Dov Charney is stripped of role at American Apparel

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Controversial American Apparel CEO Dov Charney has been ousted by the Board of Directors from the clothing company he founded amid an investigation into alleged misconduct. Charney has become a prominent voice in the business community, both for immigration reform and for paying apparel workers a livable wage. But he’s also been accused of sexual harassment by former employees and has clashed with board members in the past. The Canadian-born Charney founded American Apparel when he was a student at Tufts University in the 1980s, moving the company to L.A. in 1997. It went a public a decade later. The board didn’t give any details about the alleged misconduct. An unnamed source tells the L.A. Times that Charney was taken by surprise by his firing and will “fight like hell to get the company back.”

ALARCONOpening arguments are scheduled today in the trial of former L.A. City Councilman Richard Alarcon and his wife for lying about where they lived when he ran for office. Alarcon and Flora Montes de Oca Alarcon face more than 20 felony counts in the case. The couple deny any wrongdoing – saying they were staying in another property outside the eastern San Fernando Valley district while their primary residence was being repaired. In January, Inglewood state Senator Roderick Wright was convicted of perjury and voter fraud for lying about where he lived. Wright – who is appealing – is on a paid leave of absence from the Senate.

State lawmakers are considering a union-backed bill to expand tenure protections for public school teachers – in spite of a recent court ruling that threw out existing tenure rules. The bill has passed the Assembly. It’s now stalled in the state Senate over concerns stemming from last week’s ruling by an L.A. Superior Court judge. But it could come up again as soon as next week. The court decision overturned five state laws meant to protect teacher’s jobs. The judge said the protections made it too hard to fire ineffective teachers and led to the worst teachers being assigned to schools in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods. Gov. Jerry Brown has not said if he will appeal the decision.

BAXTER

California Supreme Court Justice Marvin Baxter is stepping down. That gives Gov. Jerry Brown his third chance to make an appointment to the high court. Former Gov. George Deukmejian appointed Baxter to the state Supreme Court in 1991. Court watchers say his rulings have reflected his moderate-conservative leanings. Baxter’s retirement follows that of Justice Joyce Kennard this spring. The Governor has not named her replacement yet. Baxter will remain on the bench until the end of the year.

kershawAce Clayton Kershaw tossed his first no-hitter last night in a dominating performance against the Colorado Rockies. Kershaw struck out a career-high 15 batters in the Dodgers 8-0 win, thrilling the hometown crowd at Chavez Ravine. Kershaw has won two Cy Young Awards, made All-Star teams and signed the richest contract ever for a Major League hurler. But until last night he’d never thrown a no-hitter. Kershaw’s gem was the Dodgers’ second no-no in less than a month: Josh Beckett threw one against the Phillies on May 25th. It was also the first no-hitter thrown by a Dodger pitcher at Dodger Stadium in 19 years. If not for a throwing error by shortstop Hanley Ramirez, Kershaw would have tossed the second perfect game in Dodgers history. Sandy Koufax – who had four no-hitters – has the only perfect game for the club.