Tuesday, September 13, 2011 – 07:50 a.m.

A lesson that should be taught in all schools . .. And colleges….

Back in September of 2005, on the first day of school, Martha Cothren, a social studies school teacher at Robinson High School in Little Rock , did something not to be forgotten. On the first day of school, with the permission of the school superintendent, the principal and the building supervisor, she removed all of the desks out of her classroom.

When the first period kids entered the room they discovered that there were no desks.

‘Ms. Cothren, where’re our desks?’

She replied, ‘You can’t have a desk until you tell me how you earn the right to sit at a desk.’

They thought, ‘Well, maybe it’s our grades.’

‘No,’ she said.

‘Maybe it’s our behavior.’

She told them, ‘No, it’s not even your behavior.’

And so, they came and went, the first period, second period, third period. Still no desks in the classroom.

By early afternoon television news crews had started gathering in Ms. Cothren’s classroom to report about this crazy teacher who had taken all the desks out of her room.

The final period of the day came and as the puzzled students found seats on the floor of the deskless classroom, Martha Cothren said, ‘Throughout the day no one has been able to tell me just what he/she has done to earn the right to sit at the desks that are ordinarily found in this classroom. Now I am going to tell you.’

At this point, Martha Cothren went over to the door of her classroom and opened it.

Twenty-seven (27) U.S. Veterans, all in uniforms, walked into that classroom, each one carrying a school desk. The Vets began placing the school desks in rows, and then they would walk over and stand alongside the wall. By the time the last soldier had set the final desk in place those kids started to understand, perhaps for the first time in their lives, just how the right to sit at those desks had been earned..

Martha said, ‘You didn’t earn the right to sit at these desks. These heroes did it for you. They placed the desks here for you. Now, it’s up to you to sit in them. It is your responsibility to learn, to be good students, to be good citizens. They paid the price so that you could have the freedom to get an education. Don’t ever forget it.’

By the way, this is a true story. And this teacher was awarded Teacher of the Year for the state of Arkansas in 2006.

Please consider passing this along so others won’t forget that the freedoms we have in this great country were earned by U. S. Veterans .

Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010 – 11:00 p.m.
Last updated: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 – 07:55 a.m.

Once again, could the conspiracy angle in the second trial of former San Bernardino County Assessor employee and Rancho Cucamonga city councilman Rex Gutierrez be problematic to the prosecution?

It sure seems plausible.

The jury in the case enters its fifth day of deliberations on Wednesday morning. Obviously there are issues, if the duration of the aforementioned deliberations is any indication.

A plausible problem here? The jury was never actually presented with proof of any conspiracy involving a preconceived arrangement.

If they did, it sure looks like everyone following along missed it.

District Attorney Michael Ramos has been to determined to wrap some kind of conspiracy around the neck of West End developer Jeffrey Burum. As a matter of fact, it’s more like desperation on one hand and personal animus towards Burum on the other.

In fact, Ramos is desperate for two reasons.

First, Ramos wants to continue to distract attention from his own personal and professional issues. Secondly, Ramos wants nothing more than a successful prosecution of a high-profile public official to use as a springboard to congress or some other higher office.

With the likelihood of proving the alleged conspiracy in the alleged “crime of the century” Colonies settlement being pretty much history. It now looks like another mistrial could possibly be in store for prosecutors. Prosecutors who need a win.

Even if what prosecutors allege never in fact happened.

A person helping another person get a job occurs in this country everyday. It’s not a crime.

But in the Gutierrez case, the people allege the job offer was a part of master scheme or conspiracy to steer a $42.5 million affordable housing grant to a “non-profit” created by the same developer, who made the job ask.

Key word here being “Non-Profit”.

A non-profit from which the aforementioned developer derived no compensation.

My goodness, what a conspiracy.

An alleged conspiracy based upon the testimony of key witness Adam Aleman, a convicted felon, who cooperated with prosecutors in exchange for a possible lighter sentence on charges of falsifying evidence and lying to a county grand jury.

Aleman has even changed his characterization of Burum from the first trial to the second trial. In the first trial Aleman said Burum was a person who was “pulling the strings” in the Assessors office. This time Aleman now says Burum is a person who cast a “shadow influence” over San Bernardino County government.

No, you didn’t mis-read. It really does say the word “government”.

What is this Dark Shadows? Aleman needs to become a fiction writer.

The county’s own investigation into the Assessor’s office by Attorney John Hueston found no conspiracy involving the hiring of Gutierrez. Also Hueston was able to interview both Erwin and Burum. The report is obviously an exhibit in the investigation but for some reason was never used.

A very interesting point.

The amazing part about the whole situation is the fact the prosecution employed every roadblock imaginable to prevent key parties in the situation from taking the witness stand. By key parties I mean developer Jeffrey Burum, former Assessor Bill Postmus, and former Assistant Assessor Jim Erwin.

By all accounts the three men who have something to say, if it wasn’t for prosecutors refusal to limit their testimony to the issue at hand.

After all, remember there’s that “crime of the century” hanging out there somewhere over the rainbow.

Just remember, it’s usually about the truth. But not always.

Especially when politics is involved.

Friday, October 22, 2010 – 12:05 p.m.

The jury in the trial of former Assessor employee and Rancho Cucamonga city councilman Rex Gutierrez ended deliberations just after 11:00 a.m. this morning without reaching a verdict.

A jurors medical appointment ended the session early.

Gutierrez is charged with three felony counts related to alleged time card fraud while employed by former Assessor Bill Postmus.

The lack of a quick verdict, as a rule of thumb, usually doesn’t bode well for the prosecution.

So far, no information requests have been made by the jury.

Day three of deliberations will resume on Monday morning.

After watching Tuesday nights debate, the question is, who will suck more of your blood?

Brown

Thursday, August 12, 1010 – 10:00 am

Well what do you know.

California Attorney General Jerry Brown announced yesterday that his office is teaming up with Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley’s office in investigating the salary and pension scandal in the City of Bell.

Truly an epiphany on Brown’s part.

We’ve previously discussed on this blog how such an investigation is under Cooley’s jurisdiction. And Cooley was already investigating Bell when Brown ran him over with his campaign’s free press brigade.

Sources aren’t sure if Cooley has been able to remove Brown’s footprints from his back as of yet.

I almost forgot. If you missed it, Brown is the democratic nominee for California governor, who will face republican Meg Whitman in November.

Cooley is the republican nominee for Attorney General and faces democratic nominee San Francisco County District Attorney Kamala Harris.

It’s a tight race, and Brown who lacks financial resources has been blazing a trail of press conferences using his office of Attorney General.

Take a look at Brown’s official state website press releases and you’ll get the idea.

How many press releases year-to-date?

107….

How many press releases on Brown’s campaign website?

21….

I wonder who’s going to be the lead spokesperson on the Bell investigation?

Brown or Cooley?

Brown

Monday, August 9, 2010 – 9:50 am

Stop the presses!

The Office of the Democratic Candidate for Governor has scheduled a press conference for this morning in Los Angeles.

I’m sorry. I meant Office of the Attorney General.

Yes. Once again we are to bear witness to another round of “righteous indignation” courtesy of Attorney General and Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown.

Another tug by Brown in his wrestling match with Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley as to who is really in-charge here.

Does anyone believe these two men have ever spoken about this matter? It doesn’t seem like it.

Today, Brown is going to announce further developments in his offices investigation into the salary situation in the City of Bell. He’s even going to unveil an “800-number” so residents can report incidents of voter fraud.

Wow!

Hmmm… Isn’t Cooley’s office investigating this aspect? But then again, Cooley is a republican campaigning for Brown’s current job of Attorney General, and Brown is a democrat running for Governor.

Maybe Brown has decided Cooley is more of a shoe-in for AG than democratic San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris and therefore Cooley doesn’t need the spot light.

Cooley has made only limited comments on the Bell investigation. After all it is ongoing.

One things for certain.

Brown’s gonna keep ringing that “Bell” until it falls down.

But let’s look backward first and allow history to speak for itself.

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Sunday, August 1, 2010 – 10:35 pm

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Ramos

Almost six months ago, on two seperate occasions, local private criminal attorney’s personally approached San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos with a complaint.

What was done about the complaints to Ramos? Nothing.

Why? The complaint involved supporters of the District Attorney.

The matter in question was written about in a story published here back in May.

The stunned attorneys eventually met with Third District Supervisor Neil Derry.

Now someone has finally intervened.

The issue? Bail Bond agents, who are political supporters of Ramos, were violating state law by improperly soliciting business. The agents in question were using improper solicitation practices by having inmates inside of county jail facilities refer them business. Such practices usually lead to intimidation of arrestee’s and a cornering of the local bail bond surety market.

Now the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and the State of California Department of Insurance have taken action.

Search warrants executed last Thursday at Bail Hotline Bail Bonds in Rancho Cucamonga is actually a Dba for McGuire Brothers Enterprises, Inc. located in Riverside.

McGuire is a strong supporter of Ramos.

The firm was previously located off Hospitality Lane in San Bernardino.

Here is the link to a story published in todays’ Inland Valley Daily Bulletin newspaper.

I would have missed this gem over the weekend, but a photo in a Sounthern California newspaper was the tip off.

This past weekend San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael Ramos rotated into the Presidency of the California District Attorneys Association (CDAA).

Yes, now the CDAA is stuck with this man as their leader.

Ramos took the gavel at the groups conference in Monterey.

A special guest apparently made the rounds at the conference on Sunday.

The guest you ask? None other than Gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown. (Attorney General in name only)

Consistent with Brown’s campaign tactics to date, he must have been pandering for support from the CDAA.

What’s interesting here? I’ve been told by CDAA members in our local area that the organization does not endorse in political races.

I looked at the CDAA website and found the following statement under the legislative advocacy section:

Please note: As a matter of policy, CDAA does not contribute to political campaigns, attend fund raisers or endorse candidates.

The big question here is, has anyone told Brown?

Can you say hilarious?

Speak of being bent over. Go ask San Bernardino County Public Attorneys Association members.

This attorneys group primarily represents county prosecutors and defense attorneys.

Like a bunch of lap dogs, the group ran out and voted through a labor contract modifcation with San Bernardino County, which effectively cancelled ongoing cost of living adjustments.

The big question is; in exchange for what?

The bargaining unit representing another group of District Attorney employees, the investigators, rejected a similar concession proposal. The investigators, who belong to the Safety Unit, will now get a big fat 7% raise this month.

Yes, the Safety Unit, represented by the San Bernardino County Safety Employees’ Benefit Association (SEBA) rejected their proposal.

What’s troubling is District Attorney Mike Ramos is going to take out the bulk of his budget cuts on his prosecutors, while leaving his own personal police force known as the Bureau of Investigation, mostly untouched.

Can you say duped?

Morrell

Two-time political loser and perennial candidate Mike Morrell is once again showing how desperate he is to win an important public office.

While most candidates in the race for the open AD 63 seat (Republican-Emmerson) have kept the race clean from attacks and focused on the issues, perennial candidate and sub-prime mortgage broker Mike Morrell is resorting to misleading and dishonest attacks against not one, not two, but three of his Republican opponents.

Today, Morrell’s campaign unleashed an untrue and vicious mailer against local elected Republican leaders. Their sin? Being a part-time elected public servant in service to the GOP.

He attacks all three for being “politicians.” Funny Mike. Apparently in Morrell’s twisted head, a twice-failed political wanna-be who has built a career engaged in shady mortgage lending practices is more worthy of election than proven local Republican leaders.

Sub-prime lender Mike Morrell even has the gall to attack the highest ranking elected African-American Republican leader in the Inland Valley for allegedly being weak on illegal immigration.

Talk about a subtle hint at racism Mike. Geez. About as subtle as a two-by-four across the head.

Those who are following Mike Morrell’s campaign shouldn’t be surprised at Morrell’s negative tone in the closing days of the race. Morrell hired Washington, DC political consultants who are at the heart of the Jack Abramoff scandal to guide his third try for elected office. Morrell’s chief strategist, Jason Roe, was so connected to DC scandal that Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign gave him the sack after less than two months on the job.

Roe may have been unwelcome in Boston for Mitt, but Mike Morrell has no problem associating himself with this shady character in the Inland Empire.

As there are several qualified candidates running for the 63rd Assembly District, it is a shame Morrell launches blatantly dishonest attacks against all of his Republican rivals.

Fortunately, voters have several mature and proven conservative options to choose from instead of Mike Morrell, who is proving to be just another -dare I say – politician who will stoop to any low, hire any scandal-tatinted consultant, to win an election.

One of those better options is a candidate whom Mike didn’t attack – Navy veteran Paul Chabot.

Shame on you Mike. The people deserve better.

Many people are asking why it appears San Bernardino County seems to be ignoring many of the problems occurring at its own Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC).

The answer that seems to be surfacing is political.

As in campaign contributions.

Sources tell InlandPolitcs that county politicians routinely request donations from medical service providers. Many of those contributions are handled through various medical groups.

Campaign finance records on file with the County Registrar of Voters indicate medical groups benefiting from lucrative contracts with San Bernardino County routinely contribute thousands of dollars to county supervisors annually.

While normally just a part of politics in this country as whole, what is happening here is a little different. This practice may be intertwined with a situation involving quality of care, saving lives, and potential malpractice cover-up against the backdrop of a profit motive.

Ask yourselves, would you want to be treated at ARMC if you became seriously ill?

If you had to pause before answering the question, that says it all. And tens of thousands of residents have no choice.

If all things were equal, maybe the practice is all right.

But, when conditions deteriorate, as is the case here, it cannot be used as a shield or some form of protection.

The San Bernardino County Public Defender was replaced and outside counsel was appointed for former Assessor Bill Postmus this morning during a hearing in San Bernardino County Superior Court.

Judge Michael Dest barked at Postmus when Postmus attempted to inform the court he didn’t want to be represented by the conflict panel. Dest told Postmus something to the affect of if you don’t like it you can pay for your own attorney.

Redlands Attorney Richard Farquhar was appointed as defense counsel.

Principals for the San Bernardino County Conflict Defense Panel were observed hovering outside the courtroom.

A review of online court records shows the case against Former San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus and Former Assistant Assessor Jim Erwin slated for the courtroom of Assigned Superior Court Judge Duke D. Rouse for all purposes.

Rouse is already assigned to the case filed against Erwin more than a year ago.

Rouse is currently under challenge from Erwin due to his ties to the law firm of Gresham, Savage, Nolan and Tilden, where Rouse was a partner until 2004.

Gresham Savage partner and Rouse friend Richard Marca represents District Attorney Michael Ramos.

Here is the minute orders for both defendants.

Case FSB1000523 Defendant 3121752 ERWIN, JAMES HOWARD – Actions and Minutes

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Case FSB1000523 Defendant 3085961 POSTMUS, WILLIAM JOHN – Actions and Minutes

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InlandPolitics has obtained the names of two deputies who responded to the incident previously published at www.iepolitics.com involving District Attorney Mike Ramos and his alcohol-induced disrespect for law enforcement officers doing there jobs.

Since Ramos went outside the location to speak with Sheriff’s Deputies Gordon and Perea, the definition of “Drunk in Public” could apply.

However, more importantly though, the term “Obstructing or Interfering with an Officer” would seem more appropriate.

Efforts are being made to secure a copy of the digital recording of the incident.

Developing….

Now that the trial of Rancho Cucamonga City Councilman Rex Gutierrez has been continued to June 1st, focus now shifts to a lesser publicized case with even greater potential to inflict major damage to the professional and political career of San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos.

The trial in question involves former District Attorney Investigator Christopher Cardoza.

Cardoza is charged with one count of grand theft related to time card fraud and fourteen counts of computer fraud for allegedly accessing criminal information without an official purpose.

Cardoza is scheduled to go to jury trial on April 19th in front of Superior Court Judge Kyle Brodie in Department S-24.

What makes the Cardoza case even more interesting is since Cardoza was employed by the District Attorney, the California Attorney General is the prosecuting agency.

It’ll be interesting to see if Ramos can get the Attorney General to ask that the trial be pushed back. Who knows, maybe the computer printouts will be on vacation that week.

Cardoza’s trial must commence no later than June 18th or be subject to dismissal.

Things are definitely looking up on the San Bernardino County government front.

New County Administrative Officer Greg Devereaux is rapidly getting a clear picture of county finances and routing out discrepancies. Something everyone is glad to see happen.

Another positive sign coming out of the Government Center is Devereaux apparently scheduled and held meetings with various county administrators, department heads, and managers.

What appeared to be meet and greet scenarios to the individuals involved were actually job interviews. Yes, everyone was interviewing to retain their respective positions.

How refreshing indeed!

Like we’ve been saying here for some time. Expect many departures from county management ranks. A little downsizing may also be in order.

The big question out there is will Devereaux be able to attract quality talent to the county given the present circumstances?

With many more landmines likely to emerge and chatter of an impending major scandal involving the District Attorneys office, the gray clouds over the county will not likely break anytime soon. But positive progress can be achieved.

County supervisors did everyone a great service in their selection of Devereaux. Giving him the latitude to bring change was essential.

A Pre-Trial Conference in the case of Rancho Cucamonga Rex Gutierrez concluded this afternoon with the matter staying on schedule for a Readiness Calendar call Friday at 8:30 a.m.

Currently, the trial is set to commence on April 12.

San Bernardino County prosecutors are reportedly working to put off the trial until after District Attorney Mike Ramos’ June reelection primary.

InlandPolitics has learned San Bernardino County prosecutors are seeking to hold off the trial of Rancho Cucamonga City Councilman Rex Gutierrez on charges resulting from an investigation into the operation of the Assessor’s office under Bill Postmus.

Gutierrez who is charged with four felony counts alleging time card fraud is set to go before a jury on April 12th.

Last Friday prosecutors began to seek a delay in the case over witnesses and their accompanying testimony.

The parties are expected back in court before Superior Court Judge Duke D. Rouse at 1:30 P.M. this afternoon.

The paralysis of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors would appear to be deepening as the weeks pass.

The malaise in county government is no more. Call it “frozen” government.

Be thankful county supervisors are letting their new administrative officer Greg Devereaux manage, and more importantly effect changes without their consent being required at every turn.

What a difference a qualified leader can make.

However, not having board meetings is becoming an acute problem, since most of the supervisors decisions must be made in the public eye.

With an already diminished meeting schedule from the onset of the new year, the board is now also suffering from lack of quorum issues. Whether it’s for legitimate reasons or board members fearful of being arrested by the county’s problem District Attorney, the condition exists never-the-less.

Sources tell the blog that critical budget discussions can’t get off the ground because the entire five-member board won’t be present for a month-long period.

Devereaux needs to use his authority to push through what changes he can given the circumstances.

The county’s next fiscal year starts in just 90 days.

Does anyone really care?

Biane

Well just when you thought you’ve seen it all it.

Now we present Second District Supervisor Paul Biane the corruption fighter and reformer?

Nah! It’s election season.

I haven’t quite figured out what precisely has caused this uncharacteristic behavior from Biane, who is serving in his eighth year on the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.

After all, Biane has always displayed a “taxpayer be damned” attitude in his own conduct, especially when it comes to blowing money.

But, it could be those five challengers to his reelection bid.

Whether it’s his own campaign account or the taxpayer trough, it makes no difference.

The motto is live like a King. Crab legs on ice or caviar, spare no expense.

That’s why I’m sure many of you, like myself, have had to take pause these past few weeks when listening to Biane’s rhetoric.

My God for a moment I thought someone was wearing a Biane mask and making these statements.

Hearing how he started the corruption investigation that has now ensnared himself is interesting. Records show he was desperate to hide the fact of his inv0lvement after throwing Bill Postmus under the bus in August 2007.

But when Biane’s minor roll went public he was forced to own it.

Now we have Biane up in Sacramento pitching for legislation authored by Assemblyman Paul Cook, which would allow for the creation of a second Civil Grand Jury if the Presiding Judge finds it necessary. The idea being there is so much corruption in San Bernardino County we need more help. The pending bill would affect San Bernardino County only.

Besides, what other legislator wants their county connected to anything like this?

The answer is none.

A point was brought up by a member of the District Attorney’s office when the legislation was proposed. That point being, if the county can’t fund the existing Grand Jury full-time, then why create another?

A good point actually.

The true reason? Campaign show and deflection. One thing politicians love to do is be the solution. Unfortunately, the solution path usually involves more laws to reinforce laws already on the books.

What better tactic for Biane to use than morph into an “anti-self”.

Remember the three letters A D D. They stand for “Admit nothing”; “Deny everything”; and “Demand proof”.

Interesting moves for someone like Biane who has steadfastly resisted the formation of a county Ethics Commission and the adoption of Supervisor Neil Derry’s Sunshine Ordinance.

Janice Rutherford

One surprising development in candidate filings last week saw Upland Mayor John Pomierski deciding not to challenge second district supervisor Paul Biane for his seat on the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.

Pomierski earlier this year expressed a desire to run for the seat.

Instead, we now have Fontana City Councilwoman Janice Rutherford wanting the job.

Pomierski had been coddled by the Lewis Group of Companies and encouraged to run.

It would now seem Rutherford has taken Pomierski’s place as the Lewis’ anointed candidate of choice. The Lewis family may view Rutherford as a more pristine challenger of Biane. After all, Pomierski does have a couple vulnerabilities for exploitation.

So why not trade up?

What is apparent is Biane, who has always been viewed as being in the Lewis political camp had lost his usefulness to the developer even before the latest revelations from the ongoing county corruption investigation.

Rutherford will not only need financing from the Lewis’, she will also need Biane’s donors to defect.

Could the Lewis Companies, who are strong supporters of District Attorney Mike Ramos, have known what was in store for Biane?

Of course not.

Nice crystal ball…..

Ramos

InlandPolitics has learned the County of San Bernardino has formally rejected a $1.5 million claim filed by employee Cheryl Ristow, who has now secured a local west-end attorney to initiate civil litigation against District Attorney Mike Ramos and the county.

Ristow, an investigative technician with Ramos’ office who carried out an eighteen month-long affair with the District Attorney alleges in the claim that she was targeted by Ramos and his management team after news of their past relationship was highlighted in a local news publication in May 2009.

Relationships between Ramos and several other women was also revealed in the same article.

A complaint filed by Ristow was the catalyst for a Board of Supervisors-initiated investigation into her treatment. The inquiry conducted by an outside law firm at a cost to county taxpayers of $140,000.00 determined Ramos’s office did nothing wrong. The report resulting from the investigation was mysteriously silent as to the relationship.

Well-placed county sources tell InlandPolitics the outside law firm which investigated the matter told county supervisors Ramos lied to them during the course of the inquiry.

Sources also say the county has requested the investigating law firm produce all backup material and interview notes related to the investigation.

It is believed discrepancies exist between the supporting material and final report.

Ramos has called Ristow a liar in local newspapers and denied having any extramarital relationship.

Developing…

Hansberger

One year later and no word has come out of the San Bernardino County District Attorney as to whether or not he will charge political ally and former Third District Supervisor Dennis Hansberger.

Hansberger’s successor, Supervisor Neil Derry lodged a complaint directly with Ramos on March 2, 2009 alleging Hansberger directed his staff to destroy all of  the Districts correspondence and project files. A violation of county policy and a felony under California law.

Hansberger openly admitted to local newspapers that he directed the action occur.

Click on complaint letter image to enlarge.

Sources confirm that shortly after the complaint was filed, District Attorney investigators interviewed the staffs to Derry and Hansberger and inspected several empty file cabinet drawers.

Sources say District Attorney Investigator Gary Barnes even acknowledged to Derry’s office that what Hansberger had done was a felony.

Ramos, along with retired Sheriff-Coroner Gary Penrod and Congressman Jerry Lewis (R-Redlands) aggressively supported Hansberger’s reelection bid. The three men also recorded radio spots on behalf of Hansberger.

Ramos

Two weeks after the complaint was filed Derry’s chief of staff was arrested by Ramos.

It would seem that Ramos has sent the Hansberger matter into the proverbial black hole as another example of political favoritism.

Last spring the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors embarked on a “score some political points” statement. One that would make them look like corruption fighters.

County supervisors were going to show residents accountability was at hand. The board voted 5-0 to initiate litigation against Former Assessor Bill Postmus and his staff to recover taxpayer funds related to time card fraud. The support for filing the lawsuit was the county’s success at recovering from individuals and businesses related to misconduct in the late 1990′s.

What supervisors received for their vote this time can best be described as a “legal boondoggle”.

The big difference between then and now? Deep-pocketed business defendants then, which is not the case now. The county recovered significant sums with the help of attorney Leonard Gumport.

This time around, the board of supervisors had already hired Attorney John Hueston of the law firm of Irell and Manella to investigate the Assessor’s conduct and operation in order to force the resignation of Postmus.

It succeeded.

However, supervisors were convinced to not only complete the investigation, but file a lawsuit.

The county had already spent nearly $250,000 on the investigation. Ultimately, county supervisors authorized an additional $250,000 to handle the litigation.

Here we are today almost one year later. The litigation costs have escalated well past the approved $500,000 to nearly $700,000 without board of supervisors approval.

County supervisors have been asking county counsel Ruth Stringer how this could have happened.

Stringer in turn has been begging the supervisors for the extra $200,000.

Stringer will get her money this week.

It is unknown how many billable hours have been spent by internal county legal staff on the matter. There is a cost there as well.

Clearly, Hueston was of the belief he was operating with a blank check and Stringer was letting him do it.

The board does have to approve more funds. Hueston has to be paid. It’s not his fault. The whole mess falls on Stringer.

Here are some questions that need to be asked.

1.) How did litigation costs expand to a point that the county can’t even recover what it has spent, let alone anything extra?

2.) How often does this type of unchecked spending occur?

3.) Didn’t the county consider the fact they would never make any meaningful recovery from the targeted defendants?

4.) The county was barred by agreement from pursuing one defendant but did it anyway. Why?

5. ) Apparently, county supervisors never considered they and their staffs would be subpoenaed for depositions over the same type of conduct being alleged against the defendants. What were they thinking?

6.) The county is facing a likely deficit of more than $100 million in its next fiscal year requiring employee cutbacks and concessions. How do the supervisors justify flushing valuable dollars down the toilet?

7.) How much in billable hours has been expended by internal county attorneys?

This major misstep rests entirely on the laps of all five supervisors.

After all their job is to supervise. Isn’t it?

But then again, it’s not their money either.

A not so flattering statistic to say the least.

Ramos

Over the last several years county supervisors have gave additional millions in budget funding to District Attorney Mike Ramos. The result. More plea bargains with criminal defendants.

Several months ago stories ran here and on iePolitics.com exposing substantial political contributions to Ramos by two attorneys who control the San Bernardino County criminal defense conflict panel.

The two attorneys James Spring and Earl Carter have since repackaged themselves. The two have formed the Riverside-based law firm of Carter, Spring, Schank & O’Connor.

Campaign finance records filed by Ramos with the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters show on August 1, 2009 the new firm dropped another $10,000 into the Ramos re-election committee. The recent contribution brings the total that Spring and Carter directed to Ramos to $83,000 since January 1, 2004.

Recent revelations covered by this blog still reverberate within the county legal community.

Sources who have had business dealings with the conflict panel tell of financial difficulties within the group plagued by late payments to employees and contractors. The issues have resulted in threats of going to state labor officials. It is being asserted that the funds from county conflict assignments now subsidize the private practice operations of the law firms involved.

One source also tells of the use of an investigator in the Victorville courthouse who has the primary task of meeting with pre-trial indigent defendants either in or out of custody with a so-called “plea sheet”. The investigator basically suggests to the defendants they should take a plea bargain. The investigator actually works out the plea arrangement and proposed sentence. Remember, this is a non-attorney.

Nearly all defendants agree to the plea arrangements.

The logic behind the process was explained this way. The use of the non-attorney investigator in working out plea deals saves money and only requires an actual panel attorney to spend very little time on each case thereby lowering the ratio of attorney man-hours per case. Since the contract between the conflict panel and the County of San Bernardino pays a flat rate per case, with the exception of complex defenses, there is less attorney time per case, thus more profit.

County prosecutors apparently have no problem with the plea bargain milling of defendants. After all, a conviction is a conviction.

San Bernardino County Public Defender Doreen Boxer is apparently trying to cut back on the number of conflict cases being assigned to the conflict panel due to concerns over quality of representation. Boxer made a proposal to county supervisors in January 2009 to establish a separate alternate defense panel within her department. The structure would mirror that of Los Angeles County and save the county general fund an estimated $750,000 per year.

Riverside County supervisors have just approved the use of alternate-defense panel attorneys on murder cases as a cost savings and quality control measure.

Currently, whenever the Public Defender or the court declares a conflict involving a defendant, the case is farmed out to the conflict panel controlled by Spring and Carter.

The District Attorney lobbied former county administrative officer Mark Uffer and county supervisors against the Public Defender’s plan. County supervisors after one on one meetings with Boxer squelched the idea.

Revelations of a intimate relationship between Ramos and Boxer in 2006 didn’t help matters.

San Bernardino County supervisors have also benefited from the campaign contribution generosity of Spring and Carter, but at no where near the extent of Ramos.

Here is a recap of political contributions by conflict panel attorneys James Spring and Earl Carter.

.

04/12/2004      Earl Carter                        $  2,500.00

04/12/2004      Jim Spring                         $  2,500.00

08/11/2004      Jim Spring                         $  5,000.00

05/06/2005      Earl Carter                        $  5,000.00

05/06/2005      Jim Spring                         $  5,000.00

05/23/2005      Earl Carter                        $  5,000.00

05/23/2005      Jim Spring                         $  5,000.00

07/21/2006      Earl Carter                        $  5,000.00

07/21/2005      Jim Spring                         $  5,000.00

07/13/2007      Earl Carter                        $  7,000.00

07/13/2007      Jim Spring                         $  7,000.00

05/27/2008      Jim Spring                         $ 14,000.00

06/09/2009      Earl Carter                        $  5,000.00

06/09/2009      Jim Spring                         $  5,000.00
08/01/2009      Carter, Spring, Schank & O'Connor  $ 10,000.00

Total                                              $ 83,000.00

.

Questions anyone?

(UPDATE)

InlandPolitics has learned serious questions are being raised and the situation has attracted serious attention.

How many indigent defendant pleas are being engineered before Superior Court Judges for the sole motive of efficiency and profit to conflict panel attorneys and campaign contributions to Ramos?

A practice that may very well have violated the federal civil rights of hundreds if not thousands of convicted defendants and possibly attract the attention of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Sources indicate the numbers could be extreme and raise serious questions related to the potential setting aside of convictions.

Is a scandal developing?

More to follow……….

The charges stem from Gutierrez’s employment with the San Bernardino County Assessor’s office in 2007-08.

The commencement date of the estimated ten day trial is set for April 12, 2010

San Bernardino County currently sports one of the highest, if not the highest plea bargain rates in the state.

A not so flattering statistic to say the least.

Over the last several years county supervisors have gave additional millions in budget funding to District Attorney Mike Ramos. The result. More plea bargains with criminal defendants.

Several months ago stories ran here and at iePolitics.com exposing substantial political contributions to Ramos by two attorneys who control the San Bernardino County criminal defense conflict panel.

The two attorneys James Spring and Earl Carter have since repackaged themselves. The two have formed the Riverside-based law firm of Carter, Spring, Schank & O’Connor.

Campaign finance records filed by Ramos with the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters show on August 1, 2009 the new firm dropped another $10,000 into the Ramos re-election committee. The recent contribution brings the total that Spring and Carter directed to Ramos to $83,000 since January 1, 2004.

Recent revelations covered by this blog still reverberate within the county legal community.

Sources who have had business dealings with the conflict panel tell of financial difficulties within the group plagued by late payments to employees and contractors. The issues have resulted in threats of going to state labor officials. It is being asserted that the funds from county conflict assignments now subsidize the private practice operations of the law firms involved.

One source also tells of the use of an investigator in the Victorville courthouse who has the primary task of meeting with pre-trial indigent defendants either in or out of custody with a so-called “plea sheet”. The investigator basically suggests to the defendants they should take a plea bargain. The investigator actually works out the plea arrangement and proposed sentence. Remember, this is a non-attorney.

Nearly all defendants agree to the plea arrangements.

The logic behind the process was explained this way. The use of the non-attorney investigator in working out plea deals saves money and only requires an actual panel attorney to spend very little time on each case thereby lowering the ratio of attorney man-hours per case. Since the contract between the conflict panel and the County of San Bernardino pays a flat rate per case, with the exception of complex defenses, would mean less attorney time per case, thus more profit.

County prosecutors apparently have no problem with the plea bargain milling of defendants. After all, a conviction is a conviction.

San Bernardino County Public Defender Doreen Boxer is apparently trying to cut back on the number of conflict cases being assigned to the conflict panel due to concerns over quality of representation. Boxer made a proposal to county supervisors in January 2009 to establish a separate alternate defense panel within her department. The structure would mirror that of Los Angeles County and save the county general fund an estimated $750,000 per year.

Riverside County supervisors have just approved the use of alternate-defense panel attorneys on murder cases as a cost savings and quality control measure.

Currently, whenever the Public Defender or the court declares a conflict involving a defendant, the case is farmed out to the conflict panel controlled by Spring and Carter.

The District Attorney lobbied former county administrative officer Mark Uffer and county supervisors against the Public Defender’s plan. County supervisors after one on one meetings with Boxer squelched the idea.

Revelations of a intimate relationship between Ramos and Boxer in 2006 didn’t help matters.

San Bernardino County supervisors have also benefited from the campaign contribution generosity of Spring and Carter, but at no where near the extent of Ramos.

Here is a recap of political contributions by conflict panel attorneys James Spring and Earl Carter.

.

04/12/2004      Earl Carter                        $  2,500.00

04/12/2004      Jim Spring                         $  2,500.00

08/11/2004      Jim Spring                         $  5,000.00

05/06/2005      Earl Carter                        $  5,000.00

05/06/2005      Jim Spring                         $  5,000.00

05/23/2005      Earl Carter                        $  5,000.00

05/23/2005      Jim Spring                         $  5,000.00

07/21/2006      Earl Carter                        $  5,000.00

07/21/2005      Jim Spring                         $  5,000.00

07/13/2007      Earl Carter                        $  7,000.00

07/13/2007      Jim Spring                         $  7,000.00

05/27/2008      Jim Spring                         $ 14,000.00

06/09/2009      Earl Carter                        $  5,000.00

06/09/2009      Jim Spring                         $  5,000.00
08/01/2009      Carter, Spring, Schank & O'Connor  $ 10,000.00

Total                                              $ 83,000.00

.

Questions anyone?



John DeFazio was arrested by District Attorney investigators this morning. His bail is set at $50,000.

The arrest comes just six days after DeFazio filed a claim against the county and District Attorney Michael Ramos.

Causes of action listed in the claim include violation of civil rights, interefence with Defazio’s business, defamation, and slander.

The filing of a claim is a precursor to the filing of a lawsuit.

The arrest also comes on the heels of Ramos announcing his ideas for reforms to put county supervisors power in check.

Developing…..

Posted by Administrator at 18 February 2010

The most recent arrests of former San Bernardino County Assessor William “Bill” Postmus and former Chief of Staff to Supervisor Neil Derry, James Erwin, highlights yet again the disparity in treatment by San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos when compared with other jurisdictions. Ramos clearly is attempting to “punish” those who are political adversaries upfront as he knows the cases against them are weak and convictions are unlikely.

Take a look at the difference between the Postmus/Erwin case and the case of the four San Jacinto City Councilmen who were recently indicted in Riverside County.  The disparity is glaring.

But there is one more factor to consider and that is of the judges who approve the high bails where clearly there is no justification to do so.  Mike Ramos has supported the judges in their attempt to keep the $20,000 benefits package paid to them by the county that Supervisor Neil Derry has tried to end.  Is Ramos receiving fruits from his other political maneuvering?

San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos:

William Postmus: Charged with 16 felonies, 1 misdemeanor, bail set at $350,000, arrested and booked twice

James Erwin:  Charged with 19 felonies, bail set at $600,000, arrested and booked twice

Riverside County District Attorney Rod Pacheco:

James William Ayres:  Indicted on 148 counts, 51 felonies, 97 misdemeanors, bail set at $25,000, allowed to surrender to post bond without arrest

John Richard Mansperger:  Indicted on 136 counts, 40 felonies, 96 misdemeanors, bail set at $25,000, allowed to surrender to post bond without arrest

Jimmie Dale Stubblefield, Jr.:  Indicted on 135 counts, 39 felonies, 96 misdemeanors, bail set at $25,000, allowed to surrender to post bond without arrest

James Walter Potts:  Indicted on 89 counts, 25 felonies, 64 misdemeanors, bail set at $25,000, allowed to surrender to post bond without arrest

To read entire story, click here.