The State - News from Dec. 14, 1986

A World War II veteran who ran afoul of San Jose city officials by flying the American flag in front of his radiator shop has been sentenced to write a 2,000-word civics essay. Steve Carauddo, an Air Force veteran, also was placed on three years’ probation by Santa Clara County Municipal Judge C. Randall Schneider, who told him he may fly the flag as long as he does so in compliance with federal, state and local regulations. Carauddo, 66, whose fight dates back to 1983, pleaded no contest in July to charges of violating his planned development permit. City planning officials contended that the real issue was Carauddo having violated his permit by erecting a small structure to hold the flag.