Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Fraudulent evidence busts, hefty cash payouts and jail cells equipped with recording devices. These are the basic elements of the so-called Perkins operation: a controversial law enforcement tactic in which a police officer or civilian poses as an incarcerated person to extract incriminating statements from a suspect.
Perkins’ operations are widespread in California and have helped secure hundreds of murder convictions. District attorneys praise them as a powerful investigative tool for solving crimes. But critics say law enforcement has gone too farclaiming the operations are coercive, risk false confessions and disproportionately target blacks and Hispanics.
- Michelle Luna Reynosocriminal lawyer: “This is psychological warfare. How can this not be considered cruel and unusual punishment?”
Those concerns have been highlighted in cases that have piled up before the California Supreme Court this year to challenge convictions involving Perkins operations. Some defendants claim that undercover agents urged them to waive their Miranda rights before speaking with police. In others, defendants alleged that agents coerced them into making incriminating statements after invoking their Miranda rights.
That was the case for Jason Zapata, who was arrested in Riverside County in 2015 when he was 24 years old. He was thrown into a cell with two older men who told him they were gang members wanted for murder. As they bragged about their violent past and pressed him about his accusations, Zapata believed he was in imminent danger, so he eventually told them what they wanted to hear.
- Jason Zapata: “Your life is in their hands. Anything can happen to you in this environment. Not everyone makes it out. You have to do what you have to do to survive in this place.”
CalMatters filed dozens of public records requests to learn more these operations and worked with lawyers to obtain documents the agencies refused to release. Read more about what we found in our investigation.
CalMatters 11th Anniversary: Double your gift and fund independent reporting that helps you vote with confidence, follow the facts, and hold influencers accountable. Every gift matters, please give now.
Other stories you should know
CA sues to stop Paramount merger
California files lawsuit to stop proposed merger of Warner Bros. and Paramount in a $110 billion deal between the two news and entertainment conglomerates.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed the case in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, in a coalition with 11 other attorneys general.
The merger will “kill competition,” Bonta said at a press conference on Monday — leading to fewer movies, lower-quality content, higher movie ticket prices and a limited choice of TV programming, including news, sports and children’s entertainment.
- Bonta: “The resulting behemoth will control nearly one-third of theatrical movies and nearly one-third of basic cable programming, including 50 of the most popular cable channels … History shows that consolidation of markets at the center of American economic life does not serve our economy, our consumers or our competition.”
Paramount CEO David Ellison is an ally of President Donald Trump. Under Trump, Department of Justice in June approved the merger, determining that it was not likely to “harm competition or American consumers.”
Big year at CalPERS
California’s largest public pension fund said Monday it gained nearly 15 percent of its investment portfolio, ending the 2025-26 fiscal year with portfolio worth $637.1 billionwrites Adam Ashton of CalMatters.
This is the second year in a row of double-digit returns for the fund, and the third year in a row that it has beaten its target of 6.8%.
Although CalPERS remains underfunded, the latest figures signal its recovery from losses during the Great Recession, and its assets are now valued at 85% of what it owes to members. California’s police and fire unions are also urging the Legislature to pass bills that would increasing pension income for public safety workers, and the CalPERS report may reassure lawmakers to vote yes.
- Marcy FrostCEO of CalPERS, in a statement: “Our team has maintained a disciplined approach to building the health of the retirement system … this effort is paying off for our 2.4 million members.”
California voices
A bill that would make it illegal for sellers and manufacturers calling electric motorcycles e-bikes is a carefully considered response to safety concerns that does not limit the adoption of e-bikes, Paul Thornton writesco-founder of Los Angeles-based commentary and news analysis publication, Golden State.
As prediction markets become more mainstreampolicymakers must act quickly to regulate platforms so that they are transparent, safe and reliable, writes William Lustudent in public policy based in San Diego.
Other things worth your time:
CA allocates $40 million to accelerate vote count in November – but election officials want to temper expectations // The Mercury News
Right-leaning billionaires help bankroll CA Voter ID Ballot Measurement // The Sacramento Bee
Los Angeles therapists see more young patients with gambling problems. Blaming Kalshi // LAist
Bay Area renters are cutting back on fossil fuels from their homes and travels // KQED
Environmental extremism or gold standard? Feds Target CA Coastal Defense // inewsource
California lawmakers are crying foul over new cap on film tax credits // Los Angeles Times
California lawmakers move to raise prices in ICE detention facilities // Capital & Main
ICE took her from her children. Here’s how lawyers raced to free her // San Francisco Chronicle
