Anaheim Democratic candidate for Mayor Lorri Galloway, a former Anaheim City Council member, has posted to social media an accusation of sexual assault against Orange Juice Publisher and editor-in-chief Vern Nelson from 2012. She told TheLiberalOC she was inspired to come forward about this incident after reading all of the accounts of sexual abuse and sexual assault posted by women on social media. Galloway said she discussed the incident with her family in their home this weekend and it was painful for all of them.
Here’s her post on Facebook:
The #MeToo movement has given me clarity and strength to speak out and say what should have been said years ago.
5 years ago while I was serving on the Anaheim City Council, I was sexually assaulted by the publisher and editor of the Orange Juice blog, who had asked me for a ride home from an event after he had missed the bus. While I was driving in the car, he made sexual advances and bragged about his sexual prowess. He suddenly began grabbing me sexually and continued despite my efforts to push him off with my one free hand. I feared being overpowered by him and being raped. I told him that he needed to immediately stop or I was going to call the police. I ended up braking in the middle of the street and forcing him out of the car. I then parked at the nearest corner and sat for a while, in shock and wondering how the assault could have happened.
The “victim mentality” kicked in, and instead of focusing on the crime that had just been perpetrated upon me, I wondered what I did to cause it. I never followed up with authorities because I feared how I would be viewed if the public found out – his word against mine — how the news could hurt me, hurt my non-profit charity, and most of all hurt my family. I believed he would use his influence in the media to successfully deny what had happened. Also, there was guilt in that I had the power of being an elected official, and ran a charity that protected women from exactly this type of thing, and yet I still felt powerless to do anything about it.
After all this time feeling powerless, the courage of countless other women who have come forward in recent days has allowed me to step away from the guilt I have carried with me and move forward more committed to my mission than ever: lifting up women and families in need. Today I joined more than 145 lawmakers, legislative staffers and women leaders in politics in their open letter penned last week where collectively they declared, “Enough.”
Lorri Galloway
Galloway does not name the publisher and editor of the Orange Juice Blog, but we will; it’s Vern Nelson, who’s currently in rehab for a drinking problem according to his managing editor Greg Diamond. Nelson will almost certainly deny this, but he is a public figure and she’s a lot more credible than he is. #Ibelieveher.
Wow! Speechless but not surprised.
Wow- the timing pretty matches up to when I gave Vern a ride home (he had no car and was taking the bus) and he was so drunk I doubt he remembers what he said in my car- it wasn’t sexual harrassment- but it was pretty bad and had to do with race.
Sad. It really is. I feel for Lori, for Vern and even Donna. There are no winners here.
Unfortunately, there will be more outings before this is over. One prevelant rumor coming from a young man is that the late “Irish Activist” tried to molest him in a stupor.
There is SO much we don’t know. But this is like the onion that gets peeled back. More and more
You feel for *VERN*?!? Seriously?
I remember Greg Diamond referencing to me that Vern has in the past “had some problems with women” – is this what he was talking about?
Nope. This is news to me.
You are lying, Greg – it was when you were running down all the DUI offenses and arrests – I believe the emails may still linger- or was it on Facebook PM? let me check- but you absolutely alluded to some female issues- it stuck out to me – I never forgot that because it bothered me. you were also describing his jail time to me – remember ?
Did you read Diamond’s post on OJ? Way to defend your drunk grabby friend. And it won’t affect you’re coverage on the Anaheim mayor’s race. Always put yourself first pendejo. What a jack off
Vern’s problem with women was that he was lecherous, bad at monogamy, and relatively forward in being willing to make advances, which some women found creepy. Others, definitively, did not.
That form of arrogance is not uncommon among talented artists, and frankly he had some reasons to justify his arrogance. Some women who would be considered quite attractive did seem to like him a lot. Vern is better at something — playing the piano — than you, me, or our host will likely ever be at anything, and artistic virtuosity is sexy.) However, as best I can recall I’ve never seen, nor heard, any indication of his ever being violent with women.
You’re quick to call me a liar, Epting: I hope you’re no less quick to apologize for it. When I said that “this” is news to me I was referring to the subject of this article: the reported assault on Galloway. You may be reading more into the phrase “problems with women” than I meant, if I ever said that verbatim — though how you get form that phrase to “engages in sexual assault is just weird and misplaced.
What a remarkable and stupid defense of sexual assault by you Mr. Diamond. And you own this one.
Greg- your shameless excuse making for Vern being “creepily lecherous” as you wrote me is beyond just offensive- it’s actually scary. How much of this stuff did you know about and cover up?
I can tell from your response – that maybe some women even possibly liked his advances – that you, sir, epitomize the problem with your good ole boy coverups, your “Golly, they must have misundetood”. “Lecherous” and “relatively forward” enough that even you hlunderstood “some” women found him “creepy” and all this is OK with you?
That makes uou an accessory, buddy. I can’t believe that you are enoigh of a hypocritical dinosaur to actually let someone print what you just wrote in public. Do you have a female telative or pastor who can clearly state the obvious to you?
PLEASE **DELETE** MY COMMENT ABOVE. THE TWO GENTLEMEN WHO POSTED BEFORE ME COVERED EVERYTHING.
THANKS,
CAROL
Liar.
https://hbsledgehammer.com/2017/10/23/vern-can-you-put-that-back-in-your-pants/
I believe the admin has engaged the link filter. Anybody that wants to stay on top of this, follow it at HBsledgehammer.com
Thanks moderator.
Diamond and Nelson’s denials coming. Activists no more
I went to the DPOC Central Committee Meeting October 23. I went to hear what the Party would say about the sexual harassment allegations, and was not disappointed at the multiple speakers who repeated the stance where no one has come forward with any official claims. Good to see the rights of victims will not be violated.
I also noticed something strange about Greg Diamond. It was strange to me, because I have seen meetings where Greg have gone off on other members for minor issues. The issues this specific evening was about added language to a resolution involving gun control, and his rejection was about restricting gun sales to those convicted of domestic violence. He was upset about the word “restrict” vs “ban”. Not the best argument for a change in language. Also, another issue was with the language used in a resolution involving code of conduct. I wish I could understand the objection, but the entire conversation went in circles.
Is it me, or is this a bit out of normal reactions surrounding women’s safety!? Greg seems to have a REAL issue when it comes to the language used, and had no qualms or agreements with any other speaker regarding the specific accusations of sexual harassment or assault. Patterns of behavior can lead to more patterns.
How tone deaf and insensitive is Greg Diamond? His story headline: “Galloway’s Sexual Assault Accusations Won’t Change OJB’s Coverage of Anaheim Mayor’s Race” – what a PIG
WOW- so much for the victim – lets worry about our blog- what a pig. And they should absolutely recuse themselves or GET RID OF VERN before writing even a word. Greg, you should be ashamed of yourself, putting your own selfish bullshit above the victim. Go – make more excuses for Vern –
Galloway expressed concern in her post that it she reported this event it would affect coverage of her politically. That’s the tie-in. I’m reassuring her (if she cares) and our readers that It won’t. This event, so far as I understand it now, reflects on Vern rather than her — and that’s how it should be. Her allegedly cozying up to Curt Pringle when her well was running dry, the previously discussed scandals (which I won’t review here),THOSE reflect on her — and we’ll address them just as much as we would otherwise.
By the way, if anyone ever sees me taking deportment advice from Epting, please send me back to the ER immediately.
Elephant in the room you are trying to avoid, Greg?
I don’t think Lorri cares much about your blog, you or Nr. Nelson. Lots of things go through someone’s mind when they’ve been attacked…and some things are irrational. The first thing she thought was “The “victim mentality” kicked in, and instead of focusing on the crime that had just been perpetrated upon me, I wondered what I did to cause it.” How you missed this to make it about you and your blog actually is something you ought to express shame and remorse for. Your little speech last night about how some people thought you were the one who did it was baffling. I’ll add this “attack” on Lorri in the comments coupled with your nitpicking over definitions of sexual assault and sexual abuse, and your objection about an item to ban gun ownership from those convicted of domestic violence because these women are 5 times more likely to be murdered by their gun-owning abusers — why do you object to language and actions designed to protect women.
and attractive women throw themselves at Vern because of his piano playing talent?!?! I had no idea he looked so much like Ryan Gosling in La La Land.
I bet Donna is really remorseful of all of her anti-Julio social media posts now. I wonder if she’s called Lorri herself. If I were Lorri, I wouldn’t take her call.
Donna ought to be asking her husband about what happened. And Greg is officially irrelevant.
Worth noting – when I informed Greg that Vern, drunk as a skunk the night I gave him a ride home to his parent’s house, was *really* teeing off on Mexicans, Greg wrote me back yesterday: “Vern is partly of Mexican ancestry, and has expressed the belief that he can discuss Latino culture with the latitude insiders have to be critical.”
Uhm, ok. So that means he can call them “lazy and ignorant”??
No, I’m explaining Vern’s position, not my own.
People within a demographic group often feel entitled to make even harsh criticisms of that group (including using words that would be perceived as bigoted if used by outsiders) while objecting when outsiders do so. This becomes an even more complicated issue when people who are more marginal members of a group — “Seinfeld” had an episode about a dentist who converted to Judaism and then felt entitled to tell Jewish jokes — claim that @ibsider’s right to self-criticism?
I’m shocked, though, that he would share that sort of talk with the likes of you, though. He must have been especially drunk that day.
Its amazingly racist and you’re defending it. Douchebag
The “likes” of me? Really? You mean, someone that has never been arrested, publicly drunk, accused of sexual assault? Someone with integrity that works for a living? Who has always supported his family and helped raise wonderful kids? Someone that is honest and responsible when he writes? Yeah, wouldn’t want to mess the “likes of me.” This issue is your nadir, Diamond – you know it- everyone here knows it – and you will wear it forever, you misogynistic blob of irrelevance.
Greg lives and is supported by his wife’s labor with contributions from two stepdaughters. Not a lot of income from being a lawyer. Did that family ever realize how Greg screwed them?
Diamond..you skirted around.the edges your best pathetic lawyerese in an attempt to defend Vern and discredit his accuser..like hillary clinton defending the rapist of a 12 year old child. Your disengenous bullshit is nauseating. Greg, did your stroke fuck up your ability to reason and think logically? And more importantly…are you still wearing Depends lest your brains emege from your anus?
How would Greg react to Vern group his wife or daughter’s?
Donna needs to get herself a divorce lawyer fast.
Wonder if Vern will be harassed in state prison.
Here is my exchange with Greg yesterday – prepare to be nauseated:
ME: Greg: I just saw this post and as managing editor would like to see what the OJB official response might be for a blog item I’m doing on Surf City Chronicles.
The timing seems to match a time I gave Vern Nelson a ride home because he missed the bus. He was very drunk, didn’t attack me sexually (but made some rather odd racial remarks regarding Mexicans). Not sure if he remembers. Anyway, if you just address this particular item I would appreciate – thanks. (Also, Vern is listed as “Editor” in 2012)
GREG: I wrote on a piece on it late this afternoon, shortly after I learned about it.
Vern is partly of Mexican ancestry, and has expressed the belief that he can discuss Latino culture with the latitude insiders have to be critical.
As I think I remembered to include in the piece, drinking has been bad for Vern. If this embarrassment becomes another reminder to him not to drink, it will have been a blessing in disguise. He has sounded quite sober and reflective when I’ve spoken to him over the past month or two, so I am hopeful for him. But while I’ve seen Vern be creepily lecherous at times, I’ve never even heard a story before this of his making a physical sexually advance on someone who was not interested in him — aka an assault. Are you looking for a quote from me saying that men should not sexually assault women? Here you go: men should not sexually assault women.
ME: I think your full response to me is fine, thank you. “Creepily lecherous” ? Really?
GREG: If you think that women having that impression of men as creepy in their lechery (did I combine them using an adverb? not my best choice, if so) is particularly uncommon, you really need to talk to more women — IF they’re willing to talk to you honestly.
Me right now: WTF?
WTF “But while I’ve seen Vern be creepily lecherous at times…” and “Vern is partly of Mexican ancestry, and has expressed the belief that he can discuss Latino culture with the latitude insiders have to be critical”
So a defense of sexist behavior and racism in two sentences.
No, Dan — as I had already explained in a comment that you’ve left in moderation. Scummy trick there. Smile for the screenshot.
I’ve approved your last several comments; you’re a dick. You’re explanations are lame at best. Want to know why women at the meeting avoided you like the plague last night. This is why
I can’t speak to Vern Nelson, other than to say that his practical control of Orange Juice Blog is obviously suspect. I will say that Orange Juice Blog is a predatory organization. I hope people remember what they did to me; what they did to me when I started asking the wrong questions about Mayor Tait and Anaheim. Perhaps this is an opportunity to explore management at Orange Juice Blog.
Vern owns it (or his wife does); Greg uses it to insult those he doesn’t like while deleting comments critical of him. The Winships are the Winships.
The Winships are ass sucking RINO’s that would spread thier cheeks wide for an opportunity to be published..”Chairman Vern”…what the fuck is that? Like Chairman Mao?
Winships will be monitored and discredited on hbsledgehammer.com until they vanish from the landscape.
First. Someone needs to get a hold of Vern Nelson and tell him to instruct Diamond to shut the F#%k up. Greg is not helping Vern.
Next, Donna needs to make a grown up decision and shutter the OJB (at least temporarily). Take a page out of Bushala’s book and move on.
Speaking of moving on. The chances of Vern relapsing is astronomical. Donna has suffered enough. Get a new start. Get a real life. Seriously. Greg Diamond is like cockroach, he’ll be fine.
Thats’s good advise. The Nelson Ascevedo family should relocate to someplace fresh (I am uncertain to the restrictions of FELONY probation), but certainly Susanville, Blythe or Avenal should be in play. They would at least be close to their Homies in custody.
Seriously though, If I just skated on a FIFTH FELONY dui, my first stop would not be the Anna Drive barrio with Yesina cooking!.
GROW UP.
I sure hope Mrs. Diamond doesn’t give Grabby Vern a ride home. Does Vern do a Trump to women drivers?
Still radio silence from so-called assault survivor Jen Beuthin and the Labor Fed regarding Julio. What are they hiding? Maybe AC and PL can answer that question.
Working on this issue tomorrow
I agree that Vern Nelson is a loser and should be thought of someone that has no power. However, the reality is many in Orange County treat the bloggers of Orange Juice Blog as if they have the same power as Weinstein in the entertainment industry.
Second, I listened to way too many activists try to justify George Olivo’s bad behavior because he needed “help” with his drug and alcohol problem. While these “do-gooders” like Carole Levers played this card, George Olivo assaulted me, then he committed a felony battery on his girlfriend which the records read ended up in a broken nose Then his ex girlfriend sought a Domestic Violence order against and even more pathetically, a person renting a room from George Olivo’s girlfriend sought a protective order because while George was allegedly drunk he sexually assaulted her four year old daughter. So, I disagree when people use the fact that someone is a drunk as an excuse for their bad behavior whether they are threatening to kill you, in the act of trying to kill you.. threatening to sexually overpower you or in the act of attempting to sexually overpower you. It is all bad. There are many drunks who do not do that. There are many people who will do that stoned sober and we have no evidence as to whether Vern’s bad conduct was strictly limited to when he was wasted or not.
Now, I do agree that it is the other people who give Donna, Vern and Greg the power. Voters do not read that blog. They don’t even know it exists for the most part, but so long as the other members of the party, candidates and electeds treat these people as having such magical powers, then they will. Let them have their cry me a river moments at their drug houses, sober houses, and AA meetings. Leave them to that scene. Just because someone gets sentenced community service for a DUI, it should not magically convert them into activist status. Maybe we can start there?
David,
George Olivo got Greg Diamond and Vern Nelson to support his delusions. I guess that is the best way to describe it. I am not sure if he knew Victor Vallardes, but I would say most likely since I looked at the OC Court record and saw Victor was in an Alcohol and Drug program for the past 18 months.
I have seen Greg Diamond’s temper but I have never seen him serve the consequences for his behavior. Would love to hear what makes him Dangerous. I tend to tread where others fear to go for a just cause.
LMFAO – and now Vern is commenting on OJB- and basically calling Lorri a flat out liar and schemer – did he miss where he his pal Greg called him “Creepily lecherous” AND basically described his predatory behavior? He was DRUNK and he expects people to believe a syllable he says?
Vern: “It is pure fiction.”
” I wrote that above paragraph with kid gloves on, I didn’t want to reveal anything too embarrassing about her. I look forward to taking those kid gloves off.”
Now he is threatening her. Vern you need to stay in rehab and stop the harassment. Trust us, Greg has been digging your grave for days.
A guy with 4 DUI convictions and a 5th DUI arrest in rehab is talking about embarrassment? Taking kid gloves off? Put them back on, Diamond has already called you a lecherous man
He will just be the same angry dry drunk hes always been when hes done.
Lets use this opportunity to call out Victor Valladares. His ex wife, whom I communicate with has information about his inability to understand the meaning of “no” when drunk.
Fill in the blanks. OC Dems get behind this phony. .expect absolute enbarrassment once I finish with him.
Vern rights that Lorri has now “burned a bridge” by accusing him of sexual assault… is he still drinking in rehab? Seriously, does he forget he’s a notorious drunk that has no doubt blacked out more times than he will ever recall? Hey Vern – remember the night in my car after Johnny’s – what you said after I asked you why you were saying such racist things about Mexicans, living in, as you kept calling them, “Slater Slums?” Let me guess- that didn’t happen either, right? Hope the county jail Wi-Fi signal is strong.
“writes” not “rights” – because I know Diamond will find that to be more serious than Vern’s 5 DUIs, sexual assault and racist language.
So now Vern (isn’t he still in rehab? awaiting sentencing? SOMEWHERE?) is going after Lorri full force. A few things his desperate piece on OJB leaves out:
1. Was he EVER drunk in her presence?
2. Has he ever experienced blackouts?
3. Greg describes Vern as “creepily lecherous” – does he remember vern being creepily lecherous around her?
4. Are there ANY women with which he was “creepily lecherous”
Vern wrote that piece as if he was just any broken down 60 year old southern california male without a car – not one who was/is drunk most of the time. Be leaving alcohol out of the equation, he absolves himself. But the world knows better.
Vern writes: “It was at this Eli Home, in April 2013, that I met my future wife Donna Acevedo, who was an Eli Home client, as well as a recently bereaved mother. I met Donna at the Eli Home’s 30-year anniversary celebration where I was playing piano at Lorri’s request. Lorri, Mayor Tait, Amin David, and many others attended. Not long after, Donna and I began seeing each other. Did Lorri utter a word of warning to her vulnerable client about what an out-of-control wannabe rapist I am? No, not a word.”
My understanding is multiple people at the Eli Home warned Donna about Vern; Donna didn’t follow anyone’s advice.
In reading Vern’s post, there are multiple references to him not remembering things. And you have to admire the attempt by Greg Diamond to turn “lecherous” into “womanizing.” How about creepy? In the denials and in the commentary at OJ, everything Lorri feared about coming forward via #metoo has come to pass. And the current defense over there is that this charge is somehow an attack on Vern’s activism? Spare me.
for Ricardo — ““Will you Dan, clarify why you advised Ms Galloway not to take Donna’s calls? Not that I know that Donna has tried to call her. Why didn’t she warn Donna and other women in the shelter about this supposedly creepy fellow? Did she continue inviting him to the premises of her organization after the alleged incident?”
I didn’t advise her; I wrote that for anyone’s consumption. Many people at the Eli Home tried to warn Donna.
You might want to educate yourself about the emotional roller coaster that sexual assault victims deal with, try this link: https://www.rapevictimadvocates.org/what-you-need-to-know/effects-of-sexual-violence/
From that piece” “When someone is a victim of sexual violence, it affects not only the survivor, but also all of the people around them. Sexual violence can affect many people in a victim/survivor’s life: parents, friends, partners, children, spouses, classmates and/or co-workers. Part of what makes it so difficult for loved ones is not knowing what to say or do, but there are ways to offer constructive help as well as for you to get support.”
and…
“Each survivor reacts to sexual violence in their own unique way. Personal style, culture, and context of the survivor’s life may affect these reactions. Some express their emotions while others prefer to keep their feelings inside. Some may tell others right away what happened, others will wait weeks, months, or even years before discussing the assault, if they ever choose to do so. It is important to respect each person’s choices and style of coping with this traumatic event. Whether an assault was completed or attempted, and regardless of whether it happened recently or many years ago, it may impact daily functioning. A wide range of reactions can impact victims. Some common emotional, psychological and physical reactions follow.”
He also uses the word “libel” so clearly this is entering a new phase of attack. I hope she can continue to shine a light on the “creepily lecherous” behavior of Vern Nelson – and worse. She has an opportunity, it would appear, to really make a stand here. Just compare the two reputations and it seems pretty clear what is happening here.
For OC democrats reading here, this is probably a good space to shine some light on a close cohort of Vern, HB school board prez/political climber, Gina Clayton Tarvin. If you don’t know about this infamous woman, I’ll share a piece I just wrote about what appear to be her efforts to silence any/all critical voices of her on social media. Currently, DOZENS of facebook accounts have been disabled – why? For comments critical of Tarvin- nothing profane or threatening – simply concerned citizens questioning her self serving behavior. She has refused to answer any questions about her role in this, and when we tried to ask her about it at school board meetings, she started hiding behind a taxpayer funded ARMED guard.
Honestly? I think she is crazy. But let this comment (and others that will follow) serve as a warning before anyone lend her support. Like her acolyte/political pet Victor Valladeres, she will no doubt do harm to the party, charismatic as she may seem now. She is a cunning, calculated, bloodless political animal that throws ANYONE under the bus, regardless of party – all you have to do is cross her. She currently has a year and a half long active FPPC investigation open against her, along with a FERPA investigation for an attack she made on a local HB family.
Ask her about any of this and she will go into wounded bird victim mode – claiming that she receives death threats and worse -but it is all nonsense. Like I said, I think she is sociopathic. I also think she is paranoid and delusional. But she is certainly vicious, dishonest and highly vindictive.
Facebook is investigating all of this right now- I am in touch with them. At some point she will need to answer questions abut all of this – hopefully under oath. Updates as they occur.
Here is the piece about “Facebook Jail” and Gina Clayton Tarvin.
https://surfcitychronicles.com/2017/10/13/facebook-jail-and-the-mysterious-circumstances-surrounding-the-silencing-of-one-politicians-critics/
Whatever happened to Vern’s son who was arrested for attacking a police officer last year? That was a felony charge as well. The Nelsons are a menace to society, and so is their prime defender/bagman Greg Diamond. He trashes MADD, mocks people that take issue with drunk driving and excuses Vern’s sexual assault accusations by claiming that “as an artist” he is entitled to that sort of behavior. This ain’t Chopin we are talking about. This is a drunk who plays cover songs in library multipurpose rooms to about 9 shriveled up old ladies. In many ways Greg is as big as pig as Vern, if not worse, for shaming the woman that accused Vern of a brutal sexual attack.
Quick note for readers. I’ve deleted some comments pertaining to Jose Moreno’s daughters and the late Michael Kinslow. I don’t hover over this blog or comments 24/7 so some comments were over the top and deleted. I missed them. My apologies to those who saw them and were offended. Commenters named or anonymous, I endorse free speech. Commenting here does not mean your views align with mine. But you ought to keep your comments relevant to the post at hand. I will take a certain amount of personal insults directed at me before you’re put on moderation which is why you seldom see Greg Dimond or VernNelson here anymore
Sounds like Jose got a little bothered. If only he felt that strongly about Julio and Erik molesting young women.
Oh yeah, They are his friends, so it doesn’t count.
He didn’t know. I actually contacted him to apologize but did not offer details about the comment. Little kids are off limits ok?
“Greg has some details wrong, but he’s right that I wasn’t driving.” – Vern Nelson
So…what details exactly does he have wrong? Will this affect his sentencing? Is there misrepresentation going on here by a member of the Bar? Attempting to affect the sentencing? Greg called Vern “creepily lecherous” a number of times in the last week in the face of sexual assault accusations. What did he get wrong about Vern’s fifth DUI arrest? I know some folks were reporting him to the bar for other things – i think this should be tacked on.
Fellow OC Dems – did you know that just 10 days after Victor Valladeres’ protest he through at Oak View in May 2015, that he was back in jail? Also, where does he find $ to pay the attorneys it says he retains? Is it being funneled from someplace? He doesn’t work. Has zero skills. Doesn’t pay for his kids. Beats the crap out of women. Yeah, this is really the guy we want representing our causes.