Former Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez returned home Thursday after serving his prison term. A jury found him guilty in October 2010 of felony charges of conspiracy, grand theft and presenting a false claim to a public office. (Jennifer Cappuccio Maher/Staff Photographer)

Wendy Leung, Staff Writer
Created: 04/21/2012 07:07:01 AM PDT

RANCHO CUCAMONGA – Fifteen months in prison have hardly changed Rex Gutierrez.

The former councilman does not look older, thinner or more defeated.

His sense of humor, quirky sensibility and panache for flashy ties have not gone away.

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Saturday, April 21, 2012 – 05:00 p.m.

Campaign money was barely flowing, during the January to mid-March reporting period, in the race to succeed San Bernardino County First District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt, unless of course a candidate funded themselves.

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Donnelly, Derry lag behind
April 19, 2012 5:18 PM
By SAM PEARSON, Staff Writer

Despite the advantages of incumbency, challengers are raking in more funds than the candidates they oppose in two High Desert races.

Both Big Bear Lake Mayor Bill Jahn, who is seeking to defeat Assemblyman Tim Donnelly in the new 33rd Assembly District, and James Ramos, who stepped down from his post as Chairman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Monday and continues to campaign against incumbent 3rd District Supervisor Neil Derry, have significant cash advantages over their rivals.

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Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/20/2012 12:11:17 PM PDT

A San Bernardino Superior Court judge on Friday lifted bail for four defendants in the Colonies Partners corruption scandal, freeing them from having to pay an annual bond premium as the one-year anniversary of their arrest nears.

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BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com

Published: 20 April 2012 11:42 AM

A San Bernardino County Superior Court judge agreed Friday to lift bail for three former county officials and a developer facing corruption charges.

Judge Michael Smith agreed to allow the four men to remain free on their own recognizance as the case continues to remain in the pre-trial stage almost a year after the defendants were indicted.

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BY ALICIA ROBINSON
STAFF WRITER
arobinson@pe.com

Published: 20 April 2012 05:50 PM

The state Department of Finance has rejected payment of nearly $159 million in projects and debts from Riverside’s former redevelopment agency, potentially leaving the city’s general fund on the hook for at least some of that amount.

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Neil Nisperos, Staff Writer
Created: 04/20/2012 10:52:11 AM PDT

The Inland Empire’s unemployment rate rose to 12.7 percent in March, with the region adding only 100 non-farm jobs. The rate was 12.5 percent in February.

Professional and business services registered the largest month-over- month drop in employment, falling by 2,900 jobs. Construction dropped by 1,200 jobs.

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Capitol Alert
The latest on California politics and government
April 20, 2012

Bracing for a flood of independent expenditures for candidates or causes in this year’s elections, California’s political watchdog agency is seeking to tighten state law to require more personal liability.

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