Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/28/2010 05:30:35 PM PDT
RIALTO – Another woman has come forward in connection with an alleged sex scandal involving police officers and employees of the Spearmint Rhino strip club, authorities confirmed Wednesday.
“Last Friday, we had a woman file a complaint against one of the officers that we’ve identified in the investigation,” Police Chief Mark Kling said.
The ruling halts implementation of provisions that require police to determine the immigration status of people they stop and suspect of being in the U.S. illegally. An immediate appeal is expected.
By Nicholas Riccardi and Anna Gorman, Los Angeles Times
July 28, 2010 | 5:50 p.m.
Reporting from Phoenix and Tucson —
A federal judge on Wednesday blocked most of a controversial Arizona immigration law just hours before it was to take effect, handing the Obama administration a win in the first stage of a legal battle expected to end up in the U.S. Supreme Court.
U.S. District Court Judge Susan Bolton in Phoenix issued a temporary injunction against parts of the law that would require police to determine the status of people they lawfully stopped and suspected were in the country illegally.
Yes, Attorney General Jerry Brown repeatedly claims he’s all over the City of Bell salary scandal.
Brown’s office has subpoenaed thousands of city records. He’s giving city officials twenty-four hours to turn them over.
Otherwise one can infer search warrants will be the order of the day.
Steve Cooley
Investigators are looking into allegations of voter fraud and conflicts of interest, as well as the $100,000 salaries paid to four council members. The D.A. says several elections are targeted.
By Richard Winton, Jeff Gottlieb and Andrew Blankstein, Los Angeles Times
July 28, 2010
Los Angeles County prosecutors have launched a wide-ranging investigation into allegations of voter fraud and conflicts of interest involving municipal business in Bell, Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley said Tuesday.
In an interview with The Times, Cooley described an investigation considerably larger in scope than previously acknowledged by prosecutors, saying that it was “multifaceted, rapidly expanding and full-fledged.” Investigators have been gathering evidence since March, he said.
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/27/2010 08:04:56 PM PDT
RIALTO – The sex scandal that has rocked the Police Department and attracted widespread attention has not shaken officials’ faith in rank-and-file officers or Chief Mark Kling, based on remarks they made at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting.
“My confidence in Mark is high,” said City Administrator Henry Garcia. “This is a small step backward.”
Michael J. Sorba, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/27/2010 07:35:08 PM PDT
COLTON – At least two City Council members say they’d like to see the city send out requests seeking the exact costs to outsource for police and fire services, following the results of recently completed audits of both departments.
They would also like the city to contact surrounding jurisdictions to examine the viability of forming a joint powers agreement for fire services.
L.A. NOW
Southern California — this just in
July 27, 2010 | 2:13 pm
A lawsuit filed Monday by a former Bell police officer makes a variety of serious allegations about city officials and suggests voter fraud in a 2009 election.
According to the lawsuit, filed by James Corcoran, off-duty police officers in Bell distributed absentee ballots in a 2009 municipal election and told would-be voters which candidates to support.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown is apparently becoming a little sensitive to criticisms he is using his official capacity of Attorney General as a campaign platform.
In a Los Angeles Times story yesterday, Brown defended his investigation into pay practices in the City of Bell, deflecting allegations by the Meg Whitman campaign, that his actions were a campaign stunt.
Maybe someone should ask Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley. The man with the tire tracks across his back.
Hudson
10:00 PM PDT on Monday, July 26, 2010
By ALICIA ROBINSON
The Press-Enterprise
Riverside City Manager Brad Hudson may face tough questions today from his bosses on the City Council when they meet behind closed doors to discuss his performance.
Several council members said they have concerns about the sale of Police Department guns in 2005 to Hudson and Assistant City Manager Tom De Santis and city officials’ use of nearly untraceable license plates reserved for police work.
July 26, 2010 3:52 PM
Brooke Edwards
VICTORVILLE • One of the top forensic auditing firms in the country now has its own temporary office at City Hall, as an investigation into Victorville’s finances by the San Bernardino County Grand Jury moves forward.
The grand jury first began probing Victorville in spring 2009, interviewing a slew of city officials regarding troubled finances, reported handshake deals and more.
Attorney General Edmund “Jerry” Brown
PolitiCal
On politics in the Golden State
July 26, 2010 | 4:45 pm
Ten television trucks and a crowd of reporters showed up for a news conference Monday where California Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown announced that he had issued subpoenas for records as part of his investigation into “excessive” salaries in Bell, but the Democratic gubernatorial nominee insisted he was just doing his day job.
Last week The Times examined Brown’s dual roles as candidate and attorney general — prompting the campaign of his opponent, Meg Whitman, to request public records detailing Brown’s official travel and the personnel records of his communications staff.
Brown
Today, Attorney General, oops! I mean democratic candidate for Governor Edmund “Jerry” Brown was campaigning on the Bell pension fiasco vis press conference.
Yes indeed. Another “high-profile” issue has handed Brown a platform to campaign from for “free”.
Scandal a threat to Rialto gains
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/25/2010 08:27:08 PM PDT
RIALTO – Police Chief Mark Kling has described his department as embarrassed and frustrated over allegations that some of its officers were involved in a sex scandal connected to the Spearmint Rhino strip club.
“They don’t deserve that type of recognition,” Kling said. “It doesn’t represent the hardworking people of this department.”
City seeking unspecified cuts from contracts
Jesse B. Gill, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/25/2010 08:06:43 PM PDT
REDLANDS – Although the City Council has said it wants contract concessions from the unions representing city employees, union leaders say it hasn’t specified what is needed.
A council subcommittee manned by Jon Harrison and Mick Gallagher is conducting informal discussions with both unions about items in their employment contracts they could give up to save the city money. The discussions come after a budget season in which the council eliminated 47 full-time city jobs and was still left with a deficit of $877,500.
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.
Paul Zellerbach
10:00 PM PDT on Friday, July 23, 2010
By RICHARD K. DE ATLEY
The Press-Enterprise
More than six weeks after voters made him Riverside County district attorney-elect, Paul Zellerbach has started his transition by meeting with employees, talking to county officials and reviewing the department’s policies
But Zellerbach, a Riverside County superior court judge, says he hasn’t spoken to Rod Pacheco, the man he is replacing in January.
Michael J. Sorba, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/23/2010 06:50:33 PM PDT
COLTON – The city could save as much as $8.2 million by eliminating its police and fire departments and contracting with outside agencies, according to audits of the departments which were released Friday.
The firm estimates between $2.3 million and $8.2 million would be saved if the City Council elected to contract for public safety services or form a joint agreement with other cities in the area.
California Watch
A Project of the Center for Investigative Reporting
Public Safety
California WatchBlog
July 23, 2010 | Ryan Gabrielson
During normal times, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department hears from two to three small towns a year wondering how much taxpayer money they’d save by hiring deputies to replace their own police officers.
These are not normal times.
Cost-saving measure
47 to shift to county’s jails
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/21/2010 08:03:25 PM PDT
Come July 31, 47 sheriff’s deputies from stations across San Bernardino County will be transferring from their respective stations to the county’s four detention centers to eliminate about $8 million in overtime at the jails.
To make up for the loss, another 44 deputies will be transferring from their respective stations to backfill the vacancies left at the other stations from the deputies transferring to the jails.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010 – 07:40 am
Here is an update in the ongoing investigation into alleged inappropriate sexual conduct between members of the Rialto Police Department and employees of the Spearmint Rhino Gentlemen’s Club.
Two more officers have been placed under investigation according to Police Chief Mark Kling.
10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, July 20, 2010
By DARRELL R. SANTSCHI
The Press-Enterprise
The San Bernardino City Council has armed the city manager with a new weapon in wage negotiations with the police officers union: the threat of furloughs.
City Manager Charles McNeely told the council this week that talks with the San Bernardino Police Officers Association have dragged on longer than expected and asked for authority to impose unpaid furloughs on officers.
10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, July 20, 2010
By PAUL LAROCCO
The Press-Enterprise
Three years ago, San Bernardino police sought to improve response times to emergency calls, which then averaged more than six minutes.
They appeared to be successful. By the end of 2008, department statistics showed that officers were being sent to such incidents in just over four minutes, or 34 percent faster.
Another entry from the website tracking report.
| Date & time: | Jul/20 8:47 AM | IP address: | 167.10.240.1 |
| Country: | United States | City: | Fair Oaks |
| Organisation: | California Department Of Justice | ||
| Referring url: | bookmark | ||
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/19/2010 04:58:37 PM PDT
RIALTO – Internal investigators are probing claims that police officers were having sex on duty with employees of a popular strip club on Riverside Avenue, authorities said Monday.
“We’ve got confirmation that employees of the Spearmint Rhino were involved with officers in our department,” Police Chief Mark Kling said.
06:47 PM PDT on Monday, July 19, 2010
By PAUL LaROCCO
The Press-Enterprise
Four Rialto police officers have been placed on paid administrative leave after allegations surfaced that they had sex while on duty with Spearmint Rhino waitresses at a police union building.
The officers, whose names were withheld because the personnel investigation is not complete, are among six being investigated, Rialto Police Chief Mark Kling said.
Council move puts pressure on contract talks
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/19/2010 07:49:44 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – The City Council decided by a single vote Monday to give the city manager authority to impose furloughs on police officers if city negotiators and the police union fail to reach a deal on pay concessions.
City Manager Charles McNeely has no immediate plans to force officers to take time off, he said. He presented the issue diplomatically, but the vote is essentially a decision to play hardball during what may be the closing rounds of negotiations.
Overtime reduction creates backlog in evidence testing
Wes Woods II, Staff Writer
Created: 07/19/2010 06:19:48 PM PDT
Budget cuts that reduced overtime have slowed the analysis of narcotics evidence by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and the police in Pomona and La Verne have noticed the effects.
“Routine narcotics evidence that has been sent to the crime lab has gone from taking a week to taking two to three weeks or sometimes more to get it back,” said Pomona police Sgt. Rob Baker on Monday.
The developing sex scandal involving at least one, if not several officers within the ranks of the Rialto Police Department, is gaining momentum this evening.
News coming out of Rialto tonight says employees of the Spearmint Rhino club are involved.
Ramos
Almost six months ago, on two seperate occasions, local private criminal attorney’s personally approached San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos with a complaint.
What was done about the complaints to Ramos? Nothing.
Why? The complaint involved supporters of the District Attorney.
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/18/2010 06:49:11 PM PDT
RIALTO – A woman’s allegations that she had sex with a police officer while he was on duty has led Police Chief Mark Kling to place four officers on paid administrative leave while the Police Department investigates misconduct within its ranks.
Nancy Holtgreve, a 37-year-old waitress, said she had sex with Officer James Dobbs three times last year at the Rialto Police Benefit Association’s union building after she clocked off work in the early morning and while Dobbs was on shift for the department.
Lori Consalvo, Staff Writer
Created: 07/18/2010 02:16:01 PM PDT
RANCHO CUCAMONGA – A search warrant was served at a bail bond business after sheriff’s deputies received word that bail agents were violating solicitation rules.
San Bernardino County sheriff’s detectives and investigators from the Department of Insurance served a search warrant Thursday at Bail Hotline Bail Bonds, 8821 Etiwanda Ave.
The party decides to adopt a neutral position on Proposition 19. Many favor the measure, but opponents cited one overriding concern: a yes vote could damage statewide candidates in competitive races.
July 18, 2010|By John Hoeffel, Los Angeles Times
Reporting from San Jose — The state Democratic Party decided Sunday not to endorse the marijuana legalization initiative on the November ballot after a swift, passionate debate that left little doubt most Democrats in the hotel meeting room intend to vote yes at the polls.
The party decided to adopt a neutral position on Proposition 19, leaving the many local Democratic committees and organizations free to endorse the measure.
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/16/2010 05:51:37 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – The City Council may impose police officer furloughs if administrators are unable to reach a concessions deal with the rank-and-file by Monday.
“We put that item on the agenda as a placeholder in case we don’t reach an agreement,” city spokeswoman Heather Gray said.
The looming threat of furloughs is the latest development in a negotiations process that has frustrated San Bernardino Police Officers Association leadership.
District Attorney Mike Ramos
The San Bernardino County Sentinel
Friday, July 16, 2010
Former sheriff Gary Penrod accumulated compromising information and materials pertaining to district attorney Mike Ramos which was then utilized to blackmail Ramos and head off an incipient effort by the district attorney’s office to file criminal charges against Penrod pertaining to a host of criminal acts the sheriff was himself involved in.
July 14, 2010 2:57 PM
Natasha Lindstrom
ADELANTO • San Bernardino County supervisors on Tuesday approved agreements that help secure $100 million from the state to triple the capacity of Adelanto Detention Center.
Clinching the $100 million hinged on the county’s commitment to sell 20 acres near the Apple Valley Juvenile Detention Facility for the construction of a state prison reentry facility.
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/14/2010 10:06:10 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – Second Ward Councilman Jason Desjardins asserted Wednesday that he faces character assassination for opposing proposed tax hikes and City Charter changes.
The attack, Desjardins maintained, includes the revelation that he was investigated – but never charged – for rape and other crimes during his law- enforcement career.
Brown
Bob Egelko, Chronicle Staff Writer
San Francisco Chronicle
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
For decades, capital punishment was a driving force in California politics, swaying elections for governor and the U.S. Senate and reshaping the state Supreme Court.
While executions in California have been on hold for more than four years, tied up in court challenges to lethal injection procedures that the state is now redrafting, November’s elections may determine whether the death penalty still carries political weight.
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.
Written by La Cochita
July 9th, 2010 at 5:35 pm
David Ellis is the founder of the Dave Ellis Group and Delta Partners, LLC, a full-service government relations and public affairs firm located in Orange County, California. He is San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos’ campaign consultant and political advisor.
Not long after Sam Clauder’s arrest on child porn charges, Ellis was at an event where he was overheard saying, “I think we have Clauder right where we want him,” referring to Clauder’s arrest and incarceration. Remember, Sam Clauder was a Democratic operative and vocal opponent of Mike Ramos and other San Bernardino County Republicans.
John “JP” Pomierski
Cloud over Upland
Mayor’s future is on the line
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 07/10/2010 07:08:31 AM PDT
UPLAND – Mayor John “JP” Pomierski was elected by Upland voters to save the city from the verge of bankruptcy.
The citizens trusted his abilities as an Upland businessman to lead them to the financial stability the city enjoys now, 10 years later.
But his own business dealings have come under scrutiny by federal investigators. A June 10 raid by FBI and IRS agents on Pomierski’s home, City Hall and two local businesses has left residents questioning the integrity of the mayor who helped pull the city out of its fiscal darkness, and wondering what his future might be.
Raids by the FBI, IRS came as `big surprise’
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 07/10/2010 07:08:27 AM PDT
UPLAND – A recent raid by FBI and IRS agents at the mayor’s home and City Hall may have some residents wondering who their mayor is.
John “JP” Pomierski has been mayor since 2000. Most of the news coming out of the city has been related to finances and development, but on June 10 the focus changed to Pomierski himself.
In contrast to earlier results, 48% of likely voters are now against Proposition 19, survey finds.
By John Hoeffel, Los Angeles Times
July 10, 2010
Californians who intend to vote in November narrowly oppose Proposition 19, which would make the state the first to legalize marijuana possession and sales, according to a recent survey.
The Field Poll found that 48% of likely voters oppose the measure and 44% support it, a contrast with two polls taken in May that showed voters were leaning slightly in favor of the measure.
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.”
Jerry Brown
***EDITOR’S NOTE: From the looks of things here it would appear Brown invented DNA testing technology.***
Posted By: Carla Marinucci | July 08 2010 at 02:23 PM
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown got a nice poltiical two-fer Thursday — a chance to remind Califonria voters of his credentials as the state’s top cop while law enforcement celebrated the arrest of a man described as the notorious “Grim Sleeper” serial killer, who has eluded them for decades.
State Attorney General Brown was on hand today, standing next to Republican Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley to talk up the technology advances in DNA analysis which he’s supported — and which ended in the arrest of Lonnie David Franklin, 57, by Los Angeles Police Wednesday on 10 counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.
10:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Cassie MacDuff
Who knew serving in city government requires cloak-and-dagger techniques?
Untraceable license plates, concealed weapons, badges to flash: The public servants at Riverside City Hall employed such tools — till the attorney general red-flagged them as illegal.
I would have missed this gem over the weekend, but a photo in a Sounthern California newspaper was the tip off.
This past weekend San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael Ramos rotated into the Presidency of the California District Attorneys Association (CDAA).
Yes, now the CDAA is stuck with this man as their leader.
10:12 PM PDT on Tuesday, July 6, 2010
By PAUL LAROCCO
The Press-Enterprise
In the midst of routine public comments at a recent San Bernardino City Council meeting, Councilman Jason Desjardins made an unusual plea.
“If you happened to have smashed the window out of my van on the corner of Genevieve and 40th, please return my stuff,” he said at the June 21 session. “Give it to the police department. I will waive my desire to prosecute. Just give me my stuff back. You know who you are.”
D.C. Now
News from Washington, minute by minute
July 6, 2010 | 1:01 pm
With the Justice Department filing suit against Arizona’s new law on immigration on Tuesday, the latest poll shows that Americans remain divided on whether the government should focus on halting the flow of illegal immigrants into the country or developing a plan to deal with those who are already in the U.S.
The Justice Department filed suit in Arizona, arguing that the law violates the federal government’s authority to establish policy on immigration. Technically, the federal government is seeking a preliminary injunction to prevent Arizona from enforcing the law when it goes into effect July 29.
Officials watch Sacramento for more takeaways
Wendy Leung, Staff Writer
Created: 07/05/2010 09:00:19 PM PDT
RANCHO CUCAMONGA – Three weeks after the city passed a $91.8 million budget, city leaders approved a number of measures to address recent budgetary changes, which include a $1.4 million hit due to the outcome of the San Bernardino County sheriff’s contract negotiations.
Last week, the City Council approved the allocation of $150,000 in law enforcement reserves to facilitate schedule changes proposed by the Sheriff’s Department. City leaders also directed staff members to draft a contingency plan to prepare for possible loss of redevelopment funds and to strengthen funding for employees pension reserves.
Budget woes force layoffs, cutbacks
Jesse B. Gill, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/05/2010 08:06:23 PM PDT
REDLANDS – The Police Department fared worse than other city departments in a series of job cuts and layoffs.
However, they refuse to take it lying down.
The Police Department eliminated a total of 21 jobs – including 15 through layoffs.
California Watch
A Project of the Center for Investigative Reporting
Money and Politics
California WatchBlog
July 6, 2010 | Timothy Sandoval
In her campaign to become California’s next attorney general, Democratic candidate Kamala Harris may be facing a big blue wall.
Few endorsements are more coveted by politicians than those from police and law enforcement groups. But they are particularly important in the attorney general race between Harris and her GOP opponent, Steve Cooley, the district attorney of Los Angeles.
10:00 PM PDT on Friday, July 2, 2010
San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos began his year-long term as president of the California District Attorneys’ Association Thursday.
The group, whose membership is made up of district attorneys across the state, meets in Monterey this weekend for its semi-annual conference.
Ramos
Sources inside the San Bernardino County’s District Attorney and County Administrative Offices are quietly confirming the cost of DA Mike Ramos’ alleged corruption investigations involving multiple individuals has exceeded $5 million.
A huge taxpayer price tag for Ramos’ reelection showcase and political vendetta.
10:00 PM PDT on Thursday, July 1, 2010
By RICHARD K. DE ATLEY
The Press-Enteprise
A union survey of Riverside County district attorney investigators shows dissatisfaction with the bureau and chief investigator Vern Horst, who said he will work to improve direct communication with his personnel.
Horst said he believed the results were influenced by budget cuts, loss of take-home cars for investigators, reassignments and a change in the bureau of investigation’s focus to a more pro-active law enforcement style.
Sources tell InlandPolitics.com that Matt Brown, chief of staff for county supervisor Paul Biane has been offered a position with Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector Larry Walker.
But it seems Brown is balking at taking the job.
James Rufus Koren, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/29/2010 06:07:17 PM PDT
San Bernardino County’s West Valley juvenile hall will close early next year and the county Probation Department could lose as many as 39 officers as it seeks to cut $10.2 million from its budget.
West Valley Juvenile Detention and Assessment Center in Rancho Cucamonga will close in March, seven probation-corrections officers will be laid off next month and 32 more officers could lose their jobs by the end of the year, Chief Probation Officer Michelle Scray said Tuesday.
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.
Pomierski
Word on the street has it that Upland Mayor John “JP” Pomierski is in serious trouble.
The kind of trouble you don’t resurrect yourself from.
Not the weak politically motivated stuff. More like the smoking gun category.
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.
Sunday, June 27, 2010 – 10:16 a.m.
Now that the dust has settled over the hoop-la with the San Bernardino County union concession votes, we can see what is slated to occur at Monday’s special Board of Supervisors meeting, where the 2010-11 budget is scheduled to be approved.
The pain to be felt by sworn sheriff and district attorney employees who rejected proposed contract concessions? The deletion of vacant budgeted positions and a reduction in overtime.
City is looking to trim benefit for future hires
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/26/2010 10:03:17 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – City Hall’s long-range plan to halt growing deficits includes negotiations aimed at whittling away at the retirement benefits that could be owed to future employees.
City employees’ contracts expire at or before the end of this year, and the city’s weakened financial position could be a premise for difficult bargaining sessions.
City found cash to cover Sheriff’s union raises but will see a 10-percent drop in coverage due to vacant deputy positions.
June 24, 2010 8:05 PM
BROOKE EDWARDS, STAFF WRITER
VICTORVILLE • The city is no longer considering dropping nine deputies for the coming year, however seven deputy positions currently vacant will not be restored in the upcoming budget.
The city council was expected to vote during the budget workshop coming up Tuesday on whether to move one sergeant, one detective and seven deputies out of Victorville.
Published: Friday, Jun. 25, 2010 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
Running a red light is the automotive equivalent of playing Russian roulette, and it costs the lives of nearly 800 U.S. motorists – red-light runners and innocent victims alike – each year.
That number comes from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which says red-light runners injure another 137,000 people.
James Rufus Koren, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/20/2010 07:02:42 AM PDT
The San Bernardino County Probation Department may close West Valley juvenile hall in Rancho Cucamonga to help cut the department’s budget for the coming year.
Chief Probation Officer Michelle Scray said shuttering the facility is one of several options being considered, though Scray would not disclose what other measures are being studied.
Officers went to home after crash but did not enter
Lori Consalvo, Staff Writer
Created: 06/20/2010 07:02:25 AM PDT
CHINO – Why didn’t California Highway Patrol officers knock down the door to Councilman Earl Elrod’s house the night of his suspected hit-and-run?
The short answer – they’re not allowed to.
Sheriff Rod Hoops
10:00 PM PDT on Saturday, June 19, 2010
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
San Bernardino County Sheriff Rod Hoops said he is trying to put together a plan to avoid layoffs in his department despite a $23 million budget shortfall.
His department’s financial outlook became more complicated last week when the San Bernardino County Safety Employees’ Benefit Association, which represents 3,100 employees, voted to reject a request by the county to forgo previously negotiated pay raises.
10:00 PM PDT on Thursday, June 17, 2010
By RICHARD K. DE ATLEY
The Press-Enterprise
Ontario police officials did not violate the constitutional rights of an officer when they reviewed his personal messages to see if he was abusing privileges with his department-issued text pager, the Supreme Court ruled Thursday.
Some of those messages were sexually explicit.
June 17, 2010 5:36 PM
Brooke Edwards
VICTORVILLE • The city could have nine fewer Sheriff’s deputies starting July 1, unless the council approves another way to cut $1.3 million just added to an extremely tight budget.
An alternative on the table is laying off more city employees outside public safety. However, Mayor Pro Tem Mike Rothschild said that option is drying up.
Proposals include 12-hour shifts, ending take-home cars
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Created: 06/16/2010 09:19:32 PM PDT
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department is considering eliminating take-home vehicles for some investigators and having deputies work 12-hour shifts three days a week in order to shore up its budget and cut overtime costs.
Undersheriff Bill Abernathy, along with two deputy chiefs and county human resources officials, met with members of the San Bernardino County Safety Employee Benefit Association (SEBA) on Wednesday to discuss the proposals, which will continue indefinitely, said Bill Abernathie, SEBA president and no relation to Undersheriff Abernathy.
Schiavone
09:37 PM PDT on Wednesday, June 16, 2010
By PAUL LaROCCO
The Press-Enterprise
The Riverside County district attorney’s office has closed its witness-tampering probe involving a former city councilman and topless bar dancer without filing charges.
Frank Schiavone had been under scrutiny regarding his contact with Michelle Wilson, then a dancer at Club 215 in Colton. She had been with Schiavone’s friend, ex-police chief Russ Leach, on Feb. 8 before a drunk Leach was stopped by Riverside police and taken home.
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.
10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, June 15, 2010
By DUANE W. GANG
The Press-Enterprise
Riverside County supervisors Tuesday voted to place a union-backed measure to protect public-safety pensions on the November ballot.
The initiative, supported by the Riverside Sheriff’s Association, qualified for the ballot last month after backers gathered enough signatures.
James Rufus Koren, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/15/2010 06:06:09 PM PDT
The county Board of Supervisors decided Tuesday to move forward with a plan to spend $25 million on a new crime lab, but the union representing most of the county’s rank-and-file public safety officers says the county should hold off for now.
Bill Abernathie, president of the Safety Employees Benefit Association (SEBA), says a new Sheriff’s Department crime lab is needed but that, with the county facing a nearly $90 million budget gap for the coming year, this might not be the time.
By Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/14/2010 10:11:34 PM PDT
UPLAND – The city and staff are not targets of the FBI’s ongoing investigation into Mayor John Pomierski, several local businesses and business owners, said some city officials during Monday’s City Council meeting.
Councilmembers also commended city employees’ cooperation during the raid by FBI and IRS agents Thursday at City Hall.
The largest bargaining unit for the San Bernardino County Safety Employees’ Benefit Association (SEBA) overwhelmingly rejected a proposal negotiated by union leadership to cancel a series of wage increases over the next two years in an effort to assist in balancing a $90 million deficit.
By a roughly three to one margin, the Safety Unit representing Sheriff’s Deputies and District Attorney Investigators, rejected the modification proposal. The smaller Specialized Peace Officer Unit also rejected by approximately a two votes.
Wendy Leung and Sandra Emerson, Staff Writers
Posted: 06/11/2010 09:13:28 PM PDT
UPLAND – The FBI and IRS investigation that closed City Hall for an entire day Thursday is a far-reaching one that involves not only the mayor but a number of businesses and business owners in the region.
According to an FBI search warrant served to Mayor John Pomierski on Thursday to support the seizure of his cell phone, investigators were seeking records related to a number of businesses and people including Chronic Cantina, JH Builders, Upland Market Place and many others.
Today agents for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service executed search warrants at Upland City Hall and three locations related to Mayor John Pomierski and a business partner.
Sources say Pomierski’s residence, business, and the office of a business partner are also involved in today’s activity.
08:47 AM PDT on Thursday, June 10, 2010
Cassie MacDuff
Two incumbents fared poorly in Tuesday’s election: Riverside County District Attorney Rod Pacheco and San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Biane.
But this was none of the anti-incumbent fever sweeping politics nationwide.
08:46 AM PDT on Wednesday, June 9, 2010
By DAVID DANELSKI
The Press-Enterprise
Some Riverside council members and top city administrators used city vehicles with special, untraceable licenses plates that state law reserves for police work, according to interviews and lawsuit documents.
The practice, known as “cold plating,” was one of a gamut of law-enforcement tools afforded some city leaders, former Riverside Police Chief Russ Leach said in November, when he was deposed for a lawsuit over police labor issues.
08:58 AM PDT on Thursday, June 10, 2010
By RICHARD K. DeATLEY
The Press-Enterprise
CLARIFICATION:
Wednesday’s statement from the district attorney’s office about the future plans of District Attorney Rod Pacheco has been replaced by a statement issued Thursday that appears in this version of the story.
Riverside County District Attorney Rod Pacheco acknowledged Wednesday that he appeared to have been defeated by Judge Paul Zellerbach, who now begins a six-month transition before he takes office in January.
Pacheco
Riverside County District Attorney Rod Pacheco has been defeated by Superior Court Judge Paul Zellerbach.
With 90.38% of the vote counted Zellerbach has 53.04% of the vote.
Jesse B. Gill, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/04/2010 05:24:12 PM PDT
REDLANDS – The Police Department won’t be the same one the city has been accustomed to after an upcoming series of budget cuts.
The City Council will decide Monday on cuts to address Redlands’ $8.9 million budget deficit. Each city department will have to cut at least 12 percent from its budget. The council could choose a budget option to cut 17 percent from every department.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/03/2010 06:20:27 PM PDT
San Bernardino County released its proposed 2010-2011 budget Thursday and it’s not looking good for public safety.
The Public Defender’s Office is eliminating 39 positions due to continued suspension of state funding and a significant reduction in general fund financing.
Sheriff Rod Hoops
10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, June 1, 2010
By PAUL LAROCCO
The Press-Enterprise
San Bernardino County Sheriff Rod Hoops has raised more and outspent his election opponents by a margin of more than 12 to 1, according to campaign finance reports released last week.
Hoops, appointed sheriff in 2009 and seeking his first elected term, received $129,667 in contributions from mid-March through late May, giving him more than $140,000 for the year. He has spent $196,090 since January.
District Attorney Rod Pacheco
10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, June 1, 2010
By RICHARD K. DE ATLEY
The Press-Enterprise
District Attorney Rod Pacheco raised $47,000 in campaign donations in eight weeks, compared with $129,000 raised in the same period by challenger Paul Zellerbach, according to campaign contribution and expenditure forms.
But Pacheco, a three-term assemblyman who ran unopposed in 2006 for his first term as district attorney, started the March 18-May 22 reporting period with $452,000, considerably more than Zellerbach’s $19,180.
Leach
09:51 PM PDT on Tuesday, June 1, 2010
By PAUL LaROCCO and ALICIA ROBINSON
The Press-Enterprise
The two Riverside police officers immediately realized the traffic stop they had just made would be a “political nightmare.”
Their chief, Russ Leach, was behind the wheel of a car worn down to its rims, driving without its lights just before 3 a.m. Smelling strongly of alcohol, Leach greeted them by holding his badge straight out the window.
11:04 PM PDT on Sunday, May 30, 2010
By DUANE W. GANG
The Press-Enterprise
Riverside County faces a $131.5 million budget shortfall, and supervisors are seeking deep cuts — and as many as 1,600 layoffs — to bridge the gap over the next two years.
But as they seek those reductions, the county’s three largest employee unions have made more than $450,000 in campaign donations to supervisors, candidates for the board and other elected officials who wield influence in county politics, campaign finance figures released late last week show.
10:00 PM PDT on Saturday, May 29, 2010
By RICHARD K. DE ATLEY
The Press-Enterprise
Riverside County district attorney candidate Paul Zellerbach’s campaign raised $129,000 in eight weeks, he loaned himself $40,000, and then spent much of it on television ads and mailers, his latest contribution and expenditure form shows.
Zellerbach’s form, filed Wednesday with the Riverside County Registrar of Voters, shows during the March 19-May 22 reporting period that he added the $169,000 to an existing $19,180, then spent nearly $181,000, leaving $7,652.
Guzman
By: Frank H. Guzman
One of the problems with our judicial system is that anyone can file a frivolous lawsuit. Just pay the filing fees and find an attorney who does not take the time to investigate and learn the truth about the facts.
The frivolity of this lawsuit is obvious: typically in these cases, one attaches a written agreement evidencing such agreement. And in all cases when an attorney undertakes representation, such undertaking is evidenced by a written Retainer Agreement. None exists in this case.
InlandPolitics has learned that an illegal bail bond practice may have once again reared it’s ugly head in San Bernardino County.
The last people to be caught doing what is known as bail bond “capping” were the Tidwell brothers. They were prosecuted.
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.
Stacia Glenn and Andrew Edwards, Staff Writers
Posted: 05/27/2010 06:19:52 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – In a jumpstart to negotiations that turned hostile the last go-round, police union leaders have volunteered to continue their concessions for two more years to help close the city’s $24 million budget deficit.
The San Bernardino Police Officers Association’s made the offer Monday during a meeting with a professional negotiator recently hired by the city.
Daniel Tedford, Staff Writer
Created: 05/27/2010 06:19:44 PM PDT
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will strip 99 reserve officers of their positions after an audit showed they weren’t trained properly, officials said Thursday.
A report from the California Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training found the department did not use certified locations and didn’t keep proper records when training 99 Level III reserve officers in 2008, according to a statement from Sheriff Lee Baca.
Leach
10:44 PM PDT on Thursday, May 27, 2010
By PAUL LAROCCO
The Press-Enterprise
A topless bar dancer and a one-time Riverside councilman were at odds Thursday with their accounts of conversations they had following former Police Chief Russ Leach’s intoxicated drive.
Michelle Wilson said Frank Schiavone tried to dissuade her from cooperating with officers in Leach’s DUI probe, echoing reports that the councilman remains under scrutiny.
10:41 PM PDT on Wednesday, May 26, 2010
By RICHARD K. DE ATLEY
The Press-Enterprise
With his opponent Paul Zellerbach in the same room, Riverside County District Attorney Rod Pacheco used a town-hall meeting Wednesday to bring home a centerpiece of his campaign against the judge — that Zellerbach goes easy on sexual predators.
The claims, Zellerbach said, are misleading.
By PE Politics
on May 26, 2010 4:22 PM
Sexual harassment allegations have surrounded San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos in recent months.
Now, a mysterious campaign sign has picked up on the topic. This one appears in Colton near Interstate 215. It’s unclear who is behind the sign, since it does not list a campaign committee.
Ramos has consistently denied the allegations.
To read entire story, click here.
Rep. Gary Miller
Rep. Miller signs on to letter of protest
James Rufus Koren, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/26/2010 09:14:55 PM PDT
Rep. Gary Miller is among 26 members of Congress who have signed a letter taking issue with a top federal official who said Immigration and Customs Enforcement might not process illegal immigrants picked up in Arizona.
Assistant Homeland Security Secretary John Morton made the comments last week in a meeting with the Chicago Tribune’s editorial board, the Tribune reported.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/25/2010 06:21:26 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDIN0 – Adults who host rowdy parties and allow minors to drink alcohol in their homes will be subject to hefty administrative fines under a new law approved by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.
The “social hosting ordinance” returns to the board on June 15 for adoption and goes into effect 30 days thereafter.
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/24/2010 08:07:22 PM PDT
San Bernardino County’s attempt to negotiate pension concessions from sheriff’s deputies could signal a new trend: a rollback of the generous retirement packages public employees secured during the past decade.
The development is not universal – Rialto’s pension benefits are scheduled to increase in December.
One things for certain.
San Bernardino County doesn’t want any bad news made public. And when it does go public by way of internal leaks, the course of action is to downplay or deny.
10:00 PM PDT on Saturday, May 22, 2010
By RICHARD K. DE ATLEY
The Press-Enterprise
A law enforcement union will not release the results of a rank-and-file evaluation of the district attorney’s office’s chief investigator until after the June 8 election, a move that is politically motivated, the district attorney’s challenger says.
Chief investigator Vern Horst was appointed in 2008 by District Attorney Rod Pacheco, who has been endorsed for re-election by the Riverside Sheriffs’ Association.
By Jim Sanders
jsanders@sacbee.com The Sacramento Bee
Published: Sunday, May. 23, 2010 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
Last Modified: Sunday, May. 23, 2010 – 1:18 am
The race for California’s chief law enforcement officer is among the state’s most hotly contested in both the Democratic and Republican primaries.
The field includes four legislators, two district attorneys, a former city attorney, a constitutional law expert and a former Facebook legal counsel who has spent nearly $10 million of personal funds on his campaign.
10:00 PM PDT on Thursday, May 20, 2010
DAN BERNSTEIN
In Greece, trombone players may retire at 50 because their work causes breathing problems. RivCo sheriff’s deputies may retire at 50. Some receive 90 percent of their salaries. For life! It’s a safe bet that Greek trombone players and the RivCo Sheriff’s Association believe their pension systems operate beautifully. They do. For them. But what about the rest of us? I figured I’d ask Bob Bowers.
** This story is being brought forward at the request of a reader. The point being District Attorney Mike Ramos appears to be focused so much on eliminating his political enemies, than seeing justice done on true crimes against the community and its residents.
Kenneth Good
By Charles Roberts, Editor
Highland Community News
Published: Thursday, May 13, 2010 4:38 PM CDT
Rico Von Heninburg has had 71 court dates so far, and neighbors say that’s enough.
Kenneth Good, 87, was awakened in the predawn hours of Aug. 29, 2008, by a man beating him with a barbell. He was knocked unconscious, and called 911 when he awoke at 5:15 a.m.
Canan Tasci, Staff Writer
Created: 05/20/2010 09:49:15 PM PDT
MONTCLAIR – City Council members unanimously approved a two-tier pension program that will reduce the retirement benefit for non-safety employees hired after June 20.
The city’s retirement rate and annual costs will decrease as a result of the contract amendment with the California Public Employees’ Retirement System that was approved at Monday’s council meeting. The change does not affect police officers and firefighters.
10:00 PM PDT on Thursday, May 20, 2010
By GENE GHIOTTO
The Press-Enterprise
A Lake Elsinore businessman was arrested today on suspicion of conspiring to hide his involvement in the failed effort to recall Lake Elsinore City Councilman Thomas Buckley.
Riverside County district attorney’s office investigators arrested Michel Knight, 49, outside his Temecula Valley Wine Country home about 9:40 a.m.
Harris
Jaxon Van Derbeken, Chronicle Staff Writer
Friday, May 21, 2010
(05-20) 18:34 PDT SAN FRANCISCO –
San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris’ office violated defendants’ rights by hiding damaging information about a police drug lab technician and was indifferent to demands that it account for its failings, a judge declared Thursday.
Superior Court Judge Anne-Christine Massullo stopped short of granting a request by more than 40 drug defendants that their cases be dismissed because of prosecutorial misconduct, saying that decision must be left up to the judges hearing their cases.
(Click image to enlarge)
Written by Administrator
May 19th, 2010 at 6:20 pm
Obviously, Deputy McGruff has failed at his assignment. We need the big guns. Time to call on the National Guard. We hear these signs are all over the west end. We need to line the streets with militiamen and tanks to be sure we are all safe from these dreaded signs.
Like, umm, where can I get one to go with my Frank Guzman sign?
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/18/2010 07:11:21 PM PDT
San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies will soon vote on a concessions package that includes pared down retirement benefits for new hires.
The cost-savings package also includes a one-time cash payment in place of a raise.
10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, May 18, 2010
By RICHARD K. DE ATLEY
The Press-Enterprise
Riverside County District Attorney Rod Pacheco said Tuesday he supports Arizona’s new immigration law.
“This law merely extends the lawful authority that is currently given to federal law enforcement … to local law enforcement. It doesn’t do anything more than that,” Pacheco told more than 200 people at a Temecula Valley Republican Women Federated luncheon at the Wilson Creek Winery.
10:00 PM PDT on Sunday, May 16, 2010
By PAUL LAROCCO
The Press-Enterprise
Fifteen months after he was appointed sheriff, Rod Hoops is seeking his first elected term on a platform of deep experience and fiscal prudence.
His two opponents, however, are attempting to cast his 31 years rising through the ranks of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department as one of an insider unable to bring needed change.
11:02 PM PDT on Sunday, May 16, 2010
By JOHN ASBURY
The Press-Enterprise
The winner of the race for Riverside County sheriff will be faced with shepherding the state’s second-largest sheriff’s department through a budget crisis that could lead to staff cuts.
Incumbent Sheriff Stanley Sniff is facing retired Chief Deputy Frank Robles in the June 8 election.
By Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/16/2010 09:38:00 PM PDT
The results of the June primary are not yet on the books, but both sides, in what could be be blockbuster campaign over the legalization of marijuana, are already preparing for November.
“Can we win this? Can we win this?” marijuana advocate Lanny Swerdlow asked those who attended a Wednesday night meeting for legalization supporters.
Written by Administrator
May 16th, 2010 at 2:33 pm
It seems someone has called a spade a spade. Yep, that’s right! Someone finally recognizes Mikey for what he is.
Apparently, San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos has his “panties in a wad,” to quote my source. Ramos had a large campaign sign posted at Ford Street and I-10. Well someone wrote “womanizer” on it. Mikey found out and the Redlands Police Department was called to take the sign down, enter it into evidence and investigate the crime of the century. So our tax dollars are once again being put to good use and the citizens of Redlands can feel safe knowing that there is so little crime in Redlands that their officers have time for such an important investigation.
This is a case where a picture tells the story.
Pictured is Hannah, age 9, from Fontana, campaigning near Ontario Mills Mall Saturday afternoon. Be part of the movement to restore integrity to the San Bernardino District Attorney’s office and cast your vote on June 8th for Frank Guzman!
You still have until May 24th to register.
Hannah is counting on you!
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.
Written by Administrator
May 14th, 2010 at 6:24 pm
That is the only logical excuse we can come up in reference to the fundraiser being held on May 20, 2010. Among others, it is being sponsored by the San Bernardino Public Employees Association. But this late in the primary and with the campaign war chest he already has, there is no reason for this fundraiser. It’s kind of a bizarre fundraiser, don’t you think?
Sniff Robles
11:29 AM PDT on Friday, May 14, 2010
By JOHN ASBURY
The Press-Enterprise
The Riverside County sheriff and the challenger for his position in the June 8 election sparred in a debate Thursday night over how to manage the department, personnel issues and moving ahead in a budget crisis.
Riverside County Sheriff Stanley Sniff and retired Chief Deputy Frank Robles agreed the county would have to cut back in dealing with massive budget shortfalls, but differed on how the Sheriff’s Department should be managed.
10:00 PM PDT on Thursday, May 13, 2010
DAN BERNSTEIN
DA Rod Pacheco failed to appear at a fourth debate this week, asserting that groups who oppose him sponsored it.
He also pooh-poohed the value of candidate debates: “They know my record, so what’s a debate going to be? A debate is going to be me talking about what the people already know.”
Frank Guzman
When I was asked to be interviewed by the combined editorial boards of The Sun and Daily Bulletin I hesitated because I knew the Sun’s reputation for lack of objectivity.
However, I accepted under the mistaken premise that maybe, just maybe, because of the corruption which has overwhelmed our county, this time they may be objective in their endorsements.
The influential California Correctional Peace Officers Association (CCPOA) today announced their endorsement of Mayor Don Kurth (R-Rancho Cucamonga) to succeed Assemblyman Bill Emmerson in the 63rd Assembly District. CCPOA represents more than 30,000 correctional peace officers working inside California’s prisons and youth facilities.
“The California Correctional Peace Officers Association is pleased to endorse Don Kurth’s candidacy for Assembly District 63,” said CCPOA President Mike Jimenez. “We look forward to assisting him in his victory and to working with him in the State Legislature on all the issues that affect our members and every other Californian.”
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.
By PE Politics
on May 12, 2010 5:49 PM
An organization of law enforcement unions has spent $25,000 supporting Assemblyman Joel Anderson in the Republican primary race for the 36th Senate District.
The Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) includes 890 member organizations, representing 62,000 law-enforcement employees.
Pacheco
10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, May 11, 2010
By RICHARD K. DE ATLEY
The Press-Enterprise
Riverside County district attorney candidate Paul Zellerbach spoke at fourth community forum Tuesday in which incumbent Rod Pacheco had been invited to debate him, but did not show.
“Mr. Pacheco isn’t here. He is an elected public official. You put him here. And you can remove him. I think as an elected official, you have a duty and obligation to come to forums and debate your opponents,” Zellerbach said as he addressed about 60 people in the Stratton Community Center in Riverside’s Bordwell Park.
At some point you have to be amazed at the duplicity in the San Bernardino County government hierarchy.
I mean you can’t make this stuff up.
Finally, evidence has surfaced proving what county supervisors suspected all along. Their top legal advisor was breaching attorney-client privilege in February 2009.
10:00 PM PDT on Monday, May 10, 2010
A debate forum for the Riverside County district attorney’s race is set for 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. today at the Stratton Community Center, 2008 Martin Luther King Blvd., Riverside.
An organizer said Monday that challenger Paul Zellerbach plans to attend. No response had been received from incumbent District Attorney Rod Pacheco.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/09/2010 07:03:23 AM PDT
The Board of Supervisors is poised to sign a letter of support for legislation that would require registered sex offenders to provide law enforcement all of their online addresses, e-mail addresses and instant messaging user names.
On Tuesday, the board will vote on whether or not to ratify an action to support Senate Bill 1204, introduced in February and authored by Sen. George Runner, R-Antelope Valley.
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.
10:00 PM PDT on Friday, May 7, 2010
By RICHARD K. DE ATLEY
The Press-Enterprise
With a month to go before election day, and two days before early voting begins, there’s no point in saying the race for the Riverside County district attorney’s office is heating up. It’s been on fire since February .
Incumbent Rod Pacheco and challenger Paul Zellerbach are both experienced Riverside County prosecutors — Zellerbach started with the office in 1978 and Pacheco in 1984. Zellerbach was Pacheco’s supervisor in the office.
By Marc Lifsher, Los Angeles Times
May 7, 2010
A state lawsuit targeting two top former officials of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System could be the first in a series of state and federal actions focused on the nation’s largest public pension fund.
“This is not the end of this case or the end of the investigation,” Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown said at a news conference Thursday. “Other things could follow.”
As if anyone with an ounce of intelligence couldn’t see it coming, the obvious was revealed this evening.
Matt Brown, Chief of Staff to Second District Supervisor Paul Biane has a civil attorney. The attorney being none other than Sanford Kassel.
Supervisor Paul Biane
Joe Nelson and Wendy Leung, Staff Writers
Posted: 05/05/2010 07:00:59 PM PDT
The chief of staff to San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Biane has been placed on paid administrative leave, after claiming this week that he was being harassed and retaliated against for cooperating in an ongoing corruption probe.
Matt Brown’s leave became official Tuesday when the county launched an investigation into his allegations, county spokesman David Wert said Wednesday.
11:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, May 5, 2010
By RICHARD K. DE ATLEY
The Press-Enterprise
It would be an understatement to say San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos has had a tumultuous second term.
He has filed bribery charges against two former county officials and his office brought the state Attorney General’s office into the corruption investigation after one of the accused claimed Ramos had a conflict of interest in the case.
Written by Administrator
May 5th, 2010 at 11:34 am
Just when we think the corruption scandal involving the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors can’t possibly get better, it always does. The most recent revelation is from Second District Chief of Staff, Matt Brown. He confessed on Monday to being one of the informants against his boss, Supervisor Paul Biane.
And he claims he is being retaliated against for the same.
Brown
Richard Grenell
Spokesman for the last 4 U.S. Ambassadors to the UN
Posted: May 1, 2010 02:43 PM
It must be campaign season. How else do you explain Jerry Brown’s recent fascination with investigations and allegations announced with lots of media in tow and advantageously timed to benefit traditional Democratic constituencies and issues? There is no doubt that the Brown campaign committee and political advisors are strategically planning the roll-out of official attorney general “investigations” to maximize public attention and perception.