Legal

Monday, March 17, 2014 – 09:00 p.m.

In the first major round of mudslinging in the San Bernadino County District Attorneys election, a new revelation has surfaced.

Association members tell InlandPolitics.com that the San Bernardino County Public Attorneys Association, the union representing rank and file prosecutors, public defenders and child support lawyers, is reportedly in the midst of a financial debacle, which has jeopardized its not-for-profit tax status, with state and federal taxing authorities.

First, a previous treasurer is alleged to have not deposited some nine months of dues deduction checks, issued by San Bernardino County, into the Association’s bank account. In addition, it’s also being reported that some four years of state and federal income tax returns, were somehow never filed on-time.

A check of non-profit, and not-for-profit, Form 990 filings had the following results:

ProPublica had no record of the organization at all. A check of FoundationCenter.org had the union last filing a tax return for its fiscal year ending August 31, 2009. California Secretary of State database records reflect the unions corporation status as “Active”.

Both ProPublica and FoundationCenter.org maintain reasonably up-to-date databases.

Sources also say the previous treasuer, who is no longer a member of the Association due to his elevation to District Attorney Michael A. Ramos’ executive staff, has reportedly agreed to pay any and all expenses, penalties and fines, related to the situation, which encompasses the entire presidency of John Thomas, a close Ramos ally.

Developing…….