Politics, Government and Business in Southern California's Inland Empire
By Ed Mendel
Monday, May 20, 2013
One of the first local ballot measures aimed at cutting public pension costs, a cap on Pacific Grove payments to CalPERS approved by voters three years ago, was ruled unconstitutional by a Monterey County superior court judge last week.
By Lori Fowler
lori.fowler@ inlandnewspapers.com @IECourtsNow on Twitter
Posted: 05/16/2013 05:31:14 PM PDT
Updated: 05/16/2013 05:31:22 PM PDT
A group of local officials are spearheading an effort to re-staff courts and provide more funds to what they call a starving court system.
By Andrew Tangel
May 9, 2013, 1:30 p.m.
NEW YORK — California Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris has accused JPMorgan Chase & Co. of using fraudulent and unlawful debt-collection practices against some 100,000 credit card holders in the state.
By Nicole Santa Cruz
May 8, 2013, 7:00 p.m.
Orange County may owe the state as much as $150 million after a judge tentatively ruled this week that it must pay back funds originally meant for local schools and community colleges.
California Charter Academy
By Beau Yarbrough
Posted: 04/26/2013 04:57:27 PM PDT
RANCHO CUCAMONGA — The two men who allegedly misappropriated $5.5 million in taxpayer funds meant for California charter schools may be inching toward a trial date, five and a half years after they were indicted.
Apr 25, 8:09 PM EDT
By JUDY LIN
Associated Press
SACRAMENTO, California (AP) — The California Assembly passed a bill on Thursday that would make the state the first in the nation to allow non-citizens who are in the country legally to serve on jury duty.
April 22, 2013; 03:43 PM
Riverside County is taking the state of California to court over roughly $40 million in funds the county believes it needs to pay off debts of its now-defunct redevelopment agency.
To read story by Jeff Horseman in The Press Enterprise, click here.
By JUDY LIN, Associated Press
Updated 10:12 am, Saturday, April 20, 2013
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A second round of bureaucratic bickering has begun over the dismantling of California’s community redevelopment agencies.
By Joe Nelson
joe.nelson@ inlandnewspapers.com @SBCountyNow on Twitter
Posted: 04/18/2013 07:35:56 PM PDT
The president of the union representing San Bernardino County’s prosecutors, deputy public defenders and child support attorneys has threatened a strike if the county continues imposing concessions he said are not on par with other counties.
April 17, 2013; 11:00 AM
Former San Bernardino airport manager Scot Spencer and a business investor of his appeared in court Wednesday, April 17, on corruption charges and both were ordered to return on May 29 for a status hearing.
To read story by Imran Ghori in The Press Enterprise, click here.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013 – 12:oo a.m.
A democratic political activist and former staffer of Former U.S. Representative Joe Baca, who was wrongfully charged by San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael Ramos, will appear, with his lawyer, on KTIE-AM 590 Wednesday evening.
April 16, 2013; 10:35 PM
Scot Spencer, the former San Bernardino airport manager charged with conspiracy and perjury, was released on $1 million bail on Monday, April 15.
To read story by Imran Ghori in The Press Enterprise, click here.
Capitol Alert
The latest on California politics and government
April 16, 2013
A bill establishing a statewide guide for bail amounts passed the Assembly Public Safety Committee on Tuesday with a bipartisan 6-0 vote.
April 15, 2013; 06:12 PM
Riverside will repay $10 million to the city utility’s water fund to help settle a lawsuit that contended officials illegally transferred millions of dollars from that account into the general fund over 16 years.
To read story by Alicia Robinson in The Press Enterprise, click here.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013 – 09:30 a.m.
The political advisor to San Bernardino County District Attorney Micheal Ramos has found himself in the middle of a second politically-motivated and malicious prosecution by his client.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/09/2013 10:57:57 AM PDT
Bios: Scot Spencer | Felice Luciano
Photo Galleries: Scot Spencer | D.A. files charges against Scot Spencer
View: Criminal complaint | Grand Jury report
By Maura Dolan, Los Angeles Times
April 9, 2013, 6:44 p.m.
California courts, reeling from years of state budget cuts, are delaying hearings and trials, allowing records to sit unprocessed for months and slashing services at public windows, a judge’s committee has reported.
Lori Fowler, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/07/2013 05:34:31 PM PDT
Updated: 04/07/2013 05:35:04 PM PDT
The San Bernardino County Superior Court system is mourning the loss of two key figures.
Ellen E. Brodie, who served as a judge in the west side of San Bernardino County, died on March 16 at the age of 94.
By Maura Dolan
April 5, 2013, 4:33 p.m.
SAN FRANCISCO — A new California judicial ethics committee issued its first formal opinion Friday, deciding that judges may solicit attorneys to lobby for funding for the courts.
Friday, April 5, 2013 – 09:30 a.m.
When the San Bernadino County District Attorney announced charges against former San Bernardino International Airport (SBIA) Project Manager Scot Spencer, and an associate, last week I asked myself two questions.
By Ryan Hagen
ryan.hagen@ inlandnewspapers.com @sbcitynow on Twitter
Posted: 04/04/2013 08:22:48 PM PDT
Special Section: San Bernardino
RIVERSIDE — Three labor unions’ attempt to sue San Bernardino over pay-cutting contracts the city imposed on them made little progress in bankruptcy court Thursday, but a judge seemed inclined to side mostly with the city on related procedural steps.
PolitiCal
On politics in the Golden State
By Chris Megerian
April 3, 2013, 6:42 p.m.
SACRAMENTO — An Assembly subcommittee voted Wednesday to restore $418 million to California’s judiciary, but not before one lawmaker shared some tough words for the state’s court system.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/29/2013 10:01:07 AM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – Former San Bernardino International Airport developer Scot Spencer pleaded not guilty Friday to criminal conspiracy and other charges during his arraignment via closed-circuit television in San Bernardino Superior Court.
Lori Fowler and Sandra Emerson, Staff Writers
Posted: 03/29/2013 05:10:03 PM PDT
Updated: 03/30/2013 12:56:37 AM PDT
A group of Inland Valley doctors who say they have not been able to fully treat their patients have filed a lawsuit against Chino Valley Medical Center and its director James M. Lally.
Friday, March 29, 2013 – 08:30 a.m.
Both defendants in the new San Bernardino International Airport (SBIA) fraud case, filed by the San Bernardino County District Attorney on Monday, arrived in Southern California yesterday.
Thursday, March 28, 2013 – 09:30 a.m.
Here’s some news flowing across the transom Thursday morning.
Barstow Court to remain open
The state has coughed-up funds to temporarily keep one courtroom open at the Barstow Court facility through early summer.
Andrew Edwards, Ryan Hagen and Joe Nelson, Staff Witers
Posted: 03/25/2013 08:59:57 AM PDT
Bios: Scot Spencer | Felice Luciano
Photo Gallery: D.A. files charges against Scot Spencer
View: Criminal complaint | Statement from 5th District Supervisor Josie Gonzales | 2010-11 Grand Jury report
Timeline: SBIA and Scot Spencer
Related stories: Grand Jury questions management practices at SBIA
Scot Spencer, the former airline executive and convicted felon who was nonetheless entrusted with leading the development of San Bernardino International Airport, faces five years in prison after being charged with an alleged associate with conspiring to steal more than $1 million in public funds.
March 25, 2013; 09:25 AM
A long-running investigation into business dealings at the San Bernardino International Airport Authority resulted in criminal charges and the arrest of former airport developer Scot Spencer, District Attorney Michael Ramos announced Monday, March 25.
To read story by Iman Ghori in The Press Enterprise, click here.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
By Amita Sharma
A Santa Clara County judge has ordered officials in San Jose to make public their private emails and text messages about city business.
L.A. NOW
Southern California — this just in
March 21, 2013 | 7:15 pm
Jury deliberations in the Bell corruption scandal were “very, very tense,” according to a juror who described a day of rancor that the judge in the case said seemed to her like “all hell has broken loose.”
By Joe Nelson
joe.nelson@ inlandnewspapers.com @SBCountyNow on Twitter
Posted: 03/20/2013 07:32:04 PM PDT
A San Bernardino Superior Court judge on Wednesday dismissed former San Bernardino County Supervisor Neil Derry’s misdemeanor conviction for failing to report a $5,000 campaign contribution in 2007.
By Jim Sanders
jsanders@sacbee.com
Published: Thursday, Mar. 21, 2013 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
Last Modified: Thursday, Mar. 21, 2013 – 7:58 am
Californians have a legal right to view court files of criminal and civil cases, but here’s the catch: It soon may cost $10.
By Corina Knoll, Ruben Vives and Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times
March 20, 2013, 6:26 p.m.
A Los Angeles jury convicted five of six former council members of stealing from the working-class city of Bell in a corruption scandal that became a national synonym for outrageous municipal salaries and rogue governance.
L.A. NOW
Southern California — this just in
March 20, 2013 | 4:38 pm
Hours after delivering a mixed verdict in the corruption trial of six Bell council members, a Los Angeles jury sent several questions to the judge that ended the day on a chaotic note and raised questions about whether they were unanimous in their verdicts.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013 – 03:00 p.m.
A San Bernardino County Superior Court Judge set aside a misdemeanor conviction of a former county supervisor Wednesday morning.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013 – 10:00 a.m.
One has to really wonder just how unhappy San Bernardino County officials are these days.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/16/2013 06:51:47 PM PDT
A San Diego Superior Court judge, in an effort to encourage a settlement between San Bernardino County, and Upland and two transportation agencies, purged his Feb. 5 decision to dismiss all damages claims the county made against the city and the two agencies.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/12/2013 08:49:23 PM PDT
San Bernardino County on Tuesday settled its nearly 9-year-old lawsuit against the city of Upland and two transportation agencies regarding the county’s landmark settlement with Rancho Cucamonga investor group Colonies Partners LP in 2006.
Bill requiring additional court judges introduced
March 12, 2013 6:42 PM
Brooke Self, Staff Writer
BARSTOW • A new bill that would call for more judges and a funding increase for California’s judicial system was introduced to the State Assembly by Tim Donnelly, R-Twin Peaks, on Monday.
Capitol Alert
The latest on California politics and government
March 11, 2013
California Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye implored the Legislature on Monday to better fund the court system, tying the issue to a basic guarantee of justice.
By Chris Megerian, Los Angeles Times
March 8, 2013, 8:06 p.m.
SACRAMENTO—California unions, accustomed to getting their way in the Capitol, lost some ground last year when Gov. Jerry Brown pushed through the Legislature a series of public-pension cuts that affect their members.
March 01, 2013; 06:33 PM
After months of limbo over $32.1 million in former redevelopment debt, Riverside officials have sued to try to resolve their dispute with the state.
To read story by Alicia Robinson in The Press Enterprise, click here.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/01/2013 07:31:27 PM PST
San Bernardino County’s days are numbered in deciding if it will appeal a judge’s decision to dismiss its lawsuit seeking partial reimbursement from Upland and two transportation agencies on a $102 million legal settlement.
Thursday, March 1, 2013 – 09:00 a.m.
A recent story printed in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin brings to the forefront a myriad of issues involving a series of six high-profile, and highly-suspect, San Bernardino County prosecutions.
Issues that have not gone unnoticed.
County Supervisors approve resolution to support equitable funding
February 26, 2013 7:29 PM
Brooke Self, Staff Writer
SAN BERNARDINO • San Bernardino County Supervisors on Tuesday voted to adopt a resolution seeking adequate funding from the state to keep courthouses open in Barstow, Needles and Big Bear.
Pair named in indictment which was filed more than five years ago
By Beau Yarbrough, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/22/2013 11:26:23 AM PST
Updated: 02/22/2013 11:42:01 AM PST
RANCHO CUCAMONGA – There’s still no trial date scheduled for the two men accused of misappropriating $5.5 million in taxpayer funds meant for California charter schools.
By Cheryl Miller
The Recorder
February 22, 2013
“The people have the right of access to information concerning the conduct of the people’s business, and, therefore, the meetings of public bodies and the writings of public officials and agencies shall be open to public scrutiny.”
— California Constitution, Article 1, §3 (b)(1)
For decades, California’s courts have upheld, even championed, laws granting the public open access to government meetings.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/19/2013 07:30:12 PM PST
SAN BERNARDINO – San Bernardino County Presiding Judge Marsha Slough and top county law enforcement officials on Tuesday gathered with the Board of Supervisors to discuss the potential “catastrophic impact” court closures and consolidations will have on the public.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/18/2013 02:59:46 PM PST
Updated: 02/18/2013 09:01:20 PM PST
Recent court closures in San Bernardino County and resident transportation problems arising from them will be the topic of a special meeting of the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.
February 12, 2013; 06:19 PM
SACRAMENTO — Budget cuts have decimated the state’s court system, judges and others said Tuesday during several hours of Assembly testimony in which speakers warned that further reductions would bring the third branch of government to its knees.
To read story by Jim Miller in The Press Enterprise, click here.
February 12, 2013; 08:56 PM
A group of Inland city officials urged San Bernardino County supervisors on Tuesday, Feb. 12, to end the county’s costly lawsuit against three public agencies to recover $102 million paid in the controversial Colonies settlement.
To read story by Imran Ghori in The Press Enterprise, click here.
Joe Nelson and Sandra Emerson, Staff Writers
Posted: 02/10/2013 03:34:01 PM PST
Updated: 02/10/2013 10:57:13 PM PST
San Bernardino County’s lawsuit against Upland and two transportation agencies in which the county seeks to recoup a portion of a $102 million legal settlement could force Upland into bankruptcy court, City Manager Stephen Dunn said.
By Jack Leonard, Joel Rubin and Andrew Blankstein, Los Angeles Times
February 10, 2013, 11:11 p.m.
For a Los Angeles Police Department disciplinary panel, the evidence was persuasive: Rookie officer Christopher Jordan Dorner lied when he accused his training officer of kicking a mentally ill man during an arrest.
But when a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge examined the case a year later in 2010 as part of an appeal filed by Dorner, he seemed less convinced.
Lori Fowler, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Posted: 02/08/2013 04:08:00 PM PST
A Riverside jury convicted a Moreno Valley school board member of 23 felonies charges including pimping and pandering and filing false insurance claims.
February 06, 2013; 07:09 PM
A judge rejected San Bernardino County’s efforts to recoup $102 million paid in the Colonies settlement, throwing out its damage claims against three other agencies for an agreement he called “unconscionable, unlawful and sordid.”
To read story by Imran Ghori in The Press Enterprise, click here.
Lori Fowler, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/05/2013 05:49:54 PM PST
SAN BERNARDINO – Four defendants remain in the case against a group of sheriff’s deputies accused in a decade-long pay scandal.
The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office originally charged seven people with felony charges tied to a scam involving the falsification of training documents for increased pay and retirement benefits.
Saturday, February 2, 2013 – 09:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Sunday, February 3, 2013 – 09:00 a.m.
As expected, a second of seven defendants in a case involving the falsification of training and pay records in the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department has been dismissed from the case.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/30/2013 08:24:55 PM PST
Updated: 01/30/2013 08:49:52 PM PST
A San Diego Superior Court judge on Wednesday tentatively dismissed a nine-year-old lawsuit by San Bernardino County against three public agencies in which the county sought to recoup a portion of a $102 million legal settlement the defendants say was corrupt.
January 29, 2013; 12:32 PM
Three agencies being sued by San Bernardino County in connection with a controversial $102 million settlement are asking a judge to dismiss the lawsuit, claiming they should not be held responsible for an alleged corrupt agreement.
To read story by Imran Ghori in The Press Enterprise, click here.
Sunday, January 27, 2013 – Noon
Since there’s much back and forth on the original story. Let me expand a little further.
The point being expressed is that newly-appointed Sheriff-Coroner John McMahon, who’s been at the helm less than one month, has to choose his course.
Lori Fowler, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/15/2013 01:28:54 PM PST
After years of dealing with the chopping block, court systems throughout California would be spared additional cuts under Gov. Jerry Brown’s budget proposal for the 2013-14 fiscal year.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/11/2013 07:15:11 PM PST
A grass-roots citizens group has sued San Bernardino County and a Spanish broadcasting company over a 43-foot-tall radio antenna the Board of Supervisors approved for a ridegline overlooking Wildwood State Park in Yucaipa.
L.A. NOW
Southern California — this just in
January 10, 2013 | 2:17 pm
California courts will continue to face closures and reduced hours in the coming year under Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed budget, California’s chief justice said Thursday.
By Anthony York and Chris Megerian, Los Angeles Times
January 9, 2013, 5:32 p.m.
SACRAMENTO — The days of catastrophic deficits behind him, Gov. Jerry Brown is set to propose a state budget Thursday that would shift the Capitol’s focus from fiscal triage to sweeping policy changes in education, criminal justice and healthcare.
January 04, 2013; 07:55 PM
Reeling from state budget cuts and drainage of rainy-day funds, Inland county courts have been closed, staff and services have been trimmed, and the number of retired judges used to ease caseloads has been reduced.
To read story by Richard K. De Atley in The Press Enterprise, click here.
Lori Fowler, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/04/2013 05:47:22 PM PST
SAN BERNARDINO – Despite major state cuts to court funds, construction of the new downtown court building is moving along smoothly and is on target for completion in spring 2014, a state official said.
FROM STAFF REPORTS
December 28, 2012; 03:41 PM
COUNTY CORRUPTION
A San Bernardino County corruption case that prosecutors call the most far-reaching in county history will keep making its way through the courts in 2013, though it is not known when it will go to trial.
To read story in The Press Enterprise, click here.
Beau Yarbrough, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/28/2012 05:13:10 PM PST
Updated: 12/28/2012 06:55:15 PM PST
CHINO – It was quiet at the Chino Superior Court on Friday afternoon, with only a trickle of people coming in and out, paying traffic tickets and other fines.
By Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/20/2012 11:14:17 AM PST
Updated: 12/20/2012 07:57:07 PM PST
RANCHO CUCAMONGA – Former Upland City Manager Robb Quincey pleaded not guilty Thursday to felony corruption charges in West Valley Superior Court.
Capitol Alert
The latest on California politics and government
December 18, 2012
California’s civil war of the judges apparently will continue, even though a rebel organization scored a major victory this year.
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
Published: Monday, Dec. 17, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
Sometime before Christmas, Gov. Jerry Brown will close the books on a proposed 2013-14 budget.
A few weeks after that, Brown will deliver that budget to the Legislature and we’ll learn whether voter approval of Proposition 30, Brown’s sales and income tax increase, will make a big difference in the state’s finances.
Joe Nelson and Ryan Hagen, Staff Writers
Posted: 12/11/2012 03:03:54 PM PST
View: Petition for Review
Prosecutors with the state Attorney General’s Office have petitioned the state Supreme Court to reinstate bribery charges against a prominent Rancho Cucamonga developer in a sweeping San Bernardino County corruption caseinvolving three former county officials.
December 11, 2012; 05:25 PM
The Colonies corruption case involving former San Bernardino County officials could be heading to the California Supreme Court.
To read story by Imran Ghori in The Press Enterprise, click here.
DEVELOPING STORY
Mike Cruz and Lori Fowler, Staff Writers
Posted: 12/11/2012 12:41:53 PM PST
Barstow, Needles and Big Bear Lake will be closed next spring as San Bernardino County’s court system continues to struggle with the loss of more than $22 million in state funding.
By Greg Devereaux
Posted: 12/07/2012 03:16:42 PM PST
Last week, The Sun and the Daily Bulletin published an editorial and a guest column taking the County of San Bernardino to task for seeking payment of substantial debts owed to the county by the cities of San Bernardino and Upland. What the editorial and column failed to grasp is that when a city refuses to pay the county for a service it used or an impact it caused, it pushes the obligation onto the residents and businesses in other cities.
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| « Apr | ||||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | |
| |