Politics, Government and Business in Southern California's Inland Empire
11:59 AM PDT on Thursday, August 12, 2010
The Press-Enterprise
Former San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus was taken into custody this morning when he appeared to arrive for his preliminary hearing under the influence of a controlled substance, officials said.
San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies at the court arrested Postmus at 10:45 a.m. He is expected to be booked at a local jail, said sheriff’s spokeswoman Cindy Beavers.
Brown
Thursday, August 12, 1010 – 10:00 am
Well what do you know.
California Attorney General Jerry Brown announced yesterday that his office is teaming up with Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley’s office in investigating the salary and pension scandal in the City of Bell.
Truly an epiphany on Brown’s part.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010 – 11:00 pm
The San Bernardino County Employees Retirement Association (SBCERA) has refused a local newspapers request to release a list of its pensioner’s who receive payments of $90,000 or more per year.
Is anyone really surprised? After all it is San Bernardino County right?
Thursday, August 12, 2010 – 11:00 pm
A recommendation by county lawyers that San Bernardino County appeal a superior court judges decision awarding one of its labor unions its legal costs is ridiculous to say the least.
Last year, County Counsel Ruth Stringer and Public Defender Doreen Boxer convinced the Board of Supervisors to file a lawsuit against the San Bernardino County Public Attorneys Association (SBCPAA) over it’s discipline and grievance representation practices. Basically, Boxer doesn’t want Deputy District Attorneys representing Deputy Public Defenders.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010 – 11:00 pm
Amazing!
In response to a yet to be proven conspiracy case labeled by Attorney General Jerry “Ring That Bell” Brown as possibly the worst in California history, politicos went running for the soap box.
Yes, politicians seeking to exploit the claim immediately went running for the infamous legislative fix.
10:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, August 11, 2010
By RICHARD K. DE ATLEY
The Press-Enterprise
A lawsuit filed Wednesday seeks the release of records of pensions exceeding $90,000 a year paid to former San Bernardino County employees. The organization overseeing those funds had refused a request to release the information.
The action filed by The Press-Enterprise asks a judge to order the San Bernardino County Employees’ Retirement Association to disclose the payments.
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/11/2010 09:09:46 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – City Attorney James F. Penman accused Mayor Pat Morris of instigating “full-scale political war” Wednesday by writing an op-ed newspaper article accusing Penman and a councilwoman of orchestrating an unreasonable hike in city worker pensions.
“I was stunned by the mayor’s op-ed today,” Penman said Wednesday. “I can’t recall when I’ve seen a greater collection of inaccuracies, misleading and false statements put together by a mayor.”
10:20 PM PDT on Wednesday, August 11, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
San Bernardino County must give prosecutors all of its documents related to the $102 million Colonies Partners settlement that is at the center of an extortion and bribery investigation, a Superior Court judge ruled Wednesday.
In April, the county agreed to a limited waiver of its attorney-client privilege and to provide documents and access to its attorneys involved in the case. However, Colonies blocked release of documents related to the mediation talks, claiming a mediation privilege.
No waiver needed
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Created: 08/11/2010 06:25:31 PM PDT
A San Bernardino Superior Court judge Wednesday authorized the county to release to prosecutors documents relating to its settlement with developer Colonies Partners LP to facilitate a corruption probe.
In April, the county agreed to a limited waiver of its attorney- client privilege to allow prosecutors to examine documents related to its $102 million settlement in November 2006 with the Rancho Cucamonga developer, which prosecutors allege was a broad conspiracy involving extortion and at least $400,000 in bribes to some county officials.
August 11, 2010 8:55 AM
Tomoya Shimura
SAN BERNARDINO • A former female employee of the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office is suing District Attorney Michael A. Ramos for alleged sexual harassment, retaliation, and assault and battery.
August 11, 2010 8:48 AM
Natasha Lindstrom
SAN BERNARDINO • More than 200 San Bernardino County jobs pay more than $100,000 and at least seven positions compensate top executives with salaries exceeding $200,000, according to the county’s online salary database.
The highest paid county worker, County Administrative Officer Greg Devereaux, collects an annual salary of $305,000. The lowest paid positions in routine office and assistant roles pay slightly above minimum wage.
Eric Hogue
Capitol Alert
The latest on California politics and government
August 11, 2010
The two candidates for governor have yet to debate, but a sharp-tongued feud has erupted among conservative radio talk show hosts over Republican candidate Meg Whitman.
Whitman has been repeatedly roasted by John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou, the high-octane Los Angeles radio talkers, for backing away from the tough position on illegal immigration she had taken during the primary campaign.
By PE Politics
on August 11, 2010 3:32 PM
Senate Republican Leader Dennis Hollingsworth said today he still plans to hand over the leadership reins to state Sen. Bob Dutton on Sept. 1 “rain or shine, budget or no budget.”
In the event of the latter, Hollingsworth said, “As with any negotiation, they’ll have to start from the beginning.
Candidates line up for chance to take open seat
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/11/2010 09:09:45 PM PDT
FONTANA – The mayoral race is set.
Councilwoman Acquanetta Warren is among six candidates running for the seat that will be open when Mayor Frank Scialdone’s stint ends.
According to the City Clerk’s Office, the other candidates are: Melissa Brown, Bobbi Jo Chavarria, Keith McCarter, Chuck Andrzejczyk and Vincent Daniel.
Posted By: Joe Garofoli | August 11 2010 at 02:14 PM
We understand that Jerry Brown wants to show how tough on crime he is as California’s Attorney General and (ahem) candidate for Guv. But the latest release from Jer’s AG’s office is really stretching the definition of slow mid-August news day.
The headline: “Brown Takes Action to Make Children’s Bounce Houses Safe.”
By Patrick McGreevy, Los Angeles Times
August 12, 2010
Reporting from Sacramento —
Cities that provide officials with excessive pay would be subject to significant financial penalties, including a 50% income tax on city council members, under a proposal considered by state lawmakers Wednesday in response to the salary scandal in Bell.
The legislation would also require employee compensation and contracts with managers to be approved in open session at least seven days after the details were posted for the public on a city website. Those details would include such extras as bonuses and special vacation, insurance and pension benefits.
By Jim Wasserman
jwasserman@sacbee.com
Published: Thursday, Aug. 12, 2010 – 12:00 am | Page 6B
More than 42,000 laid-off California homeowners are about to get a break.
Starting Nov. 1, the government will help them make mortgage payments while they look for another job.
California Watch
A Project of the Center for Investigative Reporting
K–12
August 12, 2010 | Louis Freedberg
Many unknowns stand in the way of California school districts actually being able to spend money from the $26 billion state relief fund signed into law by President Obama this week.
California Watch
A Project of the Center for Investigative Reporting
Health and Welfare
August 12, 2010 | Joanna Lin
Pew Hispanic Center
Illegal immigrants constitute about 4 percent of adults in the United States, but they gave birth to about 8 percent of babies in 2008, according to a study published yesterday by the Pew Hispanic Center.
Bloomberg
Robert Selna, Chronicle Staff Writer
San Francisco Chronicle
Thursday, August 12, 2010
A San Francisco judge’s scathing ruling ordering Wells Fargo to pay its customers $203 million for manipulating debit transactions to maximize overdraft fees might be just the start of troubles for the bank.
U.S. District Judge William Alsup’s 90-page opinion Tuesday described Wells Fargo’s motive as profiteering and said the San Francisco-based bank’s goal was to “maximize the number of overdrafts and squeeze as much as possible” out of customers.
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