This last week’s developments involving the filing of charges against two former county officials, the naming of five “un-named” co-conspirators, and the reputation destruction of others referred to in a complaint and accompanying arrest affidavit has commenced a chain of events that will reverberate in San Bernardino County for years.
The charges and accusations come with less than one week before the filing period for the June primary election officially opens. District Attorney Mike Ramos is seeking re-election and California Attorney General Jerry Brown is running for Governor.
After the conclusion of a live press conference District Attorney Mike Ramos made it clear to reporters they could deduce who the “un-charged” or “un-named” parties were by carefully reading the criminal complaint. Figuring out the names wasn’t the least bit difficult. Ramos’ venom was evident. He spoke of personal attacks on himself and his family and concerns over his budget being cut.
Former Assessor and County Supervisor Bill Postmus, who already posted $110,000 bail was re-arrested and forced to post an additional $250,000. Former Assistant Assessor Jim Erwin, who had already posted $220,000 bail was also re-arrested and required to post an additional $380,000.
Neither Postmus nor Erwin had ever been late to any court appearance.
The “un-named” individuals are Jeff Burum, co-managing partner, Colonies Partners, Dan Richards, co-managing partner, Colonies Partners, Patrick O’Reilly, CEO, O’Reilly Public Relations, Paul Biane, second district supervisor, and Mark Kirk, chief of staff to fourth district supervisor Gary Ovitt.
Clearly Ramos, whose anger and venom was evident at the press conference earlier that day didn’t want either of the men out of jail.
For over a year now District Attorney Mike Ramos has embarked on a campaign to terrorize and assassinate anyone who gets in his way, or those whom he perceives as a threat.
In other words, we now have an all out war between good versus evil in this county. District Attorney Mike Ramos is that evil.
Ramos has no problem retaliating against others and he has demonstrated that ability in the past. Just ask the President of the union representing Ramos’ own prosecutors, Grover Merritt.
A few years ago Merritt, the president of the San Bernardino County Public Attorney’s Association made it known he may run for DA. What happened? Ramos had a false allegation leveled against Merritt and fired him. Ramos accused Merritt of leaking information to the press.
Ramos refused to be deposed in a federal lawsuit filed by Merritt. A hearing officer ordered Merritt reinstated. The county settled with Merritt and he was paid approximately $300,000 plus full back pay and retirement credit to settle the federal lawsuit.
An employee in Ramos’ office who had an eighteen month-long affair with the DA has filed a $1.5 million claim against the county for various claims. Ramos has called the woman a liar in the newspaper by denying the relationship.
Yet, Ramos holds himself above all others. He lies about his own conduct, uses his office to solicit extramarital affairs, engages in heavy-handed prosecutions, and makes it known he wants more money, while at the same time portrays himself as being concerned for crime victims and child prostitution.
During Ramos’ last seven years in office he has spent more than half a year in Sacramento. Is Ramos the District Attorney for Sacramento County or San Bernardino County?
The term hypocrisy is alive and well here.
Ramos has clearly been on a sinister crusade of evil against those whom he views as his enemies. The California Attorney General, Jerry Brown has bought into the game. Brown has indirectly relinquished his role as A.G. in exchange for being a candidate for Governor. In other words the press value of what we bear-ed witness to last week was irresistible as his soon-to-be opponent Meg Whitman climbs in polls.
Ramos has made it absolutely clear. He protects his friends and pursues those he views as his adversaries. Most importantly Ramos has shown if it benefits him he will burn anyone to the ground. A point I’m sure many of Ramos’ current friends and allies now have on their minds.
Hurting people, colleagues, families (including his own) makes no difference. Political gain and self-gratification is above all else.
With prosecutorial power at his command, Ramos is a dangerous person indeed. In his eyes he answers to no one.
This latest stunt even has some people in Ramos’ own department concerned to the point of openly expressing their opinions, and others involved in the case counting their days until retirement.
I have repeatedly told Jeff Burum that Ramos would resort to any level to gain re-election, even to Burum’s detriment.
Burum didn’t believe me then. Burum said he would never throw the first punch at Ramos.
I hope he decides to defend himself, his family, and his associates now.
Even after the arrest of Jim Erwin in March 2009, Ramos through his consultant David Ellis was lobbying Burum for re-election support throughout the summer and fall. Support Burum refused to give. Ellis was even more concerned Burum may oppose Ramos.
Isn’t it interesting Ramos had this much concern in leveraging Burum’s support during an investigation targeting Burum?
The damage to personal and business relationships accomplished here is irreparable. Not only to Burum, but many, many others.
The five so-called un-named “co-conspirators” might just have well have been arrested due to the manner in which they were accused.
Jeff Burum has removed evil from this community before and it would appear he’s the only one capable of doing it now.
Hopefully he is willing to step up to the challenge.
Remember, good always prevails over evil.
Please see my post # 16 at your website.
Link: http://inlandpolitics.com/blog/2010/02/14/sbsun-county-supervisors-see-no-conflicts-of-interest-amid-corruption-case/comment-page-1/#comment-779
My question is this, Would you like your case to be tried at the state level, or the federal level? There are a lot of people here in the inland empire who want you to get a fair trial. I am one of them.
More than likely Federal. Obviously dependent upon decision by counsel.
Federal for civil rights as well.
I thank you for your concern. The rest of you as well.
Under your position, and I would do the same, if it was me in the spotlight.
Thanks for your reply.
Didn’t the Grover Merritt issue come out of a case involving Ontario? Just wondering if there is even a bigger connection between Mikey and The Devil than meets the public eye?
Ramos falsely accused Merritt of leaking information from a Grand Jury panel to the newspapers.
LSW Here is a link to a news article on Grover Merritt.
Link: http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_D_setup22.2714b98.html
Publius, the question is not a change of venue. The question is the Supremacy Clause.
Steve Brow, how does the Supremancy clause apply. How have the Feds preempted the field?????
If Moonbeam really wanted a story, he would look into Ed Roski’s purchase of the State legislature to subvert the CEQA process for his new stadium.
He spent $500,000 in campaign contributions to sacramento legislators.
http://interact.stltoday.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=8182498
I really don’t see any difference between these two cases….
And Here
http://blog.getliberty.org/default.asp?Display=1935
This kind of corruption…the decades its gone on,….cannot thrive without judges/cronies….the local media (mr pine you getting this)..playing their parts…it is the very evil(ramos) vs the lame,politicaly crimmnal,elite welfare kings the BOS(when you get paid the monies these fools get paid…for working half a year,that welfare for the rich)…evil…from my view thats Evil vs Evil
Thanks Sarge, that really sheds light on the situation for me…no wonder Mark at the Sentinel is the target, besides his articles exposing Mikey’s womanizing ways, he was in the middle of the Merritt “leak” accusations and associated retaliation that were the subject of the settlement made in Merritt’s favor. What is Ray Pryke’s deal hanging his publisher out to dry and obviously setting him up for the SLAP suit filed by a County contractor that also doubles as the ex-sheriff’s domestic partner? Lets hear the story again about why ex-sheriff Penrod recently (2009) got a warning letter from the FPPC regarding his numerous problems with his Form 700 and campaign filings (or should I say non-filings) and the on-going conflict with his wife Nancy Bohl’s company The Counseling Team, International. Hey doesn’t DA Mikey Ramos “The Enabler” have the real jurisdiction over these violations of GC Sect 1090 et. seq. and he’s just playing the “selective prostitution” game again, this time involving one of the County’s paid consultants/ contractors? Shame on you Mikey, shame, shame, shame.
Thanks Sarge for finding that article, that puts even more things in perspective.
Hackleman and Ramos, you guys are really a couple of class acts, about as smart as the tattoo police in the Ristow case.
Stevie what do you want to know about Ray Pryke and the Counseling Team issue, I am a witness in that case that has been going on for 8 years now?
One of the other reasons I was fired, for my deposition in that matter.
Something I said about Penrod and the mafia.
But I have the great Mrs. Nancy Bohls Penrod depositions in this case if you want to really understand that education and positions in life DO NOT make you smart.
What did Forrest Gump say, “stupid is as stupid does”??
Whew…the more I read, the more I really wish someone would look at all this and sort it out. I thought and still believe that someone with a new and unconnected perspective should look at all this and start the disclosure process, so we can put behind us all the venom, hate, anger and focus our energies on making the County not just a better place to work, but a better community. Bob Conaway