Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown is apparently becoming a little sensitive to criticisms he is using his official capacity of Attorney General as a campaign platform.

In a Los Angeles Times story yesterday, Brown defended his investigation into pay practices in the City of Bell, deflecting allegations by the Meg Whitman campaign, that his actions were a campaign stunt.

Maybe someone should ask Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley. The man with the tire tracks across his back.

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Brown

Thursday, July 22, 2010 – 08:38 pm

Listeners to the KFI AM-640 John and Ken show were treated to a surprise unannounced five minute call-in from California Attorney General Jerry Brown this evening.

Brown wanted to talk about his new investigation into the City of Bell salary scandal. However, John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou wanted to talk about illegal immigration.

Prior to Brown’s call-in John and Ken had adopted Calbuzz’s nickname for Brown, a.k.a “Krusty”.

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San Bernardino County officials have taken a new approach at inquiries into costs associated with civil litigation related to alleged time card fraud in the Assessors operation under Bill Postmus.

The new approach? We’re not going to tell you.

Yes, that’s right. An official request for an updated legal cost figure was met with the following response. The cost of taxpayer-sponsored litigation is now confidential!

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Sources tell InlandPolitics.com that Matt Brown, chief of staff for county supervisor Paul Biane has been offered a position with Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector Larry Walker.

But it seems Brown is balking at taking the job.

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Next week the attorney for Rex Gutierrez is expected to begin presenting his defense to what is now being reported as a bored-looking jury.

The big question is who from the county government center will get a subpoena slapped in their hand?

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You can usually tell a newspaper and their agenda when you contrast and compare stories by two reporters for two different newspapers, who are sitting in the same room.

The two newspapers in this case? The San Bernardino Sun/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin and the Riverside Press Enterprise.

The subject? The corruption trial of former Assessor employee and Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez.

The reporters? Joe Nelson for The Sun and Richard K. De Atley for the Press Enterprise.

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Yesterday’s pre-trial court hearing in the case against Rancho Cucamonga City Councilman and former Assessor’s employee Rex Gutierrez was interesting to say the least.

Between Friday and Monday’s proceedings you would have thought it was two different cases.

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Biane

The cost of San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Biane’s legal representation has blown past the $100,00 mark.

Campaign finance records filed by Biane last week reveal payments of $17,820.60 to the Los Angeles-based law firm of Corbin, Athey & Fitzgerald LLP. The additional payments puts the total paid to the firm at approximately $81,000.00.

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A local San Bernardino Certified Public Accountant probably regrets hooking his wagon to District Attorney Michael Ramos.

CPA Marvin Reiter signed on as Ramos’ official campaign treasurer and now suffers the potential consequences of his decision.

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One things for certain.

San Bernardino County doesn’t want any bad news made public. And when it does go public by way of internal leaks, the course of action is to downplay or deny.

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The small efforts deployed against San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael Ramos might be somewhat comical, but that’s about it.

The two term incumbent DA is on a sure path to reelection in a little more than two weeks. The two attorneys in the race, Frank Guzman and Bob Conaway, lack ability to raise the necessary funding for a successful candidacy.

Ramos effectively dissuaded any serious contenders from coming forward and challenge him.

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(Click image to enlarge)

www.iepolitics.com

Obviously, Deputy McGruff has failed at his assignment.  We need the big guns.  Time to call on the National Guard.  We hear these signs are all over the west end.  We need to line the streets with militiamen and tanks to be sure we are all safe from these dreaded signs.

Like, umm, where can I get one to go with my Frank Guzman sign?

Finally! One of the alleged corruption cases is on the radar screen. Really it is!

The case calendar of Rancho Cucamonga City Councilman Rex Gutierrez now has a trial approaching.

Gutierrez is charged with grand theft and other crimes related to alleged time card fraud during his tenure at the Assessor’s office.

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Ramos

Words can speak volumes about motivation.

On February 18, 2010 after arriving back back at LAX/Ontario International Airport from a trip to Sacramento, San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos was elated after receiving a text message on his cell phone telling him the the Petition for Review filed by Defendant Jim Erwin was denied by the California State Supreme Court.

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** The following Letter to the Editor of the Press Enterprise newspaper was forwarded to InlandPolitics.com yesterday due to its non-publication.

I write in response to the story “Corruption campaign part of San Bernardino County DA’s race” by Richard K. De Atley. If you wonder why your circulation is declining it is because you have abdicated your responsibility to “investigate.” You simply report – or rather repeat whatever you are told. The public corruption in San Bernardino County is partly the responsibility of the press who act like press agents for politicians rather than skeptical seekers of the truth. You acknowledge the bloggers; making it evident that you are aware of other sources of information or “news.”

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Ramos

In a Press Enterprise story published this past week, opponents trying to unseat San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos lashed out at the two-term incumbent and provoked a response.

Challengers Frank Guzman and Bob Conaway hammered away at Ramos for his handling of corruption investigations and his womanizing within his department.

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As if anyone with an ounce of intelligence couldn’t see it coming, the obvious was revealed this evening.

Matt Brown, Chief of Staff to Second District Supervisor Paul Biane has a civil attorney. The attorney being none other than Sanford Kassel.

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www.iepolitics.com

Written by Administrator
May 1st, 2010 at 6:57 pm

Justice in San Bernardino County has become as elusive as a Sasquatch or the Lockness Monster.  Perhaps not as evident to the public but obvious to many of those close to the system who witness the backroom deals, the personal relationships between opposing parties, and the actions taken for political gain.

Only in San Bernardino County do we have the Public Defender sleeping with the District Attorney literally; the Conflict Panel, which is supposed to represent indigent defendants, donating heavily to the District Attorney and Sheriff; and judges with financial arrangements connected to officers of the court.

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It’s really getting deep here.

While I’m glad to see the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors make available to prosecutors materials related to the Colonies settlement, the legal premise is kind of interesting.

I can’t seem to find any licensed practicing attorney that buys the restrictive limited waiver story.

The uniform response seems to be a waiver is a waiver.

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I was spending some time over the last few days giving some thought to former County Administrative Officer (CAO) Mark Uffer’s teaching job at California State University, San Bernardino and came up with some more appropriate courses I believe should be instituted at the school.

Uffer is currently assigned to teach PA 664 – Management of Public Organizations, a graduate level course.

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Written by Administrator
April 21st, 2010 at 12:47 pm

Our county’s resident lying snitch is at it again. Yes that’s right. Pinocchio aka Confidential Informant No. 1 aka the yellow singing Canary, aka Adam Aleman is bragging once again about the testimony he gave to the San Bernardino County Grand Jury this past Monday and Tuesday. Now, he has already pissed the Grand Jury off once by altering evidence he sent to them. That brought about just a few felonies. Now, he seems to have forgotten he is not supposed to be telling us all what was said during the hearing.

But, this is the brash young Mr. Aleman and he can’t help himself.

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This mornings somewhat interesting news headlines once again cover the ongoing saga over the battle of the legal minds involving the request by State Attorney General Jerry Brown and San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos for the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors to waive their Attorney-Client privilege related to closed session discussions on the Colonies Settlement.

A hard-hitting letter from the Attorney General demanding county supervisors waive privilege found its way to the county this week.

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If you’re a public employee, can your boss read your text messages sent from your work-issued telecommunications device?

And if your superiors can read your text messages, can they then discipline you for your action and charge you the cost associated with sending them?

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A source familiar with last years Grand Jury proceedings focusing on the investigation into the Colonies Settlement is alluding that two more names were in play during the proceedings.

Apparently, on the wall of the Grand Jury room where testimony was being taken were enlarged Department of Motor Vehicles photographs of seven individuals.

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Ramos

Records filed with the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters by District Attorney Mike Ramos reveals the two-term prosecutor has paid almost $10,000 in campaign funds to a private law firm he retained to deal with allegations made by aformer mistress who works in his department.

Records show that between January 1, 2010 and March 17, 2010, Ramos paid the sum of $1,560.00 to the law firm of Gresham, Savage, Nolan, and Tilden.

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One thing is certain. San Bernardino County’s budget problem is far more severe than anyone ever imagined. Especially the employee unions.

Looking at their websites and the information being provided to their members it appears everyone is about to be blind-sided by more bad news.

The county is clearly going to want the unions to cancel all negotiated wage and benefit increases. Yes, I said “cancel” not “defer”. A cancellation would have delayed any significant layoffs. Not anymore. Expect both.

As a matter of fact talk of “concessions” could rear its ugly head.

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Well now the long-awaited Uffer claim has hit the presses will all the fan fare one would expect.

The April fool’s day filing is only fitting.

Let’s get this straight. Mr. Uffer wants to be made whole until his claim/case is resolved, meaning he wants full pay and benefits to continue beyond his one year severance.

It doesn’t take much to blow holes in this so-called claim by a whistle-blower.

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Information regarding the Colonies litigation is trickling out and what is being said is not surprising at all.

While state and county prosecutors work to obtain access to privileged legal discussions and materials in an effort to prove their corruption case, InlandPolitics has developed a few fragments of what is being described as a tense litigation process.

While the revelations covered in this story have been briefly touched on over the past several months, a little more clarity is appearing.

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Just when you thought you had seen it all with the American justice system we are treated to another dose of U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights, San Bernardino County style.

In a letter from the Office of the California Attorney General dated March 17, 2010, Senior Assistant Attorney General Gary Schons makes a “Joint” request on behalf of his office and the San Bernardino County District Attorney to the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors requesting they waive attorney-client privilege related to the now nationally-renowned $102 million Colonies Settlement.

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Information coming out related to the corruption probe being conducted by the San Bernardino County District Attorney is raising serious questions this morning.

Sources with knowledge into one of the cases says information turned over to the defense for High Desert developer John DeFazio may clear him of charges.

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Ramos

As previously written about on local political blogs including this one, San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael Ramos is no stranger to using his official office to apply pressure for political advantage.

This year is no exception.

Looking back, Ramos’ prior conduct was sending a message that many quietly picked up on.

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A claim filed by the former mistress of District Attorney Mike Ramos is once again on the closed session agenda of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors this morning.

Rumors have been circulating that an official request for the production of what is commonly referred to as “back-up material” or “work product” related to the investigation into Ramos’ relationship and treatment of District Attorney employee Cheryl Ristow has been rejected by the law firm hired to do the work.

It is our understanding case law holds that the material is public record.

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Information has been provided to InlandPolitics relevant to prior conduct of an investigator with the San Bernardino County District Attorney. The information raises questions related to credibility.

The investigator in question currently has a lead role within the District Attorney Public Integrity Unit and sources confirm he is playing a major role related to decision-making and tactics in the ongoing county corruption investigation.

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A major allegation contained in the recent announcement of charges in the “windshield crack-like” corruption investigation into San Bernardino County government by District Attorney Mike Ramos and Attorney General Edmund “Jerry” Brown has some interesting twists.

Ramos earlier this week announced a series of reforms necessary to put the power of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors in check.

Strangely enough, one of the proposed reforms didn’t involve a measure to curb abuse in the expenditure of campaign funds.

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So now San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos has decided county supervisors have too much power.

It’ll be interesting to see if county supervisors in California’s other 57 counties agree. Not likely.

In an obvious campaign maneuver Ramos made the rounds with local newspaper editorial boards this week touting his so-called “white paper” on reforming county government.

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The escalation of actions between the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors and District Attorney Mike Ramos can be described in no other words than “Political War”.

While county supervisors sweep their offices for surveillance devices, Ramos tramples over Title 18 of the United States Code in his quest for political dominance in the county.

Title 18 covers violation of civil rights under color of law.

Something that now appears to have finally caught the eye of federal investigators.

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Election 2010: California Governor

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Former eBay CEO Meg Whitman now runs dead even with likely Democratic nominee Jerry Brown in California’s gubernatorial contest.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of likely California voters finds Republican hopeful Whitman and Brown tied with 43% each. Six percent (6%) like some other candidate, and eight percent (8%) are undecided.

A month ago, Brown, a longtime California political figure who now serves as attorney general, posted a four-point lead over Whitman, 43% to 39%. In November, the two were tied at 41% apiece.

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The term “idiot” and San Bernardino County Supervisor Josie Gonzales remain synonymous.

San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos and Attorney General Jerry Brown made sensational corruption allegations last week as an intro to their respective election campaigns.

Allegations that must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

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On the final page of the 28-page settlement agreement between the San Bernardino County Flood Control District, The County of San Bernardino, and the Colonies Partners, L.P. is a Mediator’s Statement.

Inquiring minds are wondering if someone mentioned this minor paragraph to Attorney General Brown before his political speech yesterday morning?

The Mediator, Edward Panelli, Associate Justice of the California State Supreme Court (Retired) rendered his opinion as to the settlement reached.

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District Attorney Mike Ramos

Pathetic.

There’s just no other word to describe it. Well maybe “disingenuous” might work as well.

Does San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos have an honest bone in his body?

Since the re-election window is approaching on the event horizon, our illustrious District Attorney has embarked on taking credit for everything around. Sources tell InlandPolitics this may soon include the invention of sliced bread.

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Remember John Hueston?

Hueston is the “special counsel” who brought a civil action against Republican Party official and former San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus and several of Postmus’ former aides and advisors.

His civil lawsuit against Postmus was heralded by the anti-Postmus crowd and unquestioned by the local media.

Maybe it’s time for the media – and more importantly, the board of supervisors – to start asking pertinent questions

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More questions continue to be raised regarding the recently released report into the conduct of District Attorney Michael Ramos and his department, involving a former mistress of Ramos.

I last focused on statements made to investigators by Ramos and the number of inconsistencies.

Now let’s look at the treatment of Investigative Technician Cheryl Ristow. Ristow had a 17-month long affair with Ramos in the 2003 to 2005 period of time.

Even though it would now appear it was more of a relationship of necessity and convenience for Ramos.

Wanna have sex? Just pick up the phone.

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The long-awaited investigation into sexual-related misconduct and work place activity of District Attorney Mike Ramos and his department management staff was released yesterday afternoon. The investigation was triggered by allegations made against Ramos and his managers by Cheryl Ristow, an employee in the District Attorney’s office.

True-to-form, San Bernardino County fails to disappoint by creating a bigger mess.

Local newspapers jumped on the “Ramos is cleared” band-wagon immediately. One even attacked the claimant Cheryl Ristow in the headline.

Ramos immediately claimed vindication on all fronts and denied everything once again.

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InlandPolitics.com has received permission to use excerpts from a journal submitted as an exhibit by the complainant to county investigators.

The journal is handwritten and covers the time period from April 24, 2004 through July 25, 2005.

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This is the first of a multi-part series delving into the investigation of alleged misconduct by District Attorney Michael Ramos.

Tomorrow, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors will consider the release of the Ramos investigation report. The report, all memos, findings, conclusions, and most importantly the interview notes are subject to public disclosure. It will be interesting to see what county supervisors do.

As expected, inside sources say that only Supervisor Derry is for full disclosure.

Here is two exhibits in the Ramos investigation provided to county investigators. However, County Counsel Ruth Stringer neglected to mention it in the memo clearing Ramos of a “Purported” relationship, hostile work environment, and retaliation.

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Was the true scope of the law firm hired by San Bernardino County Human Resources Director Andrew Lamberto to mount a politically explosive investigation really focused on just three questions?

Will county supervisors answer that question soon, or just try and delay until after the June election.

The Santa Monica office of the law firm of Curiale Hirschfeld Kraemer, LLP was hired to investigate misconduct allegations leveled against District Attorney Michael Ramos and certain members of his management team by Investigative Technician Cheryl Ristow. Ristow says she had a 17-month long affair with Ramos and that when the affair became public last May she was retaliated against after expressing concerns to management.

The choice of the law firm was Lamberto’s decision.

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Supervisor Paul Biane

Was there a deal cut to protect San Bernardino County’s beleaguered district attorney Mike Ramos?

Certainly looks like it.

Multiple sources confirm to InlandPolitics that the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors cut a deal, where Ramos’ investigation of alleged political malfeasance in county government would be punted off to be handled as an administrative matters by the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) in Sacramento.

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Grand Terrace City Councilman Jim Miller waived his right to a preliminary hearing in San Bernardino County Superior Court today.

The move sets the stage for an immediate jury trial on a single count of conflict of interest by a public officer, a felony.

The move follows a formal rejection of a plea offer of a single misdemeanor count that would require Miller to resign from office.

Miller was charged by District Attorney Michael Ramos for voting to approve what is referred to as a check disbursement register that is routinely placed on the Grand Terrace City Council consent calendar.

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Hansberger

Yes, just when you think it couldn’t get any more ridiculous than it already is. Coming out of left field, but not totally unexpected.

Murmurings are beginning to surface out of the Redlands contingent that ousted former county supervisor Dennis Hansberger may be in revenge mode.

Wait, I forgot.

Hansberger is always in revenge mode.

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The new year is just four days old, but there is a sense of optimism in the air. Jobless claims are finally stating to edge ever-so-slightly downward, there was a decrease in holiday fatalities brought on by excessive partying, and county government continues on a positive progression forward with the upcoming selection of a new county administrative officer.

With so much of which to look forward, county government needs to focus on one glaring exception to the otherwise wonderful steps in the right direction

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By Senor Blogger
December 7, 2009

Sacramento was thrown into chaos this morning as San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos announced that former San Bernardino County Supervisor and current Governor Schwarzenegger Secretary of the State Consumer Services Agency, Fred Aguiar was under criminal investigation for illegal use of government property.

Specifically, Aguiar is the focus of his decision to use taxpayer resources to pay for fuel on a personal trip in his publicly-financed automobile. Aguiar’s gasoline purchase was discussed in an article that appeared in the Sacramento Bee yesterday. Read the rest of this entry »