Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 11/01/2012 07:54:23 PM PDT
A spokesman for the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office said Thursday that prosecutors have not decided if they will continue fighting to reinstate bribery charges against a Rancho Cucamonga developer to the state Supreme Court.
“No decision has been made about whether to ask the California Supreme Court to provide further review of the remaining legal issues in dispute,” district attorney’s spokesman Christopher Lee said in an email Thursday.
On Wednesday, the state 4th District Court of Appeal in Riverside rejected a request by state and local prosecutors to reinstate four bribery charges against Rancho Cucamonga developer Jeff Burum that were dropped in August 2011 by San Bernardino Superior Court Judge Brian McCarville.
Burum and three former county officials face felony charges in a sweeping San Bernardino County corruption case in which prosecutors allege the four engaged in bribery and conspiracy to influence a $102million legal settlement between the county and Burum’s investor groups, Colonies Partners LP, in November 2006.
Also charged in the case are former county Supervisor Paul Biane, former Assistant Assessor Jim Erwin and Mark Kirk, former chief of staff for Supervisor Gary Ovitt.
All four defendants deny any wrongdoing.
The appellate court did grant a request by prosecutors to reinstate a charge of misappropriation of public funds against Biane, Kirk and Erwin that was initially dropped by McCarville during the August 2011 motion hearing.
In addition, the appellate court determined that McCarville erred by not dropping a conflict-of-interest charge against Burum and Erwin and two bribery charges against Erwin.
“We’re very pleased with the appellate court’s decision knocking out these three counts,” Erwin’s attorney, Rajan Maline, said Thursday. “And we’re going to continue to work very hard because Mr. Erwin is innocent. We’re very eager to get back to the trial court to litigate this.”
A pre-trial hearing for the four defendants is scheduled for today in San Bernardino Superior Court, where prosecutors may provide a clearer picture as to whether they plan to proceed to trial or appeal to the state Supreme Court.
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A defendant was asked if he wanted a bench trial or a jury trial. “Jury trial,” the defendant replied. “Do you understand the difference?” asked the judge. “Sure,” replied the defendant, “That’s where twelve ignorant people decide my fate instead of one.”
While summing up the State’s case against the alleged despicable conduct of the defendant, the Prosecutor addressed the jury, “Ladies and gentlemen — all I can say is that if Moses had known the defendant, there would have been two or three more Commandments.”
In questioning potential jurors for an upcoming trial the Judge inquired, “Is there any reason why any of you cannot see this trial through to its conclusion?” A lone juror spoke up, “I can’t!” stated the woman, “Why, just looking at the woman I’m convinced she’s guilty!” “Madam,” said the Judge, “that’s the prosecutor.”
A jury is going to ask, “Where’s the Beef” everybody walks.
At some point you ask, why bribe after 5 long years of litigation when you have won? Makes no sense, then the PAC contributions are in plain sight. That’s the smoking gun? More like a smoking pipe if you ask me, people are delusional.
Colonies deserved a big payday after being jacked around, maybe not to the extent they got, but surely BIG.
NEXT…….
The Jury will also ask the prosecution, “Why are we only hearing one side? Where is Gretchen Ramos, and where are the thousands of campaign political contributions her husband, District Attorney Mike Ramos, quietly deposited into her PERSONAL ACCOUNT (not PAC) when Ramos ran unopposed; then “forgot” to mention it to the FPPC…until they asked!”
#3….stay on point, you are reasoning like LSW.
#2…………A jury is going to do the same thing they did in the Rex trial. They are going to send Burum and the rest to PRISON. Just give them the chance.
How about that SEBA flyer? I guess Erwin has absolutely no influence there anymore. It also looks like they took a page out of IE politics book. An effective page that is.
RED, you want to know… “How about that SEBA flyer?”
I’ll tell you… but first, about your ha ha’s. You’re sounding stupid- just like ie politics- and I have NO patience, nor am I in any mood for nonsense and stupidity for the next several days, nor should anyone!
And, just so you know Red, Erwin couldn’t give a rats axx about his influence over THERE, when he is on the drivers side of it all HERE! Red, I always gave you the benefit of the doubt, you’re slipping on me!
NOW DOWN TO BUSINESS…
“SEBA President Laren Leichliter, whose PICTURE appears on the front of the mailer, could not immediately be reached for comment.”
Mr. Leichliter is silent because he has CORNERED HIMSELF. No tears are shed for him here.
Leichliter was given FAIR warning, AMPLE advice, and a CLEAR picture of his position’s NEW FOUND money, power and influence on SEVERAL occasions – he ignored it.
Leichliter made his OWN decision. He decided to MISUSE and ABUSE his position and title as President of SEBA.
Leichliter became arrogant and full of himself, even lending his PICTURE, so ALL may know him as he puffed his chest with hot air!
Leichliter is left now standing with his foolish cronies on the sinking ship…he should stay over there, and not even look our way, there is no room for COWARDS on our already over loaded struggling ship…we need real men on board to see this baby HOME!
Leichliter sided with the other fools of power and influence; finding it more amusing and appealing to bully and kick those that are down, rather than lending a hand, or stay neutral until the case rested…
whatever respect and confidence Leichliter held has evaporated… someone remove him please! NEXT!
of course they will appeal to supreme court hell its not Mikeys money but in the end they run out of options then tick tick tick BOOOOOOOM your gone Mikey you scumbag!!!!Cannot wait for the crooked DA to get his and all his buddies (and you know who you are Randall and Richard)
#6…..Sorry to strike a nerve, but I can’t help but to laugh. NO more HA HA. From now on it will be HE HE HE HE. When I think of the bewilderment Larson must be feeling with that flyer it makes me go HE HE HE. when I think of all the people who told me Ramos’ charges were meritless and yet an appellate court took a whole year to decide that he was still going to walk out of court with two charges, I can’t help but go HE HE HE. When I think about how Derry is going to get trounced on Tuesday it makes me go HE HE HE, and when I see Governor Chris Christie with his arm around Obama and all the hype around Robme crumble, I can’t help but to go HE HE HE. When I think back over the last four years and all the people on this site who kept saying Charges were being brought against Mike Ramos, but yet here we are and there is nothing, I can’t help but go HE HE HE. It reminds me of comment #3 and that tick tick Boom. It will just be nothing and I won’t be able to help myself, I’ll just go HE HE HE.
Red,
Don’t flatter yourself, it was not you, you just irritate me sometimes with your nonsense- you’re more of an afterthought for me.
#9….Is that why you responded? HE HE HE.