Politics, Government and Business in Southern California's Inland Empire
Sandra Emerson and Wes Woods II, Staff Writers
Posted: 05/10/2013 08:20:40 PM PDT
Updated: 05/10/2013 11:03:36 PM PDT
The state Supreme Court’s decision upholding local governments’ right to ban medical marijuana dispensaries left pro-marijuana advocates to rely on legislative action to ensure patients access to marijuana.
Friday, May 10, 2013 – 09:00 a.m.
In a strange turn of events, state prosecutors now say it’s no longer necessary for the California Supreme Court to throw out two long standing case law precedents, and more than a dozen underlying appellate opinions, in order to reinstate key bribery and conflict of interest charges against defendants in the well-publicized case involving the 2006 Colonies Settlement.
By Sandra Emerson, Wes Woods II and Ryan Hagen, Staff Writers
Posted: 05/08/2013 02:49:30 PM PDT
Updated: 05/08/2013 04:05:02 PM PDT
Special Section: Medical Marijuana
Now that the more than 180 cities and counties up and down the state have the state’s highest court on their side, many local government officials are actively seeking the closure of medical marijuana dispensaries operating in violation of their zoning laws.
By Denny Walsh
dwalsh@sacbee.com
Published: Monday, May. 6, 2013 – 12:59 pm
Last Modified: Monday, May. 6, 2013 – 5:53 pm
Local governments in California are free to ban the distribution and sale of marijuana for medical purposes despite state law that allows it under certain circumstances, the California Supreme Court ruled Monday.
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/05/2013 08:44:29 PM PDT
Updated: 05/05/2013 09:07:57 PM PDT
The state Supreme Court is set to issue a decision today on whether the city of Riverside is legally allowed to ban medical marijuana dispensaries through zoning laws.
By Mark Gutglueck
sbcsentinel@yahoo.com
Republished from Friday, April 19, 2013
(April 19) The California Attorney General and San Bernardino County District Attorney have overstepped their prosecutorial authority and are engaging in “an impermissible charging scheme” in the pursuit of a bribery and conspiracy case against Rancho Cucamonga developer Jeff Burum and three former public officials, according to a defense brief filed with the Supreme Court on April 15.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/19/2013 11:31:16 PM PDT
A defense attorney, in a motion filed with the state Supreme Court, alleges that state and San Bernardino County prosecutors are asking the high court to overturn a century of established case law and reinstate bribery charges against Rancho Cucamonga developer Jeff Burum.
April 17, 2013; 04:08 PM
A defense attorney accused prosecutors of attempting to “radically change” state bribery law in its California Supreme Court petition to restore charges against Rancho Cucamonga developer Jeff Burum.
To read story by Imran Ghori in The Press Enterprise, click here.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013 – 04:30 p.m.
The defense in the highly-publicized Colonies case accuses the State Attorney General and San Bernardino County District Attorney of using an “novel charging scheme” to bring its case against Rancho Cucamonga Developer Jeffrey Burum, Former Assistant Assessor Jim Erwin, Former County Supervisor Paul Biane and Mark Kirk, former chief of staff to Supervisor Gary Ovitt.
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.
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.
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.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013 – 04:00 p.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, March 27, 2013 – 10:15 p.m.
The California Supreme Court rendered a ruling Wednesday afternoon that will impact the highly-publicized Colonies criminal case.
Thursday, March 21, 2013 – 10:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, March 22, 2013 – 09:30 a.m.
The California Attorney General and San Bernardino County District Attorney has filed papers with the State Supreme Court opposing parts of the highly-publicized Colonies criminal case from moving forward.
By 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.
Sunday, March 17, 2013 – 12:30 p.m.
The California Attorney General has filed its Opening Brief on the Merits in its appeal of the dismissal of key charges in the well-published criminal case stemming from the $102 million settlement between San Bernardino County and Colonies Partners L.P. in 2006, some six and one-half years ago.
By Imran Ghori
March 15, 2013; 05:23 PM
A Rancho Cucamonga developer accused of bribing San Bernardino County officials will essentially get a “free pass” if prosecutors are not allowed to restore charges dismissed by a lower court judge, the state Attorney General’s office argued in a brief filed with the California Supreme Court this week.
To read story by Imran Ghori in The Press Enterprise, click here.
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.
Friday, March 8, 2013 – 08:55 a.m.
Defense attorneys for Developer Jeffrey Burum filed a motion in the California Supreme Court on Wednesday, in an effort to move forward the criminal case involving the controversial $102 million settlement between the County of San Bernardino and Colonies Partners, L.P.
Saturday, February 23, 2013 – 12:15 p.m.
The Supreme Court of California has formally disbarred Rancho Cucamonga-based Attorney James V. Reiss.
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.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013 – 05:00 p.m.
The California Supreme Court has granted a petition for review, filed by state prosecutors, of a 2012 Fourth District Court of Appeal ruling, which affirmed the dismissal of core charges in the highly-publicized Colonies corruption case.
By Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/04/2013 04:18:32 PM PST
Updated: 02/05/2013 01:05:06 AM PST
The state Supreme Court this week will hear arguments about whether cities can use zoning laws to ban medical marijuana dispensaries.
By Maura Dolan, Los Angeles Times
January 26, 2013, 8:15 p.m.
Sixteen years after Californians approved medical marijuana, the state’s highest court is poised to decide whether cities and counties can ban cannabis dispensaries.
Bob Egelko
Updated 8:57 pm, Friday, January 18, 2013
The state Supreme Court has denied prosecutors’ request to review a ruling to allow large nonprofit dispensaries to sell medical marijuana, a case that could affect the federal government’s attempt to shut down the giant Harborside dispensary in Oakland.
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.
Wes Woods II, Eric Bradley and Rick Orlov, Staff Writers
Posted: 01/14/2013 09:07:43 PM PST
Updated: 01/14/2013 10:55:25 PM PST
Two medical marijuana cases going before the state Supreme Court could determine whether dispensary bans by dozens of California cities are legal.
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.
Thursday, January 10, 2013 – 07:30 a.m.
Last Modified: January 10, 2013 – 10:00 a.m.
Here’s some new coming across the transom Thursday morning.
Unemployment claims rise
First-time claims for unemployment benefits climbed 4,000 to a seasonally-adjusted 371,000 last week. While not horrible, the number doesn’t bring much confidence in a labor market recovery anytime soon.
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.
Monday, December 31, 2012 – 12:15 p.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, January 1, 2013 – 12:20 p.m.
The highly-publicized Colonies case continues to grind its way through a series of prosecutorial roadblocks this new year.
The final brief in a last minute appeal by prosecutors to the California Supreme Court was filed just before the Christmas holiday.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/24/2012 06:06:49 PM PST
Prosecutors and defense attorneys are awaiting a decision by the state Supreme Court that will ultimately determine the trajectory of a San Bernardino County corruption case authorities have called the biggest in county history.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012 – 08:15 a.m.
To read the Answer to Supreme Court Petition filed in the highly-publicized Colonies case, click here: Answer to Petition for Review
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/18/2012 06:58:22 PM PST
Prosecutors’ attempt to have the California Supreme Court review a decision in a sweeping San Bernardino County corruption case is baseless and should be rejected for several reasons, the attorney for a Rancho Cucamonga land developer charged in that case said in court papers filed Tuesday.
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, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/14/2012 07:06:15 PM PST
The attorney for a Rancho Cucamonga land developer charged in a sweeping San Bernardino County corruption case said Friday he will oppose a push by prosecutors to have the state Supreme Court reinstate bribery charges against his client.
By Steven Harmon
Bay Area News Group
Posted: 11/05/2012 06:11:27 AM PST
SACRAMENTO — In a unanimous and urgent decision, the state Supreme Court on Sunday ordered an Arizona group to immediately hand over documents related to its anonymous $11 million donation to a California business political action committee. But lawyers for the group immediately turned to the U.S. Supreme Court seeking yet another delay.
By Dan Walters
Published: Monday, Aug. 13, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
For years, hundreds of Superior Court judges have waged a political rebellion against what they considered to be an oppressive and bloated state judicial bureaucracy based in San Francisco.
June 21, 2012, 5:32 p.m.
Gov. Jerry Brown and top Democratic lawmakers announced Thursday that they had reached a deal on state spending. Here are some key elements of the budget agreement:
Social services
By Cheryl Miller
The Recorder
May 29, 2012
SACRAMENTO – In a blistering indictment of the state’s judicial administration, a long-awaited report released Friday night concluded that the Administrative Office of the Courts is over-staffed, dysfunctional and less than forthcoming about sensitive issues.
The Strategic Evaluation Committee, comprised almost entirely of judges, said the AOC has “lost its focus” on serving the trial courts and assumed a more dominant, controlling role in its relationship with California’s 58 superior courts. Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye created the committee in March 2011 in response to concerns the AOC had grown too large despite an era of lean budgets.
Monica Rodriquez, Staff Writer
Created: 05/27/2012 02:05:58 PM PDT
Numerous state and local government agencies are preparing for the possibility of profound budget cuts, and California’s court system is no different.
Courts up and down the state are preparing for $544 million in cuts from the 2012-2013 fiscal year, according to the Judicial Council of California, the policy-making body of the California courts.
By Howard Mintz
hmintz@mercurynews.com
Posted: 05/18/2012 05:41:38 AM PDT
Updated: 05/18/2012 05:42:00 AM PDT
California’s judges will now have to post all their financial disclosure information in cyberspace.
In a unanimous decision, the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission on Thursday approved a rule that requires California’s more than 1,700 judges to post their disclosure forms on the Internet, despite objections from judicial leaders that it could jeopardize their privacy and security.
L.A. NOW
Southern California — this just in
May 14, 2012 | 1:29 pm
State judicial leaders warned Monday that the proposed cuts for the California courts may jeopardize public access to the justice system.
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
Published: Monday, Apr. 30, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
A professional-quality video clip that popped up on YouTube depicts physical deficiencies in California courtrooms and makes the case for building new courthouses and rehabbing old ones.
The video, containing scene after scene of overcrowded courtrooms, mouse traps and water damage, was produced for the Judicial Council, the San Francisco-based policymaking body for California’s court system.
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
Published: Sunday, Apr. 22, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
The California Legislature has a bad habit of making sweeping decisions in the moment without giving much thought to their long-term consequences.
The syndrome’s most striking example was an immense overhaul in 1996 of the state’s electric power system, misnamed “deregulation,” based on blithe, untested assertions that it would lower power bills.
BY RICHARD K. De ATLEY
STAFF WRITER
rdeatley@pe.com
Published: 15 April 2012 02:18 PM
Advocates and opponents of California’s medical marijuana clinics are in a legal no-man’s land after a flurry of appellate court decisions that contradict each other on whether local governments can ban the dispensaries.
The decisions also conflict on how the clinics can supply themselves with marijuana.
BY RICHARD K. De ATLEY
STAFF WRITER
rdeatley@pe.com
Published: 11 April 2012 05:38 PM
The California Supreme Court decided Wednesday to review a trial judge’s order removing the Riverside County public defender’s office from a death penalty murder case.
By David Siders
dsiders@sacbee.com
Published: Tuesday, Mar. 20, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
Last Modified: Tuesday, Mar. 20, 2012 – 9:40 am
California Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, who has feuded openly for months with state lawmakers and dissident judges over a bid to weaken her administrative power, appealed to the Legislature on Monday to spare the judiciary from further budget cuts.
By Peter Hecht
phecht@sacbee.com
Published: Tuesday, Mar. 13, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 1A
When it comes to rulings on medical marijuana, California courts have a case of multiple personality disorder.
A flurry of recent, conflicting decisions by state appellate courts on whether cities can ban marijuana stores or be forced to allow them is setting up a landmark review by the California Supreme Court.
By Dan Smith
smith@sacbee.com
Published: Friday, Feb. 10, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
Last Modified: Friday, Feb. 10, 2012 – 9:27 am
California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye has assailed the Assembly for passing a bill that would strip power from the Judicial Council she controls, prompting opponents to suggest her tone is inappropriate for the state’s top judge.
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.
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.
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 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 – 4:00 p.m.
The attempt by the City of Upland to shutter a medical marijuana co-op fell flat last week.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 LAURIE LUCAS
STAFF WRITER
llucas@pe.com
Published: 27 November 2011 06:28 PM
Aaron Sandusky is bloodied but unbowed.
For several years he owned G3 Holistics Inc., a not-for-profit company that ran three Inland medical marijuana dispensaries.
Earlier this month, federal agents raided facilities in Colton, Upland and Moreno Valley, which are now bare and shuttered, and cleaned out his 40,000-square-pot growing warehouse in Ontario.
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