James Ramos, former chairman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, with San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos, Wednesday evening at a campaign fundraiser at the National Orange Show Events Center in San Bernardino, Calif., May 2, 2012. (Redlands-Loma Linda Patch photo by Guy McCarthy.)

By Guy McCarthy
May 2, 2012

The campaign for James Ramos, candidate for county supervisor in the Third District that includes Redlands and Loma Linda, released part of a letter Wednesday from the Fair Political Practices Commission stating his disclosure of economic interests are appropriate.

Read the rest of this entry »

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.

Read the rest of this entry »

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.

Read the rest of this entry »

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.

Read the rest of this entry »

Postmus

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.

Read the rest of this entry »

May I have some more please sir?

Friday, February 24, 2012 – 05:30 p.m.

San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors candidate and San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman James Ramos, a man burning through a hefty war-chest at a record clip, appears to be trying to tap non-gambling sources.

Read the rest of this entry »

By Benjamin Gonzales, Retired Deputy District Attorney
(Friend of DA Mike Ramos)
Posted: 02/16/2012 03:18:59 PM PST

I served as chief deputy district attorney for the District Attorney’s Office Central Division between October 2006 and June 2009. The city of San Bernardino and the San Manuel Indian Reservation were within my area of responsibility, as was overseeing the DA’s Central Gang Unit. In this capacity I was very familiar with the investigation into problems relating to gang presence at San Manuel and the “killer for hire” case alluded to by county Supervisor Neil Derry (“Crime ties are a serious issue,” Feb. 10).

Read the rest of this entry »

Sunday, February 12, 2012 – 01:00 p.m.

It’s said that money makes a difference in how you are treated in our criminal justice system.

A saying that’s absolutely true. Especially if your a member of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.

Read the rest of this entry »

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.

Read the rest of this entry »

Administrator’s note: This article will be updated with a more detailed version on Sunday morning.

Thursday, February 9, 2012 – 10:45 a.m.

It’s said that money makes a difference in how you are treated in our criminal justice system.

A saying that’s absolutely true. Especially if your a member of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.

Read the rest of this entry »

Wednesday, February 8, 2012 – 10:00 a.m.

So much for equal treatment under the law.

Especially when there’s money involved.

Read the rest of this entry »

Supervisor Josie Gonzales

BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com

Published: 24 January 2012 07:08 PM

San Bernardino County supervisors moved forward Tuesday with a proposal to require voter approval of future pension increases but face opposition from employee unions who quickly announced plans for a competing measure aimed at supervisors.

The board agreed to have county staff draft a ballot measure requiring voter approval before retirement benefits for county employees, legislative officers and elected officials could be increased. But final approval is not assured with supervisors split 3-2 on whether to consider the proposal.

Read the rest of this entry »

By Joe Nelson, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Posted: 01/23/2012 03:05:32 PM PST

Two San Bernardino County supervisors are requesting that benefits for all county elected officials, not just the Board of Supervisors, be reduced to be in line with elected officials in other counties.

Supervisors Neil Derry and Janice Rutherford are pushing for the ordinance, which comes less than two weeks after the board approved a similar ordinance that reduced total compensation for future supervisors by roughly $48,000 annually.

Read the rest of this entry »

Monday, January 23, 2012 – 09:30 a.m.

An anti-recall effort meant to protect certain members of the Fullerton city council flopped last week when recall backers turned in an overwhelming number of signatures to qualify a recall ballot.

The city council targets?

• Don Bankhead: 17,064 signatures
• F. Richard “Dick” Jones: 17,587 signatures
• Patrick McKinley: 17,603 signatures

Of interest is news that the anti-recall effort was mounted by a figure familiar to San Bernardino County political circles.

Read the rest of this entry »

Derry

Saturday, January 21, 2012 – 06:15 p.m.

The highway funding arm of the U.S. Department of Transportation has cleared San Bernardino County Third District Supervisor Neil Derry to resume voting on federally-funded expenditures in his duties as an elected official.

The Federal Highway Administration gave Derry the green light effective Friday.

Read the rest of this entry »

San Bernardino County Auditor/Controller/Treasurer-Tax Collector Larry Walker

BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com

Published: 21 January 2012 05:49 PM

After slashing their own benefits earlier this month, San Bernardino County supervisors on Tuesday will start taking aim at extra compensation for other county-wide elected officials.

The board will vote on a proposal by Supervisors Janice Rutherford and Neil Derry to direct the county administrative and counsel offices to prepare an ordinance that would cut benefit packages for the assessor-recorder, auditor/controller/treasurer-tax collector, district attorney and sheriff. If a majority of supervisors agree, the ordinance will return to the board at a future meeting for a vote.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tuesday, January 10, 2012 – 11:25 a.m.

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, while adopting cuts to their own benefits package, wouldn’t go near a proposal by Third District Supervisor Neil Derry to have the cuts apply to all of the county’s elected officials on Tuesday morning.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tuesday, January 10, 2012 – 08:30 a.m.

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors will consider slashing their own lavish benefits package Tuesday morning.

A benefits package unmatched anywhere in the state and possibly country.

Read the rest of this entry »

Rep. Jerry Lewis, R-Redlands

BY BEN GOAD
WASHINGTON BUREAU
bgoad@pe.com

Published: 09 January 2012 09:29 PM

WASHINGTON — The field of Democratic candidates for California’s new 31st Congressional District is quickly solidifying, but potential GOP candidates appear to be awaiting a decision from incumbent Rep. Jerry Lewis before entering what is certain to be a high-profile race for the seat.

Read the rest of this entry »

Assemblyman Paul Cook, R-Yucca Valley

Monday, January 9, 2012 – 10:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Monday, January 9, 2012 – 11.24 a.m.

According to the Z107.7 website in Morongo Basin, Assemblyman Paul Cook (R-Yucca Valley) has dropped his bid for a seat on the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.

The radio station apparently let the cat out of the bag early.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tuesday, January 3, 2012 – 3:30 p.m.

Another blip has showed up on the San Bernardino County political radar.

Thursday’s agenda for the San Bernardino County Employees Association (SBCERA) contains an interesting little tidbit.

Read the rest of this entry »

Monday, January 2, 2012- 1045 a.m.

The fight over the future of Victor Valley Community Hospital (VVCH) has some interesting twists.

Dr. Prem Reddy, who operates Prime Healthcare Services, wants the bankrupt facility as part of his network of highly-profitable hospitals.

Read the rest of this entry »

From left, Mark Kirk, former chief of staff to Supervisor Gary Ovitt, developer Jeff Burum, former assistant assessor Jim Erwin, and former supervisor Paul Biane, at an August court appearance.(STAN LIM/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

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.

Read the rest of this entry »

From left to right: Colonies scandal defendants Jeff Burum, Mark Kirk, Jim Erwin, and Paul Biane stand during a motion to delay their arraignment hearing in a San Bernardino Superior Courtroom

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.

Read the rest of this entry »

Eyler

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.

Read the rest of this entry »

Sunday, December 4, 2011 – 12:30 p.m.

Now San Bernardino County supervisors want to cut their benefits package again.

They shouldn’t think twice about.

The benefits package afforded the county’s elected officials is the richest in the state, and can be adjusted by a mere majority vote of the supervisors.

Read the rest of this entry »

San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael Ramos

By Mark Gutglueck
Friday, December 2, 2011

Federal prosecutors have horned in on an unprecedented number of high profile political corruption cases that would otherwise be handled by the district attorney’s office in San Bernardino County. In some matters, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has wrested from district attorney Mike Ramos prosecutorial authority or has opened with the FBI parallel investigations into issues Ramos or the San Bernardino County Grand Jury have delved into without reaching a successful conclusion. In at least three matters, federal prosecutors and investigators have taken on probes or investigations of elected officials or political donors with whom Ramos was politically aligned.

Read the rest of this entry »

A defendant in the Colonies corruption case wins the unsealing of comments from a different grand jury

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.

Read the rest of this entry »

Saturday, November 19, 2011 – 05:00 p.m.
Last Modified: Sunday, November 20, 2011 – 05:10 a.m.

The suspense if finally over.

After months of rumors swirling within Inland Empire political circles. The much anticipated event ended up being anti-climactic.

What you ask?

Read the rest of this entry »

“There really is no such thing as insider trading for real estate,” said Milsap. “It goes on in real estate all the time. That’s the benefit of local knowledge.”

Ryan Milsap, Adjunct Professor at USC School of Real Estate and Broker

Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 11/14/2011 08:19:46 PM PST

Authorities looked hard at several land deals involving former San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus during their investigation of the county’s $102 million legal settlement with Rancho Cucamonga developer Colonies Partners LP, according to recently released search warrants.

Read the rest of this entry »

Dreier

Sunday, November 13, 2011 – 01:00 p.m.

All the wild speculation continues in regards to who will run to replace Congressman Jerry Lewis (R-Redlands), should he retire.

Read the rest of this entry »

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.

Read the rest of this entry »

Monday, October 31, 2011 – 03:30 p.m.

As predicted the U.S. Department of Justice has a task force examining the financial situation of Victorville, California.

Read the rest of this entry »

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.

Read the rest of this entry »

Friday, October 21, 2011

The California Attorney General’s Office’s filing of charges against Third District San Bernardino County supervisor Neil Derry six months ago has opened up a can of legal and political worms that is likely to complicate the future political landscape for not only Attorney General Kamala Harris, but San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos and at least two of Derry’s colleagues on the board of supervisors.

Read the rest of this entry »

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.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tuesday, October 18, 2011 – 04:30 p.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, October 18, 2011 – 07:15 p.m.

The attorney representing Rickie Lee Fowler is bringing forward strong accusations these days.

Fowler faces capital charges from allegations that he is the perpetrator who set the 2003 Old Fire. The case against him was brought by the District Attorney through a grand jury indictment obtained at the end of the criminal statute of limitations period.

Read the rest of this entry »

Saturday, October 15, 2011 – 04:00 p.m.
Last Modified: Sunday, October 16, 2011 – 09:20 p.m.

San Bernardino County’s pension fund has killed no-bid contracts for two politically-connected consultants.

Read the rest of this entry »

Friday, October 7, 2011 – 09:45 a.m.

You’ve got to hand it to politicians with aspirations for higher office and a desire to deflect. The compare and contrast of the following two stories says it all.

Read the rest of this entry »

Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 10/06/2011 07:11:55 PM PDT

Senior state Assistant Attorney General Gary Schons will retire at the end of the month and will begin a new job at the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, officials from both offices said.

San Bernardino County Assistant District Attorney Jim Hackleman also is retiring. His last day is Friday.

Read the rest of this entry »

Lewis

Monday, October 3, 2011 – 05:45 a.m.

Could U.S. Representative Jerry Lewis (R-Redlands) be pulling the plug.

It looks like this could be the case.

Read the rest of this entry »

San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael Ramos announces the indictment of Paul Biane, former of the Board of supervisors, Mark Kirk, former Chief of Staff for Board member Gary Ovitt, James Erwin, former Chief of Staff for Board member Neil Derry and Jeffrey Burum, General Partner of Colonies Partners, L.P., by the criminal Grand Jury during a press conference at the District Attorneys office on Tuesday, May 10, 2011. Al Cuizon/Staff Photographer (Sun file photo)

Mike Cruz, Staff Writer
Posted: 09/27/2011 12:07:51 PM PDT

REPORTS FROM COURT: Get updates as they happen. Follow @SBcourts to keep up with the latest developments

Alleging a conflict of interest exists, the attorney for Rancho Cucamonga developer Jeff Burum wants the district attorney recused from prosecuting his client.

Read the rest of this entry »

06:51 AM PDT on Wednesday, September 28, 2011

BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com

Special Section: San Bernardino Co. Probe

A San Bernardino County Superior Court judge on Tuesday ordered prosecutors to turn over additional evidence to defendants in a corruption investigation, including information their attorneys claim will show that the district attorney has a conflict of interest.

Read the rest of this entry »

Staff Reports
Posted: 09/27/2011 12:07:51 PM PDT

REPORTS FROM COURT:Get updates as they happen. Follow @SBcourtsto keep up with the latest developments

The attorney for Rancho Cucamonga developer Jeff Burum alleged in court today that San Bernardino County D.A. Michael A. Ramos has a conflict of interest in prosecuting him on alleged corruption charges.

Read the rest of this entry »

10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, September 20, 2011

BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com

San Bernardino County public safety officials admitted to being a “little nervous” as they prepare to take over supervision of some low-risk offenders from the state prison system but said Tuesday they also see it as an opportunity to reduce recidivism.

Starting Oct. 1, counties will take over the supervision and custody of some convicts under a state law signed in .

Read the rest of this entry »

Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Created: 09/17/2011 08:45:23 PM PDT

Special Section: SB County Watch

FBI and IRS involvement in the biggest county corruption scandal in history is serious, far-reaching and unusual, say two legal experts and a former San Bernardino County District Attorney.

Read the rest of this entry »

BY DUANE W. GANG and IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITERS
dgang@pe.com | ighori@pe.com

Federal agents descended upon Riverside and San Bernardino counties on Thursday, serving search warrants on nine locations with ties to the Colonies Partners corruption probe.

Read the rest of this entry »

Joe Nelson, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Created: 09/15/2011 12:04:21 PM PDT

FBI and IRS agents served nine search warrants Thursday at the homes and offices of former state Senator Jim Brulte, a Riverside publicist and four defendants in a sweeping San Bernardino County corruption scandal.

Read the rest of this entry »

Harris

Joe Nelson, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Posted: 09/08/2011 07:05:22 PM PDT

California Attorney General Kamala Harris said Thursday that despite the challenges at her office due to limited resources, her office remains committed to assisting San Bernardino County prosecutors in a sweeping corruption probe.

Read the rest of this entry »

Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Created: 09/03/2011 09:44:40 PM PDT

Attorneys for defendants in a sweeping corruption probe tied to San Bernardino County’s $102 million settlement with Rancho Cucamonga developer Colonies Partners LP complain that prosecutors presented one-sided evidence to a criminal grand jury in April.

Among the evidence prosecutors didn’t present include the March 2009 Grand Jury testimony of Colonies co-managing partner Jeff Burum, who at the time was called as a witness during a scandal at the county Assessor’s Office.

Read the rest of this entry »

By John Charles
Created: 09/01/2011 05:44:55 PM PDT

The San Bernardino County district attorney appears to be hell-bent on continuing the persecution of a developer and three former county officials even though every time they get in front of a judge, the county loses! Here is my take on how this has all unfolded:

Read the rest of this entry »

From left, Paul Biane, Jim Erwin and Jeff Burum have their GPS ankle braclets removed Wednesday morning in the hallway of the San Bernardino Superior Court. A judge ordered the Colonies defendants’ electronic monitoring and travel restriction order be lifted. (Courtesy photos)

CORRUPTION IN SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
By Joe Nelson and Mike Cruz, Staff Writers
Created: 08/31/2011 10:05:07 AM PDT

SAN BERNARDINO — A San Bernardino Superior Court judge on Wednesday lifted an electronic monitoring and travel restriction order for four defendants in a sweeping county corruption case, while prosecutors announced they are appealing the dismissal of some of the charges against the defendants.

Read the rest of this entry »

10:31 PM PDT on Wednesday, August 31, 2011

BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com

Special Section: San Bernardino Co. Corruption Probe

Defendants in a San Bernardino County corruption case left court Wednesday free of the electronic ankle bracelets they had been forced to wear for more than three months.

Read the rest of this entry »

Mike Cruz and Joe Nelson, Staff Writers
Created: 08/31/2011 05:33:48 PM PDT

Attorneys for Rancho Cucamonga developer Jeff Burum will receive an unredacted copy of his March 2009 Grand Jury testimony, Presiding Judge Douglas Elwell ordered Wednesday.

Read the rest of this entry »

Cassie MacDuff

10:27 AM PDT on Tuesday, August 30, 2011

The corruption prosecution of the San Bernardino County Four suffered a big setback recently when a judge ruled that approving a $102 million settlement in exchange for political contributions isn’t against the law.

Read the rest of this entry »

CORRUPTION IN SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY

By Mike Cruz and Melissa Pinion-Whitt, Staff Writers
Created: 08/31/2011 10:05:07 AM PDT

Past coverage: Read previous stories on corruption in San Bernardino County in our special online section

Read the rest of this entry »

Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/29/2011 08:42:20 PM PDT

An attorney for a Rancho Cucamonga developer accused of conspiring with San Bernardino County officials to gain a $102 million settlement says prosecutors have failed to provide him with documents and other evidence that will exonerate his client.

Read the rest of this entry »

10:48 PM PDT on Monday, August 29, 2011

BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com

Special Section: San Bernardino Co. Corruption Probe

Defendants in a San Bernardino County corruption case are asking a judge to ease bail restrictions requiring them to wear electronic ankle bracelets monitoring their whereabouts.

Read the rest of this entry »

Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/27/2011 09:47:32 PM PDT

The dismissal of five of seven criminal charges against Rancho Cucamonga developer Jeff Burum in a far-reaching county corruption scandal is the latest twist in a case that has seen sweeping changes in the past two years.

Read the rest of this entry »

Mike Cruz and Joe Nelson, Staff Writers
Posted: 08/20/2011 06:00:25 PM PDT

A judge’s decision to dismiss most of the felony charges against Rancho Cucamonga developer Jeff Burum in a sweeping corruption case should not affect the legal standing of key witness Bill Postmus, attorneys say.

Read the rest of this entry »

From left, Mark Kirk, Paul Biane, Jeff Burum and Jim Erwin stand before Judge Brian McCarville. All heard the judge dismiss at least one count against them in the San Bernardino County corruption probe. Each pleaded not guilty later in the day to the remaining charges.(Kurt Miller/Staff Photographer)

09:58 PM PDT on Friday, August 19, 2011

BY IMRAN GHORI and DUANE W. GANG
STAFF WRITERS
ighori@pe.com | dgang@pe.com

A San Bernardino County Superior Court judge dismissed the majority of charges against Rancho Cucamonga businessman Jeff Burum on Friday, a decision that his attorneys described as a major blow to prosecutors in a wide-ranging corruption probe.

Read the rest of this entry »

Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/19/2011 10:05:32 AM PDT

A San Bernardino Superior Court judge on Friday dismissed five of seven felony charges against Rancho Cucamonga developer Jeff Burum, whom prosecutors allege bribed county officials to settle a lawsuit with his company for $102 million.

Read the rest of this entry »

Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 08/19/2011 05:32:24 PM PDT

A judge’s decision to dismiss several charges against a Rancho Cucamonga-based developer and three former San Bernardino County officials has not weakened the case against them, according to district attorney’s officials.

Read the rest of this entry »

Former Supervisor Dennis Hansberger and Former County Chief Executive Mark Uffer

Wendy Leung, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/19/2011 06:11:13 PM PDT

Few former or current San Bernardino County officials were surprised Friday by a judge’s dismissal of most of the charges against a Rancho Cucamonga-based developer.

Read the rest of this entry »

Lewis

Friday, August 12, 2011 – 09:30 a.m.

San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman James Ramos, a democrat, trumps his endorsement of U.S. Representative Jerry Lewis (R-Redlands).

Woooo…..Hooo…….

Yes, it’s certainly a game changer in Ramos’ bid for a seat on the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.

Read the rest of this entry »

Some counties pick up bill for others
Neil Nisperos, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/07/2011 09:47:18 PM PDT

San Bernardino and Alameda counties may be statistically similar in terms of crime rate, but officials in San Bernardino send twice as many to prison and the county uses more state corrections money than its Bay Area counterpart, according to a new policy report.

Read the rest of this entry »

Wagner

Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/03/2011 06:45:50 PM PDT

Retired San Bernardino Superior Court Judge Christopher Warner is demanding from former interim County Counsel Dennis Wagner a copy of a complaint Wagner filed against him and another judge in 2006 alleging judicial misconduct.

Read the rest of this entry »

10:29 PM PDT on Tuesday, August 2, 2011

By DUANE W. GANG
The Press-Enterprise

Special Section: San Bernardino Co. Probe

From the moment that 2,769 pages of grand jury testimony became public in a sweeping San Bernardino County corruption probe, defense attorneys accused prosecutors of presenting one-sided evidence.

Read the rest of this entry »

10:19 PM PDT on Friday, July 29, 2011

By DUG BEGLEY
The Press-Enterprise

Special Section: San Bernardino Co. Probe

SAN DIEGO – A public corruption case in San Bernardino County is becoming increasingly intertwined with a related lawsuit, and some lawyers in the civil case accused the county counsel’s office of cooperating with one of the felony defendants.

Read the rest of this entry »

By Sandra Emerson Staff Writer
Posted: 07/29/2011 04:37:30 PM PDT

A judge will continue to review a request to delay the San Bernardino County Flood Control District’s lawsuit against three public agencies seeking to recoup part of a $102 million settlement at the center of bribery allegations.

Read the rest of this entry »

By Joe Nelson Staff Writer
Created: 07/28/2011 08:05:07 PM PDT

District Attorney Michael A. Ramos on Thursday again called on San Bernardino County leaders to set limits on campaign contributions to thwart political corruption that has plagued the county for at least 20 years.

Read the rest of this entry »

11:58 PM PDT on Friday, July 22, 2011

By DUANE W. GANG and IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise

In the summer of 2006, Bill Postmus was running in a close race for San Bernardino County assessor while dealing with a worsening methamphetamine addiction and hiding the fact that he was gay.

Read the rest of this entry »

CONSPIRACY THEORY

In 2,500 pages, 45 witnesses detail the scandal
Joe Nelson, Mike Cruz and Sandra Emerson, Staff Writers
Created: 07/22/2011 07:48:56 PM PDT

Promises of continuing financial support versus the prospect of political ruin were key factors for at least two of the three county supervisors who approved a controversial $102 million settlement with developer Colonies Partners LP in 2006, according to testimony before the county’s grand jury earlier this year.

Read the rest of this entry »

09:41 PM PDT on Tuesday, July 19, 2011

By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise

Special Section: San Bernardino Corruption Probe

San Bernardino County Supervisor Neil Derry pleaded guilty Tuesday to a misdemeanor charge of failing to report a campaign contribution in a deal that will spare him from jail time and won’t affect his ability to stay in office.

Superior Court Judge Michael Dest dismissed the two more serious felony charges of perjury and filing a false report against Derry and ordered him to pay a $5,000 fine to the California Fair Political Practices Commission and about $5,000 in court fines and penalties.

Read the rest of this entry »

Felony counts dropped; $10,000 in fines ordered
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/19/2011 07:15:02 PM PDT

San Bernardino County Supervisor Neil Derry on Tuesday pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of failing to report a campaign contribution under a plea agreement to have two felony charges against him dismissed.

Read the rest of this entry »