Sacto 9-1-1

By Denny Walsh

dwalsh@sacbee.com

Prominent Chico developer Anthony G. Symmes was sentenced today in federal court to a month less than three years in prison on his plea of guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and money laundering in connection with a multimillion-dollar mortgage fraud.

Symmes, 61, has already shelled out $4 million to the government that is available to victim-lenders who make a valid claim.

The 35-month sentence was dramatically reduced because of Symmes' extraordinary assistance to the government in its pursuit and prosecution of his fellow crooks.

By Denny Walsh
dwalsh@sacbee.com

A 32-year-old Oroville man was killed late Thursday night after he drove his 2008 Toyota into the rear of another car on a state road in Butte County.

Andrew Daniel Odor was pronounced dead at Oroville Medical Center, where he was taken after being pulled from the burning wreckage of his car and given cardiopulmonary resuscitation by California Highway Patrol officers, according to a news release from the California Highway Patrol.

The release states that Odor's car was traveling at a high rate of speed and "for an unknown reason" struck the rear of a 1991 Lexus driven by Sandra Eloise Lord, causing both vehicles to leave the road. Odor's northbound car then crossed the southbound lanes and crashed into a metal road-sign support structure in the center median, the release states.

A CHP dispatcher in Chico said that officials have not determined whether alcohol was a factor in the collision and that there would be no further comment beyond the news release.

Lord, 61, complained of a headache but declined treatment and was released from the scene of the accident, the release states.

Call The Bee's Denny Walsh, (916) 321-1189.