Supervisor Paul Biane
By
PE Politics
on February 16, 2010 11:31 AM
San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Biane is set to announce his campaign for re-election tonight in Ranch Cucamonga.
But Biane’s quest for a third four-year term comes at a time of turmoil for the supervisor. Biane is widely believed to be John Doe 5, the unnamed and uncharged co-conspirator described in a criminal complaint unveiled last week by District Attorney Mike Ramos and Attorney General Jerry Brown.
The complaint alleges that the county’s $102 million settlement with developer Colonies Partners in 2006 was obtained through a conspiracy of bribery and extortion. Biane was one of three supervisors who voted for the deal.
In a news release today, Biane touted his efforts to boost the quality of life in the 2nd district, which includes the cities of Upland, Rancho Cucamonga and parts of Fontana. He cited $2 million for libraries in Rancho Cucamonga and Fontana, $1 million for the Scheu Family YMCA’s facility in Upland and efforts to expand the North Etiwanda Preserve. He also cited his support for public safety and economic development.
But Biane also defended himself against the accusations raised in the criminal complaint.
“I promised to fight corruption, and I’m proud of my leadership in blowing the whistle on misdeeds in the County Assessor’s office,” Biane said the statement. “My actions resulted in the removal and arrest of Mr. Postmus and several of his associates.”
Biane had e-mails that showed assessor employees using county computers to conduct political work on county time turned over to prosecutors in August 2007, a move that helped trigger the ongoing investigation.
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On one hand this gives a whole new meaning to the phrase “in denial”. On the other hand what else COULD he do? Not entering the race for re-election would make most assume he is guilty of a crime he is not yet even charged with.
I agree. He has no choice but to run and no serious opponent as of yet.
Naming the new library after this crook shows you how dumb the City Council is. Maybe since it is the Biane Library they could put in a wet bar since that is his most notable attribute.
Why Biane wasn’t charged with that unreported trip is amazing. That was an easy one that Ramos ignored.
This whole chain of events seems orchestrated to protect certain individuals from arrest.
“Denial” is a great description for the mental state of Paul Biane. Gee, what a crime fighter! If he was a true crime fighter he would have already resigned and turned himself in. I too think that his announcing for re-election if merely cover for his guilt.
It is quite possible that enough fury will be built up to recall him, should run and win, or not go to jail. Does Paul Biane have no shame?
Biane completely disregarded the advice of county counsel and gave away millions of dollars of taxpayer monies to his campaign contributors. Shameless.
Maybe Biane will be the next singing canary. If Biane truly cared about the people that elected him he would come clean. Looks like he’s going to meet Bubba soon.
Paul isn’t going anywhere. He had a great turnout tonight.
The County needs to stop with these vendettas and move ahead. Get the real bad guys.
Sb County can you tell us who attended the fundraiser, anyone important?
Thanks.
BS County (er SB County), you used the term
“vendettas”. This whole investigation
started because of a vendetta and now you
want to stop the practice. Postmus is no
saint, but we aren’t going to be cannonizing
Biane anytime soon.