11:11 AM PDT on Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Former Grand Terrace City Councilman Jim Miller pleaded guilty this morning to a misdemeanor charge stemming from payments he voted to approve to his wife’s weekly newspaper.
Miller pleaded guilty to having a financial interest by a state or local official in a government contract. In exchange for the guilty plea, prosecutors dropped a felony conflict of interest charge, which could have included prison time.
Saturday, July 24, 2010 – 05:00 pm
From District Attorney investigators recently pulling time card records of at least one current high-profile County Government Center employee, to pre-election day cover-ups, to intrigue surrounding the Public Defender’s office disqualifying itself in the conspiracy case involving former Assessor Bill Postmus, things are about to start stirring in San Bernardino County political and legal circles.
Much is happening these days.
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.
Mike Cruz, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/21/2010 06:06:11 PM PDT
Prosecutors may present some of their evidence of malfeasance by two former top officials in the county Assessor’s Office at a hearing next month, a judge ruled Wednesday.
Former Assessor Bill Postmus and Gregory Eyler, former taxpayer advocate, were scheduled for a preliminary hearing Aug. 12 during their appearances in San Bernardino Superior Court.
By Mike Cruz
Created: 07/21/2010 04:07:19 PM PDT
A Superior Court judge has recalled an arrest warrant against former county taxpayer advocate Gregory Eyler, who missed a court appearance this morning because he had overslept, his lawyer said.
Eyler appeared about 3:10 p.m. in San Bernardino Superior Court, court personnel confirmed. Judge Michael Dest resumed Eyler’s bail bond and withdrew a $200,000 warrant for the defendant’s arrest, lawyer Stan Hodge said.
By Mike Cruz
Posted: 07/21/2010 10:51:29 AM PDT
A Superior Court judge issued a bench warrant for Gregory Eyler and ordered his bail bond forfeited this morning when the former county taxpayer advocate failed to appear for a scheduled hearing.
Eyler and former Assessor Bill Postmus were both scheduled to appear before Judge Michael Dest at 8:30 a.m. in San Bernardino Superior Court. Both are charged in a case stemming from the county’s investigation into alleged malfeasance in the Assessor’s Office.
A county union has moved to recover legal costs from San Bernardino County after the judge hearing a lawsuit filed by the county encouraged them to do so.
A lawsuit filed against the San Bernardino County Public Attorney’s Association by the County, at the recommendation of County Counsel Ruth Stringer and Public Defender Doreen Boxer, was dismissed a few months ago.
At that time the judge in the case, Christopher Warner, expressed his displeasure at the county for bringing such a ridiculous action.
A Project of the Center for Investigative Reporting
Money and Politics
California WatchBlog
July 15, 2010 | Lance Williams
To conceal the fearsome prospective impact of California’s pension bomb from the taxpayers, bureaucrats sometimes play hide the ball.
When they do, it’s up to open-government advocates to drag them into court and make them do the right thing.
San Bernardino County officials have taken a new approach at inquiries into costs associated with civil litigation related to alleged time card fraud in the Assessors operation under Bill Postmus.
The new approach? We’re not going to tell you.
Yes, that’s right. An official request for an updated legal cost figure was met with the following response. The cost of taxpayer-sponsored litigation is now confidential!
Environmental report goes to judge
July 13, 2010 4:53 PM
By Jessica Cejnar, staff writer
SAN BERNARDINO • Nursery Products won approval from the county a second time to build a sewage sludge composting facility about eight miles west of Hinkley.
Three members of the San Bernardino Board of Supervisors approved Nursery Products’ conditional use permit Tuesday. Fifth District Supervisor Josie Gonzales dissented. Fourth District Supervisor Gary Ovitt was absent.
Written by Administrator
July 12th, 2010 at 9:00 am
It is said that the love of money is the root of all evil and human behavior certainly suggests that the adoration of the almighty greenback brings about the demise of many a man. When we come across a panhandler on the street, some of us will throw change his way while others will look in the opposite direction, assuming he is trying to mislead us and get something for nothing.
The same goes for charities and non-profits. Some of us take the good works they tout at face value while others look at all who ask for money with skepticism.
Written by Administrator
July 10th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
It doesn’t seem to matter if we are discussing Jeff Burum, the Lewis Family, or any other of a number of successful, wealthy businessmen in our community, they are all “corrupt.” I don’t mean that they are really, truly corrupt, but they are “corrupt” in the minds of the less successful. The common thought seems to be that if one has money, then one has no integrity. Our community doesn’t allow for making an “honest” hundred million or so. Hard work, sacrifice, intellect, college education, and just plain good old-fashioned luck can all be damned. If one is successful, then one must be a crook.
11:33 AM PDT on Friday, July 9, 2010
By DUANE W. GANG
The Press-Enterprise
A Superior Court judge Friday ordered Riverside County elections officials to count 12,563 disputed mail-in ballots and include the results in the final tally from the June 8 primary.
County officials began counting the votes shortly after Riverside County Superior Court Judge Mac R. Fisher issued his ruling and expect to complete the task by tonight.
Point of View
Richard Grenell
Created: 07/08/2010 07:52:54 PM PDT
In the aftermath of the announcement that District Attorney Mike Ramos’ team failed miserably to prove that Rex Gutierrez participated in a conspiracy or lied on his time card, there was one little-noticed comment that stood out.
Assistant District Attorney Jim Hackleman, Mike Ramos’ appointed hatchet man, accidentally confirmed a suspicion many San Bernardino County residents had suspected for many months. Hackleman was asked by the media if the DA’s Office would seek a re-trial of their failed and costly conspiracy case and his comments were very telling. Hackleman proved just who was driving this wild political investigation when he said, “We’re going to sit down with our partners in the Attorney General’s office and will thoroughly review and refine our case with them.”
Rex Gutierrez
08:44 AM PDT on Thursday, July 8, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
Former San Bernardino County assessor’s official Rex Gutierrez will be retried starting Aug. 30 on corruption charges.
Superior Court Judge Duke Rouse scheduled the new trial at a brief hearing Wednesday. A pre-trial conference will be held Aug 6.
Boxer
Widely covered in numerous stories at iepolitics.com is the dissension within the San Bernardino County Public Defenders Office.
Clearly, various personnel and managerial miscues in recent months has cast a spotlight on the department. A department with such great responsibility to criminal defendants must perform at an optimum level. The Public Defender must garner trust and also possess the skill necessary to maintain client confidence in their legal counsel.
Gutierrez
A new trial date has been set for Rancho Cucamonga City Councilman and former Assessor employee Rex Gutierrez.
During a status conference yesterday, Superior Court Judge Duke Rouse set a pre-trial hearing for August 6th and a new jury trial for August 30th.
10:02 PM PDT on Wednesday, July 7, 2010
By DUANE W. GANG, LAURIE LUCAS and JIM MILLER
The Press-Enterprise
Moreno Valley resident Naomi Ingram didn’t want to miss out on last month’s election. Voting is her civic duty.
She tucked her ballot into her purse as she rushed to Texas to see her godmother, who has terminal cancer. She mailed it from Dallas five days before the June 8 primary.
10:16 PM PDT on Tuesday, July 6, 2010
By GENE GHIOTTO
The Press-Enterprise
A Lake Elsinore businessman and one of his former employees pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges that they conspired to hide the businessman’s involvement in the failed recall attempt of a city councilman.
Michel Knight, owner of Trevi Entertainment Center, and Enelida “Nellie” Caron, who worked at Trevi, entered their pleas before Superior Court Judge Richard Fields in Riverside.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
PolitiCal
On politics in the Golden State
July 6, 2010 | 3:45 pm
The court battle over the size of state worker paychecks continues.
The Schwarzenegger administration submitted a court petition Tuesday in Sacramento County Superior Court seeking an injunction to force state Controller John Chiang to slash the wages of roughly 200,000 state workers.
10:00 PM PDT on Sunday, July 4, 2010
The Press-Enterprise
Not only is a judge expected to decide Friday on the fate of 12,563 late-arriving mail ballots, but Registrar of Voters Barbara Dunmore has fielded a number of public records requests relating to the June 8 election.
Former Palm Springs Police Chief Gary Jeandron, who unsuccessfully challenged Supervisor John Benoit, filed a two-page 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.
Written by Administrator
July 1st, 2010 at 4:56 pm
As I read various blog comments and accounts of Rancho Cucamonga City Councilman and former San Bernardino County Assessor employee Rex Gutierrez’ corruption trial and non-verdict, I realize the magnitude of what happened Wednesday is lost on most. Let me explain.
The District Attorney pulled out all stops to keep this case from going to trial any sooner than necessary due to his re-election campaign and fear certain information might come out during the trial. Gutierrez refused to waive time further. The District Attorney used every procedural delay available and the trial did not commence until the last possible moment. The District Attorney was hoping a smoking gun would materialize but it never did. The District Attorney’s hand was forced.
10:00 PM PDT on Thursday, July 1, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
San Bernardino County prosecutors didn’t have any second thoughts about retrying a corruption case that ended in a mistrial, a district attorney’s official said Thursday.
Prosecutors made the announcement only minutes after Superior Court Judge Duke Rouse declared a mistrial in the criminal case against Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez. The state attorney general’s office, co-prosecuting the case, joined a statement supporting the decision.
Rex Gutierrez
Wendy Leung, Staff Writer
Created: 07/01/2010 04:37:59 PM PDT
RANCHO CUCAMONGA – Feeling optimistic and vindicated, Councilman Rex Gutierrez on Thursday announced he will seek re-election to the City Council in November.
A San Bernardino Superior Court jury on Wednesday failed to reach a verdict on Gutierrez’s criminal trial, leading Judge Duke Rouse to declare a mistrial. The outcome spelled relief for the embattled councilman, who was confident enough to announce his wish to remain on the City Council.
Capitol Alert
The latest on California politics and government
July 1, 2010
A Riverside County judge has set a hearing for July 9 to determine the fate of more than 12,500 primary ballots that went uncounted in the county.
Jim Miller reports in the Press-Enterprise that the judge also ordered Registrar of Voters Barbara Dunmore to hold off on certifying the results until the case is settled.
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.
Gutierrez
10:21 PM PDT on Wednesday, June 30, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
A San Bernardino County Superior Court judge declared a mistrial Wednesday in the criminal corruption case against Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez after a jury deadlocked on a verdict.
In a brief comment as he left the courtroom, Deputy District Attorney John Goritz said the office plans to retry Gutierrez.
Cortes
Melissa Pinion-Whitt, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/30/2010 02:36:57 PM PDT
A Grand Terrace councilwoman who sought a permanent restraining order against a resident she claimed was harassing her withdrew the request Wednesday in San Bernardino Superior Court.
The request by Bea Cortes would have barred Kay Moore from all Grand Terrace council meetings, City Hall, city events and other locations if it had been granted. But Cortes said she decided against pursuing it, opting to steer clear of a restaurant Moore frequents.
Elrod
Councilman makes no-contest plea
Lori Consalvo, Staff Writer
Created: 06/30/2010 09:12:53 PM PDT
CHINO – Councilman Earl Elrod on Wednesday pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor hit-and-run charge and received probation and a fine.
Elrod was not present in Chino Superior Court for the arraignment, but attorney David Goldstein made the plea on the councilman’s behalf.
June 30, 2010 5:49 PM
SAN BERNARDINO • Judge Duke D. Rouse declared a mistrial Wednesday in the corruption case of Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez, who’s accused of defrauding taxpayers while working in the San Bernardino County Assessor’s office under Bill Postmus.
Prosecutors argued Gutierrez, 50, worked on Rancho Cucamonga matters on county time and filed false time cards during his 22 months as intergovernmental relations officer in the Assessor’s office. He faced two felony counts of grand theft of more than $400 and one felony count of filing a false claim.
By PE Politics
on June 30, 2010 4:06 PM
The Riverside County Democratic Party and three voters filed a lawsuit today over the more than 12,500 ballots that have not been counted in the June 8 election.
In the lawsuit, Moreno Valley residents Naomi Ingram, Sherry Lynn Riegel and Jennifer Christina Riegel contend they mailed ballots on time. But the registrar of voters failed to pick up their ballots from a U.S. Postal Service facility in Moreno Valley due to a miscommunication, they said in the lawsuit.
Aleman
Breaking news here. The jury in the Rex Gutierrez trial didn’t believe key prosecution witness Adam Aleman.
Wow, no kidding.
Gutierrez
Joe Nelson and Mike Cruz, Staff Writers
Posted: 06/30/2010 04:06:38 PM PDT
A mistrial has been declared in the trial of Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez.
The 11-woman, one-man jury voted 7-5 and 8-4 in favor of convictions on Gutierrez’s two felony charges of grand theft and 9-3 in favor of conviction on one felony count of filing a false claim.
Jurors began deliberations on Monday.
The jury in the trial of Rancho Cucamonga city councilman and former Assessor employee Rex Gutierrez announced it was at an impasse Wednesday afternoon.
Superior Court Judge Duke D. Rouse declared a mistrial and sent the jury home after being informed a unanimous verdict could not be reached.
The jury, consisting of 11 women and 1 man, could not reach a verdict on any of the felony charges, consisting of two counts of grand theft and one count of filing a false claim.
The jury in the Rex Gutierrez case will commence their third day of deliberations at 9:30 a.m.
Expect a verdict if there is going to be one. After today the probability of a mistrial increases.
Stay tuned.
***This post was updated and revised late Tuesday night after the receipt of clarification on the jury’s inquiry. A completely different line of inquiry occurred than that originally published***
The jury deliberating the fate of Rancho Cucamonga city councilman and former Assessor employee Rex Gutierrez ended its first full day of deliberations with no verdict and a couple questions for the court and attorneys.
Cortes
Written by Administrator
June 29th, 2010 at 7:56 pm
Here is the order: Councilperson Cortes v. Moore Note: There are two separate files when you open the document. The first is the application and the second is the order.
A couple of things are noteworthy. First, the order is for 100 yards and includes city hall, city functions, etc. The defendant is a resident of Grand Terrace and this order basically denies her right to participate in city government or even pay her trash bill in person. If this order is made permanent, she would not be allowed to attend a 4th of July event if the city is sponsoring one, or a Christmas pageant, or a parade.
Jury deliberations to determine the fate of Rancho Cucamonga city councilman and former Assessor employee Rex Gutierrez has reconvened.
Gutierrez faces three felony charges related to alleged time card fraud during his employment under former Assessor Bill Postmus.
Rex Gutierrez
10:27 PM PDT on Monday, June 28, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
The first case to go to trial in a corruption investigation against five San Bernardino County officials went to the jury Monday.
In his closing arguments before a packed courtroom, defense attorney James Reiss called his client Rex Gutierrez a pawn in prosecutors’ attempts to go after an influential developer.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/28/2010 08:25:01 PM PDT
Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez, while employed at the San Bernardino County Assessor’s Office, honestly documented his activities, deceived no one and became a political pawn in a corruption probe by state and local prosecutors, his attorney argued Monday.
During an emphatic closing argument in San Bernardino Superior Court, defense attorney James Reiss decried prosecutors’ allegations that Gutierrez conspired with Rancho Cucamonga developer Jeff Burum and former Assessor Bill Postmus in taking a job at the county office while performing work in his capacity as a councilman.
The administration of justice is the firmest pillar of government.
~George Washington~
Written by Administrator
June 28th, 2010 at 10:14 pm
I intended for the final installment in this series to profile the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. But how many times can I write about the incestuous relationships between District Attorney Mike Ramos, Conflict Panel attorneys, Public Defender Doreen Boxer and judges—relationships that often should be prohibited by conflict laws if not their own sense of integrity and morality? Unfortunately, as we know “integrity and morality” are not important qualities to many of these individuals.
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.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/27/2010 09:52:30 PM PDT
After seven days of testimony, the trial of Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez approached its end Thursday with prosecutor John Goritz delivering his closing argument.
Defense attorney James Reiss delivers his closing argument today in San Bernardino Superior Court.
Gutierrez
10:00 PM PDT on Thursday, June 24, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez defrauded San Bernardino County taxpayers as part of a “culture of corruption” at the assessor’s office, a prosecutor charged Thursday in his closing argument.
Deputy District Attorney John Goritz told the jury there was overwhelming evidence of a conspiracy that allowed Gutierrez to get his position as intergovernmental relations officer at the assessor’s office through a political favor yet avoid any discipline for failing to do much work.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Created: 06/24/2010 07:30:48 PM PDT
Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez knowingly falsified time records and was paid for hours not worked in the county Assessor’s Office, and should therefore be convicted of grand theft, a prosecutor said Thursday in San Bernardino Superior Court.
“The evidence shows, well beyond a reasonable doubt, that the defendant lied on his time cards and didn’t show up for work regularly,” prosecutor John Goritz said during his closing argument Thursday in Gutierrez’s trial. “You can decide this case based on that alone.”
June 24, 2010 1:45 PM
Natasha Lindstrom
SAN BERNARDINO • As arguments wrap up in the first jury trial in a far-reaching county corruption probe, a judge on Thursday dropped one of four felony counts against an executive staff member of former San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus.
Defendant Rex Gutierrez, also a Rancho Cucamonga councilman, is accused of defrauding taxpayers by working on personal or Rancho Cucamonga matters on county time and falsifying time cards, during his service as intergovernmental relations officer under Postmus.
Closing arguments began this afternoon in the case involving Rancho Cucamonga city councilman and former Assessor employee Rex Gutierrez.
Gutierrez is now charged with only three felonies related to his employment under former Assessor Bill Postmus, after Superior Court Judge Duke D. Rouse acquitted him of Embezzlement by a Public Officer, count number three of the complaint. The Embezzlement charge dismissal is a blow to the prosecution. The embezzlement charge is what is referred to as a “general intent” crime with a lower threshold to prove guilt.
This morning Superior Court Judge Duke D. Rouse dismissed one felony count against Rancho Cuamonga City Councilman and former Assessor employee Rex Gutierrez,
During preparation of jury instructions defense attorney Jim Reiss made a motion to dismiss count three of the complaint for Embezzlement by a Public Officer (Penal Code Section 424). Reiss argued Gutierrez’s duties and responsibilities did not subject him to penalty under the law.
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.”
10:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, June 23, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
A San Bernardino County prosecutor hammered at the credibility of Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez on Wednesday as the former county assessor’s official continued his second day on the witness stand.
The testimony came as the prosecution and defense called their last witnesses in the sixth day of the corruption trial. Closing arguments are scheduled for today.
Wednesday, June 23, 2020 – 3:45 P.M.
Testimony in the trial of Rex Gutierrez ended this afternoon following the conclusion of Gutierrez’s testimony and that of four character witnesses for the defense and two rebuttal witnesses for the prosecution.
Deputy Attorney General Melissa Mandel finally entered the picture. Mandel cross-examined at least two of the four character witnesses. Mandel’s demeanor came across less than hospitable considering the witnesses had nothing to do with the situation.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010 – 1:25 P.M.
This morning it was more of the same at the trial of Rancho Cucamonga city councilman and former Assessor employee Rex Gutierrez. Things picked up right where they left off.
Gutierrez took the witness stand again and was subjected to further berating by Deputy District Attorney John Goritz. Goritz can’t help but raise his voice.
Rex Gutierrez
10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, June 22, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez denied allegations Tuesday that his former job at the San Bernardino County assessor’s office was a sham.
On the fifth day of testimony in his corruption trial, the defendant countered other witnesses who said he got the job as an intergovernmental relations officer as a favor through influential Rancho Cucamonga developer Jeff Burum, and that he did little actual work.
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.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Rancho Cucamonga city councilman Rex Gutierrez testified today in his own defense.
Attorney Jim Reiss questioned Gutierrez about his background, namely his work history. In addition to his background history Gutierrez went over the process by which the city of Rancho Cucamonga and National CORE partner up. Defense attorney Reiss questioned Gutierrez about his lengthy relationship with developer Jeff Burum, that began around 1992. Throughout this relationship Burum and himself would keep in contact on a consistent basis, Gutierrez said.
Rancho Cucamonga City Councilman and former Assessor employee Rex Gutierrez has taken the stand in his own defense this morning.
Gutierrez faces four felony counts related to allegations of time card fraud and a conspiracy to give him employment.
Written by Administrator
June 21st, 2010 at 5:02 pm
Four things belong to a judge: to hear courteously, to answer wisely, to consider soberly, and to decide impartially.
˜Socrates˜
In the first three parts we examined the District Attorney’s Office, the Conflict Panel, and the Public Defender’s Office. It is now time to turn our attention to the Superior Court bench.
Monday, June 21, 2010
This mornings events at the trial of Rancho Cucamonga City councilman and former Assessor employee Rex Gutierrez had the atmosphere of watching paint dry, until the lead District Attorney investigator on the case was questioned by defense attorney Jim Reiss.
Gutierrez is charged with four felonies related to alleged time card fraud and prosecution claims that his hiring by former Assessor Bill Postmus was a conspiracy orchestrated by Rancho Cucamonga developer Jeff Burum.
Gutierrez
10:00 PM PDT on Monday, June 21, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez and developer Jeff Burum exchanged seven phone calls while the City Council was hearing pitches from rival developers hoping to build on a 1,200-acre parcel, a district attorney’s investigator testified Monday.
Schyler Beaty, a senior investigator, said telephone records show the calls took place March 2, 2009. They occurred between presentations from different companies presenting plans for the highly sought-after surplus San Bernardino County land located in Rancho Cucamonga.
Doreen Boxer
Mike Cruz, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/21/2010 08:15:46 PM PDT
Editor’s note: Part two of a two-part look at San Bernardino County’s justice system.
SAN BERNARDINO – Proposed budget cuts in the Public Defender’s Office for fiscal year 2010-11 could mean that criminal cases take longer to make their way through the justice system in San Bernardino County.
The office recently publicized that it was eliminating 39 positions, 30 of which were already vacant. Most had been unfilled for more than a year, and one was empty for almost three years, explained Public Defender Doreen Boxer.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/21/2010 06:55:33 PM PDT
Three days after his job at the San Bernardino County Assessor’s Office was eliminated, Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez asked developer Jeff Burum to persuade then-Assessor Bill Postmus to extend his pay until he found another job.
State and local prosecutors on Monday introduced as evidence in Gutierrez’s trial an e-mail the councilman sent to Burum on Oct. 10, 2008 – three days after the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors eliminated Gutierrez’s position as intergovernmental relations officer at the Assessor’s Office.
Gutierrez
Today starts week two of the trial of Rancho Cucamonga City councilman and former Assessor employee Rex Gutierrez.
State and county prosecutors are attempting to weave a conspiracy theory with allegations of time card fraud allegedly committed by Gutierrez, while he was employed by Assessor Bill Postmus.
Written by Administrator
June 20th, 2010 at 4:26 pm
This past week San Bernardino County Deputy District Attorney John Goritz and state of California Deputy Attorney General Melissa Mandel unveiled their “conspiracy theory” in the trial of former Assessor’s Office employee Rex Gutierrez. In addition to having worked for the county, Gutierrez also is an elected member of the city of Rancho Cucamonga City Council. Gutierrez is accused of conducting city of Rancho Cucamonga business on county time.
Elrod
Wendy Leung, Staff Writer
Created: 06/20/2010 07:02:35 AM PDT
Chino Councilman Earl Elrod is expected to be arraigned Wednesday in Chino Superior Court in connection with his alleged involvement hit-and-run accident this year.
The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office filed a misdemeanor hit-and-run charge against Elrod after a Feb. 14 accident at C and 10th streets in Chino. A Lexus driven by Elrod was hit by a bicyclist heading west on C Street. The councilman drove off without identifying himself, according to authorities.
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
Councilman’s work at issue
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Created: 06/19/2010 10:06:49 PM PDT
Prosecutors and a defense attorney battled it out last week in San Bernardino Superior Court in the criminal trial of Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez.
Prosecutors allege Gutierrez, 50, was hired at the county Assessor’s Office as a political favor to Rancho Cucamonga developer Jeff Burum and that Gutierrez spent county time furthering his political career.
Next week the attorney for Rex Gutierrez is expected to begin presenting his defense to what is now being reported as a bored-looking jury.
The big question is who from the county government center will get a subpoena slapped in their hand?
You can usually tell a newspaper and their agenda when you contrast and compare stories by two reporters for two different newspapers, who are sitting in the same room.
This is part two in a series covering the disparity in reporting by The Sun / Inland Valley Daily Bulletin Newspaper. The papers are a part of the Los Angeles News Group, which is a subsidiary of MediaNews Group.
Gutierrez
11:45 PM PDT on Thursday, June 17, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez’s role in city decisions involving an influential developer were the subject of debate Thursday, the third day of testimony in the San Bernardino County corruption trial.
Two of Gutierrez’s colleagues on the council faced lengthy questioning from attorneys about city negotiations over projects with companies connected to Rancho Cucamonga developer Jeff Burum.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/17/2010 07:38:44 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – Rancho Cucamonga City Councilman Rex Gutierrez was paid thousands of dollars for work never performed between May and October 2007 at the San Bernardino County Assessor’s Office, according to court testimony Thursday.
Gutierrez indicated on time sheets that he either worked a full eight hours at the Assessor’s Office or took paid sick leave for days he spent attending meetings, conferences in California and Nevada, and other events in his capacity as a councilman.
Elrod
Neil Nisperos, Staff Writer
Created: 06/16/2010 06:15:12 PM PDT
CHINO – Councilman Earl Elrod will be arraigned next week for his involvement in a hit-and-run incident that led to a standoff with police at his house.
Elrod was arrested for driving under the influence related to the Feb. 14 incident at C and 10th streets, but he was able to escape that charge because California Highway Patrol officers could not show evidence of it.
You can usually tell a newspaper and their agenda when you contrast and compare stories by two reporters for two different newspapers, who are sitting in the same room.
The two newspapers in this case? The San Bernardino Sun/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin and the Riverside Press Enterprise.
The subject? The corruption trial of former Assessor employee and Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez.
The reporters? Joe Nelson for The Sun and Richard K. De Atley for the Press Enterprise.
Aleman
10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, June 15, 2010
By RICHARD K. DE ATLEY
The Press-Enterprise
The credibility of the prosecution’s star witness in its corruption case against former members of the San Bernardino County assessor’s office was attacked in court Tuesday after he testified about how a Rancho Cucamonga city councilman was hired as a favor for a developer.
Former assistant assessor Adam Aleman said the councilman, Rex Gutierrez, was made an intergovernmental affairs officer in 2007 by then-San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/15/2010 09:27:00 PM PDT
Former San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus refused to discipline a Rancho Cucamonga councilman who worked in his office because Postmus didn’t want to upset a prominent Rancho Cucamonga developer, according to court testimony Tuesday.
Instead, Postmus had his assistant assessor, Adam Aleman, produce a talking points memo regarding the work habits of Rex Gutierrez so Postmus could go over them with developer Jeff Burum, Aleman testified Tuesday in San Bernardino Superior Court on Day 2 of Gutierrez’s trial.
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.
Two contests for seats on the San Bernardino County Superior Court bench have been settled.
Embattled Judge Robert Lemkau has been ousted by voters and replaced by Deputy District Attorney James Hosking and local Attorney Ed Montgomery was defeated by Deputy District Attorney Victor Stull.
Hosking commanded 65.64% of votes cast, Stull received 57.34% in his race.
Yesterday’s pre-trial court hearing in the case against Rancho Cucamonga City Councilman and former Assessor’s employee Rex Gutierrez was interesting to say the least.
Between Friday and Monday’s proceedings you would have thought it was two different cases.
Developer intends to take 5th in Gutierrez trial
Mike Cruz, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/07/2010 09:05:31 PM PDT
A lawyer for developer Jeff Burum said Monday that he advised Burum to assert his Fifth Amendment right not to incriminate himself if called to testify in the criminal trial of Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez.
Burum’s lawyer John Vandevelde made the revelation in San Bernardino Superior Court as trial proceedings began for Gutierrez, who faces felony charges stemming from an investigation into alleged malfeasance at the county Assessor’s Office.
Written by Administrator
June 7th, 2010 at 12:26 pm
Today San Bernardino Superior Court Judge Duke Rouse denied without prejudice the People’s motion to allow hearsay into evidence in the trial of Rex Gutierrez. Gutierrez, who is charged with two counts of grand theft, one count of embezzlement, and one count of presenting a false claim. At the last moment, the People attempted to claim that Rancho Cucamonga businessman Jeff Burum conspired with former Assessor Bill Postmus to hire Gutierrez so that Burum would have him available to him. None of this was brought up during the preliminary hearing but instead appears to be a ploy to save this prosecution. However, neither Postmus, Gutierrez or Burum have been charged with this “conspiracy.”
Gutierrez
10:00 PM PDT on Friday, June 4, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
A former San Bernardino County assessor’s official will go to trial Monday with influential developer Jeff Burum among the witnesses expected to testify.
Prosecutors told Superior Court Judge Duke Rouse on Friday morning that they were ready to proceed with their case against Rex Gutierrez, 50, on charges of grand theft, misappropriation of public funds and filing a false claim.
The trial for Rancho Cucamonga City Councilman and former Assessor employee Rex Gutierrez will commence next Monday.
Superior Court Judge Duke D. Rouse set the trial in motion when prosecutors and the defense indicated they were ready to proceed.
Guzman
By Joe Nelson
Created: 05/27/2010 05:38:32 PM PDT
The former defendant in one of San Bernardino County’s most complex real estate fraud case sued her former attorney today, alleging he breached attorney-client privilege and libeled her by posting false information on his campaign Web site.
Jane Un filed the lawsuit today in San Bernardino Superior Court against Frank H. Guzman, who is running against Michael A. Ramos for District Attorney. She also filed a complaint with the California Bar Association.
High Desert developer John “Dino” DeFazio, charged with two counts of alleged perjury related to testimony he gave before the San Bernardino County Grand Jury last year, appeared before Judge Michael Dest in San Bernardino County Superior Court this morning.
The case was continued and a July court date was set.
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.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/26/2010 06:30:04 PM PDT
Former San Bernardino County Administrative Officer Mark Uffer filed a lawsuit against the county on Wednesday alleging whistleblower retaliation for cooperating in an ongoing corruption probe with state and local prosecutors.
Uffer alleges his termination occurred one week after he met with the Grand Jury to discuss questionable use of county-issued credit cards by Mark Kirk, chief of staff for Supervisor Gary Ovitt, and Brian Johsz, Ovitt’s district director.
Wendy Leung, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/26/2010 05:37:17 PM PDT
RANCHO CUCAMONGA – A Yucca Valley mother, whose 9-month-old son was killed by the boy’s father following a controversial visitation ruling, spoke out in front of the West Valley Superior Court Wednesday morning, urging voters not to back a judge on the June ballot.
Katie Tagle was denied a request for an emergency restraining order against her ex-boyfriend by Judge Robert Lemkau, a January ruling that took place 10 days before Tagle’s son was shot dead.
By Dale Kasler
dkasler@sacbee.com
Published: Thursday, May. 27, 2010 – 12:00 am | Page 6B
Alfred Villalobos, the former CalPERS board member accused of bribing pension fund officials, has squandered $68 million of his fortune and owes more money to one casino than he has in cash, the state said Wednesday.
In a court filing, the state revealed fresh allegations about Villalobos’ spending habits in an effort to maintain a court-ordered freeze on his assets. It is suing Villalobos for $70 million, saying he lavished gifts on three CalPERS officials to influence investment decisions.
Written by Administrator
May 24th, 2010 at 9:02 am
“Justice cannot be for one side alone, but must be for both. — Eleanor Roosevelt”
So far in this series we have discussed the District Attorney’s office and the Conflict Panel. There are three other components to justice, or the lack thereof, in San Bernardino County: the Public Defender, the Sheriff’s Department, and the Superior Court bench. Today, we will discuss the office of the Public Defender.
10:00 PM PDT on Friday, May 21, 2010
Cassie MacDuff
Former Grand Terrace Councilman Jim Miller took a calculated risk when he decided last week not to plead guilty to a misdemeanor conflict-of-interest charge and instead go to trial on a felony.
A jury could acquit him — or it could find him guilty. Juries are wild cards.
What a shocker!
KFI-AM 640 has announced that San Bernardino County Superior Court Judge Robert Lemkau has cancelled his appearance on the John and Ken Show scheduled for the 4 o’clock hour this afternoon.
The second cancellation.
It seems Lemkau’s PR firm had previously scheduled a more important conflicting interview with another media outlet.
KFI-AM 640 Radio talk show hosts John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou have announced that San Bernardino County Superior Court Judge Robert Lemkau has agreed to appear on their show during the 4 P.M. hour tomorrow.
Finally! One of the alleged corruption cases is on the radar screen. Really it is!
The case calendar of Rancho Cucamonga City Councilman Rex Gutierrez now has a trial approaching.
Gutierrez is charged with grand theft and other crimes related to alleged time card fraud during his tenure at the Assessor’s office.
Mike Cruz, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/18/2010 07:03:14 PM PDT
Former Grand Terrace City Councilman Jim Miller rejected a plea offer from prosecutors today and may be headed to trial on allegations that he voted to send thousands of city dollars worth of advertising to his wife’s newspaper.
“We had discussed an offer, and that was withdrawn (Tuesday),” said Deputy District Attorney John Goritz, who is prosecuting the case.
10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Trial dates were set Tuesday for a former Grand Terrace city councilman charged in a felony conflict of interest case, following prosecutors’ withdrawal of a misdemeanor plea deal.
Judge Robert Lemkau
Lemkau says he made right decision based on facts
May 15, 2010 9:21 PM
Tomoya Shimura
VICTORVILLE • Judge Robert Lemkau recently defended his unpopular ruling to deny Katie Tagle’s plea to keep the father away from their son, and his peers are supporting his claim.
The Victorville Superior Court judge upheld a pre-existing custody agreement in December when Tagle warned him that her estranged boyfriend, Stephen Garcia, was threatening to kill their son. Lemkau told Tagle, “My suspicion is that you’re lying.”
Mike Cruz, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/15/2010 03:21:36 PM PDT
Judge Robert Lemkau remained mostly quiet in the months following a controversial visitation ruling that some say lead to the death of a 9-month-old boy at the hands of his father.
But the Victorville Superior Court judge ended his silence recently when he gave his first public statements in a hotly contested bid to retain his San Bernardino County judicial seat in the June election.
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Written by Administrator
May 14th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
Meting out justice in California’s court system is no easy task, but finding justice in San Bernardino County, where the line between right and wrong has been blurred into oblivion, is almost impossible. Friendships between defense counsel and prosecutors or judges and sheriffs are hardly unheard of in the legal community but sleeping with the enemy—literally, has become a way of life in our local justice system.
May 14, 2010 4:50 PM
Tomoya Shimura
VICTORVILLE • Former Hesperia Councilman Tad Theron Honeycutt, accused of embezzling $5.5 million in taxpayer money, came back to court for the first time in six months — only to find out he needs to return in a week.
Honeycutt, who turns 47 this month, appeared in front of Superior Court Judge Jules Fleuret on Friday morning with co-defendant Charles Steven Cox, founder of California Charter Academy. Fleuret scheduled another hearing for May 21, to decide whether or not to hold the trial in Victorville.
Counelis Marquez
11:41 AM PDT on Friday, May 14, 2010
By RICHARD K. DE ATLEY
The Press-Enterprise
Two veteran Riverside County prosecutors are running against each other for the county’s only judgeship contest in the June 8 election.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Raquel Marquez faces Deputy District Attorney Steve Counelis for a bench that will be vacated by the retirement of Superior Court Judge Robert McIntyre.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Created: 05/10/2010 05:53:29 PM PDT
A Fontana recycling plant owner has filed a $100 million federal lawsuit against the county, alleging it has held his application for an operating permit hostage the last three years in an attempt to shut him down.
Alamo Recycling owner Michael Mendonca said he has been ensnared in bureaucratic red tape since he applied for an operating permit in November 2007, more than a year after he purchased the property in December 2006.
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.
10:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, May 12, 2010
By RICHARD K. DE ATLEY
The Press-Enteprise
It’s rare for a seated judge to be challenged in California, but a San Bernardino County election swirls over a denial of a mother’s request for a restraining order and the subsequent death of her 9-month-old son and his father in what has been called a murder-suicide.
The blowback was prosecutor James Hosking’s last-hours decision to run for the judge’s seat, a cascade of media attention from the “John and Ken” KFI-AM radio talk show and television’s “Dr. Phil,” and a running debate over how decisions are made in the crucible of family court.
11:24 PM PDT on Monday, May 10, 2010
By RICHARD K. DE ATLEY
The Press-Enterprise
A veteran prosecutor and a seasoned family law advocate are the challengers for a San Bernardino County judgeship in the June 8 election.
Supervising Deputy District Attorney Victor R. Stull and attorney Edmund L. Montgomery are seeking the bench currently occupied by Superior Court Judge Raymond P. Van Stockum, who has announced his retirement.
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.
May 6th, 2010, 5:14 pm · posted by Tony Saavedra, Register investigative reporter
The battle over whether taxpayers should be allowed to see Orange County public pension data finally landed today in Superior Court.
Faced with the prickly question of whether to release the names and pension amounts of retirees making more than $100,000–information that other Superior Court judges have said is clearly public–Judge Luis Rodriguez seemed to lean toward splitting the baby: perhaps giving out the information but replacing the names with a “unique identifier.”
By Dale Kasler
dkasler@sacbee.com The Sacramento Bee
Published: Thursday, May. 6, 2010 – 12:00 am | Page 8B
Last Modified: Thursday, May. 6, 2010 – 8:07 am
CalPERS has won a key court ruling in its lawsuit against Wall Street’s leading credit-rating agencies over $1 billion worth of failed investments.
A San Francisco Superior Court judge has rejected the rating agencies’ bid to have the suit tossed out, said CalPERS spokesman Brad Pacheco. However, the judge dismissed one of CalPERS’ claims.
Similar transfers have been struck down, but judge says payments to schools ‘benefit redevelopment’ and are valid. The move saves the state $1.7 billion in this budget year, $350 million in the next.
By Anthony York, Los Angeles Times
May 5, 2010
Reporting from Sacramento
State officials dodged a $2-billion bullet Tuesday when a judge ruled that last year’s shift of funds away from redevelopment agencies to pay for schools was legal.
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.”
Written by Administrator
May 3rd, 2010 at 6:34 am
Good lawyers know the law; great lawyers know the judge. — Author Unknown
Justice is defined as “the upholding of what is just, especially fair treatment and due reward in accordance with honor, standards or law.” In other words, in a county run by scoundrels, justice is hard to find.
In part one of this series we are going to examine the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office, District Attorney Michael Ramos, and the relationships the office and its elected leader enjoys with the county’s criminal justice system.
Written by Administrator
May 1st, 2010 at 6:57 pm
Justice in San Bernardino County has become as elusive as a Sasquatch or the Lockness Monster. Perhaps not as evident to the public but obvious to many of those close to the system who witness the backroom deals, the personal relationships between opposing parties, and the actions taken for political gain.
Only in San Bernardino County do we have the Public Defender sleeping with the District Attorney literally; the Conflict Panel, which is supposed to represent indigent defendants, donating heavily to the District Attorney and Sheriff; and judges with financial arrangements connected to officers of the court.
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.
This morning a San Bernardino County Superior Court Pre-Trial conference in the case involving Rancho Cucamonga City Councilman Rex Gutierrez was continued until May 25th.
This mornings hearing was to cover the topic of witnesses to testify and the scope of that testimony.
The discussion, when it occurs is sure to prove interesting, especially the witness list for the defense.
The San Bernardino County Public Defender was replaced and outside counsel was appointed for former Assessor Bill Postmus this morning during a hearing in San Bernardino County Superior Court.
Judge Michael Dest barked at Postmus when Postmus attempted to inform the court he didn’t want to be represented by the conflict panel. Dest told Postmus something to the affect of if you don’t like it you can pay for your own attorney.
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.
Written by Administrator
April 28th, 2010 at 12:12 pm
Friday shall prove to be interesting. Former San Bernardino County Assessor will be back in court regarding the appointment of the Public Defender’s Office to handle his defense.
There is a little bit of a problem with Doreen Boxer’s office handling the Postmus defense.
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.
10:00 PM PDT on Sunday, April 25, 2010
The Press-Enterprise
If anyone can get a bill through a legislative committee, Capitol conventional wisdom holds, it’s the committee’s leader.
Tell that to Inland state Sen. Gloria Negrete McLeod.
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.
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 17th, 2010 at 11:18 am
Former District Attorney investigator Chris Cardoza took a plea deal yesterday.
He pled guilty to one count of Computer Fraud and one count of Acts Constituting Theft. He is due back for sentencing on May 27, 2010. Since he is a licensed private investigator, we suspect both will be misdemeanors so that he can maintain his license.
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.
Roy Ashburn
PolitiCal
On politics in the Golden State
April 14, 2010 | 10:14 am
State Sen. Roy Ashburn (R-Bakersfield) was sentenced Wednesday to two days in jail and three years probation after pleading no contest to charges of driving under the influence of alcohol.
Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Russell Hom gave Ashburn one day of jail credit for his time behind bars after he was arrested by California Highway Patrol officers who saw his state car being driven erratically near the state Capitol on March 3. Ashburn was not present in court Wednesday during the sentencing on two misdemeanor charges, which will not affect his state job.
Written by Administrator
April 13th, 2010 at 3:52 pm
This morning’s scheduled arraignment for former Assessor Bill Postmus and former Assistant Assessor Jim Erwin was postponed until April 26, 2010, so that the defendants could finalize arrangements for legal counsel. The hearing also provided the defendants’ attorneys a forum to notify the court and the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office and the state of California Attorney General’s Office of the fact that neither defendant will waive time. This revelation sent both agencies into meltdown.
What the refusal to waive time means is that the preliminary hearing must now be held no later May 6, 2010. At the preliminary hearing, the DA/AG must provide enough evidence to the judge for the case to be bound over for trial and the trial must commence within 60 days.
By PE News
on April 13, 2010 12:01 PM
An arraignment hearing for former San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus and former Assistant Assessor Jim Erwin was delayed this morning for a few weeks.
The arraignment was delayed until April 26 to allow their attorneys to deal with some procedural issues.
By Mike Cruz
Created: 04/09/2010 03:15:05 PM PDT
A criminal trial for Rancho Cucamonga councilman Rex Gutierrez has been continued until June 1 because of witness availability issues, prosecutors say.
Gutierrez, 50, made a scheduled appearance Friday morning in San Bernardino Superior Court, where he faces charges stemming from an investigation into alleged malfeasance at the county Assessor’s Office when it was under the direction of former Assessor Bill Postmus.
Now that the trial of Rancho Cucamonga City Councilman Rex Gutierrez has been continued to June 1st, focus now shifts to a lesser publicized case with even greater potential to inflict major damage to the professional and political career of San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos.
The trial in question involves former District Attorney Investigator Christopher Cardoza.
As expected, a Superior Court Judge agreed with San Bernardino County prosecutors to delay the trial of Rancho Cucamonga City Councilman Rex Gutierrez this morning.
The trial, which was scheduled to commence Monday morning, addresses charges against Gutierrez alleging time card fraud stemming from Gutierrez’ tenure with the San Bernardino County Assessor’s Office under Bill Postmus.
Has anyone read pages 129-137 of the Mark Uffer Claim Against the County? They can be found here: Uffer-Document
Pages 129-137 consist of the questions Mark Uffer proposed the Grand Jury ask others, including Supervisor Paul Biane and Chief of Staff Mark Kirk. Those questions are quite revealing. The question is, “Are they legitimate?”
10:00 PM PDT on Thursday, April 8, 2010
By RICHARD K. DE ATLEY
The Press-Enterprise
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday made three appointments to fill vacancies created by retired judges in San Bernardino County.
The judgeships went to:
Lorenzo R. Balderrama, 57, of Redlands. He served as a deputy district attorney for San Bernardino County since 1982. Balderrama received his law degree from Western State University College of Law and his bachelor of arts degree from Harvard University. Balderrama, a Democrat, replaces Judge John P. Wade.