Local news and fun, every day 6am.
Featured
austonia newsletter
Most viewed

Former Austin wealth manager may seek plea in California sex assault case, DA says.
A former Austin wealth manager facing felony sexual assault charges after a luxury golf trip in California with "two high-profile friends" may enter a plea deal early next week, a prosecutor said Thursday.
A preliminary hearing for David Walter Osborne, accused of attacking a woman last year in Pebble Beach, was set for Thursday but postponed and rescheduled for Tuesday "for a potential plea," said Monterey County Assistant District Attorney Lana Nassoura, who is prosecuting the case.
A plea deal would mean Osborne, the victim, investigators and potential witnesses would likely never have to appear before a judge.
Nassoura declined to elaborate on any plea negotiations. If a plea is not entered on Tuesday, she said, another preliminary hearing will be scheduled at a later date for the judge to decide if there is enough evidence to move to trial.
Defense attorney Lyn Agre of San Francisco did not respond to requests for comment.
Osborne faces charges of false imprisonment by violence, attempted forcible rape, assault with intent to commit a felony, and sexual penetration by a foreign object stemming from the May 2019 alleged assault at The Lodge at Pebble Beach.
Osborne, who has already entered a plea of "not guilty," could change it to "no contest" or "guilty" or a similar plea in exchange for a lighter sentence than he might face if found guilty in front of a judge or jury.
If that happens and a plea deal is struck, and it is accepted by the judge, the case could wrap up with no public testimony.
Osborne has been awaiting trial in Texas. Agre told Austonia in May that the charges are "baseless and should be dismissed outright." Last month, she told a judge that she planned to call witnesses from Texas, including a lab expert, for the hearing.
Thursday's hearing would have been the first public airing of evidence in the case, which has been shrouded in secrecy, protected by California law, since Monterey County authorities filed the charges against Osborne in May 2019.
They believe Osborne and his "high-profile" friends flew on a private jet that month and shared rooms at the lodge, an upscale resort nestled outside of San Jose in Northern California.
Authorities won't identify the two golf pals, and prosecutors have declined to say if they—or a second woman initially described as a victim but later dropped from the complaint—would be called as witnesses if hearings or a trial move forward.
Neither prosecutors nor police will discuss details of the case. It is unclear whether the two women referred to in the initial report flew in with Osborne or if he met them while in California.
Osborne was jailed in Austin on May 21, 2019, after Monterey County Sheriff's deputies flew to Texas to arrest him at his downtown Austin office. He posted bail the next day. He was 48 at the time.
Want to read more stories like this one? Start every day with a quick look at what's happening in Austin. Sign up for Austonia.com's free daily morning email.
- Austin money manager's Pebble Beach sexual assault hearing ... ›
- David Osborne to face judge after Pebble Beach trip ended in ... ›
- Former Austin wealth manager strikes plea deal, avoids jail in California sex assault case - austonia ›
- Former Austin wealth manager strikes plea deal, avoids jail in California sex assault case - austonia ›
- Austin youth volleyball coach placed on leave after assault - austonia ›
- New lawsuit alleges sexual harassment at Tesla factory - austonia ›
- Rich residents find Austin and wealth management sees a boom - austonia ›
- Dripping Springs teacher arrested on inappropriate communication with minors - austonia ›
- Austin Water employee accused of raping, running over victim while on the clock - austonia ›
Popular
(Gulfstream)
Elon Musk has placed an order for a new, top-of-the-line private jet: a Gulfstream G700, Austonia has learned. Delivery is expected in early 2023.
Billed as offering “the most spacious cabin in history,” the aircraft seats 19 and soars above the rest of us at up to 51,000 feet. Base price: $78 million.
The Gulfstream G700 was awarded the 2022 International Yacht & Aviation Award for excellence in cabin design this year. (Gulfstream)
According to the Gulfstream website, the G700 can fly up to 7,500 nautical miles without refueling, enough range to fly nonstop from Austin to Hong Kong. Powered by two Rolls-Royce engines, it has its own Wi-Fi system, 20 oval windows measuring 28” x 21”, and two lavatories.
The sweet new ride will replace his current top-of-line private jet: a 2015 Gulfstream G650, the aircraft that has been made somewhat famous by the automated @elonjet Twitter account, which tracks and reports his personal aircraft’s movements using public data.
Landed in Austin, Texas, US. Apx. flt. time 44 Mins. pic.twitter.com/jZ7HI0i4iV
— ElonJet (@ElonJet) June 24, 2022
Musk has repeatedly championed “free speech” as a guiding ethic in his planned purchase of Twitter. Last December, Musk offered the teenager who built the @elonjet tracker $50,000 to shut it down, citing security concerns. It’s still up.
According to the @elonjet account, Musk’s jet last traveled to Austin, where it’s been since June 23. The associated data says that his flight to Austin burned $2,573 worth of aviation fuel and discharged 4 tons of carbon dioxide.
- Elon Musk's Austin residence is $12 million Lake Austin home ... ›
- Elon Musk challenges the Kremlin to a fight on Twitter - austonia ›
- Grimes reveals secret baby, a daughter, with Elon Musk - austonia ›
- Elon Musk reportedly bringing new Australian actress girlfriend to ... ›
- Elon Musk attends Charro Days festivities in South Texas - austonia ›
(Valencia Hotel Group)
Live music and beer? Say no more. With a location in Austin, and others throughout Texas, the court hotels by the Valencia Hotel Group have a new offering for weekend stays: Live Music & Longnecks.
Enjoy live music all weekend long and check out the hotels’ state-of-the-art amenities between sets. Make a splash in the pool, enjoy outdoor fire pits, or challenge your friends in a yard game while enjoying a weekend full of live music! Did we mention the package includes deluxe accommodations and a bucket of beer? Oh, and if you needed more convincing, this pet-friendly hotel means the whole family can join in on the fun.
The hotels
Explore any of the Court Hotels by Valencia Hotel Group for a memorable escape. Each property offers a unique experience remnant of yesteryear but with all of the modern amenities that make for a fun and comfortable stay. With acres of landscaped courtyards, relax and unwind in an outdoor environment perfect for doing everything or absolutely nothing at all. With locations in Austin, College Station, Irving, and Lubbock your urban retreat has never been so close.
The music
Locals and travelers alike are invited to enjoy the deep roots of Texas music all summer long with a robust lineup of live performances. From the banks of the San Antonio Riverwalk to Irving’s manicured streets, Valencia’s hotels are a place to gather and reconnect, offering uniquely Texan settings for the weekly performances.
“We’re proud of the community we’ve fostered among Texas musicians and the many rising stars who perform at our properties,” says Amy Trench, corporate director of brand marketing & PR for Valencia Hotel Group.
In Austin, you can catch good ol’ fashioned Texas country by Drew Moreland and Clayton Gardner, bluegrass by Reagan Quinn, and much, much more.
With unique programming at each of Valencia’s properties, there’s something for everyone to enjoy all summer long.
The perks
If you’re a Valencia Hotel Group Rewards member, the perks are plentiful. Enjoy up to 10% off the Best Available Rate, and for a limited time, members can save up to 15% off a stay of 2 nights or more, for select stays in 2022.
But that’s really just the beginning. At select locations, you can enjoy discounts on weeknight stays, a complimentary third night, or curated packages for a romantic getaway or a night of watching the Verde at Q2 Stadium. You’ll also find special rates for AAA and AARP Members, educators, and front-line heroes including military, law enforcement, fire, and rescue workers.