The Region : Charges Against Fire Official Dropped

Theft and insurance fraud charges against former Hermosa Beach Fire Chief Ronald Simmons were dismissed on recommendation of the district attorney’s office, which said the former chief was acting on the advice of another official, who is now under investigation. Deputy Dist. Atty. Herb Lapin declined to identify the new suspect, but said the investigation should be completed in a month. He said other city employees said they, too, had been advised by the same person to falsify insurance records. In past interviews, Simmons has said it was City Manager Gregory T. Meyer who advised him to fill out city insurance forms improperly, but Meyer has denied such allegations.