Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 12/29/2010 04:18:20 PM PST

UPLAND – FBI and IRS agents raided City Hall and the mayor’s home in June, causing many residents in thes city to question the integrity of their government in the last half of 2010.

Agents confiscated boxes of documents from City Hall; Mayor John “JP” Pomierski’s home, where his construction business is based; J.H. Builders in Upland; and Venture West Capital in Rancho Cucamonga.

A search warrant for Pomierski’s cell phone sought records for evidence of violations, such as racketeering, conspiracy, extortion, bribery, mail and wire fraud as well as money laundering.

FBI officials have not shared any information on the investigation because the search warrants have been sealed by a federal judge.

“There are two sides of the coin,” Councilman Ray Musser said. “The one side brought a black cloud, with it comes greed, but the other side of the coin is thank goodness we have an organization that helps us when we need help beyond ourselves.”

Since the raid, Musser said he has often been asked about the investigation by residents.

“That’s the most asked question, `When are we going to get this behind us?”‘ Musser said. “So that’s what the residents are anxious about. They feel it’s gone on too long. They don’t realize the amount of information that was taken.”

The city also faced other issues in 2010, such as a battle with at least four medical marijuana cooperatives operating within city limits. The city was granted an injunction to shut down the shops because cooperatives are prohibited under the city’s zoning ordinance.

Cooperative G3 Holistics, which is a witness in the FBI investigation, is appealing the injunction.

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