Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/14/2012 03:04:15 PM PDT
The Washington D.C. watchdog group that six years ago called for an investigation of Rep. Jerry Lewis today released a report critical of the resulting probe, which ended without any charges being filed against the Redlands congressman.
The FBI began an investigation of Lewis in 2006. Agents initially planned a three-month probe to examine allegedly inappropriate relationships Lewis had with individuals whose clients benefitted from earmarks obtained by the Congressman, as well as Lewis’ relationship with a hedge fund.
The Bureau’s case instead lasted four years. The Justice Department closed the case in 2010 without filing any charges against Lewis, although newly released documents show that agents considered a possible charge of honest services fraud in 2008.
Lewis’ office did not immediately provide any comment. Lewis consistently denied any wrongdoing in news articles about the FBI investigation.
The watchdog group, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, did not go as far as to say the Justice Department deliberately went soft on the Lewis, but instead claimed its review of more than 1,500 of federal documents demonstrates the FBI did not provide sufficient resources to agents working on the four-year investigation.
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The Watchdog group criticized him.,
His hometown of Redlands criticizes him.
His own Republican Party of San Bernardino county criticizes him.
Lewis no longer represents his party nor his constituents, he has become DISORIENTED and CONFUSED, not sure if he is a LIBERAL or a CONSERVATIVE.
In the past, his actions and opinions were of a conservative, for these past few years Lewis has openly supported and endorsed liberal Democrats, while PUBLICLY undermining conservative elected officials and candidates.
Lewis has only one goal in mind as he prepares to retire- to take vengeance on targeted Republicans, even if it is at the cost of supporting liberal Democrats who will cause much damage to his constituents communities for years to come.
AND THAT WILL BE JERRY LEWIS’ LEGACY…A MAN FOOLISHLY LOSING HIS HEAD AND SENSES OVER HATRED TOWARDS MEN OF HIS OWN PARTY!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3N86XxV-7QI#!
Lewis has a long history of support for big business hiring illegal aliens.
Man, this guys picture just LOOKS shifty. Would you buy a used car from him?
(I’m sure he could MORE than afford a decent haircut!)
That aside, Lewis became irrelevant and ineffective in Redlands politics long ago- which is a reason Lewis had NO PROBLEM endorsing and supporting the liberal democrat James Ramos- and just look at who is in city hall and the downward spiral the city of Redlands is in.
Lewis has lost interest in his district and let it all crumble, he is a has-been not worth our respect or acknowledgment anymore.
The only hope Redlands has at the moment is Mr. Jerry Bean, HE SHOULD NOT LEAVE POLITICS, MR. BEAN IS CURRENTLY THE ONLY POLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TENT HOLDING IT UP! HELP WILL ARRIVE AFTER THE ELECTIONS, HE JUST NEEDS TO HANG ON TIGHT!
The Jerry Lewis-Dennis Hansberger, aka Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, are currently the laughing stock of Redlands- and the third district for supporting James Ramos!
#4 I think you underestimate Mr Lewis. He made it a point to stay out of Redlands politics which was very smart. Redlands is nothing on the political landscape when you’re in DC. His influence regionally was very strong and he used it quietly. He chose carefully and history shows he made the right choices. Bill Postmus and his crew threatened to run against Jerry Lewis and boy was that a mistake. Look what happened to Bill. Neil Derry is a joke and Jerry has endorsed James Ramos who will win. Jerry’s pretty smart.
So Dean, are you implying that the only reason that Bill “Meth head” Postmus is in trouble with the authorities is because he was going to run against Jerry Lewis?
Guess this makes a lot of sense since DA Mikey and Jerry are such good buddies, and Mikey was supposed to be the next heir apparent to Jerry’s Congressional empire (until he let “Little Mikey” out of his pants).
More political retaliation you say… well isn’t that the same reason you are singing James Ramos’ praises over Mikey’s other political assassination victim, seated Supervisor Neil Derry?
Be careful what you wish for, it might just come true (Jerry’s brilliant!), and stop playing like you are one of Jerry’s Kids… u r the joke!
Too big,to jail…..the poster boy of what is wrong with our goverment…not our country….but the elite fools from both parties…..not to mention the DoJ,FBI….the law dogs with no bite….against decades old instutional corruption….
Big D., you have been quite revealing, BUT, ALAS, you are not telling us anything new.
We have known for years Jerry Lewis was thumbing his nose and ignoring Redlands, along with all his constituents back home.
We were aware how Lewis CONSCIOUSLY made it a point to dismiss and stay out of Redlands politics” – and unforgivingly allowing Redlands City Hall to be filled with self-serving idiotic politicians who are driving our economy and city to the ground; making it another COLTON!? Cong. Lewis is not bothered, he runs away to his other home in DC, letting Redlands crumble to the ground!
WHY did Lewis do this? Because, as Big D. states, to Lewis “Redlands is NOTHING ON THE POLITICAL LANDSCALE when you’re in DC”
And THAT same MENTALITY is what, James Ramos the man Lewis supports, will carry the Third District if he is elected in November.
James Ramos has already demonstrated throughout the years that San Bernardino County is IRRELEVANT to him “ON THE POLITICAL LAND SCALE”
he has his own Nation, SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS RESERVATION, as his priority, and millions upon millions of dollars to play with…
…the THIRD DISTRICT will only be a big “BOTHER” to him- just as Redlands is a big “BOTHER” to Jerry Lewis.
@ Dean, you say about Jerry Lewis “His influence regionally was very strong and he used it quietly.”
Really? That’s out of character for Lewis.
Lewis has always been an attention hungry, patting himself on the back, kind of man!
Unless, hmmm… unless of course you are suggesting the deals were enriching him and his friends by dishonest or unethical maneuvering…the kind this Watchdog Group spotted!
Anonymous #8 – We in the sphere of influence of the San Manuel have another name for it: “San Manuel GANG of Mission Indians Reservation”.
Yes, Sgt. Milstar, it is NO SECRET, even among law enforcement, that James Ramos has WELCOMED and allowed the Mexican Mafia drug traffickers to run their business safely within his Reservation- for a hefty PRICE, OF COURSE!
The DRUG DEALERS come out of the Reservation into our neighborhoods, schools, and local businesses long enough to sell their poisonous drugs; ruining many young lives.
As this is the man Jerry Lewis has endorsed and supports OVER Neil Derry…
IF LEWIS HAD MADE IT A POINT TO STAY OUT OF REDLANDS POLITICS, HE SHOULD HAVE STUCK WITH IT…NOW HE HAS REALLY SCREWED US OVER!
“So Dean, are you implying that the only reason that Bill “Meth head” Postmus is in trouble with the authorities is because he was going to run against Jerry Lewis?”
GOOD ONE LSW…nice to see you have shed your rough edges and allowed the LIGHT TO SHINE THROUGH!
However, Dean Baby was NOT “implying” this…
Dean, AS AN INSIDER WITH LEWIS, was FLAT OUT ADMITTING TO US THAT, IN FACT, THAT WAS THE WAY IT WENT DOWN!
Mr. Lewis is in town…perhaps that it why the skies are angry over Redlands.
“the bullet hit the bone!”
I live in Redlands, NOTHING noteworthy about Lewis for years!
I wonder when Gary Miller’s tax evasion FBI investigation will come out?
So Dean,
Did we “underestimate Mr Lewis” as you claimed, or did we nail him!
Your “hero” is not so smart after all is he?
I bet you have more common sense and decency than this Lewis man you look up to!
All I’m saying is Jerry Lewis very quietly behind the scenes flexed a lot of muscle. He knew who to talk to and get things done. He was the most powerful politician to ever come out of this area. Not flashy, but effective. He was in Congress over 30 years and rose to be one of the 5 Cardinals of the House. Now compare him to your political hero Neil Derry. See any difference?
Bill Postmus threatened him and gee what happened? Yes, I do believe Lewis had input into the Postmus meltdown. I might be wrong but I’ve been told too many times by people in the know.
Too many people on the outside of the political scene don’t understand how things get done quietly and without much fanfare. Look at Jim Erwin, Mr Big Political mover and shaker. You don’t bully and threaten people like he did and shoot off your mouth . The people that took out Erwin aren’t in the headlines. They’re just people who quietly made phone calls pointing out where to look and who to push. Erwin will never know who got him because they’re so close to him. He didn’t get it.
“Now compare him to your political hero Neil Derry.” But how can I compare…Neil Derry has just begun, lets talk in ten years about this.
NO! Postmus did not threaten Lewis, Lewis was threatened by Postmus’ rising political power in the Inland Empire;yes Lewis asked Ramos to bring him down and move in for the kill AT ALL COSTS!
You state “Erwin will never know who got him because they’re so close to him.” Well, Dean, it doesn’t matter to him now, he has moved on and is not wasting his time being distracted by who or what happened…it happened.
“He didn’t get it.” you say, he gets it now and is no longer bullying anyone; this blog speaks for itself, it’s professional and he adds his own very well written informative articles.
Last, you state, “The people that took out Erwin aren’t in the headlines” – and wisely NEITHER are the many supporters standing by him through Mike Ramos’ efforts to break him and destroy his influence, his voice, his career, his family, his reputation, his lively hood.
On the contrary, Erwin is back stronger than ever, and now more of a “Mr Big Political mover and shaker,” as you say. But this time quietly, under the radar, undetected, and with more influence and allies than before.
Anon#18……Your big mover and shaker moved Derry right into certain political catastrophe.
#18- Neil Derry is history! He’s gone in a few months. Gone forever. That’s the point. You’re right you can’t compare him to Lewis because Derry won’t be in office.
Yes, the Postmus crew did threaten Lewis. Go ask Bill Sr about that one.
“Erwin back stronger than ever”? He’s nothing now and in the future. The political scene is rid of him and it’s for the better. Who the heck is supporting Erwin? Jeff Berum? Well until the trial is over and than Berum will dump him like a rock. Nobody wants to be around Erwin. He’s toxic. Yeah those allies are really lining up for ole Jim! Maybe Jim and Neil can start a political consulting firm!
Dean…..HA HA HA, they can take Joe Turner with them and call themselves KKK consulting.
RED, YOU ARE WRONG ABOUT JOE TURNER!
Erwin is a decent guy, very smart and could succeed in any field he chose.