Mountain View News Saturday, March 28, 2026 

Woman 
Sentenced 
in $14 Million 
Medicare 
Fraud Case

 A Los Angeles Womanwas sentenced to nearly 3years in prison for her rolein hospice and diagnostictesting Medicare fraud thatincluded Pasadena-based 
Chateau d’Lumina Hospiceand Palliative Care.

 According to the Departmentof Justice Public Information 
Officer Ciaran McEvoy,
Sophia Shaklian, 38, was 
sentenced Tuesday to 35 
months in federal prison fordefrauding Medicare out 
of more than $14 million 
by submitting fraudulent 
claims for hospice care anddiagnostic testing services 
that were either unnecessaryor not provided at all. Shaklianwas also ordered her to pay$14,103,043 in restitution.

 She pled guilty in Novemberto one count of health care 
fraud.

 McEvoy said that from March2019 to August 2024, Shaklianand her co-schemers – often 
using aliases – used multiplebogus hospice and diagnostictesting providers enrolled 
with Medicare and submitted 
fraudulent claims on behalf of 
companies she owned.

 The businesses included 
a Shaklian-owned hospicecompany – the Pasadena-
based Chateau d’Lumina 
Hospice and Palliative Care 

– and several diagnostic 
testing companies: Saint 
Gorge Radiology in Sylmar;
Hope Diagnostics in NorthHollywood; Direct Imaging& Diagnostics and Lab One 
– both based in Hollywood;
and Labtech and Lifescan 
Diagnostics in Claremont. 
Shaklian and her co-
schemers used the 
information of Medicare 
beneficiaries, and checked 
beneficiaries’ Medicare 
eligibility to knowingly andwillfully submit fraudulent 
claims to Medicare on behalf 
of beneficiaries who did 
not need the services, hadnever received the services,
and were not familiar with 
the fraudulent hospice anddiagnostic testing providers,
with the intent to defraud 
Medicare into reimbursingthe sham providers for thoseclaimed services.

 Shaklian admitted in her plea 
agreement that fraudulent 
claims were submitted on 
behalf of the sham providers.
Shaklian caused a loss of at 
least $14,103,043 to Medicare. 

Free Oil Filter 
ExchangeEvent Today

 Pasadena’s Oil Filter 
Exchange Event is todayfrom 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 

p.m. at O’Reilly Auto 
Parts, 1860 E. Colorado 
Boulevard. Community 
members who bring a 
used oil filter can receive 
a new replacement filterat no cost, while supplieslast. Each household mayexchange up to two usedfilters with a maximum 
value of $15 each before 
tax. Free oil recycling kitswill also be available while 
supplies last, and residentsare encouraged to bringtheir used motor oil to the 
event for proper disposal.
Additional information is 
available at CityofPasadena.
net/UsedOil. 
Reconnecting Pasadena SR-710Vision Plan City Council Workshop 

communities of color, from

 City of Pasadena officials the 710 Stub area. The Vision 
announced Monday that they Plan also provides direction 
are set to hold a Workshop and recommendations 
of the Draft Reconnecting for integrating the 710 
Pasadena 710 Vision Plan Stub into the surrounding 
on Monday at 6 p.m., in neighborhoods and outlines 
the Pasadena City Hall, strategies for long-term land-
Council Chambers. The use, mobility, sustainability,
City Council meeting will and implementation efforts. 
include viewing of an excerpt “Pasadena is defined by its 
from the documentary public spaces, its beautiful 
Amplify | Voices of People neighborhoods, thriving 
and Families Displaced by business districts, and 
Freeway Construction and historic assets like City Hall, 
the presentation of two the Rose Bowl, Ambassador 
prestigious awards the film Auditorium, and Caltech—all 
won. contributing to our sense of

 They said the Reconnecting place. With the Vision Plan, 
Pasadena 710 Vision Plan we can learn from and reflect 
consolidates the work led by on the best aspects of what 
consultants Perkins Eastman, surrounds it,” said Mayor 
the City Council-appointed Victor Gordo. 
Reconnecting Communities The City Council will 
710 Advisory Group, City hold a second Workshop 
staff, and other stakeholders on Monday, April 13 in the 
over the past three years into a City Council Chambers 
comprehensive, community-at 6 p.m., to continue the 
driven plan. Main elements discussion and to receive 
of the Vision Plan include the recommendations from CityCity’s first Restorative Justice staff on the ReconnectingFramework, developed as Pasadena 710 Vision Plan. 
part of the historic project that To view the film, please visit 
documented the displacement bit.ly/AmplifyFilm, or for 
of the communities, primarily more information visit bit.ly/ 

Annual Pasadena Fire Brush 
Inspections Begin in April 

Pasadena Fire Chief Chad 
Augustin announced Thursdaythat April marks the kickoff ofthe annual Hazardous Brush 
Inspections. In the wake of the 
Eaton Fire, these inspectionscarry added importance as wework to reduce risk and protectthe community.

 This year, the Pasadena FireDepartment will inspect 4,611properties. The propertiesinspected lie within the VeryHigh Hazard Severity Zone asdictated by the California StateFire Marshal’s Office. There is 
an easy way to determine if aPasadena property is within thisdesignated zone. Fire Hazard 
Severity Zone Map (FHSZ) Fire 
Department. From April 1through June 30, the public mayexpect to see Fire Departmentstaff in these areas conductinginspections. It is best to be 
prepared for these inspections bytaking a few simple steps:
Remove all dead trees and 
keep grass and weeds mowedwithin 100 feet of any building(including those on adjacentproperty), and within 10 feet ofany roadway used for vehiculartravel. This does not apply toornamental shrubbery, trees 
or cultivated ground cover. In 
extremely hazardous areas,
clearance up to 200 feet from astructure and 50 feet from a fence 
or roadway may be required bythe Fire Department. 

Grasses and other vegetationlocated more than 30 feet from 
any building and less than 
18 inches in height may bemaintained where necessary tostabilize soil and prevent erosion.
Large trees and shrubs in thatarea should be 18 feet apart.
Remove leafy foliage, dead wood,
combustible groundcover, twigsor branches within three (3)
feet of the ground from maturetrees located within 100 feet of 
any building or within 10 feet ofany roadway used for vehiculartravel. 
Remove dead limbs, branchesand other combustible matter 
from trees or other growing 
vegetation adjacent to or 
overhanging any structure.
Remove any portion of a treewhich extends within 10 feet of a 
chimney or stovepipe.
Trim and maintain all vegetationaway from curbline up to a heightof 13.5 feet to accommodate 
emergency vehicles.
Maintain five (5) feet of verticalclearance between roof surfaces 
and any overhanging portions of 
trees.

 As an added benefit, manyinsurance carriers will acceptthe city’s inspection report asproof of compliance, which theymay require to provide coverage.
If you need a copy of a reportfor insurance purposes, please 
contact your inspecting fire 
station. 

RpmpStoryMap. 
For questions or comments

please contact, Senior Project

Manager, Wendy Macias at

WMacias@CityOfPasadena. 

net. 

Diversity andSymbiosisOpeningReception

 Internationally-renownedconceptual artist Shanguo(Sam) Jia will unveil his 
abstract paintings — inspiredby members of the Pasadena 
Senior Center communitywho have immigrated to theUnited States — at the openingreception for his original work‘Our Stories in Art: Diversityand Symbiosis,’ on Saturday,
Apr. 4 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
onsite at Pasadena Senior 
Center (PSC). Attendees willhave the opportunity to meetthe artist as well as the project’sparticipants at the reception.

 “Diversity and Symbiosis” isa series of 30 abstract piecesinspired by the immigrantstories of PSC members. Two 
years in the making, Jia firstengaged participants throughpersonal interviews, seeking 
to capture an importantthought from each one that hethen used to create a series of 
abstract canvases using eachperson’s words. Each abstractcanvas is paired with a videointerview of the person whoinspired the painting.

 The exhibit will be on displayin PSC’s Fireside Lounge 
through July.

 Jia, an immigrant to theUnited States from Shandongprovince in China, was 
inspired by PSC members’immigration stories to explorehow journeys of leavingone country behind impactrebuilding lives in America.
For the work, he interviewedmany in the PSC communityand asked each interviewee to 
write down one sentence that 
“influences them the most in 
their lives” in their immigrant 
story.

This year-long project waspart of the Pasadena SeniorCenter’s celebration of 65 
years of supporting the olderadult community in the SanGabriel Valley.

 Jia, an MFA graduate fromthe China Central Academy ofFine Arts, conceptualized thisoriginal idea upon arriving inCalifornia in 2022, .

The event is free event, andreservations are requested. Formore information, visit:

 pasadenaseniorcenter.orgLight refreshments will beserved. 

City’s Fast-Track Wildfire

Remediation Ends April 11 


The City of Pasadena isreminding tenants and landlordsthat the city’s temporary Fast-
Track Remediation Programfor wildfire-related smoke, ash,
and soot complaints will remainin effect only through Saturday,
April 11. The program wasestablished to provide timelyinspections and remediation inareas most likely impacted bywildfire conditions followingthe January 2025 windstormand fire event.

 The Fast-Track Remediation 
Program applies to eligiblecomplaints involving wildfire-
related smoke, ash, or sootdamage in rental propertieslocated north of the I-210 
Freeway and west of Sierra 
Madre Boulevard. Tenants in 
the affected area who believe 
their unit may still be impactedare encouraged to request aninspection before the programdeadline.

 When the City receives aneligible complaint within 
the Fast-Track area, the 
landlord and/or propertyowner is required to retain anEnvironmental Consultant or 
Certified Industrial Hygienistto inspect the unit and identify 
any necessary remediation 
measures. City Code 
Compliance then schedules 
a reinspection to confirm 

that all required inspectionsand remediation have been 
completed, if necessary.

 In October 2024, Senate Bill610 updated wildfire debris 
inspection standards. Under 
state law, the presence of debrisfrom the Eaton Fire disaster,
regardless of volume, constitutesa substandard condition until it 
is confirmed that the debris does 
not contain toxic substances. 
These changes strengthened 
protections for tenants living inwildfire-impacted areas.

 Complaints received outside 
the Fast-Track program area,
or after the April 11 deadline,
may still be addressed throughthe City’s standard wildfire-
related inspection process.
Under that process, City staffwill conduct an inspection inresponse to complaints receivedand may issue an Order toComply requiring remediationas needed. 
How to Request an Inspection

 Tenants who believe their 
rental unit may be affected bywildfire-related smoke, ash, orsoot may request an inspectionby contacting the City’s CodeCompliance Division at (626)
744-8633 or by submitting arequest online through the CityService Center. Residents mayalso contact the City Service 
Center at (626) 744-7311 duringbusiness hours for assistance. 

Innovate Pasadena and the 
City to Host Connect Week

The City of Pasadena EconomicDevelopment Division is 
partnering with Innovate 
Pasadena to host Connect 
Week, April 12–16, a series ofevents highlighting Pasadena’sleadership in deep tech, lifesciences, climate innovation,
and quantum computing.

 Pasadena is home to 
organizations tackling some 
of the world’s most complex 
challenges, from developingbreakthrough medical 
technologies to pioneeringclimate and quantum solutions.
Connect Week provides an 
opportunity to spotlight thepeople and institutions drivingthis work while strengtheningconnections across Pasadena’s 
innovation community.

 “We’re excited to bringtogether innovators from acrossPasadena and the region duringConnect Week,” said EconomicDevelopment Director DavidKlug. “These events highlightthe collaboration and talent 
that make Pasadena a hub for 
meaningful innovation.”

 “Connect Week is about 

strengthening connections 
across Pasadena’s innovation 
ecosystem,” said Innovate 
Pasadena Chairman Mike 
Giardello. “From students 
and startups to established 
companies and world-class 
research institutions, this weekshowcases the community 
that makes Pasadena a unique 
innovation hub.” 
Connect Week events include: 
Sunday, 4/12, 4 p.m.: VIP KickoffReception at The Langham 
Huntington, PasadenaMonday, 4/13, 6 p.m.: PasadenaInnovation Showcase featuring 
a pitch competition with 
Pasadena City College, Caltechand ArtCenter College of 
Design StudentsTuesday, 4/14, 2 p.m.: QuantumDay PasadenaTuesday, 4/14, 6 p.m.: TheClimate Cost of AI 
Wednesday, 4/15, 3 p.m.: 
BioTech Crawl 
Thursday, 4/16, 6 p.m.: PasadenaTech Happy Hour

 For a complete schedule 
of events visit: Luma.com/
InnovatePasadena. 


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com