Politics, Government and Business in Southern California's Inland Empire
BY RICHARD K. De ATLEY
STAFF WRITER
rdeatley@pe.com
Published: 30 January 2012 11:33 AM
A judge Monday barred 248 health-care workers from joining a one-day strike by members of Riverside County’s second-largest union.
Mike Cruz, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Created: 01/30/2012 10:27:09 AM PST
RANCHO CUCAMONGA – A workplace discrimination lawsuit has been filed in Superior Court against Ontario Police Chief Eric Hopley by his former administrative assistant Brenda Vallejo.
PolitiCal
On politics in the Golden State
January 30, 2012 | 3:31 pm
California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye lost a round over Judicial Council power
The state’s top judge lost a political battle Monday when the state Assembly voted to shift key budget decisions from the state Judicial Council that she heads to local trial courts, some of which have complained about the panel’s handling of money.
RICHARD K. De ATLEY/Staff
RICHARD K. De ATLEY
STAFF WRITER
rdeatley@pe.com
Published: 29 January 2012 07:33 PM
Like passengers on a plane with half the engines snuffed, Inland court officials can only wait and watch as Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed budget for next year fiscal year moves through the state’s political turbulence.
By Howard Mintz hmintz@mercurynews.com
Posted: 01/30/2012 06:56:26 AM PST
Updated: 01/30/2012 07:31:17 AM PST
With a crucial vote looming Monday, a conflict that has shaken California’s judiciary reaches a critical stage when the Assembly considers legislation that would strip control of most of the court system’s purse strings from a central bureaucracy and turn it over to the Legislature and local trial judges.
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 01/28/2012 06:06:01 AM PST
UPLAND – The City Council has not made a formal request for the League of California Cities’ assistance in the medical marijuana case pending in the state Supreme Court, but some inquiries have been made.
By Jim Sanders
jsanders@sacbee.com
Published: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
A California Supreme Court ruling Friday significantly raised Democratic Party prospects of gaining the supermajority needed in the state Senate to pass tax or fee increases.
The high court decided that Senate maps drawn recently by a 14-member citizens commission will be used for this year’s legislative elections, even if a pending referendum qualifies for the ballot.
PolitiCal
On politics in the Golden State
January 27, 2012 | 10:19 am
A correction has been added to this post. See below for details.
The California Supreme Court, faced with a possible ballot measure to scrap newly drawn election districts, decided Friday to leave the boundaries in place for this year’s state Senate races.
January 26, 2012
Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye today urged the defeat of Assembly legislation that would undermine the authority of the Judicial Council, and give courts in as few as two counties authority to veto any statewide judicial project.
Cantil-Sakauye, who became chief justice in 2010, is showing herself to be a tough fighter as she lobbies to kill legislation by Assemblyman Charles Calderon, D-Whittier, himself the consummate inside player.
PolitiCal
On politics in the Golden State
January 24, 2012 | 1:51 pm
Democratic lawmakers sued state Controller John Chiang on Tuesday seeking limits on the controller’s right to withhold lawmakers’ pay during a budget stalemate.
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
Published: Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
As the Legislature reconvened this month, California’s judges resumed their civil war over money and power.
It pits Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye and the State Judicial Council, along with one faction of trial and appellate judges, against a rebellious faction, organized as the Alliance of California Judges, over how to allocate pain as the courts adjust to reduced financing.
By Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 01/19/2012 03:50:38 PM PST
RANCHO CUCAMONGA – G3 Holistic in Upland will be able to remain open.
A West Valley Superior Court judge ruled in favor of the medical marijuana cooperative because the case is under review by the California Supreme Court.
BY RICHARD K. De ATLEY
STAFF WRITER
rdeatley@pe.com
Published: 18 January 2012 03:51 PM
The California Supreme Court will review a city of Riverside medical marijuana case in which a lower court ruled that cities and counties have the right to ban dispensaries.
Local governments throughout the state have used that decision, issued in November by the Fourth District Court of Appeal, to shut down medical marijuana clinics within their boundaries.
By Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 01/18/2012 03:55:17 PM PST
UPLAND – The California Supreme Court decided on Wednesday to review an appeal filed by an Upland medical marijuana cooperative.
Counsel representing G3 Holistic in Upland filed the appeal in December following a decision in November by the Fourth District Appellate Court in Riverside siding with the city’s ban on medical marijuana dispensaries through its zoning code.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 – 06:00 p.m.
So much for that plea deal way back when!
Anthony Orlando Sanchez, 36, plead not guilty to extortion and bribery charges this afternoon in U.S. District Court in Riverside.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 – 4:00 p.m.
The attempt by the City of Upland to shutter a medical marijuana co-op fell flat last week.
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/12/2012 04:49:18 PM PST
An attorney for Norton Property Management Services LLC, one of 16 companies under federal investigation in connection with an alleged corruption at San Bernardino International Airport, says aggressive actions by the airport forced the company to file bankruptcy.
By Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/09/2012 08:08:49 PM PST
Representatives of Norton Property Management Services, LLC., which rents and operates portions of a hangar at the embattled San Bernardino International Airport, met with creditors on Monday as the company’s bankruptcy proceedings moved forward.
Wes Woods II, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Created: 01/09/2012 03:03:05 PM PST
View Document: Lawsuit filed by Claremont police union vs. city and chamber
CLAREMONT – The Claremont Police Officers Association has filed a lawsuit against the Claremont Chamber of Commerce and the city alleging its right to freedom of expression, association and assembly were violated at the Village Venture event in October.
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
Published: Monday, Jan. 9, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
Last Modified: Monday, Jan. 9, 2012 – 6:30 am
Last year, the state Supreme Court interjected itself – in a big way – into the perennial “tort war” that pits personal injury lawyers against insurance companies and business groups over the arcane rules of liability lawsuits.
BY ALICIA ROBINSON
STAFF WRITER
arobinson@pe.com
Published: 07 January 2012 06:52 PM
Riverside may have to scrap plans for a downtown bus and train transit hub, a new shopping plaza in the Five Points area of La Sierra, relocation of two historic Victorian homes and a variety of other projects, now that state legislation and a court ruling have dismantled redevelopment.
Worse yet, say city officials, they may be forced to sell many of the properties owned by the city’s now-defunct redevelopment agency, including some on the Main Street mall, University Avenue, at Five Points, and in several areas downtown where new and better housing was planned.
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.
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 01/06/2012 03:35:10 PM PST
UPLAND – G3 Holistic will remain open, for now.
West Valley Superior Court Judge Barry Plotkin on Friday postponed his decision on whether or not the co-op can remain open until the California Supreme Court decides whether to review G3′s appeal.
Published: Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 4A
A Republican group backing a referendum challenging newly drawn state Senate districts believes they have inched closer to qualifying just days before the California Supreme Court will hear arguments over whether it should intervene.
Wes Woods II and Sandra Emerson, Staff writers
Created: 01/05/2012 03:34:25 PM PST
UPLAND – A week later: It’s still open.
Medical marijuana collective G3 Holistics Inc. continues to be open for business, but it may not be so for long.
Mike Cruz, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/03/2012 04:17:20 PM PST
SAN BERNARDINO – A Redlands girl who says she was sexually abused by a former sheriff’s deputy while in the sheriff’s Explorer program also alleges in a civil lawsuit that administrators at the Sheriff’s Department and the Public Safety Academy, a charter school in San Bernardino, were negligent or failed to act.
January 03, 2012 1:50 PM
Brooke Edwards Staggs, City Editor
VICTORVILLE • An attorney is seeking to recover more than $9 million in damages on behalf of 4,300 people who’ve received tickets from Victorville’s red light cameras, claiming the system is “unfair, unlawful, fraudulent and deceptive.”
Robert Conaway, a criminal defense attorney from Barstow, sent notice in early December to the city of Victorville and Redflex Traffic Systems that he intends to file a class action lawsuit unless changes are made with the way red light cameras are handled here. He updated that notice in late December, tacking on the calculated damages.
By Neil Nisperos, Staff Writer
Created: 01/02/2012 03:10:55 PM PST
The California Supreme Court will hear arguments on Jan. 10 about redistricting lines that will be used in 2012′s state Senate elections.
A Republican group had asked the California Supreme Court on Dec. 2 to shelve the newly drawn state Senate district map, even though the court previously declined to take up such a challenge.
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.
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.
BY KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
STAFF WRITER
kpierceall@pe.com
Published: 30 December 2011 07:21 PM
Leaders with three Inland groups overhauling former military bases say legislation that would dissolve the state’s redevelopment agencies doesn’t apply to them.
The legislation was upheld by the state’s Supreme Court on Thursday.
Sandra Emerson, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Created: 12/30/2011 12:17:57 PM PST
UPLAND – The city experienced a number of controversies in 2011 and will continue to deal with some of the legal ramifications in 2012.
Former Mayor John Pomierski’s federal trial is set for April, which may occur during the city election when the mayor’s seat and a council seat is up for re-election.
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.
Marisa Lagos, Chronicle Staff Writer
Friday, December 30, 2011
The California Supreme Court dealt a deathblow to the state’s 60-year-old redevelopment program, ruling Thursday that lawmakers had the authority to eliminate the economic development program and striking down a law that would have allowed the agencies to exist in smaller form.
The ruling was the worst-case scenario for cities, which argued they needed the program to spur economic development in blighted areas and create jobs – but it was a win for Gov. Jerry Brown.
Capitol Alert
The latest on California politics and government
December 29, 2011
In a significant budget win for Gov. Jerry Brown and lawmakers, the California Supreme Court ruled Thursday the state can eliminate the local agencies that subsidize construction in blighted areas.
BY JANET ZIMMERMAN
STAFF WRITER
jzimmerman@pe.com
Published: 28 December 2011 01:56 PM
Riverside County officials said Wednesday they have begun legal action to close about three dozen medical marijuana dispensaries in unincorporated areas.
Attorneys filed for an injunction and issued legislative subpoenas against two of the stores, the latest volley since the Board of Supervisors authorized crackdowns on Dec. 13.
Capitol Alert
The latest on California politics and government
December 28, 2011
The California Supreme Court will rule Thursday on a case with huge implications for the state budget and the future of some 400 local redevelopment agencies.
BY RICHARD K. De ATLEY
STAFF WRITER
rdeatley@pe.com
Published: 27 December 2011 05:41 PM
Riverside County got its first Latina judge Tuesday when Gov. Jerry Brown announced the appointment of Raquel A. Marquez to the bench.
Also named to judgeships by the governor were Riverside County Commissioner John W. Vineyard and Supervising District Attorney Otis Sterling III.
Sandra Emerson, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Created: 12/27/2011 10:24:01 AM PST
UPLAND – Former Police Chief Steve Adams is no longer being accused of extortion by operators of a closed restaurant.
Adams was dismissed from Chronic Cantina’s civil case against the city earlier this month.
By Maura Dolan, Los Angeles Times
December 24, 2011
Reporting from San Francisco— Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, who heads the state’s judicial branch and its highest court, said in an interview that the death penalty is no longer effective in California and suggested she would welcome a public debate on its merits and costs.
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 12/22/2011 06:24:24 PM PST
Special Section: Upland Watch
UPLAND – Former Mayor John Pomierski may file a lawsuit against the city for refusing to represent him in a civil suit filed by the former Chronic Cantina restaurant and bar.
A claim was filed with the city this week by Pomierski’s civil attorney, Robert Schauer, demanding the city represent Pomierski or face a lawsuit seeking attorney’s fees and other damages.
Canan Tasci, Staff Writer
Created: 12/22/2011 12:55:33 PM PST
CHINO HILLS – The state Supreme Court has denied a city petition to review its case against the installation of high-voltage power lines in the city.
The city’s attorney was informed that the Supreme Court declined to review a Court of Appeal’s decision on the city’s efforts to fight the route on which Southern California Edison has plans to build 200-foot transmission towers through the city.
Money & Company
Tracking the market and economic trends that shape your finances.
December 20, 2011 | 2:43 pm
California Atty. Gen. Kamala D. Harris has filed suit against mortgage titans Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for refusing to answer subpoenas issued to the companies this year.
Joe Nelson, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Posted: 12/19/2011 05:22:30 PM PST
Seven current and former employees of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, accused of forging training documents for increased pay in a decade-long scam, appeared briefly in San Bernardino Superior Court Monday for a pre-trial hearing.
Lawyers agreed to another continuance and set a new pretrial date for March 23.
BY JIM MILLER, SACRAMENTO BUREAU
AND BRIAN JOSEPH, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
jmiller@pe.combjoseph@ocregister.com
Published: 17 December 2011 06:33 PM
SACRAMENTO — More than 230 years since the American Revolution, taxation without representation survives in the California State Senate.
Under new lines scheduled to take effect next year, millions of Californians will lack a senator while millions of others will be represented by two senators in 2013 and 2014.
And it’s totally legal.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 16 December 2011 10:53 AM
A retrial of two businessmen accused of attempting to bribe a top aide to San Bernardino County Supervisor Josie Gonzales has been postponed until March.
By Carol J. Williams Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
December 16, 2011, 12:50 p.m.
A judge on Friday threw out California’s new lethal-injection protocols, which have been six years in the making, because corrections officials failed to consider a one-drug execution method now in practice in other death penalty states.
By David Glovin and Joshua Gallu
December 16, 2011 9:58 AM PT
Daniel Mudd, the former chief executive officer of Fannie Mae, and Richard Syron, ex-CEO of Freddie Mac, were sued by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for understating by hundreds of billions of dollars the subprime loans held by the firms.
BY KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
STAFF WRITER
kpierceall@pe.com
Published: 14 December 2011 04:33 PM
The man who had been put in control of nearly every facet of San Bernardino International Airport’s development and management could have a diminished role by Christmas.
Josh Dulaney and Joe Nelson, Staff Writers
Posted: 12/14/2011 04:33:17 PM PST
Officials overseeing San Bernardino International Airport approved a process Wednesday by which controversial airport developer Scot Spencer faces removal from most operations.
BY KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
STAFF WRITER
kpierceall@pe.com
Published: 13 December 2011 07:41 PM
The longtime landlord of one of San Bernardino International Airport’s largest hangars has filed for bankruptcy.
The public agency overseeing the airport is owed more than $400,000 in unpaid rent and has filed a suit to formally evict Norton Property Management Services LLC.
CRIME AND PUNISHMENT
Debra J. Saunders
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Imagine a democracy in which key players are committed to making sure that duly-enacted laws don’t work. These players slow things down. They hire confederates who also want to sabotage the system. Then they shrug and claim that, while they want to enforce the law, success is impossible and, besides, prohibitively expensive.
Saturday, December 10, 2011 – 09:00 a.m.
Speaking of no justice.
Friday’s plea deal between the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office and defendant Gregory Eyler depicts a stark reality when prosecutions turn political in nature.
The move avoids a jury trial originally set for January 30, 2012.
Friday, December 9, 2011 – 04:30 p.m.
The California Court of Appeal has now entered the fray on the Colonies case.
Capitol Alert
The latest on California politics and government
December 9, 2011
The California Supreme Court expects to rule “as early as the end of January” on which state Senate districts would apply to next year’s state elections if a referendum challenging newly drawn maps qualifies for the November ballot.
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.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Created: 12/08/2011 08:04:06 PM PST
San Bernardino County prosecutors have filed four additional perjury charges against an Apple Valley businessman accused of lying to the Grand Jury in a sweeping county corruption probe.
By Jim Morhard
Saturday, December 3, 2011
After federal district court Judge Emmet Sullivan dismissed the conviction of former Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens on charges of failing to properly report gifts, he ordered an investigation of the prosecutors. Quoting from the report (which is sealed until January), the judge recently explained that the investigators found ample evidence that the prosecution of Stevens (who was killed in a plane crash last year) was “permeated by the systematic concealment of significant exculpatory evidence which would have independently corroborated his defense and his testimony, and seriously damaged the testimony and credibility of the government’s key witness.”
PolitiCal
On politics in the Golden State
December 6, 2011 | 2:59 pm
Kinde Durkee Three months after the arrest of campaign treasurer Kinde Durkee on suspicion of mishandling political funds from a state lawmaker’s account, federal prosecutors said Tuesday they need more time to complete their investigation to determine whether other politicians lost money.
Sandra Emerson, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Created: 12/06/2011 12:05:33 PM PST
UPLAND – An Upland contractor who was named in an 11-count indictment along with former Mayor John Pomierski has pleaded guilty to two of the four counts against him.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011 – 11:00 a.m.
San Bernardino County prosecutors have engineered another of a series of delays in a nearly two-year old case against a High-Desert developer.
The action has once again delayed the cross-examination of a key-witness.
Cheryl Miller
The Recorder
December 5, 2011
SACRAMENTO — With 2011 nearing a close, California lawyers must be wondering which will arrive first: Gov. Jerry Brown’s first trial court appointments or Santa Claus.
Nearly a full year into his administration, Brown has named just one jurist — albeit a very high-profile one — to the bench: Supreme Court Justice Goodwin Liu. Meanwhile, vacancies in the superior and appellate courts have gone unfilled and totaled 62 at the end of October, the latest figure available from the Administrative Office of the Courts. The vacancy rate is nearing a two-year high.
By Joe Piasecki, Los Angeles Times
December 5, 2011
A Sacramento Superior Court judge has ruled that the California Assembly must disclose budget records of individual lawmakers, handing a victory to newspapers that filed a lawsuit accusing legislators of flouting the state’s open records laws.
Capitol Alert
The latest on California politics and government
December 2, 2011
A Republican-backed group seeking to place newly drawn state Senate districts before voters next year is asking the California Supreme Court to prepare for its referendum to qualify for the ballot.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 01 December 2011 09:21 AM
A San Bernardino County Superior Court judge Thursday delayed the sentencing of former assistant county assessor Adam Aleman, who is a key witness in a corruption investigation.
PolitiCal
On politics in the Golden State
December 1, 2011 | 3:54 pm
A Sacramento County Superior Court judge has tentatively ordered the California Assembly to release lawmakers’ office budgets and other legislative documents it had claimed were exempt from public disclosure.
BY RICHARD K. De ATLEY
STAFF WRITER
rdeatley@pe.com
Published: 30 November 2011 09:20 PM
Inland officials are facing lengthy consequences from the state’s new law to house nonviolent convicts in county jail instead of state prison.
The realignment law, AB109, which took effect Oct. 1, was presented as capping county jail sentences at three years. That isn’t happening.
By Melissa Pinion-Whitt, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Posted: 11/30/2011 12:29:42 PM PST
SAN BERNARDINO – Construction began Wednesday on the new San Bernardino County courthouse in downtown San Bernardino.
The estimated $339 million project, which has been in development since 2007, will be an 11-story building with 36 courtrooms.
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.
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.
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