Transcripts For KPIX CBS Overnight News 20240714

Here i go again on my own goin down the only road ive ever known like a drifter i was born to walk alone . Barb you left me hangin on the high harmony there. If you ride, you get it. Geico motorcycle. 15 minutes could save you 15 or more. A cbs news investigation has captured the attention of the fbi. We looked into an industry that has been booming in recent years. Its called online Reputation Management. Jim axelrod and his team found that some companies hired to clean up google searches may be breaking the law. Im here to tell you what i could do for you is bury it and hide it. Reporter what youre watching is a meeting with hidden cameras. Cbs news producers set up with john rooney, who runs web savvy llc, one of those Reputation Management firms that buries bad reviews online. Look, when it comes to this kind of suppression, quote unquote hiding, pushing down words, its dependent on a number of fact, to okay, a lot of which depends on google. Reporter Reputation Management Companies Like these legally try to trick google by flooding the internet with positive content about their clients, forcing negative links down to googles second and third pages where almost nobody looks. But thats not foolproof. So john rooney told us that some companies employee other shadowy tactics. Are there tricky ways to do it, kind of gray areas, if you will . Yeah. I wouldnt risk it. Ive seen it done. Reporter one of the only ways to get google to permanently remove a link is with a court order. We sorted through thousands of these court orders and found all kinds of Small Businesses across america trying to clean up their reputations. But we also spotted a problem. Dozens of these court orders were fake. It never even crossed my mind that people would have the guts to go out there and forge a Court Document. Reporter as eugene volokh, a ucla law professor who specializes in internet law points out, forging a Court Document is criminal. Part of it is also just how brazen it is. They take a judges signature and they copy it from one order to another order, and they pretend something is a court order. Its cheaper and faster, if they dont get caught. Reporter we worked with volokh and discovered more than 60. Some are obviously fake, like this one, with a number of 123456789. These appeared to be drawn from nine different federal courts across the country. Its not just about making a bad review of your local restaurant disappear. We uncovered bogus Court Documents submitted on behalf of two convicted criminals who wanted google to forget about their crimes. Both were child sex offenders. Of the more than 60 phony documents, we found that 11 had signatures forged from judges in hamilton county, ohio. One of those fake documents was submitted for a client who hired web savvy llc, the company run by john rooney. Thats why we invited him to meet us with our hidden cameras rolling. My name is jim axelrod. Im with cbs news. I want to ask you questions about this contract you have. You recognize the name of the client . I certainly do. This appears to be a court order. Same name of the client. One problem, john. This is fake. Its fraudulent. Its phony. Okay. Reporter can you explain to me . I didnt file that never seen it before. Reporter youre going to look me right in the eyes and tell me you had nothing to do with this . I did not submit that document. Reporter is this a technique you would ever use . No. Reporter im trying to figure out how the same links that are in this contract that you were paid 7500 to remove end up in a fake court order with the clients name. Im telling you, i dont know the answer to that question. Reporter you understand how this works, right . I do. I appreciate your time, but there is nothing else to discuss. Reporter we followed up with rooney after the meeting, but he had nothing more to say. Google declined our request for an interview, but after our reporting, that court in ohio started its own investigation into those 60 fake documents. So far federal prosecutors have sent at least two cases to the fbi. Its a long way to go to protect your reputation. All right, jim, thank you. Next on the cbs overnight news, the nations largest ecigarette maker is accused of marketsing vaping devices to kids as young as 8. Three teenagers are arrested in a beating that has horrified the nation. And can he make it . An attempt to cross the English Channel on a hoverboard. Did you know even the cleanest looking cars can smell musty . Thats because odors trapped in your cars soft surfaces get released, and are then circulated by your ac system. To stop the cycle of odors try febreze car vent clips. Febreze stops the circulation of musty air by trapping and eliminating lingering odor molecules for up to 30 days of fresh, clean air. Plus, they come in a range of scents including extra light. Stop the cycle of odors in your car with febreze car vent clips. Brand power. Helping you buy better. A womens natural lubrication varies throughout her cycle. This can effect how pleasurable sex can be. To supplement your lubrication for even better sex try ky natural feeling. The lubrication you want, nothing you dont. Ky natural feeling get what you want try new dove go fresh. Fresh . Apple and white tea antiperspirant. With crispy notes of apple and white tea. Get. 48hr protection. And unexpected freshness. Keep it fresh executives from the ecigarette maker juul were questioned on capitol hill today about the companys role in the teen vaping epidemic. The cdc says one in five High Schoolers used ecigarettes last year. As jamie yuccas report, juul is now accused of marketing to thirdgraders. Reporter children as young as 8 years old were targeted ssionaination. Sumcampccording ta thmpany spent more than 200,000 to sponsor socalled wellness camps. I hope there was nothing that we did that made it appealing to them. Reporter the ceo apologized to parents in a new documentary, but teenagers are buying vaping flavors because of their sweetness. The problem, theyre also laced with nicotine. Dorian fuhrman testified her son became addicted in the ninth grade. He became moody. We had a very contentious relationship. I became very suspicious, obviously. Reporter the centers for Disease Control reports a nearly 80 surge among High School Students from 2017 to 2018. Philip fuhrman and caleb mintz testified a juul representative addressed them under the pretext of a Mental Health class without a teacher present. Did the presenter call juul, quote unquote, totally safe more than once . Yes. Reporter even in san francisco, a city that has voted to ban the sale of ecigarettes, many, including cory williams, are still vaping. Do people think its safer to switch from cigarettes to ecigarettes . I mean, i believe it is. I recently just quit smokingcit reporter the food and Drug Administration is reviewing the products safety, but this week launched an ad campaign telling children to be ware. Youre more likely to start smoking cigarettes. Reporter according to the fda, nearly four million teenagers do use e cigarettes, but today juul executives said the products were never intended for underaged use, and that the Company Supports banning sales for those under 21 years old. Norah . All right. Jamie you can car, thank you so much. And when we come back, one of the biggest dangers to older driver, and its right on the dashboard. Three teenaged girls are in custody in chicago tonight, accused of beating a 15yearold girl with special needs. The scene was captured on a video that has stirred national outrage. We warn you, it is disturbing. The victim had been missing for days, but she is okay tonight and she is back with her family. The girls who allegedly attacked her face felony assault charges. A study out tonight points to a growing danger on the road, technology. According to aaa, older drives ages 5575 are more likely to be distracted by all the bells and whistles on the dashboard. On average, their eyes came off the road more than eight seconds longer than younger drivers, enough to cause crashes. A french daredevil tried to land himself in the history books today, flying over the English Channel on a hoverboard. It looked promising as Franky Zapata took off from france. But about halfway through the 22 mile trip to england, he slammed into a vote and fell into the sea. He vows to do it again. Good luck next up, a far off galaxy gets a closeup. We end tonight with a new look at a galaxy far, far away. 70 million light years away, give or take. This is ngc 2985 as captured by the hubbell space telescope in a photo released this week. The spiral galaxy has near perfect symmetry, with its arms reaching out into space. It has a lot of similarities with our oown galaxy, the milkiway, seen in this massive rendering. The earth is just a speck in this massive collection of stars, and even less significant in a universe believed to contain more than 100 million galaxies, enough to make us wonder what are the odds that were really alone in the universe. And that is the news from earth and beyond. Im norah odonnell. Well see you tomorrow. Good night. This is the cbs overnight news. Welcome to the overnight news. Im nikki battiste. There is scandal in the corps. 16 United States marines based in california are under arrest this morning. Theyre charged with human smuggle and drug offenses, and theyre not the only ones in the legal crosshairs. David martin has the details. Reporter first, there were two marines accused of human smuggling. Now there are 16 more, all members of the same battalion, arrested at camp pendleton, california today during morning formation. None of them were among the 6600 active duty and National Guard troops assigned to the southwest border. Eight more marines were questioned in an unrelated drug case. The first two marines were arrested earlier this month when Border Patrol agents caught them in the act of picking up three undocumented immigrants from mexico. According to Court Documents, the three immigrants told investigators they were paying 8,000 to be smuggled to los angeles or new jersey. One of the marines said he was expecting to be paid 1,000 for his role. The other said he had made similar pickups before. That case prompted Border Patrol agents to expand their investigation, resulting in todays mass arrest. Officials say more arrests are expected. In a separate case, 22 navy s. E. A. L. S, an entire platoon, have been sent home from iraq. Defense officials tell cbs news they took part in a drunken july 4th party which not only violated regulations against consuming control in iraq, but resulted in allegations of sexual assault. A tweet from the special Operations Command said their commander lost confidence in the teams ability to accomplish the mission. Defense Officials Say the s. E. A. L. S were sent home because all of them invoked a code of silence and refused to talk about what had happened at the party. Attorney general william barr continues to make his mark on the Justice Department. Barr said the federal government will resume Capital Punishment for death row inmates for the first time in 16 years. Jeff pegues reports. Reporter daniel lewis lee, a white supremacist, was convicted in 1999 of murdering a family of three, including an 8yearold girl. Today the department of justice said lee and four other men would be put to death in december and january, the first executions under the federal Death Penalty since 2003. President trump has long said t federal Death Penalty, including after 11 people were shot and killed in a pittsburgh synagogue last year. People that do this, you have to bring back the Death Penalty. This is the worst form of terror. Reporter one reason for the federal moratorium was concerns the threedrug cocktail administered during lethal injections was leading to botched executions. His upper body lifted off the bed. His head lifted off the pillow. Reporter the Justice Department said they would use a single drug, pentobarbital going forward. 29 states still allow the Death Penalty. One study found since 1973, 166 people on death row have been exonerated. There have been 1500 executions, which means for every nine executions there has been one person wrongly convicted, wrongly sentenced to death and exonerated. Reporter doj says that all five men have exhausted their legal appeals. Norah, this is significant historically because just three federal inmates have been executed in the past century, including Timothy Mcveigh in 2001. If democrats thought Robert Muellers congressional testimony would cause a groundswell to impeach donald trump, well, that didnt happen. But the House Judiciary Committee could still begin an impeachment inquiry. Nancy cordes reports. Reporter democrats debated today where to go from here. Cant get into that. Reporter one day after a longawaited but lowkey appearance by robert mueller. Did it change your mind at all when it comes to impeachment . Not specifically, because i read the report. Reporter minnesota democrat dean phillips says hes close to a tipping point, but the hearings did not push him over. I hear people protesting in my office that i should do it now. People say that i would be out of my mind if i did. So i think there is a lot more to learn, and thats exactly what were doing, and its a process. Reporter the next step in that process, democrats going to court to force former White House Counsel Don Mcgahn to testify. I mean, he is a firsthand witness to obstruction of justice. Reporter the special counsel confirmed yesterday that mcgahn refused to carry out a president ial order to have mueller fired. Mcgahn said that the president asked him to do crazy expletive. In other words, crazy stuff. Correct. Reporter today, republicans shrugged off the obstruction talk. We watched it. We heard it. Weve read it. What more can they make up . Accused child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein is on suicide watch in a new york city jail. The disgraced financier was found semiconscious in his cell with marks around his neck. Did he try to kill himself . Mola lenghi sorts it out. Reporter cbs news has learned Jeffrey Epstein is now under aroundtheclock watch at the Metropolitan Correctional Center after what appears to have been an attempted suicide. Law enforcement sources say epstein was found lying on the floor of his jail cell earlier this week, semiconscious, despondent, and crying with slight bruising around his neck. According to cbs news sources, it seems epsteins clothing was used in the apparent attempt. The 66yearold was treated at the jails infirmary for nonlifethreatening injuries. Epstein had been at the correctional facility in an isolated cell with 30minute wellness checks since last thursday. The former hedge fund manager, who once called the worlds rich and powerful his friends was arrested on july 6th, accused of sex trafficking and sexual abusing dozens of underaged girls as young as 14 from 2002 to 2005. We would prefer that Jeffrey Epstein stay alive and face justice, which he so richly deserves. Reporter lisa bloom represents several women who claim epstein sexual abused them. Prosecutors may very well argue that a Suicide Attempt indicates consciousness of guilt. Why else would somebody want to take their own life unless they had done some terrible things and were about to face justice for it. Overseas, a record heatwave continues to hold europe in its stifling grip. And as ian lee report, it shows no sign of letting up. Reporter its a scorcher out there. Iconic landmarks become water parks. Jets spray relief. Anything to beat the heat. Are you surprised by how hot it is . Like 107 yesterday and 108 today. Were looking forward to it to get cooler. Its really not funny, actually. Its so hot. Reporter but this latest hot spell isnt all frolicking in the fountains. Officials at Notre Dame Cathedral which almost burnt down in april fear the High Temperature could cause the ceiling to collapse. Todays recordbreaking heat delayed trains. Left people strand and effect affected the power grid. This Nuclear Plant in Southern France shut down two reactors due to the heat. Paris prepared with temporary solutions. Free water and mist machines to cool commuters heels. This could turn into a permanent problem as heatwaves become more frequent and severe, large cities like paris struggle to cope. Scientists call it the urban heat island, buildings and roads absorbing the heat during day and then releasing it at night 60 of women wear the wrong size pad, and can experience leaks. You dont have to with always my fit try the next size up and get up to 20 better coverage day or night because better coverage means better protection always. This is the cbs overnight news. A major producer of Breast Implants is stopping the sell and distribution of its textured products amid growing links to a rare and deadly cancer. Anna werner has been following this story for two years now and has the latest. Reporter the fda says the risk of lymphoma with allergans biocell textured implant is approximately six times that of other manufacturers marketing in the u. S. Now women with this cancer have been pushing the fda to Pay Attention for some time. But even though textured implants have been pulled in other countries, only now is the u. S. Getting up to speed. Had we known what the risks, we would have never opted to have an implant. Reporter lori dedario had already beaten breast cancer. Then if 2017, two years after getting textured implants following reconstructive surgery, she says her right breast suddenly grew to three times its normal size. The swelling was so rapid and so pronounced that i knew that i just knew that it wasnt normal. Reporter she underwent a battery of tests. The results . Cancer which developed around her Breast Implants. That was total shock. And even now sometimes i go how can that be . Reporter dedarios implants were manufactured by the company mentor. She is one of a growing number of women being diagnosed with a rare disease known as Breast Implant associated an ed anapla Breast Implant. They asked allergan to recall its textured implants linking them to significant patient harm, including death. The agency says of 573 limb moment lymphoma cases, 481 are attributed to allergan implants and at least 12 of 33 patients who died had allergan implants. Allergan told us its voluntarily recalling its biocell textured implants and tissue expanders worldwide as a precaution. Its one of the theories that this kind of irritates and inflames the surrounding tissues . That is one of the theories. Reporter because of this surface being rough . Thats right. Reporter in march, we spoke with texas breast surgeon dr. Elizabeth potter, who even then refused to use any textured implants. I wont place them. Actually in my practice, i often say this doesnt pass the sister test. Sister test, ie, you wouldnt give it to your sister, youre not going give it to your patients. Thats correct. Reporter dedario is now 58 and cancerfree, but she says the recall does not go far enough. 1 with lymphoma is one too many. Reporter the fda is not recommending that women without symptoms remove the implants because of the risks of surgery, but dr. Potter tells us many Patients Want them out. She has removed them so far for 35 women. A mysterious disease is killing the coral in the waters off southern florida. Scientists are trying to stop it from spreading, and Mark Phillips joined them on their underwater rescue mission. Reporter there are plenty of good reasons for diving off of floridas coast, but these divers arent here just to have fun on the coral reefs, theyre here to try to save them. Something is killing the coral that grows along floridas coast, and these divers are part of a lastditch effort to try to save it. So this disease event is unprecedented. Reporter unprecedented, says National Parks fisheries biologist Megan Johnson because of the speed with which the disease attacks and kills about half the coral species on floridas reefs. Unprecedented because the pandemic has lasted five years so far when most reef infections last just a year or so. And unprecedented because marine Scientists Say the coral is already threatened by warming Ocean Temperatures and so is more vulnerable to whatever this mystery disease is. What do we know about it . Why is it doing this . What we know is its an infectious waterborne disease, and we dont know how it started or where it originated from, and we know its traveling in a pretty fast rate down the reef track. Reporter the bug, or whatever it is, was first discovered off miami in 2014 and has been on a relentless lethal march north and south ever since. In just five years, this disease has traveled from north of palm beach 350 miles to key west, and its still moving. But it hasnt hit the relatively Pristine Waters of the dry tortugas yet. And a rese effort is under way. Scientists from noaa, florida wildlife, and the university of do on a reef. Theyve been chipping off Healthy Living coral before the disease gets to it. Theyve been collecting it on a Research Vessel where its cataloged. This one is 3 1 2 centimeters. Reporter theyve been storing it in that, coral condos, they call them, saved that when, if the disease passes, the coral can be replanted and its hoped the reef system can be restored. Maybe. These will serve as the brood population to then make more babies. Reporter once a flipper is crossed, once the disease has passed through. Correct. Reporter and is gone . Even to do this process, were looking at another two to five years. Reporter this is a long journey . Its a long journey. Reporter a journey whose next stop is at the university of miami and then other facilities across the south to wait. We just had the warmest month on record here in miami, florida. Not just air temperatures, but water temperatures as well. And that was june 2019. The fact that were breaking records in june is really alarming. Reporter unless and if the disease stopped killing the coral, there is no point trying to replant it, did you know you can save money by using dish soap to clean grease on more than dishes . Using multiple cleaners on grease can be expensive, and sometimes ineffective. For better value, tackle grease with dawn ultra. Dawn is for more than just dishes. It provides 3x more grease cleaning power per drop, which cuts through tough kitchen messes, pretreats laundry stains, and even tackles grease buildup on car rims. Tackle tough greasy messes around your home, and save money with dawn ultra. Brand power. Helping you better. Whoa. Travis in it made it. Its amazing. Oh is that traviss app . Its pretty cool, isnt it . Theres two of them. Theyre multiplying. No, guys, its me. See, im real. Im real he thinks hes real. Geico. Over 75 years of savings and service. A womens natural lubrication varies throughout her cycle. This can effect how pleasurable sex can be. To supplement your lubrication for even better sex try ky natural feeling. The lubrication you want, nothing you dont. Ky natural feeling get what you want you could call them the grandfathers of country rock. Zz top, the band is about to embark on a half century on the road with a golden Anniversary Tour that kicks off next month. But before they get on the bus that. Sat down with jim axelrod. Reporter if ever anyone in rock n roll deserved to be called gray beards, its these guys. Ive been up, ive been down, take my word, my way around reporter because zz top, the selfdescribed same three guys playing the same three chords are marking 50 years together. When i throw that number out, 50, what do you make of that . Im dumbfounded. Its longer than weve been married by a long shot. Reporter the two guys with beards that would make methuselah jealous, guitarist Billy Gibbons and bassist dusty hill, along with a cleanshaven drummer named, what else, frank beard. Really, the only guy without a beard . Is frank beard. Isnt that amazing . Reporter they met in the summer of 1969 when they were all 20 at a long gone club in houston, now an outdoor public art space. We started on this very ground. It was a club called the catacomb. It was a day that frank beard, the man with no beard, he and i were gathered together to audition bass players. And about that time, dusty strolled up, strapped on the guitar, and i think we wound up playing one song for about three hours straight. Well, it went on and on is where it went. Reporter the beards are certainly their trademark. It wasnt like a master plan, lets go amish. Reporter but facial hair didnt sell 50 million albums, their harddriving bluesy country rock did. Go get yourself some cheap sunglasses repor t the ones behind hits like la grange, sharp dressed man and legs is led by a guitarist who looks like a back country mountain man but who was raise bade father who is an orchestra conductor and concert pianist. Billy gibbons was playing with Jimmy Hendrix at the age of 17. Jimmy hendrix, who called gibbons the best guitarist around. What do you do with that as a 17yearold . Pretty heady experience. Here was a guy that was inventing things to be done with a fender stratocaster guitar. And to be in that kind of company was a rather interesting excursion into the unknown. Reporter zz top built its following by touring hard, 300 nights a year in the early days. We love you youre the people that made us. Reporter often with elaborate stage shows involving Texas Longhorn steers, rattlesnake, and buzzards. How do you manage 50 years on the road with such an aggressive touring schedule . I guess we started young enough to where we didnt know any different. Reporter actually, life on the road presented zz top with a serious challenge, just as they were taking off. In the late 70s, i entered rehab. Somebody asked dusty what he was going to do. Hey, what are yall going to do, frank is in rehab . And dusty said well, im going fishing. Reporter billy, you never thought about getting another drummer . No. There is no other drummer. There is one guy. She got legs reporter what blew up zz top into alist rock roll hall of famers came along in the early 1980s, and what their fans were seeing as much as hearing. They were in early on mtv, which put their hot rod and hot girl videos into heavy rotation. The girls all right okay. The three of us are not like primadonna looking rock stars, you know . So lets be the ones watching whats going on in the background. Reporter its a 34 ford. Yep. Reporter the videos are long gone, but not the cars. Billy and dusty showed us some vintage models kept in a Storage Space in houston. I had a new car when we started, and its a vintage car now. Reporter half a century later, zz top is still working hard to make it all look so easy. Ive told people, i said look, if i retired, look, after a few months, i would be at your house singing you a song or something. Lord take me downtown, ive been looking future some touch we still enjoy this more than anything. Thats what im saying. I have to perform somewhere. We dont really know anything else. Thats true. My experience with usaa has been excellent. They really appreciate the military family and it really shows. With all that usaa offers why go with anybody else . We know their rates are good, we know that theyre always going to take care of us. It was an instant savings and i should have changed a long time ago. It was funny because when we would call another insurance company, hey would say oh we cant beat usaa were the webber family. Were the tenneys were the hayles, and were usaa members for life. Get your usaa Auto Insurance quote today. Finally this half hour, its never too late to pay your last respects. Steve hartman has the story. Reporter at a cemetery in chester, illinois, perry dodson is late for a funeral. 50 years late. For the funeral of Army Private First class leonard nitze. In april 1970, their group was attacked and leonard was killed. They loaded his body on a helicopter like this one, and immediately the platoon went back to war. And that was the extent of our grieving. And it just hit me one day. I woke up, and i thought i never had a chance to say thank you. Maybe i just needed some finality. Reporter when perry mentioned this pilgrimage to some of the other guys in his platoon, he found out something he hadnt considered before, that he wasnt alone. That there were others who felt the exact same way. So they came too. Tim roland flew in from mcallen, texas. Earnly leveque drove out from springfield, massachusetts, and glenn fox came here from newport, nebraska. How you doing . Reporter on arrival, they met leonards sister linda at the cemetery. So glad you guys are here. Yeah, we are too. Reporter everyone gathered to pay their respects to leonard. Thats why this is so important to us today, because we never got to do this where it happened. Reporter but like a lot of vietnam vets especially, they find it hard to mourn the loss of a fellow soldier without also mourning their own survival. My job was to bring leonard home, and i didnt do that. He gave something so i didnt have to. And i wonder every day why. Reporter the guilt is relentless. Every day. Reporter which is another reason theyre here. Im hoping it helps me. I think it will. Now i would like the introduce reporter after the cemetery, leonards family and friends held a reception. About 100 people showed up offering gentle hugs and hearty handshakes for leonards army buddies. Really a pleasure to meet you. Reporter their message clear. God bless you. Reporter his death was not your fault. And thank you for your service. Reporter and were glad you survived. So happy youre here. Reporter grieving a loss can be delayed, but it cannot be denied. He knows were thinking about him. Yesh yes, he does. Reporter people have to feel the pain, share it with others and then tuck it in a pocket to carry with them forever. Thats real closure. Finding peace in remembering. Been close to 50 years, but glad to meet you. Reporter steve hartman, on the road in chester, llinois. Captioning funded by cbs its friday, july 26th, 2019. This is the cbs morning news. Marines suspected of human smuggling. More than a dozen arrested and accused of transporting migrants. Kim jongun says his guided Missile Launch was meant to send a message