10:14 PM PST on Monday, March 8, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Biane is proposing that the county suspend its lawsuit against three agencies to recover damages over a $102 million lawsuit settlement — the same settlement that has lead to two bribery and extortion arrests
Biane said the Board of Supervisors will consider the proposal to halt the lawsuit for now in closed session at its March 23 meeting.
San Bernardino County is suing San Bernardino Associated Governments, Caltrans and Upland.
In November 2006, the county paid $102 million to settle a lawsuit brought by Rancho Cucamonga developer Colonies Partners, which claimed the county had damaged its ability to develop 434 acres. After the settlement, the county sued the three agencies, alleging they should have to pay some of the damages.
Last month, the district attorney filed charges accusing Bill Postmus, former assessor and supervisor, and Jim Erwin, former assistant assessor, of engaging in bribery and extortion to arrange the $102 million settlement. Five others not named or charged were listed as co-conspirators.
Based on details in the criminal complaint, Biane has been implicated as one of the unnamed co-conspirators. Biane has denied any wrongdoing and defended the settlement as appropriate given legal rulings against the county.
Last week, SANBAG, the transportation agency representing the county and its cities, called on the county to hire an independent firm to investigate the settlement, rescind the lawsuit if wrongdoing was found and drop its lawsuit.
Ken MacVey, an attorney representing SANBAG, said the agency is evaluating the proposal to suspend the lawsuit. He said his client is eager to see the outcome of the district attorney’s investigation as well, as it could invalidate the county’s lawsuit against SANBAG if the allegations are proven true.
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See how the County folds to BB&K…Stringer and the Devil have their day, but you can’t fight against the oncoming BB&K legal train. How many of the 24 locals have representation from these folks, about 20 out of 24 by being contract city attorney or special council. Talking about a monopoly and playing both sides of the fence county-wide (and RivCount too). And Ruthless Ruth, when the Devil finally stringers you up, you’ll know who’s behind it, BB&K is the Devil’s personal counsel and its been that way from Fontana to Ontario and now to the County. At the same time that the BOS drops this frivolous lawsuit against Caltrans, Upland and SanBAG (they are suing themselves?) they had better drop Stringer like a hot potato or else; “Let the legal games and continued misuse of taxpayer money escalate”(more attorney’s fees for everybody).
What’s been swept under the rug at ARMC by medical director and his circle of fear is what the BOS are concerned about. Colonies is nothing but a game. ARMC is failure at the top for keeping patient care a priority.
So imagine that, Biane wants to suspend the lawsuit over the Colonies deal. What a lame a$$ moron you are…you need to pack your $hit and go, run far, far away and never come back. Loser!
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Please attempt to excerise some restraint from profane name-calling.
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Thank you
It comes as no surprise Biane wants to halt the lawsuit. Wasn’t was paid $100,000 into his campaign funds by a Colonies partner? What a fine mess he’s got himself in. How can you not questions his intentions?
Sorry about the ineffective proofreading: The sentence in the comment should read: “wasn’t ‘he’ paid $100,00 ….”
If I was implicated unnamed co-conspirator, I sure would try to talk the county into not pursuing this case any longer.