🌱Officer Remembered + Large Gift + Stole $9.5M, Lavish Lifestyle

Good morning, neighbors! It's me again, Paula Constance, your host of the Orange County Daily.

First, today's weather:

A mostly cloudy, cool day with a shower. High: 60. Low: 43.

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Here are the top stories in Orange County today:

1. Orange Country showed an outpouring of support after the tragic death of Officer Nicholas Vella, a 14-year veteran of the Huntington Beach Police Department. The police helicopter he was in crashed in the ocean near the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach on Saturday night responding to a call. Vella, the pilot, died in the crash while another officer onboard was injured. The Huntington Beach Police Department provides air support for the city of Newport Beach. There are no reports yet of what caused the helicopter to crash. You can read more about this story here: (Orange County Patch)
2. An Irvine man, who scammed $9.5 million from Californians in a solar power swindle, instead used investor's money to fund his excessive lifestyle that included a 46-foot yacht and two Maseratis. Michael James Sweaney, 58, was sentenced on Friday to six and a half years in prison. Authorities said that he used deceptive sales tactics to convince people to invest in his company, Nanotech Engineering Inc., saying his company created a new compact “Nanopanel,” which the Department of Justice said does not exist. Sweaney spent investors' money on a Cartier watch and cosmetic surgery, the Department of Justice said. He pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud in April 2021. You can read the full story here: (OC Register)
3. Orange County real estate magnate, Patrick F. Cadigan, is leaving $42M to his alma mater, Claremont Graduate University, where he earned his master's degree and Ph.D. Cadigan, who died at 85 in April 2020, had a portfolio approaching $1 billion, mostly of apartment complexes. He was the son of Irish immigrants and was known for donating to schools that helped shape his future. Claremont Graduate University President Len Jessup told a nonprofit newspaper that "all gifts are valuable," but this was the largest gift in the university’s history. You can more about this story here: (The Real Deal)

Today in Orange County:

• Hot Club of Los Angeles at The Cinema Bar. (9 p.m.)
• Jazz Jam at The Falls Lounge — Arts and Culture Events in Orange County. (9 p.m.)
• Rep Council — Garden Grove Education Association. (All Day)
• ACT WorkKeys: On-Site — Anaheim Workforce Connection. (9 a.m.)
• SBDC - CEO Moms 2022 — Lake Forest Chamber of Commerce. (10 a.m.)
• Virtual Mock Interview: On-Site — Anaheim Workforce Connection. (10:30 a.m.)

From my notebook:

• Orange County Fire Authority: "The men and women of the OCFA send our thoughts and prayers to the Huntington Beach Police (HBPD), and to the friends and family of Officer Vella." (Facebook)
• Orange County Sheriff's Department, C.A: "Our deepest condolences are with the family of Officer Vella and the men and women of @hbpolicedept. Officer Vella was killed in the line of duty in a tragic helicopter crash." (Facebook)
• German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County: "Happy ending! This couple met Banjo and knew that was the puppy they needed!" (Facebook)
• Orange County (NC) Recreation: "Starting in March, Pickleball available on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at the Central Recreation Center in downtown Hillsborough." (Instagram)

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Events:

• Babor/Oxygeneo Glow & Go Facial Event — Just $99 (Feb. 22)
• Social Security Seminar 2/22 & 2/23 (Feb. 23)
• 41st Annual CARSplus Convention: Networking for Success and Best Practices. (Feb. 25)
• The Most Romantic Evening In All of Orange County! (Feb. 25)
• A Romantic Play, Wine and Chocolate! (Feb. 25)
• Fall Youth Football Registration. (Feb. 26)
• Learn How To Reduce Your Risk For Heart Disease During American Heart Month. (Feb. 28)
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That's it for today. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Paula Constance

About me: I am a freelance writer, author, and media producer. I am committed to media projects that empower, engage, and help make the world a better place. One of my favorite jobs? Working with Imagineering for The Walt Disney Company.