Raids by the FBI, IRS came as `big surprise’
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 07/10/2010 07:08:27 AM PDT

UPLAND – A recent raid by FBI and IRS agents at the mayor’s home and City Hall may have some residents wondering who their mayor is.

John “JP” Pomierski has been mayor since 2000. Most of the news coming out of the city has been related to finances and development, but on June 10 the focus changed to Pomierski himself.

Records pertaining to several local businesses and individuals were seized from Pomierski’s cell phone, according to a federal search warrant. Records were also taken from City Hall, JH Builders in Upland and Venture West Capital in Rancho Cucamonga.

“It’s kind of a big surprise for everybody,” said Daniel Holm, a barber at Upland Barbershop in downtown and a 14-year resident.

“It’s shocking if these things end up being true. I’ll honestly say, `Wow.’ I would have not thought that.’ I don’t think anybody that knows him real close thinks that. It’s a little bit shocking.”

Holm said Pomierski used to get his hair cut at the shop.

Other customers never said a bad word about the mayor or city, he said.

Rarely was there ever a word spoken at all.

“Weeks would go by without anybody even talking about the mayor or City Council because there really wasn’t anything to complain about,” Holm said. “Once the story broke, now it seems like everyday somebody mentions it.”

Lorelei Coddington has lived in Upland for 11 years. She said she has never kept up with city politics, but the recent news of the FBI investigation got her questioning Pomierski’s integrity.

“A long time ago I heard rumblings that there was an old boys club going on in the city, but I hadn’t really been a part of anything to really know,” she said. “But the last thing that came up made me question just what’s going on.”

Ines Capetillo has lived in Upland for the last seven years, and despite what controversies might be going on at the government level, she said she has been very happy in the city.

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