From left, Mark Kirk, Paul Biane, Jeff Burum and Jim Erwin stand before Judge Brian McCarville. All heard the judge dismiss at least one count against them in the San Bernardino County corruption probe. Each pleaded not guilty later in the day to the remaining charges.(Kurt Miller/Staff Photographer)

09:58 PM PDT on Friday, August 19, 2011

BY IMRAN GHORI and DUANE W. GANG
STAFF WRITERS
ighori@pe.com | dgang@pe.com

A San Bernardino County Superior Court judge dismissed the majority of charges against Rancho Cucamonga businessman Jeff Burum on Friday, a decision that his attorneys described as a major blow to prosecutors in a wide-ranging corruption probe.

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Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/19/2011 10:05:32 AM PDT

A San Bernardino Superior Court judge on Friday dismissed five of seven felony charges against Rancho Cucamonga developer Jeff Burum, whom prosecutors allege bribed county officials to settle a lawsuit with his company for $102 million.

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Saturday, August 20, 2011 – 08:25 a.m.

To read the August 19, 2011 demurrer ruling in the Colonies matter click here: Colonies Demurrer Ruling

Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 08/19/2011 05:32:24 PM PDT

A judge’s decision to dismiss several charges against a Rancho Cucamonga-based developer and three former San Bernardino County officials has not weakened the case against them, according to district attorney’s officials.

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Former Supervisor Dennis Hansberger and Former County Chief Executive Mark Uffer

Wendy Leung, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/19/2011 06:11:13 PM PDT

Few former or current San Bernardino County officials were surprised Friday by a judge’s dismissal of most of the charges against a Rancho Cucamonga-based developer.

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By Mike Cruz
Posted: 08/19/2011 01:01:02 PM PDT

The prosecution could be ready to try Gregory Eyler, one of several defendants charged in the San Bernardino County Assessor’s Office scandal, after the defense reviews Grand Jury transcripts in the Colonies Partners LP settlement investigation.

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Brothers face retrial on accusations of bribing Supervisor Gozales
Mike Cruz, Staff Writer
Created: 08/19/2011 01:50:52 PM PDT

Prosecutors are moving forward with the case against two Los Angeles-area businessmen who are accused of bribing the former chief of staff for Fifth District Supervisor Josie Gonzales.

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California’s unemployment rate climbs two-tenths of a percentage point in July, the U.S. Department of Labor says, to 12%. The state has the second-highest jobless rate in the nation, exceeded only by Nevada at 12.9%.

By Marc Lifsher, Los Angeles Times
August 20, 2011

Reporting from Sacramento— California’s stubbornly high unemployment rate rose even higher in July, climbing two-tenths of a percentage point to 12%, the U.S. Department of Labor reported Friday.

It was the second straight monthly increase in joblessness as measured by a federal survey of households.

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