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Manti Te'o Must Answer Questions

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Hours after Notre Dame officials held a strange press conference about their star linebacker Manti Te'o and an Internet hoax, someone tweeted fuel to the fire. 

The tweet -- announcing new information at noon Pacific Time -- came from an account originally believed to be associated with the fake, dead girlfriend, Lennay Kekua. That account was later discovered to have been created on January 16, and has since been verified as a hoax in itself.

It was just one of the many twists in the bizarre story.

Throughout Te'o's season - one that ended with him placing second in Heisman trophy voting, and playing in the BCS National Championship game -- the story of his ill girlfriend provided a tragic back story to his triumphs on the field.

The tale of that girlfriend quickly unraveled Wednesday in a long, detailed report in Deadspin.

Following the report, the university discussed the matter in a hastily-called press conference. Te'o wasn't there and as of Thursday afternoon hadn't faced the media to answer myriad questions about the timeline of his alleged fake Internet romance, and whether he ever met in person with the girl. 

It's unclear when he will.

"This is incredibly embarrassing to talk about," Te'o said in a written statement released Wednesday in response to the article. "Over an extended period of time, I developed an emotional relationship with a woman I met online. We maintained what I thought to be an authentic relationship by communicating frequently online and on the phone, and I grew to care deeply about her."

Notre Dame, for its part, is trying to remove itself from the story. 

A Notre Dame official says Te'o is in Florida at the IMG combine camp, a renowned operation at the Nick Bollatteri tennis camp in Bradenton that tries to prepare college players for life in the NFL--handling finances and the media.

The official says Te'o has hired Tom Condon of CAA as his agent. As such, he has turned professional and Notre Dame will no longer assist him with such things as media relations. That is up to Condon now, the official says.

Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick said he'd have no further comment on the matter beyond his news conference last night.

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy



Photo Credit: FILE / AP

$930K of Cocaine Stashed in Car Speakers

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On Jan. 16, U.S. Border Patrol agents at the I-5 checkpoint in San Clemente, Calif., discovered 29 bundles of cocaine and one bundle of heroin hidden inside a speaker box in the trunk of a 2000 Nissan Sentra attempting to pass through the checkpoint. The cocaine weighed nearly 85 pounds and was valued at $931,260. The heroin was valued at $27, 840.

Dramatic Surveillance Video Shows Gas Station Shootout

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The video shows shows a homeless man, Hasib Kuric, giving the clerk, identified as 45-year-old Leonard Carr, a critical warning of trouble outside. Kuric and gas station owner Bhagwanath Ramnarine spoke about the incident.

Water Main Breaks in La Jolla

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A water main break in La Jolla sent water flowing into the streets Thursday morning. 

The water main broke at about 8:30 a.m. in the 9500 block of Towne Center Drive in La Jolla, according to water officials on the scene.

The southbound lanes of Towne Center Drive began cracking due to the break. 

Water was bubbling up from under the street, and drivers said the collection of water was growing larger and larger. 

MTS has been notified to re-route its buses. Click here to see detour schedules. 



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

On a "Budget," Tickets and Yankee Haters

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President Barack Obama's second inauguration takes place Monday, and there's a lot going on. In an effort to keep you up to date, we'll be bringing you a daily round-up of interesting news, notes and stories — like how to do the weekend on a "budget" and the favorite baseball team of the guy giving the benediction.

  • Hoping to attend the inauguration in style, but on a budget of less than $500,000? The $250,000 “Washington Premium Partner Access” from the Inaugural Committee and the Ritz-Carlton Georgetown’s $201,300 “West Wing” package will leave you for enough money to buy tickets and some new threads.
     
  • But be careful about where you get your tickets, because while they're selling all over the Internet, they're supposed to be free. Sen. Chuck Schumer has been shutting down on-line sales.
     
  • For the second inauguration in a row, President Obama has had to find a replacement pastor to give the benediction after his first choice was found to be politically unsuitable. But what do we know about Rev. Luis Leon? Other than the fact that he hates the Yankees?
     
  • Curious about all the musicians playing throughout the weekend's festivities? Want a playlist of some of their biggest hits? Here you go, thanks to the Today Show.
     
  • Obama rose through the ranks thanks in large part to his gifts as a public speaker, and he'll be on the mic again come Monday, but he'll be facing a huge challenge: "Second inaugurals are generally little remembered and long forgotten," Yahoo News says.


Photo Credit: Getty Images

Board Won't Pay Superintendent's Legal Fees

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The San Ysidro School board unanimously shot down a request to pick up the legal tab to defend their superintendent against criminal charges brought on by the District Attorney’s office.

The San Ysidro school district board voted on the proposal at its board meeting Wednesday night. 

The district sought $100,000 in legal fees for Superintendent Manuel Paul, according to school board documents.

Paul is facing six felony criminal counts –  two counts each of filing a false instrument, perjury by declaration, and accepting gifts in excess of legal limit.

Hernandez faces four felony counts -- two each of filing a false instrument and perjury by declaration.

Hernandez withdrew the request at the last minute Wednesday night. Paul was placed on a paid 45-day administrative leave, according to individuals who attended the meeting. 

Prosecutors state the officials dined at expensive meals and took other gifts without reporting them and then filed state-mandated forms under penalty of perjury.

Paul and Hernandez are also involved in a separate federal investigation into a story NBC 7 Investigates first brought you in August involving the exchange of cash between a contractor and the superintendent in a restaurant parking lot.
 

Manti Te'o May Never Recover: Psychiatrist

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A stunning series of events involving a Notre Dame football player, social media and an elaborate hoax. Star Linebacker Manti Te'o is at the center of the controversy. NBC 7's Tony Shin talks with San Diego psychiatrist Clark Smith, M.D.

By the Numbers: Gun Violence in America

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Mass shootings have a way of focusing the nation's attention to the scourge of gun violence, but those events are relatively infrequent.

In some parts of the country, gunfire is a part of everyday life.

Despite overall drops in the crime rate, America still has one of the highest rates of gun violence in the world.

Data collected by government agencies show how deeply this plague impacts the country, particularly children.

More victims live than die

289: The number of people, on average, who are shot every day in America as the result of murders, assaults, suicides, suicide attempts, accidents and police actions. (1)

202: The number of those average daily victims who survive their injuries. (1)

32,163: The number of people shot to death in 2011. (2)

73,883: The number of people who survived gunshot wounds in 2011 (3)

Weapons of choice

67.8Percentage of 2011 murders in which a gun was used. (5)

72.5Percentage of 2011 gun murders in which handguns were used. (5)

3.8: Percentage of 2011 gun murders in which rifles were used. (5)

Children as victims

18,287: The number of children aged 0 to 19 shot in 2010. (4)

15,576: The number of those young 2010 victims who survived their injuries. (3)

5,247: By comparison, the number of U.S. soldiers wounded in action in 2010 in the war in Afghanistan. (6)

119,079The number of children and teens who were killed by firearms between 1979 and 2010. (7)

86,405: By comparison, the combined number of U.S. soldiers killed in action in the Vietnam, Korean, Afghanistan and Iraq wars. (6)

82The number of children under the age of 5 who died from firearms in 2010 (4)

58: By comparison, the number of law enforcement officers killed by firearms in the line of duty in 2010. (8)

Sources:

(1) 2010 fatal and 2011 non-fatal injury data from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System

(2) CDC’s National Vital Statistics Reports Vol. 61, No. 6 - Deaths: Preliminary Data for 2011

(3) CDC’s WISQARS Nonfatal Injury Reports

(4) CDC’s WISQARS Fatal Injury Reports

(5) The FBI’s Crime in the United States 2011

(6) The Children's Defense Fund, The Department of Defense's Defense Casualty Analysis System: Conflict Casualties (as of Jan. 4, 2012)

(7) The Children's Defense Fund, The CDC's WONDER Online Database

(8) The Children's Defense Fund, The FBI's Law enforcement deaths (includes felonious and accidental deaths by firearms)


Body Found in Santee Lakes

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A body was found floating in Santee Lakes on Thursday morning, according to the sheriff's department.

The deceased male was discovered around 8:30 a.m. Deputies said he is in his 70s.

Officials said this is not considered a suspicious death investigation and they do not suspect any foul play.

Santee Lakes is also home to a campground, cabins and multiple playgrounds.



Photo Credit: Greg Stickney

Ex-Charger QB Kicked Out of Rehab

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Former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf has been moved from a central Montana drug treatment center to the state prison in Deer Lodge.

Regional probation and parole administrator Dawn Handa told the Great Falls Tribune on Thursday that Leaf was terminated from the Nexus Treatment Center in Lewistown after violating the conditions of the placement, including threatening a staff member.

Leaf was charged with breaking into two houses and stealing prescription painkillers. He pleaded guilty to burglary and criminal possession of dangerous drugs. He was sentenced in June to five years with the Department of Corrections with the recommendation that he spend the first nine months in a locked drug treatment facility.

Leaf also faces the revocation of a 10-year probationary sentence for a 2010 drug and burglary conviction in Texas.

The former Chargers quarterback finished his career with 14 touchdowns and 36 interceptions but was better known for outbursts directed at teammates, coaches, fans and reporters.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

SDSU Students Return to Class

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Crowds of students are expected to return to class at San Diego State University especially in the parking lots. NBC 7's Megan Tevrizian reports.

Despite SD Residents' Challenges, BP Arrests Low

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 Border Patrol agents met with community members in Alpine Wednesday night to address questions and concerns regarding border security.

Roughly two dozen residents came to the meeting at Alpine Elementary School to talk about how border security impacts their lives on a day-to-day basis.

The meeting addressed the challenges residents are facing. Many of those residents have been caught in the path of smuggling attempts over the years, and live in rural areas where smuggling undocumented immigrants or drugs is common. 

"We've had alien groups come across our property and the border patrol have been in pursuit," said Alpine resident Diane Francis. "That's always unsettling."

Despite this, arrests made by the US Border Patrol in San Diego County has fallen to its lowest level in more than four decades. More than 28,000 arrests were made this past year, and that's the lowest since 1968.

However, the technology to avoid capture is advancing. Border Patrol says their challenge now is outsmarting transportation cells on the Mexican side who are using remote control guidance to help their mules avoid being seen. 

"They have resources to buy that sort of equipment," said Border Patrol Agent Tim Heck. "These folks, smugglers... are not dumb people. They're very clever and very smart."

Agents say they're also doing their best to combat smugglers trying to avoid certain checkpoints, often using dangerous tactics.

"There's something that takes place at that I-8 checkpoint," said Border Patrol Agent Wayne Jackson. "Something, some type of activity where we have to take action almost every day."

Despite those issues, most of the public expressed approval of the job Border Patrol is doing.

"I think they're doing the best they can with the resources they have," said Boulevard resident John Lumb. "They have physical challenges. Obviously the terrain, the time, manpower."

Agents made a point to urge residents to report anything they see as suspicious.



Photo Credit: AP

Marine Recruit Runs Across Airport Tarmac

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A U.S. Marine recruit faces felony and misdemeanor chargers for jumping over two barbed-wire fences and running on the tarmac of San Diego’s airport.

San Diego harbor police got word from the Lindbergh Tower that a man had run on the tarmac by Gate 6 in Terminal 1 at 6:20 a.m. Thursday.

He attempted to hide in a service vehicle that belongs to the janitorial department.

"He had quite a few cuts on him and at the time that we found him he had actually taken his pants off so he was in his boxer shorts and his Marine Corps T-shirt," said Harbor Police Lt John Forsythe.

In aerials from NBC 7 San Diego news helicopter, the white van could be seen parked in front of a Southwest airliner connected to the gate. The vehicle was surrounded by airport maintenance vehicles.

Military police were called because the suspect was a 22-year-old Marine recruit from the nearby Marine Corps Recruit Depot. The unidentified man arrived to the training center from San Rafael Jan. 14 officials said.

"Everything we said to him it was: 'Yes sir! Yes sir! 'That was all he pretty much said to us," Forsythe said. "It took us a while to get his name and everything else like that."

Flights were not affected according to airport officials.

The incident posed no threat to passengers or the public officials said.

But the breach of security was on a topic of conversation for many passengers inside the terminal.

"What are you running out there for?! What is calling you to the actual runway to make you want to go out there? And it's terrifying just knowing somebody would want to do that," said air traveler Mo Owens.

"I think that probably the security at the airport is very good," passenger Tom Solari said. "I feel comfortable. I'm not worried at all."

The suspect was transported to the Naval Medical Center San Diego in Balboa Park via ambulance with a military police vehicle following close behind.

The unidentified recruit reported to MCRD just three days ago and was in the initial processing phase. He had not begun recruit training military officials said.

Refresh this page for new details in this developing story.
 



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

AA Unveils Bold New Logo, Livery

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The world-famous silver bird of Fort Worth-based American Airlines is getting a bold new makeover.

American Airlines CEO Thomas Horton debuted the airline's new livery in a recorded video on the airline's website at 9 a.m. Thursday. Two hours later, Horton hosted a news conference at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, where a 737 with the new livery, pictured above, was on display.

The old livery, which has been in use since the 1960s, relied on the plane's metallic fuselage for much of its look, along with iconic red, white and blue stripes that stretched the length of the fuselage.

Instead, there will be a silver, mica-painted plane with an American flag emblazoned on the tail.

"Since the polished metal look was no longer an option [due to the composite skin of new aircraft on order], the importance of the paint selection became critical to honoring American's silver bird legacy," the airline said in a news release.

Ahead of the wings, the word American in big, thin gray letters along the fuselage will be easily read from the ground. Closer to the cockpit on both sides of the fuselage, the company's new eagle logo looks forward, toward the direction of travel. The look can be seen in the photo above and in the gallery to the below, left.

The new logo will debut on Jan. 31 with a flight from DFW to Brazil. DFW Airport's Terminal A will be complete in early February and will also feature the new look.

"Our new logo and livery are designed to reflect the passion for progress and the soaring spirit, which is uniquely American," said Virasb Vahidi, American's chief commercial officer. "Our core colors -- red, white and blue -- have been updated to reflect a more vibrant and welcoming spirit. The new tail, with stripes flying proudly, is a bold reflection of American's origin and name. And our new flight symbol, an updated eagle, incorporates the many icons that people have come to associate with American, including the 'A' and the star."

American hopes to have 25 to 30 percent of its fleet outfitted with the logo change by the end of year. By the end of next year, most of the fleet should be outfitted.

Horton said the timing of the new livery went well with shipments of the Boeing 777-300ER coming into service. A shipment of 59 Boeing 737s and 777s will become part of the fleet by the end of the year.

The airline also has composite aircraft on order -- the Boeing 787 and planes from Airbus.

"Since placing our landmark aircraft order in July of 2011, we've been building anticipation toward a moment in time when the outside of our aircraft reflects the progress we've made to modernize our airline on the inside," Horton said. "While we complete the evaluation of whether a merger can build on American's strengths, we remain steadfast in each step we take to renew our airline, a step we take with great respect for our name American. Today marks important progress in that journey as we unveil a new and updated look for the first time in more than 40 years."

The makeover comes at a time when the company is still evaluating whether a merger with US Airways could benefit the company. Even with a merger, some analysts believe the new look would help signify a reinvented American Airlines and a signal that the brand is here to stay.

"It's a new day and they are restructured, reimagined, reinvented, they certainly want their customers to know that," said Jeff Millet, of Holmes Millet Advertising.

After the reveal Thursday morning, travelers at DFW Airport said they liked the new look but said that what the airline does next to emerge from bankruptcy matters the most. The pilots and flight attendants unions shared the sentiment.

"We'd prefer that the focus be on fixing AA's systemic network, revenue and cultural problems rather any cosmetic issues such as painting schemes," Allied Pilots Association spokesman Tom Hoban said.

"APFA is excited about the change this means for our employer," said Leslie Mayo with the Association of Professional Flight Attendants. "We hope this rebranding is the first of many steps toward making American Airlines a company that we can be proud to work for and one that can grow and compete in today's marketplace. That can only happen with a merger inside bankruptcy. A merger is the best path forward for our company, our industry, the employees and the traveling public, and APFA hopes to celebrate an announcement shortly."

Horton said Thursday that the switch to the new brand may take years to filter down to all planes, airports and terminals, but that the switch would happen soon at hubs in DFW, New York, Miami and Chicago.

NBC 5's Kendra Lyn, Ray Villeda and Christina Miralla contributed to this report.

Janitor, Neighbor Saves Man and 2 Dogs from Fire

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A janitor working at a Clairemont school and a neighbor saved the lives of a man and his two dogs Thursday morning, according to the San Diego Fire Department. 

The fire started at about 8:30 a.m. at the home in the 3600 block of Mount Alvarez Avenue. 

A building services supervisor working at Riley Elementary School saw the smoke as he was raising the flag in the front of the school.

He ran over to the home with a neighbor and walked up to a window where a resident seemed disoriented.

The janitor and neighbor lifted the man and his two dogs out of the window to safety. Then, the neighbor and the janitor went back inside to attempt to extinguish the flames with fire extinguishers. 

Firefighters arrived shortly after to find smoke billowing out of the home's roof. By 8:45 a.m., the fire was extinguished.

SDFD officials said the janitor and neighbor saved the man's life, and that if the man had stayed inside, he would have died within the next five minutes. 

The janitor went to the hospital for smoke inhalation, the resident and neighbor did not require medical attention.

The damage to the home was $150,000 and $100,000 to the contents.

The man's two pugs (right) appeared to be okay. 

Fire officials said the cause of the blaze was a space heater that ignited.


Authorities Seek 60-Year-Old Fugitive

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A special law enforcement task force is searching for a San Diego County fugitive.

The woman wanted by the U.S. Marshal’s office is 60-year-old Wanda Podgurski, who has lived throughout Southern California, including in Encinitas, Fallbrook and Leucadia.

On Thursday morning, a San Diego jury convicted Podgurski of insurance and tax fraud, and a total of 29 serious felonies.

The trial lasted two months, but the jury needed less than a day to weigh the evidence and reach a conclusion.

Jurors agreed with prosecutors, who said Podgurski faked bad-health and injuries, and used other tricks to defraud insurance companies, collecting $700,000 in fraudulent payments over more than a decade.

During the time she was allegedly disabled, prosecutors say Podgurski took several active vacations, including a 16-day tour of China and road trips to Key West, Eureka, CA and the Berkshires
Podgurski was free on bail during the trial, which she attended every day.

But her lawyer said he couldn't reach Podgurski yesterday, when the jury informed Judge Howard Shore that it had reached verdicts in the case.

When Judge Shore asked Podgurski’s attorney where his client was this morning, he said he had tried to reach her “both (by) phone, as well as email, number of occasions throughout the afternoon and not had any return contact."

Podgurski faces more than 30 years in prison, plus the jury found her guilty of criminal enhancements, for stealing more than $500,0000.

"In this particular case, it can add as many as three more years in prison,” said Deputy District Attorney Jim Waters, assistant chief of the DA’s Insurance Fraud Division. She also faces more than $2 million in fines.

Waters says  insurance fraud cost California companies $15 billion a year, and that every taxpayer shares the cost, through increased insurance premiums and fees associated with the costs of fraud investigations.

At this morning’s hearing, Judge Shore revoked the bail bond that had secured Podgurski's release since her arrest.

That bond is secured by a house, owned by Podgurski’s boyfriend.

"The defendant in this case put up no money to set the bond, so she's out nothing," said Deputy District Attorney Waters.

A law enforcement task force, headed by the U.S. Marshall's office, is now searching for Podgurski.

NBC 7 San Diego tried to talk with her lawyer, Philip Kent Cohen, after today's hearing, but he declined to speak.

Baby Rhino Gets Bottle Service

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The San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s newest baby rhino has been receiving daily bottle feedings from zookeepers as part of her much-needed nutritional routine, zoo officials said Thursday.

Five-week-old rhino calf, Shomili – nicknamed “Mili” by keepers – gets daily bottle feedings because her mother, Sundari, has not been able to give the calf all of the nutrition she needs.

According to zookeepers, Sundari is a young mother and her milk is not coming in as expected. In order for Mili to continue growing, animal care experts decided to give the baby rhino a supplemental bottle feeding twice a day to make sure she gets all of the nutrition a young, healthy rhino requires.

With this daily bottle service, keepers say the rhino is on the right track.

Mili, who was born weighing 128 pounds on Dec. 13, is now a healthy 245 pounds. Keepers say she’s developing and growing as needed.

On Thursday, the photo above was taken at the zoo. It shows a keeper bottle feeding the baby rhino with a very large milk bottle.
 



Photo Credit: Ken Bohn/ San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Kicking the Tires and Checking Interest Rates

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Sandy Silvers is looking for a used car.  But she is also looking for a good interest rate.

"It brings down the monthly payments," said Silvers. Sandy is in luck, interest rates for car loans are at some record lows.

Car shoppers with good credit are finding interest rates below 2 percent for new cars, under 4 percent for used cars. Those low rates are having an impact on the car lot.

"It's an added incentive which brings more people out," said car salesman J.P. Bo with Pacific Honda.  Not only are low interest rates allowing people to get into higher end cars but some are even keeping down their montly rates by extending their loans up to 6 and 7 years.

Jeff Stone with North Island Credit Union in San Diego says they did close to $60 million in car loans last year.  Some of that is for members buying new and used cars.  But Stone says some of it is coming from people refinancing their old car loans.

"If you are paying somewhere in the 4% or 5% range and you have good credit, you should be looking to refinance that car," said Stone.

People looking for auto loan refinancing should start by calling the bank or credit union that has the original loan.



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

30-Year-Old Pedestrian Killed in Oceanside

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A 30-year-old pedestrian was killed in Oceanside early Thursday morning after being struck by an oncoming vehicle in the roadway, police said.

The fatal collision happened just before 4 a.m. at State Route 76 and North Santa Fe Avenue.

According to investigators, the male pedestrian stepped out to the right turn lane and into the path of an oncoming vehicle on SR-76. The car struck the man, critically injuring him.

The victim was transported to Scripps Memorial but was declared dead at the hospital a short time later. His name has not yet been released.

The driver of the vehicle was not injured.

The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, police said.
 

Cancer Survivor Allegedly Fired for Taking Med. Leave

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An Oceanside woman is suing her former employer for allegedly firing her for taking medical and family leave.

Was she unfairly fired? Or did she show little commitment to the job, leading her employer to believe she no longer wanted to work there?

That is the issue in a civil suit that the plaintiff's attorney says should serve as a word of caution.

Vivienne Parra, 39, says she took three weeks leave from her job when she had a mastectomy in 2009, and then another three weeks when she delivered her baby, now four years old.

In between, she says she went to work as best she could, considering all of her medical appointments, always giving her employer advanced notice and documentation.

But then, the following year she had another mastectomy as a preventative measure, and took another leave.

"I put all my effort into this job and even how sick I was I came in. I didn't have my hair, I'd come in, and I worked hard and I was pregnant; tired from day one," Parra said.

In her civil suit, Parra says she was fired after the employer, Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, formerly Potomac Hospital, claimed "she no longer desired employment."

Her attorney, David Scher, with The Employment Law Group in Virginia, said "Employers are using the fact their employees are on leave as a way to get rid of them."

He said this appears to be a growing trend with companies trying to downsize in the wake of tough economic times.

Scher says the alleged firing is in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Family Medical Leave Act.

In response to the suit, the employer denied the allegations.
 



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego
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