> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Storied charity supporting sick children raided by former CEO - URL: https://www.smdp.com/storied-charity-supporting-sick-children-raided-by-former-ceo/ - Published: 2026-01-13T18:45:35.000Z - Updated: 2026-01-13T18:45:34.000Z - Author: Editor ### **First Up** ![JSX celebrates](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/size/w1280/format/webp/2026/01/IMG_0334.jpg) JSX held a ceremony at SMO this week. ### **JSX celebrates launch of Santa Monica Airport service** JSX, the Dallas-based public charter air carrier, hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony this week at Santa Monica Airport to mark the official start of passenger service...[READ](https://www.smdp.com/jsx-elebrates-launch-of-santa-monica-airport-service-with-ribbon-cutting-ceremony/) ### **Close to Home** [Santa Monica to Update Cannabis Equity Rules, Expand Bike Lane SafetySanta Monica City Council will consider changes to cannabis equity requirements and approve $1.6M for automated bike lane enforcement and real-time bus tracking.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/icon/New-logo-stacked-square-94.png)SMDPMaaz Alin![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/748825C1-0447-4A66-AA51-9BB89DF4AFD2.jpeg)](https://www.smdp.com/safer-bus-lanes-and-cannabis-equity-are-part-of-packed-city-council-agenda/) [Santa Monica Residents to Receive Free Health Exams in CDC Study500 Santa Monica households will be invited to participate in NHANES, offering free health screenings while contributing to national public health research.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/icon/New-logo-stacked-square-95.png)SMDPMatthew Hall![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/24-351499-SMG-DB-508.png)](https://www.smdp.com/national-health-survey-selects-santa-monica-for-comprehensive-study/) [Former children’s charity CEO charged with embezzling millionsThe former CEO of The Painted Turtle, a nonprofit camp for children with serious medical conditions, has been charged with embezzling $5.2 million from the organization over a seven-year period. Christopher L. Butler, 48, of Porter Ranch faces 15 felony counts including nine counts of grand theft, five counts![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/icon/New-logo-stacked-square-96.png)SMDPMatthew Hall![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/painted-turtle.png)](https://www.smdp.com/former-childrens-charity-ceo-charged-with-embezling-millions/) [Former U.S. Surgeon General: Your Best Shot at a Healthy Flu SeasonBy Jerome Adams Winter is upon us, and for many Americans, that means company parties, get-togethers with friends and of course, gathering with extended family. These festivities are joyous. But they also inherently expose us to infectious seasonal illnesses like influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19\. As vaccination rates![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/icon/New-logo-stacked-square-97.png)SMDPGuest Author![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/fluvaccine.webp)](https://www.smdp.com/former-u-s-surgeon-general-your-best-shot-at-a-healthy-flu-season/) ### **In Case You Missed** [City Hall scrambles to fix housing votes as new questions emerge over councilmember conflictsOfficials are racing to ratify a series of housing-related votes from 2025 after state regulators determined Councilmember Jesse Zwick was conflicted on those decisions, while newly filed complaints allege other council members may have also violated ethics rules on a separate housing deal. The City Council will consider ratifying several![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/icon/New-logo-stacked-square-93.png)SMDPMatthew Hall![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/conflict-1.png)](https://www.smdp.com/city-hall-scrambles-to-fix-housing-votes-as-new-questions-emerge-over-councilmember-conflicts/) [LA County Adopts Human Trafficking Prevention Month for 2026Los Angeles County supervisors unanimously approved making January 2026 Human Trafficking Prevention Month, focusing on survivor-centered services ahead of major events.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/icon/New-logo-stacked-square-92.png)SMDPMaaz Alin![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/COVER---Hilda-3-1.jpg)](https://www.smdp.com/la-county-declares-january-2026-human-trafficking-prevention-month/) [VR headsets are ‘hope machines’ inside California prisons, offering escape and practical experienceJacob Smith has been in prison for two decades, but he and other inmates are still taking regular trips to far-flung, exotic locales![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/icon/New-logo-stacked-square-89.png)SMDPAssociated Press![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/thumbnail/VR-KVSP_20210801_774.webp)](https://www.smdp.com/vr-headsets-are-hope-machines-inside-california-prisons-offering-escape-and-practical-experience/) --- [ ![](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone_static/184438/image/0?seed=) ](https://ad.broadstreetads.com/zone%5Fstatic/184438/click/0?seed=&ref=smdp.com) --- ### Events [ **City Council Meeting** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/city-council-meeting/13799967/2026-01-13T17) Santa Monica City Hall Tue. Jan 13 5:30PM 1685 Main St., Santa Monica [ **Memories & Movement Senior Club** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/memories-movement-senior-club/14853634/2026-01-13T10) Virginia Avenue Park Tue. Jan 13 10:30AM 2200 Virginia Ave., Santa Monica [ **Tech & Tasks** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/tech-tasks/16225799/2026-01-13T16) Pico Branch Library Tue. Jan 13 4:00PM 2201 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica [ **Walking Meditation** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/walking-meditation/16206460/2026-01-13T08) Beach lot 5 South Tue. Jan 13 8:00AM 2600 Bernard Way, Los Angeles [ **Rebuild Committee - Santa Monica & PaliBu Chamber** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/rebuild-committee-santa-monica-palibu-chamber/15499169/2026-01-15T15) Zoom link to be sent before the meeting Thu. Jan 15 3:00PM , Santa Monica [ **Walking Meditation** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/walking-meditation/16206460/2026-01-15T08) Beach lot 5 South Thu. Jan 15 8:00AM 2600 Bernard Way, Los Angeles [ **Live Music Fridays at The Surfing Fox** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/live-music-fridays-at-the-surfing-fox/14385252/2026-01-16T18) 120 Colorado Ave Fri. Jan 16 6:00PM CA Contact Info (424) 214-1830 matt.sedgwick@candrpr.com Visit thesurfingfoxsm.com to view menus and learn more, Santa Monica [ **Beginner Reformer Pilates at Good Body Pilates Studio** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/beginner-reformer-pilates-at-good-body-pilates-studio/16094481/2026-01-17T10) Good Body Pilates Studio 3229 Pico Blvd. Santa Monica Sat. Jan 17 10:00AM Good Body Pilates Studio, Santa Monica [ **Downtown Walking Tour** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/downtown-walking-tour/15830816/2026-01-17T10) Hosteling Intl. Sat. Jan 17 10:00AM 1436 2nd Street, Santa Monica [ **Walking Meditation** ](https://smdp.com/event-3?ref=smdp.com#/details/walking-meditation/16206460/2026-01-17T08) Beach lot 5 South Sat. Jan 17 8:00AM 2600 Bernard Way, Los Angeles [Read our PDF version](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/011326.pdf%0A?ref=smdp.com)