One has to admit the political buzz in San Bernardino County is non-stop.
Many reverberations have crossed the transom regarding District Attorney Michael A. Ramos’ motivation for his politically charged actions over the past 18 months.
Some motivations that have surfaced of late have gained credibility.
While Ramos is employing the “I’m fighting political corruption” mantra in limited public appearances throughout the county, other issues have arisen that involve not only Ramos, but his Orange County-based consultant David Ellis, owner of Delta Partners, LLC.
It becomes really slimy and underhanded from here.
While Ramos is mostly known for his interest in having serial extramarital affairs, drunkenness, and an affinity for golf, he also worries about his political future. With his past, who wouldn’t.
Ellis on the other hand cares about three things and three things only. Those being Franklin, Grant, and Jackson!
He’ll sell anyone down the river for a buck.
Let’s talk about a couple targets of the Ramos/Ellis tag team.
Jason Anderson, Former Ontario City Councilman
Anderson is a veteran Deputy District Attorney in Ramos’ own department. Anderson used to be a member of the Ontario City Council. That is until he was sold down the river in 2008.
It seems Ramos was of the misplaced belief that Anderson may be put up to run against him for DA in 2010, and one of Anderson’s political supporters was Jeff Burum.
Bad news for Anderson.
Ellis was Anderson’s political consultant who was entrusted to get him re-elected. More bad news for Anderson.
Anderson was a certain “shoe-in” for re-election. He kept himself out of trouble and made sound decisions on the council. Ellis just had to run a sound campaign and Anderson would win.
Not so fast.
After months of reassurance from Ellis that he was a slam dunk on election day, Anderson lost.
Why you ask?
The post-mortem after the election led to only one conclusion. Ellis sold Anderson down the river. Ellis barely lifted a finger to ensure Anderson’s victory. Ellis is a paid consultant, and money was no object.
There was no absentee voter chase program, no significant mail campaign, no nothing!
The perceived goal here. Deal a political defeat to Anderson and make him a non-viable candidate for District Attorney.
One friend stabbed in the back.
Patrick O’Reilly, CEO of O’Reilly Public Relations
Here we have a good hard-working man, who spent years of his life building a very successful public relations and governmental consulting business based in Riverside.
The problem here? O’Reilly became viewed as a competitor to Ellis.
Even though O’Reilly and Ellis worked together on issues in the past, nothing stands between Ellis and the dough.
Here Ramos did a favor for Ellis.
One of O’Reilly’s clients was Colonies Partners, LP.
Colonies is well known for a controversial $102 million settlement with the County of San Bernardino. A settlement Ramos’ office investigates when politically expedience dictates. I think two or maybe three investigations so far. Believe me. Everyone is getting tired of being asked the same questions over and over again.
Ramos gets caught with another mistress. Presto! There’s a new Colonies investigation. I think Ramos should call this deflection tactic “Investigation in a Box”. Look at it like Jiffy Pop Popcorn.
Nothing improper has or ever will be found to have occurred with the settlement. Ramos knows it. His staff knows it.
O’Reilly was under consideration to be newly-appointed San Bernardino County Sheriff Rod Hoops political consultant. A job sought by Ellis, and one that Ramos wanted him to have. Ramos wanted to get his claws into Hoops. After all, the County Sheriff has a lot of power.
Unknown to O’Reilly, in January 2009, Ramos had pulled O’Reilly’s name into an investigation involving a trip he had taken in 2007 with Colonies Partner Jeff Burum and Assistant Assessor Jim Erwin.
All O’Reilly did was go on a trip. In return Ramos trashes him into the ground at every turn.
Wanna wound your perceived enemies? Make them look like crooks.
Something else O’Reilly didn’t know was by February 2009, Ramos was privately bashing his reputation with Hoops. Ramos had a close relationship with retired Sheriff Gary Penrod, but not Hoops. So Ramos had to put in extra effort to sway Hoops to his side.
Rod Hoops is a non-controversial, kind-hearted and well meaning man. A peace officer, not a politician.
Ramos on the other hand is a politician first, “all-about-me” kind of person. Forget law enforcement.
Actually, Ramos could care less about child prostitution or victim’s rights. It just sounds good. After all, the man can’t keep his trousers zipped. When his office or a hotel room won’t do, the back seat of his car will.
O’Reilly not only lost Hoops as a potential client, he lost all business with the County of San Bernardino and was stiffed for $80,000 in work the county has never paid for.
It’s a wonder Hoops can stand the odor. If these guys will do this to their good friends, the question becomes who’s next??
Another friend stabbed in the back.
Don’t forget what Ramos did to Grover Merritt. When the rumors went around the office that Grover was thinking about running in 2006, Ramos fired him and it took a year to get his job back. Although he is the head of the Attorney’s Union, he has been silenced as a factor in the office. It may have cost the taxpayers a ton of money, but Ramos still won that little battle. Oh yea, all of the women who were banging Ramos. He threw you under the bus too.
Another awesome story.
But you were a bit to kind with Hoops. He may have a style way different than Ramos or Penrod, but he has done plenty to indicate he’d sell his sole to the devil if the price was right.
HOOPS is no angel, and is very much apart of the good ol boy crowd. DO NOT be fooled.
Can anyone post a picture of this Ellis guy? It would be nice to know his face.
Sheriff Hoops has far more integrity than you have ACU. You need to get off the ” I been screwed by the County” band wagon. Why do you care what Ellis looks like? Do you plan to meet him? Or is this just another tactic of yours to attempt to antimidate others? I cannot believe other bloggers haven’t figured your game. You are a broken record. You have no one to blame for your situation but yourself. Until you do, you will continue to be a bitter old man. You need a 12 step program.
ACU, I will poke you later. Glad I got a rise out of you. You are so predicable. I noticed you made no mention of the 12 step reference. Does that mean you have enrolled in one? Thanks for the comments they never cease to amaze me. Until next time…
Gee, another story with a reference to SCUMBAG ELLIS. I mean, this guy is so slimy he will surely rot in one of Dante’s circles of Hell. And considering the frail condition of his heart, it could come any day now. How about it Dave, ready for Hell? Do you think you can escape the long arms of fate forever? Watch the ole ticker, Scumbag, youre always just a breath away from a fiery future. Just think, you’ll be in good company with your pals Hansberger, Ramos and the other Imps of Satan.
publius it is obvious your a troll. You can poke all you wish. When you grow a set let me know.
ACU, nice try. All I can say is Side A Song 1. AKA broklen record. You are fun to set off. You are really too easy too be a challenge. You will find out in due time who I am once I a done exposing your stupidity Later Ken.