Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/14/2012 07:06:15 PM PST
The attorney for a Rancho Cucamonga land developer charged in a sweeping San Bernardino County corruption case said Friday he will oppose a push by prosecutors to have the state Supreme Court reinstate bribery charges against his client.
“We are very opposed to the state’s strategy of delay,” said Stephen Larson, who represents developer Jeff Burum. “There are critical issues involving the statute of limitations and evidentiary and other problems with the grand jury indictment that need to be addressed in the trial court.”
Burum is accused of conspiring with three former county officials to secure a $102million legal settlement from the county in exchange for bribes. Also charged 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.
Prosecutors allege Burum and Erwin used strong-arm tactics such as extortion, threats and bribes to persuade the county officials to approve the landmark settlement with Burum’s investor group, Colonies Partners LP, in November 2006.
The settlement ended a four-year legal battle over who was responsible for construction of a flood-control basin on Colonies’ 434-acre parcel in Upland where the investor group was bankrolling a sprawling residential and commercial development.
On Monday, the state Attorney General’s Office, which is jointly prosecuting the case with the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office, sent the petition to the state’s highest court via an overnight courier.
To read entire story, click here.
Maline said:
“The consensus is we want to GET BACK to THE TRIAL court”
AH YES! Back to THE TRIAL “HERE” in our back yard Mr. Ramos!!
We are NOT finished with the load of heavily soiled dirty laundry Ramos left behind, it’s soaking, the lid must continue to stay down as we labor away, and itching to HANG IT OUT TO DRY under OUR very own desert sun.
Running away and crying to the Supreme Court may buy District Attorney Mike Ramos TIME…
…but it will NOT make it ALL “GO AWAY” “GO AWAY”
According to the article, Jeff Burum is a “land developer charged in a sweeping San Bernardino County corruption case” where he is accused of “conspiring” to secure $102 million “in exchange for bribes,” and allegedly using “strong-arm tactics such as extortion.”
Wow; how come this guy isn’t already in prison!
Perhaps the the reason is because all the bribery charges were dismissed, a ruling upheld by an appellate court, which you can conclude if you read the article very carefully.
And what is the point of calling The Colonies development “sprawling,” other than to sensationalize the story with a developer stereotype.
Finally, I laugh every time I read how the prosecution feels that it is “inappropriate” for them to “comment on a pending case.”
They sure had a different philosophy when they held a press conference to announce “the most appalling corruption case in decades, certainly in the history of San Bernardino County and maybe California itself.”
@OoF
“And what is the point of calling The Colonies development “sprawling,” other than to sensationalize the story with a developer stereotype.”
THE SUN IS “CONSPIRING” WITH DA RAMOS & BROWN TO “SENSATIONALIZE’ THE STORY?
I’ll ponder that, but it seems more like “something” is lacking in the individual reporting this that does not allow him to grasp that “something” I do believe he IS trying, but missing, don’t give up on him though-there’s hope.
Hope for Joe Nelson, oh please, I don’t think so. Didn’t someone say the CEO of the County is on the editorial board of the Sun? If that is true there is no hope for Joe Nelson’s stories. Even if he could be a good unbiased reporter, he won’t get any story published that ruffles the wrong feathers.
…”he won’t get any story published that ruffles the wrong feathers.”
Are you saying he is ONLY but a “NICE” guy?
HEY MIKEY clock is ticking TICK TICK TICK TICK then BOOOOOM see ya scumbag DA….Its goin to end very very badly for you
#5, I don’t know, I haven’t been following him long. From my experience, he is on a tight leash. But, maybe he isn’t and he personally wants to help certain groups over others. Either way it means you won’t get unbiased reporting from the Sun. I think that is pretty obvious.
#6
Your message is the SAME…get a new line will you!
#8 Yes it is the same!!!!!!!! Why deviate from the truth