feds this past winter to local government entities and other power players across the valley. New documents being aired out by the Press Democrat, the result of a public records request, show that safety and environmental hazards reported at the landfill — including “incinerated infrastructure and severe damage to streambeds and waterways” — may have been much more extensive than we even knew. For example, the PD got its hands on “an email from a management consultant for the landfill sent Oct. 14, 2020 to county staff and state regulators,” describing a “complete incineration of the entire erosion, sedimentation and storm water control measures” at the facility after the Glass Fire that summer — a situation that landfill managers had publicly downplayed. The reason all this is relevant is that the U.S. Department of Justice has been requesting a whole bunch more documents from the Upper Valley Waste Management Agency, which oversees the dump, as part of the feds’ ongoing mystery investigation. And there has been speculation, based on the specific docs requested, that the investigation has to do with why the county renewed the landfill operator’s contract, given all this apparent negligence. The second intrigue of the week involves Ryan Klobas, the former head of the Napa County Farm Bureau, an industry org representing local ag interests. Klobas killed himself on the side of the road in mid-January, according to police, after his bureau was subpoenaed as part of the larger probe. So there’s already reason to think he was freaked out about something. Now, the Napa Valley Register reports that Klobas’ briefcase may have gone missing during the Farm Bureau’s annual Christmas party last year, days before the subpoena was issued. To make the situation even more mystifying, he didn’t report it stolen until weeks later, according to the Register. “The revelation is the latest plot twist in an apparently still-active probe into wine industry leaders, the Napa County Airport, Upper Valley Waste Management Agency, and at least one elected official, county Supervisor Alfredo Pedroza,” the Register reports. The whole thing is truly straight out of a noir thriller. Which brings us to our final intrigue of the week: An NBC news station in Sacramento is reporting that California State Treasurer Fiona Ma — who was known to be very chummy with Klobas over at the Farm Bureau — was also just subpoenaed as part of a larger “federal grand jury subpoena on a case that is yet to be made public.” I’m not saying there’s a connection there, but for what it’s worth, the same Napa Valley activists who have been harping on potential local government and industry corruption in Napa County for years, long before the feds got involved, have always suspected the state treasurer was involved. Guess we’ll see… (Source: Press Democrat & Napa Valley Register & KCRA)
FOLLOW US
Sheryll Bratton, who serves as County Counsel for Napa County, was mentioned in relation to a federal investigation. The Napa Valley Register filed a Public Records Act request to see any subpoenas from the FBI or Justice Department, and Sheryll Bratton responded in writing, declining the request1. It’s important to note that while her name came up in the context of the investigation, this does not imply any wrongdoing on her part. The details of the investigation are not fully disclosed to the public.
Sheryll Bratton was involved as the County Counsel for Napa County in the legal case with Hoopes Vineyard. The case centered around the county’s winery regulations and whether Hoopes Vineyard was in violation of them by conducting wine tastings without the proper permit1. Bratton, representing Napa County, maintained that Hoopes Vineyard needed a use permit for such activities12. The trial began in January 2024 and was a significant matter for the local wine industry and regulatory practices1.
Hundred Acre Wine Group, Inc. filed a(n) Civil Rights Unlimited (08) case represented by Bass Jonathan Roger, Lenferman, David Paul, against County of Napa, represented by Bratton Sheryl L, Zeleny Thomas Chavasent, in the jurisdiction of Napa County. The case was filed in Napa County Superior Courts with George V. Spanos presiding.
Hundred Acre Wine Group, Inc. has been involved in a court case in Napa County. The case was filed against the County of Napa and was presided over by Judge Cynthia P. Smith in the Napa County Superior Courts. The case number is 22CV001166, and it was filed on October 6, 20221. The details of the case involve civil rights and unclassified matters1.
Hon. Cynthia P. Smith is listed as the Presiding Judge for the Superior Court of California, County of Napa1. This position typically involves administrative oversight and leadership responsibilities within the court.
A motion for change of venue can be filed if there’s a concern that a judge may not be impartial due to personal connections, such as having a relative involved in a lawsuit. The motion must outline the reasons for the request, and it’s up to the court to decide if the change is warranted to ensure a fair trial. Factors like potential biases, convenience of witnesses, and the impact of any prejudicial publicity are considered12. If a supervising judge’s relative is involved, it could be a valid reason to seek a change of venue to maintain the integrity of the judicial process.
Judge Cynthia P. Smith was pushed to recuse herself from a significant case in Napa County that could set a precedent for small wineries’ right to host on-site tastings without a permit. Lawyers for Napa County filed a statement arguing that Judge Smith should voluntarily step down from the case1. The details of the case are not fully disclosed, but the recusal request seems to be related to the potential impact of the case’s outcome on the wine industry in Napa.
It has been disclosed that Judge Cynthia P. Smith’s husband works for the Hundred Acre Wine Group1. This information came to light during a legal battle involving Napa County and several wineries, where Judge Smith was presiding over the case1.
It has been reported that Judge Cynthia P. Smith’s husband is a member of the executive team at Hundred Acre Winery and is also a friend of the winery’s owner, Jayson Woodbridge1. This information was highlighted in a legal context where Napa County sought to disqualify Judge Smith from a case due to the potential conflict of interest1.
The law strictly prohibits any form of misconduct by judges or attorneys, including any actions that could be construed as setting up or robbing the public. Judicial misconduct can include behaviors prejudicial to the administration of justice, such as corruption, fraud, influence peddling, or bias. Similarly, attorneys are bound by ethical rules that forbid dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.
For judges, misconduct is defined as conduct prejudicial to the effective and expeditious administration of the business of the courts. This includes accepting bribes, gifts, or engaging in improper communication with one side of a case123. For attorneys, professional misconduct involves violating rules of professional conduct, committing criminal acts that reflect adversely on their honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer4.
Here’s a small list of people connected to the investigation that are also connected to the court and county:
The Prisoner Wine Company, along with several other prominent Napa Valley wineries, has been named in a federal subpoena as part of an investigation1. However, there is also a specific instance where Napa County issued an “apparent code violation notice” to The Prisoner Wine Company for selling art, jellies, jams, and offering food services that the county claimed were comparable to those found at a restaurant or café2. This indicates that while The Prisoner Wine Company has been subject to legal notices, being named in a subpoena does not necessarily mean that the company has been involved in a lawsuit. The subpoena is seeking records and does not imply any legal action against the wineries themselves13.
Chuck Wagner, the owner of Caymus Vineyards, has been involved in legal actions in Napa, CA. He filed a lawsuit against California’s governor and public health officer over the state’s reopening plan for winery tasting rooms during the COVID-19 pandemic. The lawsuit was later dropped after the state began allowing wineries to reopen tasting operations1. Additionally, Caymus Vineyards agreed to pay $1 million to Napa County to settle a dispute over alleged violations of local ordinances2.
Alpha Omega Winery has been involved in a lawsuit that was settled in Napa County Superior Court. The case was related to an incident involving a yacht fundraiser, and the winery settled with the plaintiff for an undisclosed amount1. Additionally, Alpha Omega Winery, along with several other prominent Napa Valley wineries, has been named in a federal subpoena as part of an investigation2.
Hall Wines has been involved in legal disputes in Napa County. For example, there was a lawsuit filed by several environmental groups against Napa County over Hall Wines’ plans to plant 209 acres of vines in the eastern hills near Lake Berryessa1. This case reflects the ongoing discussions and legal challenges surrounding land use and environmental concerns in the region.
Caymus Vineyards has been involved in legal matters in Napa County. For instance, in 2013, Caymus agreed to pay $1 million to Napa County to settle a dispute over allegations that the winery violated local ordinances and bottled significantly more wine at its Rutherford facility than permitted1. Additionally, there was a lawsuit filed by Caymus Vineyards against Gov. Gavin Newsom and California State Public Health Officer Sonia Angell, which was later dismissed2. These instances indicate that Caymus Vineyards has had a history of court cases in Napa, CA.
The information regarding the judge who presided over the Caymus Vineyard lawsuits in Napa, CA, is not explicitly stated in the search results. However, it is common for cases related to wineries in Napa County to be heard in the Napa County Superior Courts. For specific details about the judge involved in Caymus Vineyard’s legal matters, one would typically need to review court records or case documents.
Jayson Woodbridge has been involved in legal actions in Napa County. He has filed lawsuits against Napa County over well-drilling rules and other matters related to his vineyard operations. For instance, in one case, he challenged the county’s well-drilling rules, alleging they violate state and federal laws1. In another, he sued the county for attempting to force him to replant high fire-risk trees instead of allowing him to install an experimental vineyard that provides a fire-break2. These cases reflect ongoing disputes between Woodbridge and Napa County regarding land use and environmental regulations.
Hundred Acre Wine Group, Inc. has been involved in a court case in Napa County. The case was filed against the County of Napa and was presided over by Judge Cynthia P. Smith in the Napa County Superior Courts. The case number is 22CV001166, and it was filed on October 6, 20221. The details of the case involve civil rights and unclassified matters1.
Circle R Ranch has been mentioned in the context of a federal investigation involving Napa County. The ranch and its owner have been named in a subpoena seeking documents related to some of Napa Valley’s most famous wineries and vintners1. Additionally, there was a case filed on February 24, 2022, The People Of The State Of California vs. R-Ranch At The Lake Ranch Owners’ Association, which may be related to Circle R Ranch2.
McGrath Properties has been involved in legal proceedings in Napa County, CA. There was a lawsuit challenging St. Helena’s approval of Joe McGrath’s 8-unit housing project on McCorkle Avenue, which was dismissed by an appellate court1. Additionally, McGrath Properties, Inc. filed a complaint against David Baker, a California architectural corporation, on March 16, 20232.
Napa County is experiencing the worst corruption in Napa’s history. These corrupt Judges need to be yanked off the bench in handcuffs and the attorney’s need to be held accountable also. These attorneys and judges are setting up the public and robbing them. It looks like what’s going on is that the attorney’s are deliberately botching the case. Why are the county attorney’s letting Judge Smith who is openly in bed with the wine industry and Hundred Acre preside over these cases? Why was she allowed to preside over the Hoopes Vineyard case for so long before they had her recused? What made them finally recuse her?. It looks like they’re deliberately botching cases to rob the public Why doesn’t anybody look into how many of the people that have been subpoenaed have court cases?
Also the CA State Controller wrote an intimidation letter to our county regarding the Hoopes Case. That’s been in the media. Why doesn’t anyone look into that? Doesn’t she have better things to do considering 25 billion dollars for the homeless has gone missing?
what about the homeless that have gone missing? what do you mean by that… I have a lot to say… can you tell me more? what about missing people? I have a lot to say… a lot that I told the FBI and whole lot more questions.. but I am very concerned, as a victim who got away, I am very concerned
It’s missing money, not people. Although the entire country has a problem with missing people, that’s a different situation.
The situation with the **$24 billion** allocated for homelessness in California is that the state has failed to consistently track how this money was spent and the outcomes of the programs funded by this amount.
there is more that the FBI knows that I told them that they are not talking about, but I am… I want to talk about it, and the specific people involved and what I saw and experienced…
As an aside, Fiona Ma is great buds with Christy Pestoni who until not long ago owned Clover Flat Landfill and her husband Eric Hall who is Vice-Mayor of St. Helena. It is a very very tangled web.
you are right its so so so so so much worse than what is coming out in the news… and what you people already knew… Major Fraud, Interstate Crime, Racketeering, Gang Affiliation, Police and Public Corruption, Organized Identity Theft, Organized Auto Burglaries, Cyber Crimes, Stalkings… I got away from them, and no one listened to me… especially these clown journalists… but the FBI listened to me… and the sim swap the cops did when they robbed me… I am a federal witness, and they tried to destroy me for it, but Thomas Keller saved my life
GPT4 Says Fiorna Ma attneded the Napa County Farm Bureau Members’ Annual Holiday Reception on Dec. 1, 2023. The party took plake at the Farm Bureau offices located at 811 Jefferson ST, Napa. It says that her and Ryan Klobas were known to be chummy.
Oscar Ortiz Office Sim Swapped my phone, and I they tried to frame and murder me… this is about Organized Crime with ties to gangs… I got to the FBI in Virginia, and you know what… this is really really deep, I have been writing a whole book about it and while everyone laughed at me and wrote me off… now this is happening and I think its funny to watch all your speculate like chickens with your heads cut off… when I have literally been screaming foul for over a year… you dont know much… but this is major Corruption and Organized Crime Investigation I can promise you that
I SET THIS OFF… AND IT STARTED WITH NAPA COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE TIES TO GANGS AND INTERSTATE ORGANIZED CRIME.. THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE SIM SWAPPED THAT PHONE… SOMEONE HERE WAS TALKING ABOUT MISSING HOMELESS… I HAVE PERSPECTIVE ON THAT AND THAT IS PART OF MY STORY… THE FBI WAS HERE TALKING TO ME IN PERSON ABOUT THIS IN SEPTEMBER… I WAS A CHEF FOR THOMAS KELLER AN HE SAVED MY LIFE… YOU SHOULD HEAR THE STORY IT IS A TERRIFYING NIGHTMARE… AND SOMEONE IS TALKING ABOUT MISSING HOMELESS… AND I SWORE TO THE FBI THAT I THOUGHT THAT THIS HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH MISSING PERSONS CASES
It’s missing money, not people. Although the entire country has a problem with missing people, that’s a different situation.
The situation with the **$24 billion** allocated for homelessness in California is that the state has failed to consistently track how this money was spent and the outcomes of the programs funded by this amount.
Homeless money I get it… OK because I am dead serious I told the FBI that from what I saw and experience I think this has to do with missing people and the homeless…
Crestwood Behavioral Health… Contracted by the State… that is one to watch for… I saw a 63 million contract I found using google dorks… they are involved in Fraud… and I mean like against vulnerable people and in relation to gangs at least in Napa they are!!!
Yeah no they have been stealing it seems
its not that different a situation sadly… there is something very very very wrong going on… gravely serious… It goes beyond Napa, as you can see its already touching Sacramento…
I AM SICK AND TIRED OF BAD JOURNALISTS AND MY VOICE BEING SUPPRESSED… I AM NOT IMPRESSED… TELL ME SOMETHING THAT I DIDNT TELL THE COUNTY ALL YEAR LONG STRAIGHT TO THERE FACE ON FACEBOOK…
FOR ME.. THIS IS ALL STARTED AS A VICTIM OF ORGANIZED CRIME.. AND IT LED ME TO THE NAPA SHERIFFS OFFICE AND WHOLE A BUNCH OF NORTENOS… AND A WHOLE BUNCH OF SPOOKY STUFF INCLUDING CRESTWOOD BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND THE MERITAGE AND THAT PLOT OF LAND.
one thing you are right about is the part were you said its like a noir thriller… that is correct… you will have to read my book “Norteno: A True Story” I have a lot of chapters written but its 30 and its about fraud, hackers, police corruption, gangs… its not a MYSTERY depending on who you ask!
I don’t believe for 2 seconds that guy committed suicide. It sounds more like he reported a crime and got assonated. That’s what rich people do when you expose them.
The stories that are being reported are being paid for by the corrupt rich people to make it seem like a turf war between environmentalists and wineries. That’s baloney.
The open and blatant corruption that is occurring in Napa is disgusting and I’m so curious about what you know. How do we get your book? Publish it as a PDF. We need this information.
I don’t believe it was a suicide either! I was saying I could flip a coin 50/50 wether it was murder or suicede… After what they did to me… but they screwed up I am telling you, and it sounds to me like this has been brewing for a while.. but I guarantee you this is the same…its the same… these are advanced adversaries… highly organized, sophisticated, with Infrastructure… they do computer hacking and stuff… Gang Memebers…Norteno and perhaps the Cartel… they Identified to me, and spoke to me some about this before I escaped Napa and California… Thomas Keller Saved my life on October 2nd 2023 when he helped me escape.. it is a really really really long story but I look forward to telling it and I am open to any questions for sure all I want to do is talk about it to be honest… they threatened my family and my baby sister
I Can give information all day… I am saying this is about Gangs and Organized Interstate Crime, Fraud, Drug Trafficking… I think they are hitting Pedroza because his financial background and whatever he has been doing, and now it was migrated to the state treasurer… This is the longest messed up story…
Someone is really really angry at the @napacountyda on X like wow they are pissed and left hundreds of comments
seems to be related…
that is what they were trying to do to me actually… the were trying to discredit and frame me and pulled all this messed up stuff… they are in a lot of trouble!
In February when a lot of this news broke the FBI had 21 Job Postings for Napa California. That is a lot of agents for a little tiny satellite office in Napa…
FBI Special Agent Sean Owen specializes in Civil Rights and Corruption Cases
while
FBI Special Agent Katherine Ferrato with experience in Financial Crimes…
so that should tell everyone a lot right there
This should tell you a lot more…
“Mr. Robbins previously was an Assistant United States Attorney in the Office for approximately ten years. From 1995 to 2004, he prosecuted cases involving organized crime, narcotics, firearms, bank robberies, insider trading, market manipulation, and investor frauds. From 2000 to 2001, he served as Pacific Regional Coordinator for DOJ’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force and as Deputy Chief of the Narcotics Section. From 2002 to 2004, Mr. Robbins was Chief of the Securities Fraud Section and a member of the Enron Task Force, leading the Department of Justice’s investigation into criminal manipulation of the California electricity markets by Enron and others during the State’s energy crisis.”
https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndca/senior-leadership
Someone is destroying this X page…
https://twitter.com/NapaCountyDA