Politics, Government and Business in Southern California's Inland Empire
Friday, May 10, 2013 – 09:00 a.m.
In a strange turn of events, state prosecutors now say it’s no longer necessary for the California Supreme Court to throw out two long standing case law precedents, and more than a dozen underlying appellate opinions, in order to reinstate key bribery and conflict of interest charges against defendants in the well-publicized case involving the 2006 Colonies Settlement.
By Mark Gutglueck
sbcsentinel@yahoo.com
Republished from Friday, April 19, 2013
(April 19) The California Attorney General and San Bernardino County District Attorney have overstepped their prosecutorial authority and are engaging in “an impermissible charging scheme” in the pursuit of a bribery and conspiracy case against Rancho Cucamonga developer Jeff Burum and three former public officials, according to a defense brief filed with the Supreme Court on April 15.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/19/2013 11:31:16 PM PDT
A defense attorney, in a motion filed with the state Supreme Court, alleges that state and San Bernardino County prosecutors are asking the high court to overturn a century of established case law and reinstate bribery charges against Rancho Cucamonga developer Jeff Burum.
April 17, 2013; 04:08 PM
A defense attorney accused prosecutors of attempting to “radically change” state bribery law in its California Supreme Court petition to restore charges against Rancho Cucamonga developer Jeff Burum.
To read story by Imran Ghori in The Press Enterprise, click here.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013 – 04:30 p.m.
The defense in the highly-publicized Colonies case accuses the State Attorney General and San Bernardino County District Attorney of using an “novel charging scheme” to bring its case against Rancho Cucamonga Developer Jeffrey Burum, Former Assistant Assessor Jim Erwin, Former County Supervisor Paul Biane and Mark Kirk, former chief of staff to Supervisor Gary Ovitt.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013 – 04:00 p.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, March 27, 2013 – 10:15 p.m.
The California Supreme Court rendered a ruling Wednesday afternoon that will impact the highly-publicized Colonies criminal case.
Thursday, March 21, 2013 – 10:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, March 22, 2013 – 09:30 a.m.
The California Attorney General and San Bernardino County District Attorney has filed papers with the State Supreme Court opposing parts of the highly-publicized Colonies criminal case from moving forward.
By Imran Ghori
March 15, 2013; 05:23 PM
A Rancho Cucamonga developer accused of bribing San Bernardino County officials will essentially get a “free pass” if prosecutors are not allowed to restore charges dismissed by a lower court judge, the state Attorney General’s office argued in a brief filed with the California Supreme Court this week.
To read story by Imran Ghori in The Press Enterprise, click here.
Friday, March 8, 2013 – 08:55 a.m.
Defense attorneys for Developer Jeffrey Burum filed a motion in the California Supreme Court on Wednesday, in an effort to move forward the criminal case involving the controversial $102 million settlement between the County of San Bernardino and Colonies Partners, L.P.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013 – 05:00 p.m.
The California Supreme Court has granted a petition for review, filed by state prosecutors, of a 2012 Fourth District Court of Appeal ruling, which affirmed the dismissal of core charges in the highly-publicized Colonies corruption case.
February 06, 2013; 07:09 PM
A judge rejected San Bernardino County’s efforts to recoup $102 million paid in the Colonies settlement, throwing out its damage claims against three other agencies for an agreement he called “unconscionable, unlawful and sordid.”
To read story by Imran Ghori in The Press Enterprise, click here.
January 29, 2013; 12:32 PM
Three agencies being sued by San Bernardino County in connection with a controversial $102 million settlement are asking a judge to dismiss the lawsuit, claiming they should not be held responsible for an alleged corrupt agreement.
To read story by Imran Ghori in The Press Enterprise, click here.
Monday, December 31, 2012 – 12:15 p.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, January 1, 2013 – 12:20 p.m.
The highly-publicized Colonies case continues to grind its way through a series of prosecutorial roadblocks this new year.
The final brief in a last minute appeal by prosecutors to the California Supreme Court was filed just before the Christmas holiday.
FROM STAFF REPORTS
December 28, 2012; 03:41 PM
COUNTY CORRUPTION
A San Bernardino County corruption case that prosecutors call the most far-reaching in county history will keep making its way through the courts in 2013, though it is not known when it will go to trial.
To read story in The Press Enterprise, click here.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/24/2012 06:06:49 PM PST
Prosecutors and defense attorneys are awaiting a decision by the state Supreme Court that will ultimately determine the trajectory of a San Bernardino County corruption case authorities have called the biggest in county history.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012 – 08:15 a.m.
To read the Answer to Supreme Court Petition filed in the highly-publicized Colonies case, click here: Answer to Petition for Review
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/18/2012 06:58:22 PM PST
Prosecutors’ attempt to have the California Supreme Court review a decision in a sweeping San Bernardino County corruption case is baseless and should be rejected for several reasons, the attorney for a Rancho Cucamonga land developer charged in that case said in court papers filed Tuesday.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/14/2012 07:06:15 PM PST
The attorney for a Rancho Cucamonga land developer charged in a sweeping San Bernardino County corruption case said Friday he will oppose a push by prosecutors to have the state Supreme Court reinstate bribery charges against his client.
Joe Nelson and Ryan Hagen, Staff Writers
Posted: 12/11/2012 03:03:54 PM PST
View: Petition for Review
Prosecutors with the state Attorney General’s Office have petitioned the state Supreme Court to reinstate bribery charges against a prominent Rancho Cucamonga developer in a sweeping San Bernardino County corruption caseinvolving three former county officials.
December 11, 2012; 05:25 PM
The Colonies corruption case involving former San Bernardino County officials could be heading to the California Supreme Court.
To read story by Imran Ghori in The Press Enterprise, click here.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 11/05/2012 02:11:54 PM PST
San Bernardino County and its transportation planning agency are enmeshed in a legal challenge over whether the transportation agency should partially reimburse the county for a legal settlement with a land developer that prosecutors allege was corrupt.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 11/02/2012 12:21:25 PM PDT
A law enforcement labor union’s political mailer featuring the mugshot of Rancho Cucamonga developer Jeff Burum, a defendant in a sweeping county corruption scandal, could taint the jury pool, Burum’s attorney told a San Bernardino Superior Court judge on Friday.
Published: 02 November 2012 – 05:15 PM
The Colonies corruption case is moving forward again after an appeals court ruling earlier this week that dismissed some charges and reinstated others.
To read story by Imran Ghori in The Press Enterprise, click here.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 11/01/2012 07:54:23 PM PDT
A spokesman for the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office said Thursday that prosecutors have not decided if they will continue fighting to reinstate bribery charges against a Rancho Cucamonga developer to the state Supreme Court.
By Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
November 1, 2012
Printed version
The state 4th District Court of Appeal in Riverside on Wednesday rejected a request by prosecutors to reinstate bribery charges against a Rancho Cucamonga developer that were dropped by a San Bernardino Superior Court judge last year.
Published: 31 October 2012 – 04:41 PM
A long-awaited appellate court decision has been reached in the so-called Colonies corruption case in San Bernardino County. In the mixed ruling issued Wednesday, Oct. 31, it appeared the defendants largely prevailed in efforts to sustain a judge’s dismissal of some charges against them.
To read story by Richard K. De Atley and Imran Ghori in The Press Enterprise, click here.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 10/02/2012 11:12:45 AM PDT
Related stories: Appellate Court sets date for oral arguments in Colonies case | Appellate court reaches tentative decision in Colonies case | State appeals court court could have major impact on Colonies case | Judge dismisses most felony counts against Burum; all four Colonies defendants enter not guilty pleas
BY IMRAN GHORI
Published: 02 October 2012 04:18 PM
A Text Size
A panel of state appeals court judges debated a San Bernardino County corruption case Tuesday, Oct. 2, giving attorneys a chance to make their final arguments before the court issues a decision that will likely determine how the case proceeds.
To read story by Imran Ghori in The Press Enterprise, click here.
By Joe Nelson, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Posted: 08/30/2012 12:41:30 PM PDT
The state 4th District Court of Appeal in Riverside has set a date to hear oral arguments from prosecutors and defense attorneys in a far-reaching bribery and conspiracy case in San Bernardino County.
By Joe Nelson, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Posted: 08/24/2012 10:49:13 AM PDT
The Fourth District Court of Appeal in Riverside has issued a tentative decision on appeals brought by prosecutors and defense attorneys in a sweeping San Bernardino County corruption case involving a legal settlement with a land developer.
RICHARD K. De ATLEY, STAFF WRITER
rdeatley@pe.com
Published: 12 July 2012 03:48 PM
Defense attorneys in a San Bernardino County corruption case will get to see some of the emails and text messages between former Assessor Bill Postmus and the district attorney’s office, a San Bernardino County Superior Court judge ruled Thursday, July 13.
The judge said there were “obvious credibility issues” regarding Postmus, who acted as an informant in the so-called Colonies case that brought conspiracy and bribery charges to a developer and three now-former county officials.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/12/2012 05:54:37 PM PDT
A San Bernardino Superior Court judge on Thursday determined that prosecutors should turn over documents in the Colonies corruption case that go toward the credibility of former county Assessor and key witness Bill Postmus.
Attorney Stephen Larson, who is defending Rancho Cucamonga developer Jeff Burum, is seeking copies of telephone text messages between Postmus and a district attorney investigator, which Larson believes will help him in his defense of Burum.
Lori Fowler, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/08/2012 11:58:25 AM PDT
A sweeping San Bernardino County corruption case moved a step forward Friday after lawyers for four men accused of crimes in connection with a $102 million legal settlement said they had received much of the pre-trial evidence they wanted from prosecutors.
But while attorneys have basically worked out evidence issues in the case, there are still items to be resolved.
By Joe Nelson, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Created: 05/24/2012 10:56:14 AM PDT
The attorney for Rancho Cucamonga developer Jeff Burum, accused of bribing public officials in a sweeping San Bernardino County corruption case, said Thursday that his push to obtain additional evidence from prosecutors is winding down.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/20/2012 12:11:17 PM PDT
A San Bernardino Superior Court judge on Friday lifted bail for four defendants in the Colonies Partners corruption scandal, freeing them from having to pay an annual bond premium as the one-year anniversary of their arrest nears.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 20 April 2012 11:42 AM
A San Bernardino County Superior Court judge agreed Friday to lift bail for three former county officials and a developer facing corruption charges.
Judge Michael Smith agreed to allow the four men to remain free on their own recognizance as the case continues to remain in the pre-trial stage almost a year after the defendants were indicted.
Ryan Carter, Staff Writer
Created: 03/28/2012 07:23:04 PM PDT
Attorneys for developer Colonies Partners LP are seeking dismissal of a civil lawsuit that would force the developer to pay back a $102 million legal settlement to taxpayers.
BY RICHARD K. De ATLEY
STAFF WRITER
rdeatley@pe.com
Published: 16 March 2012 08:03 PM
Attorneys for Colonies case figure Jeffrey Burum have filed a motion that seeks to force prosecutors to hand over all material that could include evidence helpful to Burum in his defense.
The motion is necessary, defense attorney Stephen G. Larson said in the document, because he believes there is evidence that the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office has not been handing over all such material in a timely way to the defense, despite several requests to do so.
By Joe Nelson
Created: 03/16/2012 10:56:10 AM PDT
Defense attorneys in a far-reaching San Bernardino County corruption case are seeking a court order to compel prosecutors to provide information on communications they have had with two key defendants in the case.
Attorney Stephen Larson, attorney for Rancho Cucamonga developer Jeff Burum, filed a motion Thursday in San Bernardino Superior Court alleging prosecutors have been nonresponsive and holding out.
By Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/10/2012 03:03:31 PM PST
An admission by former San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus to federal authorities that he used methamphetamine dozens of times in 2011 has a defense attorney in a far-reaching county corruption case questioning the tactics of prosecutors.
The admission came during an Oct. 14 interview with assistant U.S. attorneys Jerry Behnke and Joseph Widman and FBI agent Jonathan Zeitlin, when Postmus told the trio what he knew about an alleged corruption scandal state and local prosecutors are calling the biggest in county history.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/16/2012 04:26:55 PM PST
The trajectory of a sweeping San Bernardino County corruption case hinges on how a state appellate court rules.
Neil Nisperos, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/15/2012 12:14:24 PM PST
Legislation that aims to discourage corruption by elected officials’ staff members by denying them public pension benefits if they’re criminally convicted has been introduced by Assemblyman Paul Cook, R-Yucaipa.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 13 February 2012 09:50 PM
In an FBI interview former San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus said he did not view a $100,000 campaign contribution from Colonies Partners as a bribe even though he expected to receive funds following a lawsuit settlement.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 10 February 2012 07:59 PM
Prosecutors and defense attorneys in the Colonies corruption case continued to haggle over evidence in San Bernardino County Superior Court Friday, with both sides saying they are continuing to make progress in turning over documents as part of the discovery process.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/08/2012 06:05:39 PM PST
In an October interview with federal authorities, former San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus said he did not consider a $100,000 campaign contribution from Colonies Partners LP a bribe.
Postmus’ statement, from an interview transcript obtained by The Sun, appears to contradict his guilty plea to charges of conspiracy and bribery in state court, where prosecutors contend campaign contributions to political action committees were part of a conspiracy by Colonies to secure a huge settlement to a land-rights dispute with the county.
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 02/07/2012 12:45:19 PM PST
SAN BERNARDINO – An attorney has filed a lawsuit seeking reimbursement for taxpayers of the $102 million settlement made by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors in 2006 with Rancho Cucamonga-based developers Colonies Partners LP.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 06 January 2012 11:19 AM
Defense attorneys in the Colonies corruption case announced in court Friday morning they are seeking records from an influential union representing public safety employees.
Attorneys are also seeking additional records from the county flood control district concerning its four-year legal battle with Colonies Partners.
Joe Nelson and Mike Cruz, Staff Writers
Posted: 01/06/2012 01:08:11 PM PST
SAN BERNARDINO – Defense attorneys in a San Bernardino County corruption case are requesting documents from a public safety labor union they believe will help refute allegations of blackmail against a Rancho Cucamonga developer and the union’s former president.
By Mark Gutglueck
Friday, January 6, 2012
Questions continue to dog the second highest ranking member of the county auditor-controller/treasurer-tax collector’s office with regard to the role he and a political action committee he controlled played in illegally passing through and laundering money for those convicted of or charged with participation in a bribery and extortion conspiracy.
By Mark Gutgleuck
Friday, January 6, 2012
Originally Published: Friday, December 30, 2011
As of earlier this week, former state assemblyman Brett Granlund had actively avoided several attempts to serve him with a subpoena relating to the Colonies Settlement case.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 31 December 2011 05:39 PM
A panel of California appellate judges could soon be deciding how, and possibly if, the Colonies corruption case will proceed to trial.
The Fourth District Court of Appeal in Riverside is considering an appeal filed by the San Bernardino County district attorney and state attorney general offices seeking to restore charges that were dismissed in August against Rancho Cucamonga developer Jeff Burum, former Supervisor Paul Biane, former Assistant Assessor Jim Erwin and Mark Kirk, former chief of staff for Supervisor Gary Ovitt.
The court completed briefings from prosecutors and defense attorneys on the appeal last month and also agreed to consider writs of mandate filed by the defense seeking to have more charges dismissed against the four. A decision is expected in the next few months.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Created: 12/30/2011 11:37:49 AM PST
Investigations into corruption in San Bernardino County advanced in fits and starts over the past year.
Prosecutors gained ground when former Supvervisor-turned-Assessor Bill Postmus agreed in March to plead guilty to bribery, conflict of interest and misappropriation of public funds and to cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
Friday, December 9, 2011 – 04:30 p.m.
The California Court of Appeal has now entered the fray on the Colonies case.
Mike Cruz and Joe Nelson, Staff Writers
Posted: 12/09/2011 12:50:39 PM PST
Greg Eyler
SAN BERNARDINO – Gregory Eyler, a former taxpayer advocate for the San Bernardino County Assessor’s Office, pleaded no contest Friday to an allegation that he drew pay from the county for work he never performed.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 29 November 2011 09:29 AM
A San Bernardino County judge on Tuesday ordered the grand jury testimony of a former county official unsealed as part of a government corruption case.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Created: 11/29/2011 10:37:41 PM PST
A San Bernardino Superior Court judge on Tuesday ordered that the Grand Jury testimony of a former county official be unsealed.
Judge Michael A. Smith ordered the release of transcripts of testimony given by Jim Lindley, the county’s former public health director and former director of purchasing, before the county’s civil Grand Jury on April 21.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011 – 01:30 p.m.
The Sun / Inland Valley Daily Bulletin newspapers has convicted the four defendants in the case surrounding the $120 million Colonies settlement.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 29 November 2011 09:29 AM
A San Bernardino County judged ordered the grand jury testimony of a former county official unsealed as part of a corruption case.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Created: 11/28/2011 06:36:01 PM PST
A new law meant to reduce California’s prison population raises questions as to whether four defendants in a sweeping San Bernardino County corruption case would serve time in prison if convicted.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 11/12/2011 06:12:51 AM PST
The ways money flowed to candidates and political action committees and alleged acts of blackmail are detailed in search warrants in San Bernardino County’s $102 million legal settlement with Rancho Cucamonga developer Colonies Partners LP in November 2006.
The warrants, released last week, also describe what led authorities to suspect a county supervisor’s former chief of staff of criminal activity before he became a witness for the prosecution.
Joe Nelson and Mike Cruz, Staff Writers
Created: 11/10/2011 04:48:37 PM PST
RIVERSIDE – A federal judge seemed poised to rule that federal agents did not violate the civil rights of Rancho Cucamonga developer Jeff Burum when they served search warrants at his home and office in September.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 11/09/2011 05:33:36 PM PST
An attorney for Rancho Cucamonga developer Jeff Burum said federal officials on Wednesday returned all materials seized from Burum’s home and office during an FBI raid on Sept. 15.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 08 November 2011 10:05 AM
Search warrants released as part of a San Bernardino County corruption case detail how the four-year investigation grew from reports of political gifts to allegations of a far-reaching conspiracy involving several top county officials and a prominent developer.
Joe Nelson, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Created: 11/07/2011 06:53:01 PM PST
The remaining search warrants served in a sweeping corruption probe involving a legal settlement between the county and a Rancho Cucamonga developer were released Monday.
BY IMRAN GHORI AND DUG BEGLEY
STAFF WRITERS
ighori@pe.com | dbegley@pe.com
Published: 04 November 2011 09:59 AM
Search warrants released Friday provide more details of former San Bernardino County assessor and Supervisor Bill Postmus’ struggles with hiding his homosexuality and drug addiction as he was under scrutiny by authorities who suspected him of abusing his public office.
Joe Nelson and Mike Cruz, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Created: 11/04/2011 10:56:54 AM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – Eleven search warrants served over a two-year period in a sweeping corruption probe tied to a legal settlement between the county and a Rancho Cucamonga developer were ordered released Friday by a Superior Court judge.
(Disclaimers: Document #1 contains explicit language; pages containing private information have been removed from Document #2)
Judge Michael A. Smith ordered the search warrants released Friday after defense attorneys did not appear in court to object to their release or request redactions be made to the documents.
Mike Cruz, Staff Writer
Created: 11/01/2011 06:25:06 PM PDT
In a rare move, federal prosecutors have agreed to return materials to a Rancho Cucamonga developer that were seized in September as part of an investigation into alleged corruption surrounding the $102 million lawsuit settlement between Colonies Partners LP and San Bernardino County.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 01 November 2011 09:35 PM
The U.S. Attorney’s office will return materials seized in mid-September from Rancho Cucamonga developer Jeff Burum during an FBI search at his home and business, according to an order approved by a federal judge Monday.
Mike Cruz, Staff Writer
Posted: 10/24/2011 06:24:03 PM PDT
Nearly a dozen search warrants and their affidavits served by investigators probing the Colonies Partners LP $102million settlement with San Bernardino County were ordered unsealed Monday for defense lawyers.
Mike Cruz and Joe Nelson, Staff Writers
Posted: 10/24/2011 02:55:29 PM PDT
A judge on Monday declined to bar more than 2,700 pages of Grand Jury transcripts in a criminal corruption probe from being used in a civil case involving San Bernardino County and three other public entities.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 24 October 2011 12:23 PM
A San Bernardino County Superior Court judge ruled Monday that he will not prevent about 2,700 pages of grand jury testimony in a corruption case from being used in a related civil case.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 21 October 2011 07:10 PM
Prosecutors are arguing that a San Bernardino County Superior Court judge erred in tossing out some corruption charges against developer Jeff Burum and three former county officials, stating that they should be allowed to prove the allegations at trial.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 10/20/2011 03:12:49 PM PDT
The attorney representing Rancho Cucamonga developer Jeff Burum is asking a state appeals court to dismiss the remaining criminal charges against his client, who prosecutors charged in a sweeping county corruption probe.
Joe Nelson, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Created: 10/17/2011 02:10:43 PM PDT
Jim Erwin
The attorney defending former San Bernardino County Assistant Assessor Jim Erwin in a sweeping corruption probe is alleging that an FBI search of Erwin’s home was flawed and that Erwin’s civil rights were violated.
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| « Apr | ||||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | |
| |