10:00 PM PDT on Monday, July 26, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterrise
San Bernardino County is no longer revealing its litigation costs in its civil lawsuit against former county officials accused of corruption.
County officials say they’re doing so to protect their legal strategy and that state law allows them to keep information about litigation records confidential until the matter is resolved.
Paul Biane
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/24/2010 09:55:39 PM PDT
RANCHO CUCAMONGA – Paul Biane plucked a cabernet grape from a vine at his family’s winery and pinched the grape between his fingers to expose a green seed inside.
When the seeds are brown in color and the sugar content high, the grapes are ready to harvest, he explained.
The winery’s blended table wine hasn’t been produced commercially for some time, but the 46-year-old San Bernardino County supervisor talks of expanding operations and selling the wine again after he’s done with politics.
July 22, 2010 5:38 PM
Natasha Lindstrom
SAN BERNARDINO • Two months after San Bernardino County placed him on paid leave amid harassment allegations, the 2nd District’s former top aide has taken a new county position as an assistant recorder.
Matt Brown, previously chief of staff to 2nd District Supervisor Paul Biane, was put on administrative leave in early May, days after Brown sent his boss a letter alleging he was being threatened and retaliated against for cooperating with a corruption investigation. The environment was so hostile, Brown wrote in the letter, that it led to him seeking medical help.
10:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, July 21, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
A former top aide to San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Biane who has been out on paid leave for two months is taking a new position as assistant recorder.
Larry Walker, the county’s auditor/controller/recorder/treasurer/tax collector, announced in a memo to his staff Tuesday that Matt Brown, until recently Biane’s long-time chief of staff, had joined his office.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 – 02:57 pm
Updated: Tuesday, July 20, 2010 – 06:07 pm
Last Update: Tuesday, July 20, 2010 – 08:02 pm
Well, well, well………Can you say ouch?
Matt Brown, now former chief of staff to Second District Supervisor Paul Biane is now being called Assistant Recorder. Even though county human resources classification database lists no such position title.
Brown would appear to be assuming the assistant department head position previously held by Elizabeth “Betsy” Starbuck, who was fired last Friday.
James Rufus Koren, Staff Writer
Created: 07/20/2010 05:39:24 PM PDT
San Bernardino County leaders are applauding a new law that will allow the county to have more than one grand jury, but it’s not clear if or when the law might be used.
The law, signed last week by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, gives the county’s presiding judge the ability to create a second civil grand jury that would be able to investigate government entities in the county.
10:00 PM PDT on Friday, July 16, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI and DUANE W. GANG
The Press-Enterprise
San Bernardino County pays the highest car allowance of any Southern California county and provides it to the most employees, according to a survey released this week.
The $1,123-a-month stipend, provided to officials and staff members who use their own vehicles instead of county-owned cars, is almost twice as much as in other nearby counties.
A county union has moved to recover legal costs from San Bernardino County after the judge hearing a lawsuit filed by the county encouraged them to do so.
A lawsuit filed against the San Bernardino County Public Attorney’s Association by the County, at the recommendation of County Counsel Ruth Stringer and Public Defender Doreen Boxer, was dismissed a few months ago.
At that time the judge in the case, Christopher Warner, expressed his displeasure at the county for bringing such a ridiculous action.
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!
Written by Administrator
July 13th, 2010 at 8:17 pm
Almost two years ago I argued with a chief or staff or two as to why it would be wrong and unethical for the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors to bypass Fifth District Supervisor Josie Gonzales and give the vice-chairmanship to newcomer First District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt. Josie had paid her dues; it was her turn in the rotation; and it would look bad, not only because she was the only minority and woman on the board, but also because the corruption scandal was just heating up and no one really knew at that time if Mitzelfelt would be dragged into it as Postmus’ chief of staff. We wrote a number of articles chastising the board for even considering not electing her to the position she earned.
The ongoing saga involving San Bernardino County supervisor Paul Biane and his apparently former chief of staff Matt Brown just keeps getting better and better.
During our last update we informed you that Brown was reportedly balking at taking a position in the Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector’s office.
Sources at the time were telling InlandPolitics.com Brown wanted his legal bills paid for by the county.
Now we have learned of a new request.
John “JP” Pomierski
Cloud over Upland
Mayor’s future is on the line
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 07/10/2010 07:08:31 AM PDT
UPLAND – Mayor John “JP” Pomierski was elected by Upland voters to save the city from the verge of bankruptcy.
The citizens trusted his abilities as an Upland businessman to lead them to the financial stability the city enjoys now, 10 years later.
But his own business dealings have come under scrutiny by federal investigators. A June 10 raid by FBI and IRS agents on Pomierski’s home, City Hall and two local businesses has left residents questioning the integrity of the mayor who helped pull the city out of its fiscal darkness, and wondering what his future might be.
10:00 PM PDT on Monday, July 5, 2010
Cassie MacDuff
San Bernardino County administrator Greg Devereaux continues to put his imprint on the county government.
Devereaux announced last week that he’ll move at least nine Board of Supervisors staff members under his office, where they will serve the supervisors but report to him.
Ramos
Sources inside the San Bernardino County’s District Attorney and County Administrative Offices are quietly confirming the cost of DA Mike Ramos’ alleged corruption investigations involving multiple individuals has exceeded $5 million.
A huge taxpayer price tag for Ramos’ reelection showcase and political vendetta.
10:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, June 30, 2010
By JEFF HORSEMAN
The Press-Enterprise
The staffs working directly for the five San Bernardino County supervisors have almost doubled since 2003, costing millions of dollars, coming not from the general fund but from the board’s discretionary accounts, a report released Wednesday states.
An annual report by the county grand jury said that money should be in the general fund to cover the county’s budget shortfall, which stood at $89.1 million prior to Monday’s passage of a 2010-11 spending plan.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Created: 06/30/2010 09:20:01 PM PDT
During the last fiscal year, San Bernardino County supervisors used $2.6million earmarked for special projects and programs in their districts to fund additional staffing in their offices, the Grand Jury has found.
Since 1999, each county supervisor has been allocated discretionary funds to fund special projects and programs benefitting their communities. The amount each supervisor has received since 2005 ranges from $400,000 to $750,000, according to the 2009-2010 Grand Jury report released Wednesday.
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.
James Rufus Koren, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/29/2010 06:07:17 PM PDT
San Bernardino County’s West Valley juvenile hall will close early next year and the county Probation Department could lose as many as 39 officers as it seeks to cut $10.2 million from its budget.
West Valley Juvenile Detention and Assessment Center in Rancho Cucamonga will close in March, seven probation-corrections officers will be laid off next month and 32 more officers could lose their jobs by the end of the year, Chief Probation Officer Michelle Scray said Tuesday.
James Rufus Koren and Joe Nelson, Staff Writers
Posted: 06/28/2010 06:23:41 PM PDT
San Bernardino County’s budget for the new fiscal year calls for cutting hundreds of county jobs and holding off on raises for many county employees.
County leaders approved the 2010-11 spending plan Monday. The new fiscal year begins July 1.
The $3.8 billion spending plan calls for cutting 529 county positions. County leaders acknowledged the budget included “painful decisions” but said it will help the county remain on solid financial ground into the future.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/21/2010 06:55:33 PM PDT
Three days after his job at the San Bernardino County Assessor’s Office was eliminated, Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez asked developer Jeff Burum to persuade then-Assessor Bill Postmus to extend his pay until he found another job.
State and local prosecutors on Monday introduced as evidence in Gutierrez’s trial an e-mail the councilman sent to Burum on Oct. 10, 2008 – three days after the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors eliminated Gutierrez’s position as intergovernmental relations officer at the Assessor’s Office.
Written by Administrator
June 13th, 2010 at 5:49 pm
So is our illustrious San Bernardino Board of Supervisors up to stupid again? We hope not. But we won’t know for sure until Tuesday’s meeting. BOS agenda item No. 16 has left us scratching our heads. This board item approves new,2-year contracts with all of the various medical providers for Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC), with the exception of the Anesthesia contract, which is extended six months.
Rutherford
With a November run-off with San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Biane on the horizon, Fontana Councilwoman Janice Rutherford can’t be the least bit pleased with this mornings FBI/IRS raids believed to be focused on Upland Mayor John “J.P.” Pomierski.
Pomierski is a staunch supporter and ally of Rutherford in her quest to unseat Biane.
Pomierski is also the only Upland politician to support San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos for reelection.
I can definitely see Rutherford throwing Pomierski under the bus.
10:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, June 9, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Biane and Fontana Councilwoman Janice Rutherford are preparing for a lengthy campaign in which an ongoing corruption investigation is likely to continue to dominate the debate.
In his bid for a third term representing the 2nd District, Biane managed only a slim lead against Rutherford in Tuesday’s election, with 34 percent to her 31 percent. With neither candidate able to garner more than 50 percent of the vote, they will face off in November.
08:47 AM PDT on Thursday, June 10, 2010
Cassie MacDuff
Two incumbents fared poorly in Tuesday’s election: Riverside County District Attorney Rod Pacheco and San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Biane.
But this was none of the anti-incumbent fever sweeping politics nationwide.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/09/2010 06:52:06 PM PDT
A cloud of suspected corruption hanging over the heads of San Bernardino County supervisors Paul Biane and Gary Ovitt didn’t prevent them from coming out ahead in Tuesday’s primary election.
Biane received 34 percent of the vote and faces a runoff election in November with his challenger, Fontana Councilwoman Janice Rutherford.
It was an interesting but not unexpected appearance at the election night party for county supervisor candidate Janice Rutherford.
Guess who showed up last night just after the second Election Day vote results were updated showing colleague and Second District Supervisor Paul Biane in a close race and definite November runoff with Rutherford?
As of the 11:51 P.M. update by the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters there was no placement change from previous results.
There is still a large number of precincts in the 2nd Supervisorial District left to be counted.
Biane
San Bernardino County supervisor Paul Biane will face Fontana Councilwoman Janice Rutherford in a November runoff.
In early numbers both Biane and Rutherford are in a tight first and second placing.
Chaffey Union High School trustee Art Bustamonte is pulling a distant third place.
.
Results as of 10:32 P.M. on 06/08/2010
Biane 34.14 % 4,687 Votes
Rutherford 31.14 % 4,275 Votes
Bustamonte 16.43 % 2,256 Votes
Paul Biane
San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Biane continues to raise funds as election day approaches.
Biane reported new contributions as follows: Read the rest of this entry »
Primary ballot filled with key local, statewide races
James Rufus Koren and Joe Nelson, Staff Writers
Posted: 06/05/2010 09:23:48 PM PDT
Two crowded Assembly races, a billionaire-on-multimillionaire gubernatorial battle and a fistful of county and judicial contests await voters in Tuesday’s primary election.
Most of the excitement on the ballot comes in nonpartisan races for county office and in Republican races for state offices.
Growth brings in donors
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/01/2010 09:59:31 PM PDT
The mayoral campaigns in some of the Inland Empire’s fastest growing cities rake in more than $100,000 each in political contributions.
The last mayoral race in Montclair, a city with little room to grow, brought in $13,000 in contributions.
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.
10:00 PM PDT on Sunday, May 30, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
Fontana Councilwoman Janice Rutherford raised more money during the most recent campaign fundraising period than San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Biane, whom she is challenging in the June 8 election, according to campaign finance reports filed Thursday.
Rutherford reported $136,196.25 in campaign donations between March 18 and May 27, while Biane reported $101,756 in contributions during the same period.
A review of campaign finance disclosures filed with the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters this week gives some interesting twists in the race involving Second District Supervisor Paul Biane.
Biane is seeking a third term amongst a field of five challengers. A run-off is all but assured.
Rutherford
Sandra Emerson Staff Writer
Created: 05/27/2010 06:19:42 PM PDT
San Bernardino County’s $102 million settlement with a Rancho Cucamonga developer has been a major influence in the endorsements for supervisor by four elected Upland officials.
Mayor John “JP” Pomierski, Councilman Ray Musser, Councilman Ken Willis and City Treasurer Dan Morgan have announced their support for Fontana Councilwoman Janice Rutherford for county supervisor against 2nd District incumbent Paul Biane.
Written by Administrator
May 24th, 2010 at 9:02 am
“Justice cannot be for one side alone, but must be for both. — Eleanor Roosevelt”
So far in this series we have discussed the District Attorney’s office and the Conflict Panel. There are three other components to justice, or the lack thereof, in San Bernardino County: the Public Defender, the Sheriff’s Department, and the Superior Court bench. Today, we will discuss the office of the Public Defender.
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.
Written by Administrator
May 19th, 2010 at 2:07 pm
Sometimes I really wonder who is the worst lawyer, District Attorney Mike Ramos or County Counsel Ruth Stringer. From Ramos we have learned that the Constitution of the United States is not applicable in San Bernardino County, at least not in connection with political enemies. And County Counsel Ruth Stringer has taught us that copulation involving public resources is covered by the “deliberative process” and therefore not subject to review, not that we wanted to review the copulation, only the expenditures attached thereto.
Evidence is surfacing that a major cover-up is in progress at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC). Allegations surfaced months ago that San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Second District Supervisor Paul Biane and Fifth District Supervisor Josie Gonzales received extensive free medical care at ARMC. A complaint has been filed with the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) alleging Form 700 violations due to the fact that these supervisors, along with former County Administrative Officer Mark Uffer, received free medical care, which constitutes a gift of public funds, and did not report said gifts as required by law on their Form 700s.
San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Biane ended a not so good week taking an ironic slap at a former friend and colleague.
The week started with a new controversy surrounding a complaint from Biane’s chief of staff Matt Brown. Brown claims he’s being harassed and retaliated against for cooperating with county investigators in a probe which has targeted his boss. Brown’s complaint letter made waves for Biane most of the week.
Then yesterday comes along this beauty of a campaign piece delivered to Second District mailboxes.
May 06, 2010 4:39 PM
Natasha Lindstrom
SAN BERNARDINO • Days after claiming he’d been harassed and threatened for helping investigators in a corruption probe, the top aide to a county supervisor has been placed on paid administrative leave.
The county has informed Matt Brown, chief of staff to 2nd District Supervisor Paul Biane, that he should not return to work while the county looks into his allegations, county spokesman David Wert said.
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.
Supervisor Paul Biane
Joe Nelson and Wendy Leung, Staff Writers
Posted: 05/05/2010 07:00:59 PM PDT
The chief of staff to San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Biane has been placed on paid administrative leave, after claiming this week that he was being harassed and retaliated against for cooperating in an ongoing corruption probe.
Matt Brown’s leave became official Tuesday when the county launched an investigation into his allegations, county spokesman David Wert said Wednesday.
Written by Administrator
May 5th, 2010 at 11:34 am
Just when we think the corruption scandal involving the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors can’t possibly get better, it always does. The most recent revelation is from Second District Chief of Staff, Matt Brown. He confessed on Monday to being one of the informants against his boss, Supervisor Paul Biane.
And he claims he is being retaliated against for the same.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Created: 05/04/2010 06:16:05 PM PDT
The county on Tuesday launched an investigation into allegations that Matt Brown, chief of staff for Supervisor Paul Biane, has been subjected to repeated harassment and retaliation for cooperating with state and local prosecutors in a corruption probe.
In a letter addressed to his boss and carbon-copied to the other four members of the Board of Supervisors on Monday, Brown pleaded for the alleged misconduct to stop and said he has been under the care of a doctor for job-related stress.
10:09 PM PDT on Tuesday, May 4, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
The chief of staff to San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Biane revealed Monday that he has been cooperating with authorities in an ongoing corruption investigation and is facing retaliation as a result.
In a letter to Biane, Matt Brown states that he has been questioned by the district attorney and attorney general’s office and the grand jury about members of the Board of Supervisors. As a result, he said he has faced daily questions along with harassment and veiled threats about his job.
Mitzelfelt calls for investigation into accusations
May 04, 2010 4:47 PM
Natasha Lindstrom
SAN BERNARDINO • The top aide to a county supervisor said he’s been harassed and threatened for cooperating with criminal investigators in a far-reaching corruption probe.
Matt Brown, chief of staff to 2nd District Supervisor Paul Biane, has sent a letter pleading with Biane to put an end to “continued harassment, reprisal, retaliation or adverse action as a result of my cooperation with law enforcement.”
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/03/2010 07:42:05 PM PDT
The chief of staff for San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Biane said in a letter Monday that he has been the victim of repeated harassment and retaliation for cooperating with prosecutors in an ongoing corruption probe.
In the letter addressed to his boss, Brown outs himself as a witness in the criminal investigation of the county’s $102 million legal settlement with Rancho Cucamonga-based developer Colonies Partners LP in November 2006. State and local prosecutors allege the settlement was tainted by conspiracy, bribery and extortion.
Written by Administrator
May 3rd, 2010 at 8:54 pm
So now San Bernardino County Second District Chief of Staff Matt Brown has outed himself as a witness for the prosecution in connection with the current Colonies scandal. Surprise . . . surprise . . . surprise.
We could have told you that! Well, actually we already did tell you so . . . a very long time ago.
10:00 PM PDT on Friday, April 30, 2010
Cassie MacDuff
Now that they’ve done it, San Bernardino County supervisors’ decision to make a “limited waiver” of attorney-client privilege in the controversial $102 million Colonies settlement seems so obvious.
Why did it take two months to come up with such a simple solution?
11:19 PM PDT on Thursday, April 29, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI and DUANE W. GANG
The Press-Enterprise
Fontana city officials are accusing San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Biane of sending out a misleading campaign mailer that attacks Councilwoman Janice Rutherford, one of his opponents in the June 8 election.
The mailer criticizes Rutherford, saying she is a “big spender” who went on a “reckless shopping spree with your $$$!” It features Rutherford’s photo on a likeness of the Energizer Bunny but with “spending” written across the drum.
Devereaux warned, Biane cleared in private-jet ethical probe
April 28, 2010 4:26 PM
Natasha Lindstrom
SAN BERNARDINO • Two top San Bernardino County officials investigated by the state campaign watchdog for possible ethical violations related to a cross-country trip on a private jet will not face any penalties.
The nonpartisan Fair Political Practices Commission has cleared 2nd District Supervisor Paul Biane of any violations and issued a warning to County Administrative Officer Greg Devereaux.
Paul Biane
Race for supervisor turns negative
James Rufus Koren, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/28/2010 06:35:12 PM PDT
The campaign for San Bernardino County’s Second District supervisor seat became decidedly more contentious this week.
Incumbent Paul Biane went on the offensive in a campaign mailer, calling Fontana Councilwoman Janice Rutherford – his chief challenger in June’s election – a “big spender” of public dollars.
By PE Politics
on April 28, 2010 10:32 AM
Fontana Mayor Mark Nuaimi is slamming a re-election mailer sent out by San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Biane.
The mailer criticizes Fontana Councilwoman Janice Rutherford, one of Biane’s opponents in the June 8 election, for being a “big spender” and for going on a “reckless shopping spree with your $$$!”
It features Rutherford’s photo on a likeness of the Energizer Bunny but with “spending” written across the drum.
Greg Devereaux
10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, April 27, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI and DUANE W. GANG
The Press-Enterprise
A state watchdog agency issued San Bernardino County Administrative Officer Greg Devereaux a warning letter while finding that Supervisor Paul Biane violated no ethics rules over a private jet trip both accepted from a Rancho Cucamonga developer.
Both men accompanied Ray Crebs, a member of Colonies Partners, on a private flight in September 2008 to West Virginia. Devereaux, who took over as county administrator this February, was Ontario city manager at the time.
06:48 PM PDT on Tuesday, April 27, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
Special Section: San Bernardino Co. Probe
Ending a standoff with state and local prosecutors, San Bernardino County supervisors agreed Tuesday to provide them with documents in the Colonies Partners legal settlement that is at the center of an extortion and bribery investigation.
The Board of Supervisors voted 3-0, with Supervisors Paul Biane and Gary Ovitt not participating, to a limited waiver of its legal privilege a week after prosecutors threatened to take the county to court.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Created: 04/27/2010 07:40:38 PM PDT
San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Biane and County Administrative Officer Greg Devereaux responded Tuesday to findings from a state Fair Political Practices Commission investigation regarding a trip they took to West Virginia.
San Bernardino County prosecutors asked the FPPC on Jan. 11 to look into whether Devereaux and Biane properly reported the September 2008 trip on campaign finance and gift disclosure forms. The two flew on a private jet with Dan Richards, co-managing partner for Rancho Cucamonga-based developer Colonies Partners LP, and Ray Crebs, an investor in Colonies Partners.
The private jet the four flew on belongs to Crebs.
April 27, 2010 3:01 PM
Natasha Lindstrom
SAN BERNARDINO • A week after State Attorney General Jerry Brown threatened to sue the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, three board members on Tuesday agreed to waive some of their attorney-client privileges to assist a wide-ranging corruption investigation.
“The board voted to approve a limited and restricted waiver of the attorney-client privilege to the District Attorney and the Attorney General’s office relative to the earlier litigation that culminated in a settlement agreement in November of 2006 … in the Colonies settlement matter,” County Counsel Ruth Stringer reported when the board emerged from closed session shortly after 2 p.m. “This waiver is restricted and limited to the prosecutors under California law and will only be used by the prosecutors in the criminal investigation and any resulting prosecutions.”
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/27/2010 08:49:27 PM PDT
The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday agreed to allow state and local prosecutors to examine confidential information from its litigation with Rancho Cucamonga developer Colonies Partners LP to facilitate a corruption probe.
Board members Josie Gonzales, Brad Mitzelfelt and Neil Derry voted 3-0 in favor of a “limited and restricted waiver” of the supervisors’ attorney-client privilege, which will allow prosecutors to examine documents from the case file and interview attorneys retained by the county during the heated litigation.
Prosecutors first requested the waiver on March 12 and then threatened legal action last week after two meetings with County Counsel Ruth Stringer and two closed-session meetings of the Board of Supervisors failed to produce a resolution.
The California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) has issued a “No Violation” letter to San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Biane regarding a 2008 trip to West Virginia.
Biane accompanied then-Ontario City Manager Greg Devereaux and Colonies Partners Dan Richards and Ray Crebs to attend a West Virginia Mountaineers football game.
Devereaux has since been appointed San Bernardino County Administrative Officer.
The California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) has issued a “warning” letter to San Bernardino County Administrative Officer Greg Devereaux.
The warning letter is a result of a September 2008 trip to West Virginia with Supervisor Paul Biane and Colonies Partners Dan Richards and Ray Crebs.
Today, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors in closed session voted to waive attorney-client privilege on litigation and discussions related to the settlement with Colonies Partners LP.
The waiver is restricted and limited to the criminal investigation into the settlement.
Supervisors Ovitt and Biane did not participate in the discussions on the matter.
The waiver was requested by the California Attorney General.
Tuesday morning the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors will considering waiving its attorney-client privilege protecting communications related to the litigation and 2006 settlement of the lawsuit between the County Flood Control District and Colonies Partners, LP.
The $102 million settlement was to compensate for damages created by flood control actions resulting from the construction of the 210 freeway in Upland.
Written by Administrator
April 26th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
It is expected that the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors will discuss the California Attorney General’s request that the county waive its attorney-client privilege regarding the $102 million Colonies settlement in closed session during their April 27, 2010, regularly-scheduled meeting. Second District Supervisor Paul Biane and Fourth District Supervisor Gary Ovitt have both recused themselves. Third District Supervisor Neil Derry and Fifth District Supervisor Josie Gonzales have suggested they will vote in favor of waiving privilege. Only Supervisor Mitzelfelt has not committed one way or another.
Written by Administrator
April 26th, 2010 at 5:20 am
There is quite a potential for bombshells dropping this week in a number of ongoing corruption-related issues.
On Monday, we have the arraignment of former San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus and former Chief of Staff Jim Erwin. It is expected that the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office will turn over discovery for the case. This may very well prove to be interesting. First, the rumor that the District Attorney may ask for a gag order would be funny if it didn’t keep popping its ugly head up. If true, it begs the question, “What is the District Attorney trying to hide?” Well, that has birthed a few more rumors, the most prevalent of which is that among the discovery will be information showing that Second Supervisorial District Chief of Staff Matt Brown dropped a dime on his boss, Supervisor Paul Biane. Rumors of Matt’s pending termination have been running rampant for a couple of weeks now.
Role with developer goes unreported in state filing
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/25/2010 06:07:40 PM PDT
Dan Richards, a co-managing partner of Rancho Cucamonga-based developer Colonies Partners LP, failed to report his interest in the company on state public-disclosure forms for 2007 and 2008, records show.
Richards, a renowned commercial real estate broker appointed by the governor to the state Fish and Game Commission in February 2008, has been identified by state and local prosecutors as a co-conspirator in an alleged scheme to defraud San Bernardino County taxpayers by securing a $102 million legal settlement from the county in November 2006.
Executive Editor Frank Pine
Posted: 04/24/2010 07:03:10 PM PDT
In two days, San Bernardino County’s Board of Supervisors will decide whether to hand over to state and local prosecutors confidential information related to the county’s legal wrangling with Colonies Partners LP over a controversial land dispute.
The dispute was settled in 2006, when the board voted 3-2 to pay Colonies $102 million for legal expenses, land and flood-control improvements on the developer’s Upland property.
10:00 PM PDT on Friday, April 23, 2010
Cassie MacDuff
Tired of waiting, the state attorney general has issued an ultimatum to San Bernardino County supervisors: Either surrender the confidentiality of your lawyers’ advice on a controversial $102 million settlement, or we’ll see you in court.
In a strongly worded April 20 letter, Senior Assistant Attorney General Gary W. Schons expressed frustration with the “unacceptable delay” holding up his office’s criminal investigation into whether the settlement with Colonies Partners was tainted by corruption.
The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) complaints against San Bernardino County Second District Supervisor Paul Biane, Fifth District Supervisor Josie Gonzales, and former County Administrative Officer Mark Uffer have been resubmitted as it did not appear, based on their response, that the FPPC understood the basis of the first complaint.
The complaint alleges the following:
Ramos
Written by Administrator
April 22nd, 2010 at 9:01 pm
San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos attended last night’s meeting of the San Bernardino County Republican Central Committee (SBGOP) to ask for their endorsement of his re-election bid. Arriving late, he indicated that he had been busy and needed to get back to his “family.” Ramos, however, was denied the endorsement.
Mike Cruz, Staff Writer
Created: 04/22/2010 07:28:42 PM PDT
San Bernardino County First District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt appears to hold the decisive vote in a requested waiver of attorney-client privilege in an investigation by state and local prosecutors in the Colonies lawsuit settlement.
Supervisors Neil Derry and Josie Gonzales seem ready to approve the request while Supervisors Paul Biane and Gary Ovitt, who voted in favor of the 2006 settlement payment of $102 million to a Rancho Cucamonga developer, have recused themselves from upcoming vote and have denied any wrongdoing.
Mike Cruz, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/21/2010 06:37:16 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – At least two supervisors say they’ll vote to give prosecutors details of the county’s $102 million settlement with Colonies Partners LP amid signs a resolution is near to a month-old request by investigators.
The settlement is at the center of a broad corruption investigation being conducted by state and local prosecutors.
07:43 PM PDT on Wednesday, April 21, 2010
By IMRAN CHORI
The Press-Enterprise
State and local prosecutors are threatening to take San Bernardino County supervisors to court to compel them to release documents in the Colonies Partners legal settlement that is at the center of an extortion and bribery investigation.
The San Bernardino County district attorney and state attorney general’s offices are seeking access to legal documents and attorneys hired by the county as part of an investigation alleging that the $102 million settlement with Colonies Partners was part of an illegal conspiracy involving extortion and $400,000 in bribes.
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.
Postmus
Former San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus was under pressure from county administrators and supervisors in 2007 and 2008 to limit reductions in assessed property valuations.
The concern at the time was that Postmus was going to bring down assessed property values in accordance with Proposition 8 at a faster pace than desired.
10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, April 13, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
San Bernardino County supervisors Tuesday again delayed making a decision on a request from prosecutors for access to documents in the Colonies Partners legal settlement.
At their April 27 meeting, supervisors will continue their closed-session discussion on whether to waive attorney-client privilege in the Colonies case, said county spokesman David Wert.
No decision came out of today’s San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors meeting as to whether or not county supervisors will waive attorney-client privilege related to the settlement between the Flood Control District and Colonies Partners, L.P.
Board Chairman Gary Ovitt and Second District Supervisor Paul Biane have recused themselves from the decision-making process.
Supervisors are not scheduled to meet again until April 27th.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/11/2010 09:57:55 PM PDT
Two years after settling a contentious lawsuit with Rancho Cucamonga developer Colonies Partners LP for $102 million, the county paid $6.4 million for a building in which Colonies co-managing partner Jeff Burum had a financial interest.
Former County Administrative Officer Mark Uffer said he learned from a staff member of Supervisor Paul Biane in March 2008 that then-county Assessor Bill Postmus was interested in purchasing the building on the southeast corner of Haven Avenue and Arrow Boulevard in Rancho Cucamonga, which Postmus planned to use for office space.
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.
Has anyone read pages 129-137 of the Mark Uffer Claim Against the County? They can be found here: Uffer-Document
Pages 129-137 consist of the questions Mark Uffer proposed the Grand Jury ask others, including Supervisor Paul Biane and Chief of Staff Mark Kirk. Those questions are quite revealing. The question is, “Are they legitimate?”
Biane
The legal tab for Second District Supervisor Paul Biane increased further during the first quarter of 2010.
Campaign finance disclosure records filed with the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters show Biane paid another $13,069.75 to the law firm of Corbin, Fitzgerald and Athey LLP.
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.
March 31, 2010
Now just in over 70 days, two-term Board of Supervisors member Paul Biane will stand before voters as he seeks his third term for the board of supervisors’ Second District. This will no doubt be Biane’s most difficult re-election campaign ever by far, as he is being challenged by five candidates, with one being the very credible (on paper) Janice Rutherford who is serving her third term as councilwoman for the beautiful city of Fontana.
Rutherford has served as an aide to Republican Party poohbah Bill Leonard in his capacities at a Senator, Assemblyman and member of the state Board of Equalization.
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.
Written by Administrator
March 30th, 2010 at 11:00 am
FPPC complaints have been filed against San Bernardino County Supervisors Josie Gonzales and Paul Biane as well as former County Administrative Officer Mark Uffer. The complaints all allege that these three individuals, along with countless other politicians and department managers, have been the recipients of free medical services at the county’s hospital, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC), and have failed to report the gifts on their Statements of Economic Interests (Form 700).
James Rufus Koren, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/29/2010 05:59:52 PM PDT
Allegations of corruption and sexual harassment don’t appear to have hurt the fund-raising abilities of incumbent San Bernardino County officials who are seeking re-election in June.
District Attorney Mike Ramos, the subject of a harassment claim from a former employee, and supervisors Paul Biane and Gary Ovitt, whose offices are tied to a corruption investigation, have hundreds of thousands in campaign cash, while their opponents have little or no money to speak of, recent campaign finance disclosure documents show.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/29/2010 06:16:08 PM PDT
Local and state prosecutors met with San Bernardino County Counsel Ruth Stringer on Monday to press again for the release of confidential attorney-client information regarding the county’s controversial legal settlement with Rancho Cucamonga-based developer Colonies Partners LP.
Stringer met with Assistant District Attorney Jim Hackleman and Senior Assistant Attorney General Gary Schons for about two hours.
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.
11:32 PM PDT on Wednesday, March 24, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
Two San Bernardino County supervisors who have been linked to a corruption investigation into the 2006 Colonies Partners settlement announced Wednesday that they would not take part in discussions of whether to share legal information with prosecutors.
Meanwhile, the state attorney general and San Bernardino County district attorney continued to pressure the county to waive its attorney-client privilege in the case, welcoming an offer from the county to meet to discuss the request.
10:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Cassie MacDuff
Stepping aside from discussions on whether to give prosecutors legal documents in the Colonies settlement was the right move for San Bernardino County supervisors Paul Biane and Gary Ovitt.
Both voted in favor of the controversial $102 million settlement in 2006; Biane and Ovitt’s chief of staff are unnamed co-conspirators in alleged criminal wrongdoing.
Paul Biane
SAN BERNARDINO – San Bernardino County Second District Supervisor Paul Biane released the following statement on Tuesday regarding his decision to voluntarily recuse himself from participating in the Board’s vote on whether to waive attorney client privilege as requested by the Attorney General.
“I stand by my earlier statements that I did absolutely nothing wrong or unethical when I made the very difficult decision to settle the lawsuit following Judge Warner’s tentative ruling indicating the County would likely not prevail in court.
10:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, March 17, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
State and local prosecutors are seeking legal documents from San Bernardino County’s 2006 settlement with Colonies Partners as part of their investigation into whether the $102 million agreement was part of an illegal conspiracy.
In a letter delivered to supervisors Tuesday, the California attorney general’s office and San Bernardino County district attorney asked the Board of Supervisors to waive its attorney-client privilege in the Colonies litigation and make available all the relevant documents.
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.
10:00 PM PDT on Monday, March 15, 2010
By DUANE W. GANG, IMRAN GHORI and JIM MILLER
The Press-Enterprise
Inland voters now know who their choices will be for the upcoming June 8 primary election after Friday’s filing deadline for candidates.
For Inland legislative seats, these candidates returned filing papers.
In the 62nd Assembly District incumbent Wilmer Amina Carter, of Rialto, will face Gil Navarro, of San Bernardino, in the Democratic primary. Republican Jean Ensley, of Rialto, also is in the race.
10:00 PM PST on Saturday, March 13, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
San Bernardino County could have up to three civil grand juries impaneled under state legislation being considered that one supervisor says could serve as a meaningful reform.
The bill, introduced last month by Assemblyman Paul Cook, R-Yucca Valley at the request of the county, would allow two more panels with the ability to investigate local government.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Created: 03/12/2010 08:38:30 PM PST
A dozen candidates will be running against incumbents or appointed San Bernardino County officials on the Board of Supervisors, in the Sheriff’s Department and the offices of district attorney and assessor in the June primary.
In Los Angeles County, there was little apparent county-wide interest — with one exception — in running for office. In the assessor’s race, 11 candidates filed papers by Friday’s 5 p.m deadline.
Paul Biane
10:00 PM PST on Thursday, March 11, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
Fontana Councilwoman Janice Rutherford filed election papers to run against San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Biane Thursday, making her the third challenger to take on the incumbent in the June 8 election.
Rutherford and Biane are past political allies who have endorsed each other in their respective races. As recently as September, Biane listed Rutherford as one of his supporters when he announced his re-election bid.
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 03/11/2010 05:52:43 PM PST
UPLAND – Mayor John Pomierski has announced he will not run for a spot on the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.
For several months, Pomierski was rumored to be considering a chance to unseat 2nd District Supervisor Paul Biane.
Pomierski made the announcement on Thursday at a fundraiser. He endorsed Fontana Councilwoman Janice Rutherford.
InlandPolitics has learned Fontana City Councilwoman Janice Rutherford has opened a campaign committee with the California Secretary of State and will challenge Second District Supervisor Paul Biane in June.
As of this evening only Dennis Labadie and Peter Markovich have returned their nomination papers to the Registrar of Voters.
10:14 PM PST on Monday, March 8, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Biane is proposing that the county suspend its lawsuit against three agencies to recover damages over a $102 million lawsuit settlement — the same settlement that has lead to two bribery and extortion arrests
Biane said the Board of Supervisors will consider the proposal to halt the lawsuit for now in closed session at its March 23 meeting.
Rutherford
Sources tell InlandPolitics Fontana City Councilwoman Janice Rutherford will likely challenge Second District Supervisor Paul Biane for his seat on the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.
Rutherford took out nomination papers in mid-February and who has recently become outspoken against Biane and county government has until 5 P.M. Friday to file.
Bill Postmus
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Created: 03/06/2010 09:14:16 PM PST
In 2008, the San Bernardino County Grand Jury released a scathing report of the Assessor’s Office, citing egregious hiring practices and a lack of qualified staff under the reign of then-Assessor Bill Postmus.
It triggered a criminal investigation by the District Attorney’s Office that ultimately led to Postmus’ downfall.
Postmus came under fire for hiring political consultant and friend Michael Richman to do public relations work for the office under a no-bid purchase order contract.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/03/2010 06:07:46 PM PST
San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG), the county’s transportation planning agency, passed a resolution Wednesday demanding that the county commissionan independent investigation of its $102 million legal settlement with a Rancho Cucamonga developer in November 2006.
Cassie MacDuff
10:00 PM PST on Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Cassie MacDuff
What never made sense to me about San Bernardino County’s $102 million settlement with Colonies Partners — besides the price tag — was why county officials gave up a fight they seemed to have a fair chance of winning.
In 2003, a judge in Rancho Cucamonga ruled against the county in the dispute with Colonies over a flood-control basin on the company’s land in Upland.
But in 2005, the state Court of Appeal overturned it, ruling in favor of the county on some issues and sending others back to a local court.
In July 2006, a different local judge ruled against the county even more strongly than the Rancho Cucamonga judge had.
Just when you thought things couldn’t get worse for San Bernardino County government it does.
From a Board of Supervisors under siege to a county-run medical center falling into disarray, things are pretty bad.
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.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/01/2010 02:58:28 PM PST
District Attorney Michael A. Ramos called for tighter regulation of political action committees as a way to combat corruption, but some county supervisors questioned whether they have the authority.
Supervisor Neil Derry said local governments cannot impose tighter restrictions on state-regulated PACs. He said a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that found it unconstitutional to place limits on how much corporations and unions can directly give to city elections has prompted the cities of San Diego and Los Angeles to lift contribution limits in their cities.
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”.
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.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/24/2010 09:45:41 PM PST
District Attorney Michael A. Ramos on Wednesday released a slate of proposed governmental reforms he feels are necessary to thwart the legacy of corruption in San Bernardino County.
During a meeting with The Sun’s editorial board, Ramos said cleaning up corruption in the county will be part of his platform in his re-election campaign this year.
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.
Cassie MacDuff
10:00 PM PST on Monday, February 22, 2010
Why does one public official’s failure to disclose a gift, income or property warrant criminal charges, while others get off with mere fines?
I’ve wondered about that since the arrest last year of former San Bernardino County Assistant Assessor Jim Erwin on 10 felonies.
Erwin is headed for trial on charges related to not disclosing a trip back East on developer Jeff Burum’s private jet and a Rolex watch Burum gave him.
11:48 PM PST on Saturday, February 20, 2010
By DUANE W. GANG
The Press-Enterprise
A public-private partnership designed to ease the Inland region’s foreclosure crisis has just sold its second house and is rehabbing seven more, the group’s executive director said.
But as the Inland Empire Economic Recovery Corporation moves toward its goal of renovating and selling 100 houses this year, challenges remain.
The nonprofit public-benefit corporation must find two new board members; it could lose Riverside County as a partner this week, and it must deal with any potential fallout from an ongoing corruption investigation that has put its chairman and two of the businessmen that lobbied for its creation under scrutiny.
10:00 PM PST on Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Cassie MacDuff
Lawyers for two former San Bernardino County officials accused of bribery, conspiracy, extortion and other felonies came out swinging this week against the witness on whose testimony the case hinges.
In separate phone interviews Wednesday, lawyers for former county Supervisor Bill Postmus and former assistant assessor Jim Erwin attacked the credibility of their clients’ former assessor’s office colleague, Adam Aleman.
Rutherford
The political chatter is heavy this morning with Fontana City Councilwoman Janice Rutherford rattling the sabre at Second District Supervisor Paul Biane.
And of course, rumors have it that hiding behind the scene with Rutherford is the Lewis Group of Companies pledging their financial support.
James Rufus Koren and Wendy Leung, Staff Writers
Posted: 02/16/2010 07:08:37 PM PST
Corruption charges filed last week by the District Attorney raise the political stakes for all of the elected officials involved.
Both prosecutors who brought the charges – District Attorney Michael A. Ramos and Attorney General Edmund G. “Jerry” Brown – and two county supervisors with ties to the case are up for election this year.
Supervisor Paul Biane
By
PE Politics
on February 16, 2010 11:31 AM
San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Biane is set to announce his campaign for re-election tonight in Ranch Cucamonga.
But Biane’s quest for a third four-year term comes at a time of turmoil for the supervisor. Biane is widely believed to be John Doe 5, the unnamed and uncharged co-conspirator described in a criminal complaint unveiled last week by District Attorney Mike Ramos and Attorney General Jerry Brown.
By Joe Nelson
Posted: 02/16/2010 03:52:28 PM PST
The county will put off suing a Rancho Cucamonga developer and defendants in an ongoing corruption probe by the District Attorney and state Attorney General’s offices, the Board of Supervisors announced today.
The board met in closed session this afternoon to receive a briefing from county counsel relative to the issues concerning initiation of litigation regarding the Nov. 28, 2006 $102 million settlement between the county and Colonies Partners LP over flood control improvements at the Colonies Crossroads residential/commercial development in Upland.
Current supervisor, chief of staff targeted as ‘co-conspirators’
February 15, 2010 5:28 PM
Natasha Lindstrom
SAN BERNARDINO • The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors is holding a special meeting Tuesday to discuss recent developments in the ongoing corruption probe that now targets a current supervisor and chief of staff as unindicted co-conspirators.
Fifth District Supervisor Josie Gonzales called for the emergency meeting last week, shortly after District Attorney Michael A. Ramos and state Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. held a joint press conference Wednesday to announce new charges in what they called the largest corruption scandal in the county and possibly California.
Supervisor Paul Biane
11:34 PM PST on Sunday, February 14, 2010
By DUANE W. GANG
The Press-Enterprise
In summer 2007, San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Biane became concerned that improper political activity was taking place inside the office of then-Assessor Bill Postmus.
Biane, then Board of Supervisors chairman, directed staff to turn over to prosecutors copies of e-mails showing that political campaign work was being done on county computers and on county time in the assessor’s office.
11:40 PM PST on Saturday, February 13, 2010
By DUANE W. GANG
The Press-Enterprise
San Bernardino County faces a $90 million budget shortfall for next fiscal year, leaving supervisors grappling with ways to overcome it. Widespread budget cuts are likely.
Starting this week, supervisors must begin adjusting to work with a new county administrative officer, his new leadership style and other possible management changes he may want.
Mike Cruz, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/13/2010 05:02:59 PM PST
SAN BERNARDINO – When county supervisors gather Tuesday to decide what to do about the massive government corruption alleged by state and local prosecutors, four of the five board members say they will remain objective despite close personal ties to the scandal’s key figures and events.
Last week’s arrests of former county Supervisor Bill Postmus and former assistant assessor Jim Erwin raised new questions about the county’s $102 million payout to settle a lawsuit with developer Colonies Partners four years ago.
Posted by Administrator at 12 February 2010
Sacramento-based sources claim that Senator Robert Dutton (R-31) will throw his hat into the ring to unseat embattled San Bernardino County Second District Supervisor Paul Biane. Three others, Upland Mayor John “JP” Pomierski, KCAA radio host Peter “Scott” Markovich, and publisher of The Alpenphorn News, Dennis Labadie, have all expressed interest in the seat, with the latter two having already declared their candidacies.
Posted by Administrator at 12 February 2010
As previously reported, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors (BOS) is only meeting this year 27 out of 52 weeks, which proves we could do just fine with a part-time Board of Supervisors. Besides for the usual 12 “dark” weeks due to regular holidays, the BOS has found an additional 13 holidays to celebrate to justify their additional “darkness.”
James Rufus Koren and Joe Nelson, Staff Writers
Posted: 02/11/2010 09:21:37 PM PST
San Bernardino County prosecutors involved in the conspiracy case against former county Assessor Bill Postmus and Jim Erwin, a former assistant assessor, aim to show how easily political action committees can be used to launder payoffs to public officials.
Prosecutors say a handful of PACs controlled by Postmus, Erwin and others were used to funnel bribes from the development group Colonies Partners. The bribes, prosecutors say, were in exchange for support of a $102 million settlement approved by county supervisors in 2006.
11:04 PM PST on Wednesday, February 10, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI, DUANE W. GANG and JOHN ASBURY
The Press-Enterprise
California Attorney General Jerry Brown and San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos announced sweeping charges Wednesday in a corruption case involving county supervisors, their staff and a politically connected developer.
Prosecutors filed criminal charges — including bribery, conspiracy and extortion — against Bill Postmus, 38, a former county supervisor and assessor; and Jim Erwin, 47, a former assistant assessor and former chief of staff to a county supervisor.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/10/2010 09:50:01 PM PST
Prosecutors charged two former county officials with conspiracy, bribery and extortion on Wednesday in what was described as the “biggest corruption scandal in San Bernardino County’s history.”
Former Assessor Bill Postmus, 38, of Victorville and former Assistant Assessor Jim Erwin, 47, of Highland were arrested by district attorney’s investigators early Wednesday morning and booked into jail in lieu of $225,000 bail and $380,000 bail, respectively.
It seems San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Biane would like all of us to drink his flavor of “Kool-Aid”.
However, in Biane’s case it’s either a bottle of Kettle One vodka or a few bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Biane, who himself has apparently been a subject of focus by District Attorney Michael Ramos is attempting to woefully spin a ridiculous story that no one believes.
Supervisor Paul Biane
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Created: 02/05/2010 07:28:45 PM PST
San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Biane has hired a law firm specializing in white collar crime to represent him in an ongoing Grand Jury investigation and corruption probe by the District Attorney’s and state Attorney General’s offices.
Campaign finance records released Monday show that in the last half of 2009, Biane paid out nearly $50,000 from his campaign coffers to the Los Angeles law firm Corbin, Fitzgerald & Athey LLP. Two payments were made between July 1 and Dec. 31 for $35,000 and $14,782.53.
Supervisor Paul Biane
10:00 PM PST on Thursday, February 4, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Biane retained a criminal defense attorney last fall to advise him before he testified in front of a grand jury, the supervisor said Thursday.
Biane’s campaign finance documents filed Monday for the period between July 1, 2009 to Dec. 31, 2009 show two payments totaling about $50,000 to the Los Angeles law firm of Corbin, Fitzgerald and Athey. The firm specializes in white-collar criminal defense and business litigation, according to its Web site.
Posted by Administrator at 3 February 2010
The story from InlandPolitics below is simply amazing. We all heard the rumors of District Attorney Mike Ramos putting the screws to Supervisor Paul Biane. We heard stories of him being in hiding and waiting for District Attorney investigators to show up at his door to place him in handcuffs. His attendance at Board of Supervisors meetings waned. He looked sullen when he did appear in public. Some suspected it was his alcoholism but those in the know knew it he was scared to death.
Supervisor Paul Biane
Campaign finance records obtained from the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters reveal a county supervisor retained a criminal defense attorney last year.
Apparently, Second District Supervisor Paul Biane was concerned enough over an investigation by District Attorney Mike Ramos that he retained legal counsel. Records show Biane paid $49,782.53 from his campaign funds to the Los Angeles-based law firm of Corbin, Fitzgerald and Athey LLP for legal services.
The campaign finance disclosure statements for members of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors have some interesting characteristics of note.
Here is the annual summary of all five supervisors who collectively raised $899,384.54 in 2009.
Not bad for a poor economy.
Read the rest of this entry »
Supervisor Paul Biane
Posted by Administrator at 2 February 2010
Crestline resident and KCAA radio host Peter “Scott” Markovich has announced his candidacy for the position of San Bernardino County Second District Supervisor currently held by Paul Biane. Markovich is the second opponent to announce his intentions to run. His website can be found at: http://www.markovichforcountysupervisor.com/
10:00 PM PST on Tuesday, February 2, 2010
By JIM MILLER, DUANE W. GANG and BEN GOAD
The Press-Enterprise
Most candidates for Inland local, legislative and congressional seats headed into the election year with well-fortified campaign treasuries, new filings show.
Campaign-finance reports due this week show that Inland candidates raised more than $2.2 million during the final months of 2009 for ballots in the spring and fall.
Riverside County is home to the 37th state Senate District, where there will be a special April 13 primary election to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of former Sen. John Benoit.
