Friday, October 30, 2009

The California Fair Political Practices Commission has opened an investigation into San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos relating to his failure to properly report income provided to his wife, the Sentinel has learned.

The matter under investigation, according to sources who were instrumental in bringing the relevant information to the attention of the Sacramento-based political watchdog, pertains to $10,000 provided to Gretchen Ramos from the Friends of Mike Ramos campaign committee last year.

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San Bernardino councilwoman alleges bribery attempt
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 10/29/2009 06:22:12 PM PDT

SAN BERNARDINO – City Councilwoman Esther Estrada publicly accused the developers of a senior housing complex with offering her and three other council members “whatever you want” in exchange for votes.

“We were offered a bribe,” Estrada said at the close of a candidate forum this week before Home of Neighborly Service.

Jasmine Borrego, president of Telacu Residential Management, which is developing the housing project, said there are no facts to support allegations of bribery.

“This is a project that no one can say is a bad one,” Borrego said.

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October surprise? Leaked memo adds controversy to San Bernardino mayoral race
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 10/29/2009 07:56:12 PM PDT

SAN BERNARDINO – A memo written by the police chief to the city manager reports City Attorney James F. Penman lied about a document at the center of a City Hall theft investigation and the city’s latest political blow-up.

Penman replied that the chief’s message is the place to find falsehood. He said the new memo is an 11th hour campaign trick orchestrated by Mayor Pat Morris.

“It reads like a campaign flyer. The timing is obviously intended to coincide with the fact that the election is less than a week away,” Penman said.

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A complaint has been file with the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) against San Benardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos for failing to properly disclose funds paid to his wife.

The complaint alleges that Ramos failed to report income received by his wife Gretchen. Official campaign disclosure statements on file with the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters in 2008 indicate Ramos paid his wife $10,000.00 for “Campaign Services” from his campaign committee.

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Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Created: 10/28/2009 03:40:03 PM PDT

RIALTO – Officials here hope an injection of taxpayer dollars can help prevent the city’s biggest redevelopment bet from going bust.

The City Council, acting as the Redevelopment Agency, has approved a $10.9 million interim agreement with developers while they renegotiate the price of land critical to Renaissance Rialto, a proposed mixed-use project along the 210 Freeway.

It’s a move that could eliminate funding for new projects in the foreseeable future, said Robb Steel, economic development director for the city.

“We’re buying a little bit of breathing room,” Steel said. “It’s not a situation we want to be in, obviously.”

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Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 10/28/2009 03:55:12 PM PDT

The county, at the request of Supervisor Neil Derry, will conduct a survey of other counties to see how they handle accrual of vacation time for their employees.

Derry, who is pushing for caps on vacation accrual time for high-level county employees, made the request to County Administrative Officer Mark Uffer during Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting.

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By Dale Kasler
dkasler@sacbee.com
Published: Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009 – 12:00 am | Page 8B

CalPERS is reviewing its relationship with Apollo Management, a big private-equity firm that hired controversial placement agent Alfred Villalobos to obtain investment business from the pension fund.

CalPERS spokeswoman Pat Macht said the review began in May and isn’t tied to a separate review, begun two weeks ago, of Villalobos’ activities. Rather, the review is focusing on Apollo fund performances and other issues, she said. The Apollo investments had been doing poorly as of last spring but have rallied lately, according to CalPERS data.

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Bill Postmus
October 7, 2009

There have been so many questions of late as to the appropriateness of the Colonies decision that the County of San Bernardino settled out of court in 2006.

I have been reluctant to address or re-state the facts of the case over the past several months as I have focused on other matters.

But, with so much misinformation being disseminated in the press and with all the rumor-mongering, I cannot remain silent any longer.

It is time to set the record straight.

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