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.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/23/2010 05:57:50 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDIN0 – In a motion seeking dismissal of state charges of extortion and bribery against former San Bernardino County assistant assessor Jim Erwin, Erwin’s attorney claims state and county prosecutors have failed to clearly state the charges, thereby thwarting Erwin’s ability to properly defend himself.
Criminal defense attorney Rajan R. Maline on Friday filed the motion in San Bernardino Superior Court, in which he also alleges that the three-year statute of limitations has expired for the offenses in which both Erwin and former county Assessor Bill Postmus stand accused.
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.
Gutierrez
Jurors’ remarks provide encouragement
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/03/2010 09:50:18 PM PDT
Prosecutors say they are not deterred by their failure to convict Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez and are convinced they’ll do better the second time around.
Assistant District Attorney Jim Hackleman said prosecutors had a chance to talk to jurors following the mistrial that was declared Wednesday in the two-week trial of Gutierrez, 50, who is charged with two felony counts of grand theft and one felony count of filing a false claim.
District Attorney Mike Ramos / Attorney General Jerry Brown
.
Thursday, July 1, 2010 – 10:00 a.m.
Once thing is for certain.
San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos drawing Attorney General Jerry Brown into his crusade against his political enemies was a smart move.
Even though Defendant Jim Erwin pushed him into it.
Another interesting aspect of today’s deliberations in the Rex Gutierrez trial was the request for testimony read-back by the jury.
The jury requested the court reporter read-back testimony of the defendant.
It was the defense’s turn this morning in San Bernardino County Superior Court in the trial of Rancho Cucamonga city councilman and former Assessor employee Rex Gutierrez.
Gutierrez is facing three felony counts related to alleged time card fraud while working for Assessor Bill Postmus.
County alleges fraud in Assessor’s Office
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/27/2010 07:02:50 AM PDT
As the trial of Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez comes to a close this week, a civil lawsuit against the defendant and four other former executive staff at the county Assessor’s Office lingers on.
The county filed the lawsuit on May 12, 2009, the same day a county-commissioned investigative report detailing alleged misconduct in the Assessor’s Office under the reign of Assessor Bill Postmus was released to the public.
Gutierrez
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/23/2010 06:42:31 PM PDT
Defense attorney James Reiss rested his case Wednesday in San Bernardino Superior court following testimony from four character witnesses in the trial of Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez.
Each of the character witnesses described the Gutierrez as an “honest man.”
Rex Gutierrez
Gutierrez rejects Burum link to job
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/22/2010 08:08:23 PM PDT
Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez took the witness stand Tuesday in his own defense, denying allegations that his nearly two-year employment in the San Bernardino County Assessor’s Office was political in nature and influenced by developer Jeff Burum.
Defense attorney James Reiss began presenting his case Tuesday in San Bernardino Superior Court in the trial of Gutierrez, 50, who is charged with felony grand theft, misappropriation of public funds and filing a false claim.
Prosecutors’ strategy may set stage for future trials
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Created: 06/19/2010 06:14:18 PM PDT
The week-old trial of Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez marks the first jury test of the theory by prosecutors that developer Jeff Burum engaged in a broad conspiracy to influence San Bernardino County officials and enrich themselves at the expense of taxpayers.
Gutierrez, 50, is charged with felony grand theft, misappropriation of public funds and filing a false claim for allegedly performing political or city business while collecting a salary as an intergovernmental liaison in the county Assessor’s Office.
Gutierrez
By Mike Cruz
Posted: 06/09/2010 03:58:55 PM PDT
Jury selection got underway this morning in the criminal trial for Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez in connection with alleged malfeasance at the county Assessor’s Office.
Two panels of potential jurors were on tap for the jury selection process before Judge Duke Rouse in San Bernardino Superior Court. Gutierrez, 50, sat next to his lawyer James Reiss at the counsel table as the jurors entered the courtroom.
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.
10:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, June 2, 2010
By DUG BEGLEY
The Press-Enterprise
Public confidence in San Bernardino County officials is at its lowest point in more than a decade, according to an annual survey released Wednesday.
Recent corruption scandals and a sluggish economic rebound have residents in the funk, according to the Inland Empire Annual Survey, and they are taking it out on local officials.
Uffer
10:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, May 26, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
San Bernardino County’s former top administrator filed a wrongful termination lawsuit Wednesday, accusing supervisors of firing him in November because he was cooperating with corruption investigations.
The complaint was filed in San Bernardino County Superior Court a month after the county rejected an April 1 claim by former County Administrative Officer Mark Uffer seeking $15 million in damages.
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.
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.
** 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.”
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.
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.
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.
By Mike Cruz
Created: 05/03/2010 12:44:01 PM PDT
Former county Supervisor and Assessor Bill Postmus and co-defendant Gregory Eyler appeared briefly in Superior Court this morning on charges related to an investigation of malfeasance in the Assessor’s Office.
Eyler’s lawyer, Stanley Hodge, was unable to appear for the hearing in San Bernardino Superior Court. The lawyers and Judge Michael Dest agreed to return to court June 21 to determine if all parties are ready for a preliminary hearing on June 23.
Written by Administrator
May 3rd, 2010 at 7:37 pm
Last week’s turning over of discovery by San Bernardino County lead prosecutor Louis Cope to the defense counsel of former Assessor Bill Postmus and former Assistant Assessor Jim Erwin has proven to be interesting, just as expected.
First and foremost, it is difficult to call the discovery “evidence,” unless one wants to term it “evidence of no wrongdoing.”
Mike Cruz, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/30/2010 05:59:46 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – Former county supervisor Bill Postmus has a new court-appointed attorney after the Public Defender’s Office declared a conflict in his alleged corruption case tied to the $102 million Colonies lawsuit settlement in 2006.
Judge Michael Dest appointed conflict panel lawyer Richard Farquhar, based in Redlands, to represent Postmus at a hearing Friday in San Bernardino Superior Court. Postmus’ previous court-appointed lawyer, Deputy District Attorney Jeff Lawrence, announced that his office could not represent the former supervisor.
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.
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.
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.
07:41 AM PDT on Tuesday, April 27, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
Former San Bernardino County assessor Bill Postmus and former assistant assessor Jim Erwin pleaded not guilty Monday to bribery and conspiracy charges.
Superior Court Judge Michael Dest entered the pleas on behalf of Postmus and Erwin, who are accused of taking part in a conspiracy that resulted in the Board of Supervisors approving a $102 million lawsuit settlement with Rancho Cucamonga developer Colonies Partners in November 2006.
Mike Cruz, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/26/2010 05:22:15 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – Former county Assessor Bill Postmus and his former assistant Jim Erwin were arraigned Monday on corruption charges in connection with an investigation by state and local prosecutors into the county’s $102 million Colonies lawsuit settlement in 2006.
Postmus and Erwin made a scheduled appearance before Judge Michael Dest in San Bernardino Superior Court, where the court entered not guilty pleas to all charges on behalf of the defendants, said Deputy District Attorney Lewis Cope, after the proceedings.
Former county supervisor appointed public defender
April 26, 2010 6:00 PM
Brooke Edwards
SAN BERNARDINO • Unable to afford his own attorney, former 1st District Supervisor Bill Postmus will attempt to fight multiple felony charges of bribery, embezzlement, drug abuse and more with the help of a court-appointed public defender.
“I have just gotten to the point of being totally broke due to the extensive legal battle with San Bernardino County,” Postmus said via e-mail, following the surprise announcement during his arraignment Monday morning.
Written by Administrator
April 26th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
Former San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus and former Assistant Assessor Jim Erwin were arragined today in Department S23 of the San Bernardino district of the Superior Court of California where Judge Michael M. Dest entered pleas of “not guilty” for both defendants. In addition to Raj Maline, counsel for Erwin, and Steve Levine, counsel for Postmus, Steve Harmon was present as a new member of the defense team.
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.
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.
Written by Administrator
April 15th, 2010 at 12:59 pm
Imagine being a seasoned, well-respected prosecutor of 30 years or more. Now imagine sitting in the judge’s chambers discussing one of the most high-profile criminal cases in the past decade in your county. And then imagine having to ask the judge to not be required to turn over all evidence to the defense.
Preposterous? Anyone in the legal community would think so as they understand the rules of evidence. Surprise witnesses and damning evidence is only allowed on Perry Mason. In the real world, by law, both sides have the right to all evidence in their favor or against them prior to the commencement of trial.
We have five defendants, Jim Erwin, Bill Postmus, Rex Gutierrez, Greg Eyler, and Dino DiFazio. So, we have five criminal defense attorneys; five criminal defense attorneys who have reviewed the discovery provided by the District Attorney’s Office; five criminal defense attorneys who have compared notes; five criminal defense attorneys who have come to realize that Confidential Informant No. 1, our favorite yellow singing Canary extraordinaire, “persona au gratin,” one half of the team known as “Hansel and Gretel,” none other than the young Mr. Adam Aleman has a problem with the truth.
This is hardly new news to readers of this blog. But there is a new twist.
Written by Administrator
April 6th, 2010 at 8:29 pm
Why would anyone think that? First we have California Attorney General Jerry Brown and San Bernardino County Mike Ramos and their conspiracy theory of extortion and bribery that, if correct, involves two Superior Court judges, the Court of Appeal, and a retired Supreme Court justice. Then there is the recent revelation that Judge Duke Rouse, the judge hearing the Gutierrez and Erwin matters, has a close personal relationship with the attorney handling the sexual harassment claim against Mike Ramos. He was also a former partner in the firm and may very well have a financial interest as well.
Throughout this corruption scandal we have seen several judges sign search/arrest warrants based solely on the evidence provided by a known liar who is facing criminal charges himself for falsifying information to the Grand Jury. That doesn’t look a little suspicisous.
10:31 PM PDT on Monday, April 5, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
State and local prosecutors may be closer to reaching an agreement with San Bernardino County over the release of documents in the Colonies Partners legal settlement.
San Bernardino County Assistant District Attorney James Hackleman and state Senior Assistant Attorney General Gary Schons met with County Counsel Ruth Stringer for 2½ hours on Monday, continuing a discussion begun last week.
10:00 PM PDT on Friday, April 2, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI and DUANE W. GANG
The Press-Enterprise
San Bernardino County supervisors and their staffs regularly bypassed their top administrator to deal directly with county departments, worked to secure no-bid contracts for individual projects and threatened employees with their jobs.
That’s the picture former County Administrative Officer Mark Uffer paints in a detailed claim filed against the county on Thursday.
Uffer, ousted late last year on a 3-2 vote, is seeking $15 million in damages and accuses the county of wrongful termination, defamation and fraud. He said he was retaliated against for cooperating with the grand jury and an ongoing district attorney’s investigation.
Story continues below
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/02/2010 07:25:51 PM PDT
Former San Bernardino County Administrative Officer Mark Uffer has filed a $15 million claim against the county, alleging he was fired in November in retaliation for cooperating with authorities in an ongoing corruption probe.
The claim, filed this week, names county supervisors Gary Ovitt, Neil Derry and Brad Mitzelfelt, Ovitt’s chief of staff Mark Kirk, Derry’s former chief of staff Jim Erwin and former county supervisor Bill Postmus.
Ovitt, Mitzelfelt and Derry voted in favor of his ouster Nov. 17.
April 02, 2010 8:38 PM
NATASHA LINDSTROM, staff writer
SAN BERNARDINO • The former top county administrator ousted four months ago has filed a $15 million claim accusing supervisors of wrongful termination and a host of unlawful acts.
Mark Uffer, who was suddenly fired by the county Board of Supervisors “for no cause” on a Nov. 17 split vote, blames supervisors and their top staffers for retaliating against him after he cooperated with the county grand jury and District Attorney’s office.
Uffer
10:00 PM PDT on Thursday, April 1, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
San Bernardino County’s former top administrator filed a claim Thursday accusing supervisors of firing him in November in retaliation for his cooperation with prosecutors and the grand jury in ongoing corruption investigations.
Former County Administrative Officer Mark Uffer is seeking $15 million in damages, alleging wrongful termination, defamation, breach of contracts and fraud.
Mike Cruz, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/26/2010 06:08:07 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – A lawyer for former Assistant Assessor Jim Erwin is seeking to recuse the Superior Court judge hearing Erwin’s case because the judge once belonged to the same private law firm as a lawyer representing District Attorney Michael A. Ramos.
Lawyer Rajan Maline said Friday in San Bernardino Superior Court that he learned Thursday night that Judge Duke Rouse was a former partner of lawyer Richard Marca, who represents Ramos.
10:00 PM PDT on Friday, March 26, 2010
By PAUL LAROCCO
The Press-Enterprise
A Temecula attorney is objecting to a recent search of his office by San Bernardino County district attorney’s investigators, part of the ongoing county corruption probe.
Alan Mohill is representing former Assistant Assessor Jim Erwin in civil matters. Erwin also worked as Supervisor Neil Derry’s chief of staff. Erwin is charged criminally as part of an investigation into the county’s $102 million settlement with developer Colonies Partners in 2006.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/23/2010 08:40:05 PM PDT
The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors announced Tuesday that it will not release confidential attorney-client information to prosecutors from the county’s four-year legal battle with Rancho Cucamonga developer Colonies Partners LP.
State and local prosecutors had asked the board to waive its attorney-client privilege so authorities can interview attorneys and examine documents from the case to determine if the controversial $102 million settlement with the developer in November 2006 was justified.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/23/2010 07:20:00 PM PDT
The state Assembly Public Safety Committee on Tuesday voted to advance proposed legislation that would provide San Bernardino County with additional grand juries to investigate local government.
Sponsored by Assemblyman Paul Cook, R-Yucca Valley, the legislation, if passed by the full legislature and signed by the Governor, would allow San Bernardino County’s presiding judge to impanel two grand juries solely to probe complaints about local government.
Mike Cruz, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/18/2010 06:12:46 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – Former county Supervisor Bill Postmus appeared briefly Thursday morning in Superior Court on felony charges related to an investigation into the multi-million dollar Colonies lawsuit settlement.
Postmus, 38, of Victorville was scheduled to enter pleas on five felony counts ranging from conspiracy to receiving a bribe and embezzlement.
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.
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.
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.
10:00 PM PST on Monday, March 8, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
An Apple Valley businessman accused of lying about his financial ties to former San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus made his first court appearance Monday morning.
John Dino DeFazio, 50, was arrested by district attorney investigators Feb. 25 and charged with two felony counts of perjury stemming from sworn testimony he gave to a grand jury last fall. Prosecutors contend he lied about a political action committee they say was secretly controlled by Postmus.
County calls another probe ‘unnecessary, premature’
March 03, 2010 6:41 PM
By NATASHA LINDSTROM Staff Writer
SAN BERNARDINO • The San Bernardino County transportation planning agency SANBAG on Wednesday urged county supervisors to launch an independent investigation into themselves, with a current supervisor and chief of staff recently linked as possible co-conspirators in the largest bribery scandal in county history.
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.
Bill Postmus
11:06 PM PST on Tuesday, March 2, 2010
By JIM MILLER
Sacramento County
Special Section: San Bernardino Co. Probe
SACRAMENTO – Authorities allege that former San Bernardino County official Bill Postmus used methamphetamine, ran a political operation on government time and was at the center of a bribery scheme that cost county taxpayers $102 million.
But when it came to the day-to-day operations of the Postmus-led San Bernardino County assessor’s office, most everything seemed to run by the book, according to a new state report.
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.
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.
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.
Aleman
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/20/2010 02:44:02 PM PST
It’s been more than a year since Adam Aleman has been able to truly relax.
“I always instinctively peek around the corner to see who’s there,” Aleman said Friday. “I’m always aware of my surroundings.”
Since June 2008, the 27-year-old former assistant assessor for San Bernardino County has been up to his neck in criminal charges after allegedly lying to a Grand Jury, falsifying records and destroying a government laptop.
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.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/19/2010 08:50:44 PM PST
SAN BERNARDINO – County supervisors spent $22,500 last month to sweep their offices and other parts of the government center for secret recording devices and other hidden surveillance equipment.
The first sweep of the fourth and fifth floors of the county building occurred Jan. 23, and the purchase order provides for four more sweeps at undisclosed future dates.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/18/2010 03:31:52 PM PST
The California Supreme Court on Thursday rejected an appeal from former San Bernardino County assistant assessor Jim Erwin to hear his motion to recuse District Attorney Michael A. Ramos from his criminal case.
Erwin’s attorney, Alan Yockelson, said Thursday he had just returned from a trip to New Orleans and needed time to consult with Erwin before deciding on whether they’ll appeal all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
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.
Allegations of improper contributions tied to votes in the case filed by San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos and Attorney General Edmund “Jerry” Brown will likely take many twists and turns during the evidentiary, discovery and trial phases.
One defense aspect undoubtedly will be to bring in other examples of local legislative votes and the timing of campaign contributions by the related benefactors of those votes.
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.
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
Since we now all know that former San Bernardino Assistant Assessor and proverbial yellow Canary Adam Aleman’s word can be taken as gospel truth, why wasn’t former California Senator Jim Brulte arrested also? He wasn’t even named as a John Doe. (Nothing personal Jim! However, Erwin has had no luck getting the number for the off-shore account from Aleman so maybe you can give it a try.)
In this article we will take a close look at the destroy-at-all-cost targeting of San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos and his Orange County-based political consultant David Ellis, owner of Delta Partners, LLC.
One thing is for certain. It’s becoming increasingly obvious Ramos’ agenda in his falsely-proclaimed never-ending quest to rid San Bernardino County of political corruption, and it definitely isn’t about fighting crime.
That agenda being, neutralize the county’s west-end political power base.
District Attorney Mike Ramos
11:01 PM PST on Thursday, February 11, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos is raising concerns that the latest charges in a corruption investigation, now implicating two county supervisors, could result in budgetary reprisals.
Ramos said Wednesday after announcing new charges against a former county supervisor and a former assistant assessor that he was concerned that supervisors, to thwart the investigation, might remove key staff from his department through budget cuts.
PROBE: Declaration for arrest warrants detail lavish China trips, extortion threats
11:01 PM PST on Thursday, February 11, 2010
By JOHN ASBURY
The Press-Enterprise
A lavish business trip to China, prostitutes, bribes, blackmail and drug abuse are elements of a corruption case laid out in a declaration filed to justify arrest warrants for former San Bernardino County public officials Bill Postmus and Jim Erwin.
In a declaration based on witness interviews and investigation, Hollis D. Randles, a senior investigator with the San Bernardino County district attorney’s office, describes an elaborate, years-long campaign to persuade or coerce county supervisors into approving a $102 million lawsuit settlement with a developer identified as John Doe No. 1.
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.
With one whoring the other for votes, the two so-called law enforcement officials pictured above know no shame. This picture speaks a thousand words.
John Doe’s?
Isn’t it also interesting how the investigation can’t put dates on any of these alleged acts?
So let’s get this straight.
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.
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/10/2010 05:33:52 PM PST
UPLAND – Some Upland City Council members view the charges filed against two former county officials to be a sad day for the county’s citizens, while calling for a fresh start for county government.
Former San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus and Jim Erwin, former assistant assessor of operations, were arrested Wednesday by sheriff’s deputies as part of an ongoing investigation into public corruption.
Mike Cruz and Will Bigham, Staff Writers
Posted: 02/10/2010 06:59:02 PM PST
During a news conference to discuss the prosecutions of Bill Postmus and Jim Erwin in an alleged corruption scandal, District Attorney Michael A. Ramos said that getting the money back is a priority.
Ramos cited the tough economic times and said the millions in public funds are particularly critical at a time when county employees are facing furloughs.
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.
I’m sure that is what the reporter who called me a little while ago regarding Former Assessor Bill Postmus’ and Former Assistant Assessor Jim Erwin’s early morning arrests was thinking. Well, yes, as a matter of fact I do believe this is just another attempt by a desperate district attorney to be re-elected and a governor-wannabe-again feeling the pressure from Meg Whitman.
Ramos will do anything to deflect from his own misdeeds. And time will prove these charges are as trumped up as the last ones.
One thing comes to mind here and that is something Postmus keeps telling me. He claims this whole corruption scandal is the result of Mike Ramos wanting to get at Jeff Burum. He thought Erwin would roll on Jeff the first time. If anything, their friendship seems stronger. I expect today’s event to strengthen it even more.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted by Administrator at 8 February 2010
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
˜Eighth Amendment, Constitution of the United States˜
Today’s hearing in which Michael Jackson’s doctor, Conrad Murray, entered a plea of not guilty to involuntary manslaughter charges and bail was set at $75,000, three times the usual bail for an involuntary manslaughter charge, begs a comparison to San Bernardino County’s own high-profile prosecutions. Those, of course, are the Jim Erwin and Bill Postmus criminal cases.
Posted by Administrator at 4 February 2010
Throughout the investigation into the sexual harassment complaint against San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos, iePolitics suggested that the final report against Ramos would be scathing.
That was based on several factors.
First, we had seen some of the evidence first hand—evidence that we mistakenly believed could not be covered up. Second, we had sources close to the investigation. Third, Ramos loves to drink and spill his guts. Even he confided to his drinking buddies that his days were numbered.
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.
Cases involving four criminal defendants which are now entering the evidentiary stage appear to now rest on the sole testimony of one key witness.
Former Assistant Assessor Adam Aleman who has plead “no-contest” to one count of Vandalism, two counts of Destroying or Altering Documents, and one count of Presenting a false claim, is now the “go to” guy for District Attorney Michael Ramos, who is attempting to portray himself as a corruption fighter.
Some glaring issues arise here when taking a look at Aleman’s charges.
At the last court appearance former Assistant Assessor and Chief of Staff Jim Erwin made in front of Judge Duke Rouse, arguments were heard to have an evidentiary hearing to recuse the District Attorney’s office from Erwin’s case. During those arguments, the deputy Attorney General assisting in the prosecution suggested to Judge Rouse that Erwin wants to be given “special” treatment.
Posted by Administrator at 29 January 2010
Former San Bernardino County Assessor’s Office Intergovernmental Affairs Officer Rex Gutierrez appeared in court today for a preliminary hearing on charges of embezzlement and grand theft relating to time card fraud. His case was bound over for trial starting in about 60 days.
Among the witnesses was San Bernardino County Human Resources Director Andrew Lamberto, who testified that Gutierrez’s work hours were determined by his immediate supervisor, former Assistant Assessor Adam Aleman. Aleman has already plead guilty to four felonies in connection with the scandal, including presenting a false claim, in exchange for his testimony against the remaining defendants.
Published January 22, 1010
There has been a significant change in the manner in which the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office is handling suspected or alleged violations of the state’s income disclosure requirements.
Within the last month, San Bernardino County prosecutors have opted to refer such cases to the California Fair Political Practices Commission, a departure from the office’s past approach of filing criminal charges against those who have made no or inadequate disclosure of outside income.
Today, in a surprise development the California Supreme Court has requested briefing related to a Petition for Review filed by former Assistant Assessor Jim Erwin.
On December 10, 2009, Erwin filed an appeal of Superior Court Judge Duke Rouse’s denial of an evidentiary hearing to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to disqualify the San Bernardino County District Attorney from prosecuting the case against him.
The appeal was summarily denied by the Fourth District Court of Appeals last Friday.
By Joe Nelson
Posted: 12/23/2009 03:12:14 PM PST
The Fourth District Court of Appeals in Riverside has rejected an appeal by former assistant assessor Jim Erwin to have the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office recused from his criminal case.
A San Bernardino Superior Court judge in November rejected Erwin’s motion to recuse the District Attorney’s Office, finding that the motion was based largely on heresay and speculation. The judge also rejected Erwin’s request for an evidentiary hearing to try and show a number of conflicts of interest between Erwin’s case and District Attorney Michael A. Ramos.
10:00 PM PST on Tuesday, December 15, 2009
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
The California Fair Political Practices Commission has agreed to settle a complaint of failure to disclose income against San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos for a $200 fine, a campaign spokesman for Ramos announced Tuesday.
David Ellis, Ramos’ campaign consultant, said the state watchdog agency offered a proposed settlement. Ramos signed the agreement on Dec. 8, according to a news release.
The simply answer is “Yes.” Mike is right. There is a very big difference between the violations charged against Mike Ramos and those against Jim Erwin.
Jim Erwin committed no crime. His original filing was the lawful and correct filing. His amended filing, which was done at the urging of Mike Ramos through Dave Ellis, was the incorrect way to report the watch and trip from Jeff Burum.
Jim was given the Rolex and trip as a “thank you” from Jeff for Jim’s help in negotiating the Colonies settlement. The $15,000 plus or minus value of the gift was far less than the value of the services Jim provided. Remember, Jim Brulte had a success fee arrangement with Colonies, where if a settlement was obtained through his efforts he would receive $250,000 for his services, and he was less involved than Jim. The arrangement expired a year earlier to the final settlement.
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Since I started blogging about 3.5 years ago, I have often lamented the fact that so many of the readers, even some members of the blog pen, and much of the public seem to have little knowledge regarding the rights, responsibilities and significance of the Constitution of the United States. I know a large percentage of those involved with this blog are younger than I and I often wonder if perhaps changes in school curriculum have something to do with it. It seems we have a generation or two with little or no concept as to the significance of our constitution or the importance of maintaining the rights it grants us.
When I attended junior high in order to graduate from the eighth grade we had to write out the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States verbatim from memory, discuss all seven Articles, and detail what powers/rights each of the 26 Amendments granted us (yes, there were only 26 then). We also had to learn basic legal terminology and understand the significance of court cases ranging from Marbury v. Madison to Dred Scott v. Sanford and Plessy v. Ferguson, Gideon v. Wainwright, Miranda v. Arizona.
