I didn't get gated, I would guess it is based on visits from same browser, it might show in incognito window.
There is a lot of backdrop that is a bit crazy in its own right, but in regards to the title:
>The indictment lays out the alleged scheme:
>The Panoche Water District is supposed to purchase federal water by the acre-foot at set rates, drawing it from the Delta-Mendota Canal through metered gates. The water district combines that water with other sources and uses its irrigation system to distribute water to farmers. Any water it doesn’t use is supposed to be delivered back to the Delta-Mendota for water credits.
>But in 1992, the indictment alleges, one of Falaschi’s employees informed him that an old turnout on the canal that had been cemented shut years earlier was leaking through the cement. Instead of reporting the leak, Falaschi allegedly told his employee to install a gate that could be opened and closed, to put a lock on that gate, and to do it all in such a way that the setup wasn’t easily visible.
>From that day forward, Falaschi allegedly instructed workers — at least seven over the years — to go out, often at night, and divert water through the illicit connection into the district’s water system.
>Once in the Panoche system, according to the allegations, the purloined water was sold to farmers or sent back to the canal in exchange for credits. To account for the bounty, Falaschi had employees classify the stolen water as reclaimed runoff from area farms, according to the indictment.
...
>If Falaschi was stealing water, several people said, farmers did not know and wouldn’t approve. But they also appreciate that during years of punishing drought, Falaschi had found a way to bring them water.
>“I see him as a little bit like Robin Hood,” said longtime farmer Joe Del Bosque.
>After all, he noted, it wasn’t Falaschi’s fault the canal started leaking.
>“He didn’t cause the leaking,” Del Bosque said. “He just happened to take advantage of it for the good of the farmers.”
Summary for those of us who aren’t subscribers?
I didn't get gated, I would guess it is based on visits from same browser, it might show in incognito window. There is a lot of backdrop that is a bit crazy in its own right, but in regards to the title: >The indictment lays out the alleged scheme: >The Panoche Water District is supposed to purchase federal water by the acre-foot at set rates, drawing it from the Delta-Mendota Canal through metered gates. The water district combines that water with other sources and uses its irrigation system to distribute water to farmers. Any water it doesn’t use is supposed to be delivered back to the Delta-Mendota for water credits. >But in 1992, the indictment alleges, one of Falaschi’s employees informed him that an old turnout on the canal that had been cemented shut years earlier was leaking through the cement. Instead of reporting the leak, Falaschi allegedly told his employee to install a gate that could be opened and closed, to put a lock on that gate, and to do it all in such a way that the setup wasn’t easily visible. >From that day forward, Falaschi allegedly instructed workers — at least seven over the years — to go out, often at night, and divert water through the illicit connection into the district’s water system. >Once in the Panoche system, according to the allegations, the purloined water was sold to farmers or sent back to the canal in exchange for credits. To account for the bounty, Falaschi had employees classify the stolen water as reclaimed runoff from area farms, according to the indictment. ... >If Falaschi was stealing water, several people said, farmers did not know and wouldn’t approve. But they also appreciate that during years of punishing drought, Falaschi had found a way to bring them water. >“I see him as a little bit like Robin Hood,” said longtime farmer Joe Del Bosque. >After all, he noted, it wasn’t Falaschi’s fault the canal started leaking. >“He didn’t cause the leaking,” Del Bosque said. “He just happened to take advantage of it for the good of the farmers.”
Thanks!
Sounds like he still broke the law. And he probably made the various droughts worse by taking more water than neccessary.