Category Archives: San Bernardino County

VVDP: Hesperia residents, deputies, business come together to aid family

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Editor’s Note: See a nice story too!

December 27, 2011 10:12 AM

HESPERIA • For one Hesperia family, the Christmas spirit is alive an well. After a real-life Grinch made off with the family’s Christmas gifts Friday night, several people, including Hesperia San Bernardino County Sheriff’s station deputies and SuperTarget officials, came together to make sure the family had a happy holiday.

“It was great to see people come together,” said Sgt. Doug Hubbard on Christmas Eve.

On Friday night, deputies Jeff Woulfe and Scott LaFond were called out to the 11300 block of Balsam Avenue for a burglary call. Several witnesses reported seeing a man leaving the home carrying several bags, according to a news release. The man left the area in a 1990s light blue Honda with a dent on the fender.

What the man was carrying was the family’s Christmas gifts including a PS3 console, DVD movies, toys and all of the mother’s jewelry, officials said.

To read the rest of the story, click here.

iePolitics: We were full of $#% once again

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Remember this story:  DUI Cops  Well here is the followup:  DUI Cops II

Then of course, there is this story:  Bad Cops  I noted that once the DR Nos. were provided , ya’ll shut up very quickly.  I wonder what the Sheriff’s brass would find if the did a search of how many personnel looked up those DRs.  So far, after reading the reports not a single person has come in here to say all the cops involved did a great job, they are heroes and we should cut them some slack, or that we are making something out of nothing despite the fact that someone lost his life possibly due to shoddy cop work.  So where are all the naysayers?  We are waiting for you to defend your brothers.

iePolitics: So is it Ruthie, the figure skater, or?

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We have suggested on this blog many times in the past that the crack(ed) legal Beagles of the Fourth Floor of the San Bernardino County Government Center have a shelf somewhere in their fancy offices that contains a copy of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and all subsequent civil rights law, such as the ADA, with an inch of dust on it.  I think we are still awaiting for one of them to pick it up and actually read it, especially the part about discriminating based on disabilities.

We know they are too busy as evidenced by the 30 or so firms they contract their work out of because they are so overworked up there.  Or are they?

Continue reading →

iePolitics: Those highly paid, top-notch county attorneys

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At my last worker’s compensation hearing, the county’s attorney told the judge that she was trying to show that the harassment I faced on the job “is all in her head.” And, of course, that has been the county’s contention all along, which has been their justification for conducting HR investigations and refusing to interview a single one of my witnesses. They have gone so far as to deny other investigations have been conducted and employees given discipline. Again, it is all in my head and the heads of those who have been called into administrative hearings and brutalized by lying Human Resources Officers.

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Huffington Post: James White, Detroit Man, Alleges He Faced HIV-Related Job Discrimination At Dental Office

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Editor’s Note:  Certain things upset me greatly.  More often than not these days, those things are things that remind me of the last three years I spent working for TAD.  When I received the petition on this story from Change.org, it caught my eye because it so totally reminded me of the harassment I, along with a number of our readers, have suffered at the hands of co-workers and county management for having various disabilities.  I know I was taunted by several co-workers and Human Resources refused to do anything about it.  Several other county employees I know were as well and at least one committed suicide.  The county, of course, has no problem with such workplace harassment because it is not their money that goes to settle lawsuits.  County Counsel has unlimited funds to spend on attorneys and court cases in expectation that they can out spend and wait out any employee who fights back. 

If you read all of the story below, you will see an employer out of control.  San Bernardino County is no different.  Exactly what happened below could, and probably has, happened in San Bernardino County many times over.  It is California’s Most Corrupt County.

Local attorneys in Detroit are preparing to sue the national, privately-owned Great Expressions Dental Centers for what they say is the worst case of alleged HIV-related job discrimination they have ever handled. Continue reading →

iePolitics: Can someone confirm, deny or clarify?

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We are hearing that Sheriff Hoops has put all captains, even recently promoted captains, at top step to make up for 7 percent loss in retirement contributions.  Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t believe, if true, this can be done without approval of the director of Human Resources and/or County Executive Officer.

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iePolitics: So you move a lighter . . .

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And you get criminally charged and lose your job.  But you don’t follow-up on a case where the perp has been identified as a Mexican Mafia hit man, and the perp comes back two weeks later and murders someone, and nothing happens to you.  Here is the case.  Here is one of Daily Press stories.

Jorge Adrian Gonzalez was caught on video tape in an armed robbery early last year.  He was ID’d before detectives arrived.  It was determined he was a hit man for the Mexican Mafia.  It was also determined he returned to the Los Angeles area.

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Needles Desert Star: Hospital CEO Mark Uffer stepping down

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By JENNIFER DENEVAN, Needles Desert Star

Monday, November 28, 2011 2:38 PM PST

NEEDLES – A little more than a year after joining the local hospital Mark Uffer, chief executive officer for Colorado River Medical Center, will be stepping back into a consultant type role. Uffer said that will likely happen after the hospital board meeting scheduled for Dec. 1. He recommended the board approve having Dr. Frank Comunale step in as the interim CEO.

Comunale was introduced at the Nov. 3 meeting to develop a collaboration with San Bernardino County Department of Public Health, Behavioral Health and Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. He was also contracted to seek grants for rural health services and provide a level of physician oversight at the hospital.

Uffer said he notified hospital board president Jeff Williams and board member Terri Anderson Nov. 7. He then notified hospital employees the week of Nov. 14 of his plans. While his contract allowed either him or the board to give a 24-hour notice of termination of employment, he said he’s given the board about a month’s notice.

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iePolitics: Our law enforcement at work, Part II

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I was leaving my house earlier today, and as I was locking up my gate, the truck and trailer belonging to the two gangbanger types that cut the lock off my fence and tried to clean me out drove by the house.  The truck and trailer are very distinctive so I recognize them each time I see them.  One of these days I will be in the right spot at the right time with camera in hand to snap a photo and post it to the blog.

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The Sentinel: Feds’ Presence In County Betrays DA’s Prosecutorial Malaise

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Federal prosecutors have horned in on an unprecedented number of high profile political corruption cases that would otherwise be handled by the district attorney’s office in San Bernardino County. In some matters, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has wrested from district attorney Mike Ramos prosecutorial authority or has opened with the FBI parallel investigations into issues Ramos or the San Bernardino County Grand Jury have delved into without reaching a successful conclusion. In at least three matters, federal prosecutors and investigators have taken on probes or investigations of elected officials or political donors with whom Ramos was politically aligned.

In total, five matters in which current or former elected officials are alleged or suspected to have engaged in bribery or some other form of wrongdoing are being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney or being reviewed for their prosecutorial potential by the FBI.

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iePolitics: In response to BillyJackAttack

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Since I haven’t been writing much, I thought I would respond to his/her comment as a post since I know others are thinking the same thing.  So here goes.

Well Billy, I think my first response is that whether we are discussing Colonies, the BOS, Greg Devereaux, the DA/AG/FBI, or any other person/entity in a long list of county concerns, there is very little black and white.   Since you used Jim as an example, I will too.  Has Jim done some things wrong? It is my belief the answer is yes.  Do I also believe he has been singled out and maliciously prosecuted?  That answer is yes too.  Almost $3 in bail is outrageous.  The trumped-up charges are also outrageous.  I will continue to say that probably forever.  At the same time, I do believe he has committed criminal wrongdoing.  I guess what I am trying to say is that I am not taking one side over the other; I simply believe in justice.  Justice would have been served perhaps with a FPPC fine or, in the case of the extortion if that proves to be true, a felony or two with probation and maybe some jail time if warranted–just like someone who is not Ramos’ political enemy.

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iePolitics: Has the FBI backed away from the Colonies investigation?

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We are hearing from multiple sources that may be the case.  We know for sure several people were called to testify before a federal grand jury. We know for sure one of them was Robert Kirk, Mark Kirk’s father.  We have heard that some were called off.  We are also hearing that the investigation is going nowhere.

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iePolitics: Executive changes at the Sheriff’s Department?

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Please excuse my spelling (or misspelling) on these names, but we are hearing that around March of next year Bill Abernaathy (not the SEBA guy, but the other one) will be retiring.  McMahon (McMann or something) will become Undersheriff and Ronnie Cochran will become Assistant Sheriff. The idea is to put McMahon in place to become the next new Sheriff and Cochran Undersheriff.  A 50+ year tradition will continue unless the voters get in the way.

iePolitics: Happy Thanksgiving to those who chose not to do the right thing

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Rex Gutierrez

This year Rex will spend his Thanksgiving Day in prison, taking the fall for those who would not do the right thing and because of those who are not afraid to commit perjury and other crimes.   By this time next year, he will have been out for a while.  I wonder how many of you may be in his place by that time.  Some of you at this time last year called me crazy for suggesting that you too could be where he was headed.   Now you are just a bit worried, aren’t you?  And worried you should be.

iePolitics: A reminder

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This evening I had to do something I have not had to do many times.  I forwarded a comment from the blog to the Sheriff’s Department.  (No, I did not allow the comment to post so you will never know what it said or who said it.)  If you use the blog to commit a crime, you lose your right to privacy and I WILL REPORT IT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.  I am not going to tolerate such postings.  This is one of the reasons why the blog is on moderate.

For those who claim captains are too busy to answer email, Sheriff Hoops responded to me within an hour even though I told him a response was not necessary.  Thank you Sheriff Hoops.

And for the naysayers, no, I did not ask the sheriff to take action.  However, just in case the commentor has the ability to carry through, I wanted to be sure law enforcement knew the action was being suggested.

Again, please keep this as a safe community for everyone to express their thoughts.  Don’t do stupid stuff.

iePolitics: Trying to decipher the new 800 MHz proposal

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As we have mentioned here before, there seems to be a lot of dissention on the Fifth Floor, particularly between Supervisors Derry and Mitzelfelt versus the other three.  Part of that dissention seems to stem from the fact the CEO Greg Devereaux controls the votes of Supervisors Rutherford, Ovitt and Gonzales and attempts to push through whatever he can.  One such issue is the proposal to upgrade the county’s 800 MHz system.

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iePolitics: Another reason or two

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A couple of days ago I was driving down Apple Valley Road.  In front of me was a truck with two untethered dogs in the bed, one of which was trying to get the courage to jump out.  At the first stop signal I snapped a few pics because I thought it would make a good story for my new column.  I wanted quotes as to the law and how both animal control and the cops would handle such an incident if they witnessed it.  I will give you that answer when the story is published.

My reasons for posting this is two-fold.  First, I emailed Gina Whiteside, head of animal control for Apple Valley; the captain of the Apple Valley Sheriff’s Station; and Brian Cronin, head of animal control for the county of San Bernardino.  Ms. Whiteside provided me with a lengthy response after hours and indicated that she had also forwarded my email to the captain for further response.  I heard from Brian Cronin the next day.  Two days later and nothing has been received from the Sheriff’s Department.

I am a member of the public who made an inquiry both as a private citizen and as a member of the media.  The Sheriff’s Department has blown me off once again.  The only way I get their attention is to write bad cop stories or when they come across me in the middle of nowhere late at night.  So let it be.

The second reason for this post is a pic that was posted on Facebook.  DO NOT look at the next page if you get upset easily. It is an example of why there will always be animal welfare stories on this blog.  Continue reading →

iePolitics: For those who didn’t believe me . . .

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Nothing is changing in this county.  There is not going to be some law enforcement agency riding in on a white horse to save us from the DA, the Sheriff, the AG, or the FBI.  They are all equally corrupt.  Ramos is going nowhere unless he gets a cushy paying position from the Governor or decides to run for Congress.

Governor names Ramos to standards board
FILE PHOTO/2010
San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael Ramos, left, and then-Attorney General Jerry Brown confer in February 2010.

BY JIM MILLER

SACRAMENTO BUREAU

jmiller@pe.com

Published: 15 November 2011 04:13 PM

SACRAMENTO – Gov. Jerry Brown has appointed San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael Ramos to the Commission for Peace Officer Standards.

Ramos, of Redlands, has been district attorney since 2002 and has been with the district attorney’s office since 1989. Ramos, a Republican, and Brown, a Democrat, have worked together on various issues, such as Ramos’ support this year for the governor’s proposal to extend temporary tax increases.

To read the rest of the story, click here.

iePolitics: Conspiracy theory or fact?

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By now everyone has read about the raids on the six medical marijuana facilities in this county owned by Aaron Sandusky.  This should come as no surprise to anyone as the feds have said there will be a crackdown on such facilities.  However, this raid stands out for one very big reason.  That reason is the consultant they hired:  Jim Erwin.

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iePolitics: Can anyone confirm, deny, or clairfy

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A lot of my readers are like me and that is we have been around the county for a very long time.  One such reader called me today with a story prompted by the Penman memo.  Does anyone have additional information?  Here is the story:

Some of you may remember the old US Festival (Wikipedia:  The US Festivals (US pronounced like the pronoun, not as initials) were two early 1980s music and culture festivals sponsored by Steve Wozniak, formerly of Apple Computer. The first was held Labor Day weekend in September 1982 and the second was Memorial Day weekend in May 1983. Wozniak paid for the bulldozing and construction of a new open-air field venue as well as the construction of an enormous state-of-the-art temporary stage at Glen Helen Regional Park near Devore, San Bernardino, California.)

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iePolitics: Hey, I got waived at tonight!

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And it was even by one of those Apple Valley deputies!!!

I was sitting here trying to get the two Examiner.com articles written.  I have no idea why three units showed up as I had been sitting here a while and didn’t see anything happen.  Maybe they all wanted yogurt.  Anyway, needless to say, having three units parked behind my truck got my attention.  Only one walked by and he waived.  I supposed we could say progress has been made or we could say he had no clue.  Either way, it’s better than being pulled over out in the middle of nowhere.

Vote29: An Open Letter to BOS Chairwoman Josie Gonzales…..

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October 15, 2011
By

Dear Madam Chairwoman Josie Gonzales,

Thank you for your time to review my letter.  I realize there are many pressing issues before you and I feel compelled to inform you about the situation of the $3.5 million dollar proposed JPA  Animal Shelter in Yucca Valley.

The Joint Powers Authority members are: Chair Third District Supervisor Neil Derry, Brian Cronin SB Division Chief, Yucca Valley Mayor George Huntington, newly seated Councilman Isaac Hagerman. Also, the recent addition of appointing himself to this project, Yucca Valley Town Manager Mark Nuaimi. Williams Architect firm has been selected through the RFP, Request For Proposal process who built the animal shelter in Upland with twice the budget.

The San Bernardino County has set aside funds in your budget for capital improvement to partner with the Town of Yucca Valley to build a modern, state-of-the-art animal shelter to share building costs and future maintenance costs to include Staff payroll, benefits and pensions. This is an opportunity to build a “jewel” in our little Town to compliment our Museum, Library, the new Senior Housing project at our Community Center and a large youth park on the drawing board.

To read the rest of the story, click here.

iePolitics: For those that don’t believe me . . .

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I am so freaking tired of being censored on San Bernardino County Library computers.  Today I pulled up Dictionary.com to check the spelling of a word.  Click on the image below to see the heinous cuss word I was looking up:

 
Keep in mind, the reason I was using Dictioner.com to check spelling on a word is because I already had the site up to look at all the meanings of “pander.” Pander was not blocked despite its various meanings but this word was.  Since I can’t look it up, I will never know all of this word’s risqué meanings. 

iePolitics: Earth to Neil!

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Supervisor Derry,

I just received your press release regarding fingerprinting of Foodstamp recipients in San Bernardino County.  Although I agree that Foodstamp (and honestly all welfare recipients) should be fingerprinted, you are NEVER going to do anything about welfare fraud in this county unless you first rid this county of Linda Haugen and Nancy Swanson.

I know you don’t want to hear it, but welfare fraud cannot be caught if workers are disciplined for making fraud referrals.  I know from first-hand experience.  I also know from first-hand experience that county welfare statistics are falsified by said Haugen and Swanson.  Larry Walker wanted to bring in external auditors to audit the department when we provided hard-core proof but the CAO put a stop to it.  With the falsified statistics, the county gets more welfare funding which makes for more money that can be wasted on big screen TVs and the like and a bigger empire which means a promotion for those at the top.

Continue reading →

iePolitics: CAO and BOS declare war on cops

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For those who did not notice the county’s proposal for a new contract with SEBA, here are the county’s proposals:

This correspondence shall serve as the County’s written request to commence negotiations and the following shall constitute the County’s written proposals:

1. Benefit Plan: Eliminate Benefit Plan contributions and replace with Medical Premium Subsidy. Clarify/amend language to conform to County policy, practice, plan documents and/or applicable law and regulations as appropriate.

2. Other benefit provisions such as Dependant Care Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Account, Life Insurance, Merit Advancements, Reemployment, Retirement Medical Trust, etc:  Clarify/amend language to conform to County policy, practice, plan documents and/or applicable law and regulations as appropriate.

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iePolitics: This is the part where I lose all respect

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From a Press Enterprise article:

Burum spent $45,273.66 at the store — $12,675 for Erwin’s watch and $18,100 for a Breguet Heritage Grande watch for O’Reilly, according to receipts prosecutors provided as evidence. In his testimony, Burum confirmed the amounts, paid for with his black American Express card.

The only time he paid cash was for three female Asian masseuses that he called up to their condo, Burum said.

“Generally speaking, when I get out of town, I know you know, frankly, how to get a hold of, you know –” he testified.

“Entertainment,” Cope suggested.

“Entertainment,” Burum agreed.

Burum said he couldn’t recall exactly what the women were paid but estimated it was $100 to $200 each. They stayed about an hour or 90 minutes, he said. O’Reilly and Erwin both went into their bedrooms with a masseuse while Burum stayed on the couch with his masseuse, he said.

Later in the testimony, Burum denied receiving any sexual favors from his masseuse. Prosecutors have alleged that the women were prostitutes. Both Erwin and O’Reilly have denied using the services of prostitutes.

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iePolitics: Can anyone explain this?

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First we hear about the POST scandal.  After months of Sheriff Hoops claiming it had been resolved and then claiming the situation was under investigation, the information was submitted to the Grand Jury.  Indictments were issued for seven SBSD employees.  Next, we hear that I/A’s were taking place.  Now from what we have been told, I/A has completely cleared the Lieutenant and he is back to work.

What does this say exactly?  I mean either those conducting the first investigation or those conducting the second must have been totally incompetent.  How can one SBSD investigation suggest that someone should be indicted by the Grand Jury and the second clear the individual completely?  And what about the pending criminal charges?

iePolitics: ARMC and Dr. Gnanadev defrauding insurance companies?

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We have discussed the protocols in the Behavioral Health unit in the past that violate state law.  Here is a recap:

5150. When any person, as a result of mental disorder, is a danger to others, or to himself or herself, or gravely disabled, a peace officer, member of the attending staff, as defined by regulation, of an evaluation facility designated by the county, designated members of a mobile crisis team provided by Section 5651.7, or other professional person designated by the county may, upon probable cause, take, or cause to be taken, the person into custody and place him or her in a facility designated by the county and approved by the State Department of Mental Health as a facility for 72-hour treatment and evaluation.

5151. If the facility for 72-hour treatment and evaluation admits the person, it may detain him or her for evaluation and treatment for a period not to exceed 72 hours.

Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) has a long-standing policy in effect that they say gives them the right to detain patients longer, sometimes much longer, than 72 hours as authorized by Welfare and Institution Code sections 5150-5151.  San Bernardino County’s crack legal beagles have interpreted these code sections to mean that the 72 hours does not start until the patient is admitted.  That seems like a minor problem unless one understands the “admission process” at ARMC. Continue reading →

iePolitics: Inappropriate county employee behavior

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The subject of racism in San Bernardino County caused me to search the archives of my email.  Someone from the SBSD had sent me a number of emails that were circulating among county departments/employees involving racism/sex/inappropriate behavior some on county computers.  The one below is among the milder.  Some of the others are too bad to print.  I will re-print as I can:

 

Do you know a Scotty Gann from the DA’s office? Hinkle is a recently retired Fontana officer. xam is a retired sgt.

——————————————————————————–

From: xam4321@verizon.net To: Undisclosed-Recipient:; Sent: 7/27/2009 2:37:59 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time

Subj: Fw: EVERYONE JUST RELAX —– Original Message —– From: Phillip Hinkle To: Scotty Gann Sent: Monday, July 27, 2009 12:44 PM

Subject: EVERYONE JUST RELAX

EVERYONE JUST RELAX When was the last time you saw an African-American keep the same job for 4 years?

 – Phil Hinkle Open Range Wood Works (760) xxx-xxxx

iePolitics: A letter from a mom

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I received this from a concerned mother today:

MY NAME IS TIERNEY HARRIS AND MY SON, LAWRENCE LEE IS BEING RAILROADED BY THE SAN BERNARDINO PUBLIC DEFENDER’S OFFICE AND NOW THE CONFLICT PANEL. HE WAS RAILROADED INTO TAKING A PLEA ON A POSSESSION CASE BEFORE ANY DISCOVERY WAS DONE AND BEFORE ANYONE READ THE CASE FILE. WE REQUESTED TO SPEAK WITH ATTORNEY ISAEFF ON APRIL 11, 2011 TO WITHDRAW THE PLEA BUT DID NOT GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO UNTIL JULY 18, 2011 AT WHICH TIME MY SON HAD BEEN PLACED BACK INTO CUSTODY BY THE “DRUG COURT” JUDGE, AND ATTORNEY ISAEFF FINALLY ADMITTED THAT HE HAD NOT READ HE FILE AND THEN DID SO. AFTER READING THE FILE HE STATED HE WOULD NEED TO SPEAK WITH HIS SUPERVISOR TO BEGIN THE WITHDRAWAL PROCEEDINGS. AUGUST 19, 2011 WE WERE GIVEN ATTORNEY RICHARD FARQUHAR FROM THE CONFLICT PANEL. WE HAVE NOT SPOKEN WITH THIS MAN SINCE THAT DAY, WE HAVE A HEARING SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 7, 2011 FOR THE MOTION TO WITHDRAW THE PLEA…BUT WHAT PLEA???? REPRESENTATION WITHOUT COMMUNICATION IS MALPRACTICE. ALSO HAD A HEARING AFTER THE APPINTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY FROM THE CONFLICT PANEL AND MR. FARQUHAR DID NOT SHOW BUT ATTORNEY STUART O’MELVENY FROM THE CONFLICT PANEL DID SHOW – HE DID NOT LET US KNOW HE WAS THERE ON MY SON’S BEHALF. THEN SOME DAYS LATER O’MELVENY ALSO SHOWED UP AS CONFLICT PANEL ATTORNEY FOR THE OTHER DEFENDANT IN THE SAME CASE AS MY SON….
WE ARE IN DESPERATE NEED OF SOME EXPOSURE TO THE ON-GOING B.S. THAT IS THE CONFLICT PANEL IN SAN BERDOO… I AM ALSO IN FEAR FOR THE SAFETY AND WELL BEING OF MY SON….BEING A YOUNG BLACK MAN IN THE I.E. HE REALLY DOES NOT HAVE A FAIR CHANCE TO RECIEVE JUSTICE….

Mountain News: Firearms Defendant Kills Himself

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Editor’s Note:  The story below, but especially the suicide letter, is compelling.  It says a lot about both where this state is headed with gun control measures and our Sheriff’s Department and the arrogant and hostile attitude towards citizens who exercise their constitutional rights.  I’ve seen the attitude too often displayed by some of our county’s “finest” and can say I have personally experience quite a few times myself.  Yes, I am going so far as to say these cops contributed to his death.

Posted: Thursday, September 29, 2011 7:59 am

By Glenn Barr, Reporter | 3 comments

Felony weapons charges against a Running Springs man were dismissed on Sept. 20 in a San Bernardino Superior courtroom after the deputy district attorney prosecuting him informed the judge the defendant had committed suicide.

Randall Jay Rusciolelli, 47, sent a typewritten letter announcing his intentions to The Mountain News shortly before shooting himself in the head on Sept. 19. The letter said he intended to kill himself while seated “under my favorite tree.”

Continue reading →

iePolitics: So Jim, was it really worth it?

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This is the post that started the problems between Jim Erwin and me:  Cook  After I posted it and a couple of others regarding an opponent running against Supervisor Derry, Jim called me about 11 p.m. one night last December about as pissed off as I had ever heard him. 

Jim was convinced that “tweaker” Bill Postmus was planting ideas in my head and running my blog.  Of course, Bill had next to nothing to do with my posts or my blog.  He seems to forget that as the owner of this blog and due to my stints as director of publicity and newsletter editor for RWF and an even shorted stint on the Republican Central Committee, I have a source or two all my own. 

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iePolitics: The Mark Uffer case

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The county filed a motion for summary judgment several weeks ago requesting that the last of the last cause of action, whistleblowing, be dismissed.  The judge took the matter under submission.  Trial is currently scheduled to start for October 11, 2011.  Since depositions are still be taken, it does not seem likely the trial will start on October 11.

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iePolitics: Here is the question . . .

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Will this deputy be put back on active duty before the criminal case is dispo’d like what has happened with one of the POST defendants?

County deputy held after alleged domestic dispute in Beaumont

Posted: 09/18/2011 05:17:28 PM PDT

 

San Bernardino Police SWAT team apprehend a domestic violence suspect along Big Canyon Court in San Bernardino September 18, 2011. Authorities say a San Bernardino County Sheriff deputy physically abused his girlfriend in Beaumont before fleeing the scene. He later barricaded himself for three hours in his mother’s home in north San Bernardino. (Courtesy Photo)

SAN BERNARDINO – A San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputy was being held Sunday after an alleged domestic dispute in Beaumont, authorities said.

“One of our deputies, assigned to the jail, was involved in a domestic issue in Beaumont,” Sheriff Rod Hoops said.

“Beaumont got a warrant on him. He then went to San Bernardino, where he surrendered to San Bernardino police.”

Continue reading →

SacBee: ‘Airtime’ may boost Sacramento County’s pension costs

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Editor’s Note:  San Bernardino County is doing something similar.

By Brad Branan
bbranan@sacbee.com
Published: Sunday, Sep. 18, 2011 – 12:00 am | Page 1B
Last Modified: Sunday, Sep. 18, 2011 – 10:57 am

Sacramento County employees are using a controversial perk to boost retirement benefits, possibly adding to the county’s rapidly growing pension debt.

They’re purchasing up to five years’ service credit for time they didn’t work – a benefit commonly referred to as “airtime.”

The credits help raise an employee’s retirement payments, because the payments are based on years of service and salary.

A recent report completed for Sacramento County’s retirement system found that employees who bought service credits were twice as likely to retire as the system originally anticipated.

Earlier retirements tend to drive up pension costs because the system pays benefits for a longer period, while the employee contributes to the system for a shorter period, said Richard Stensrud, the system’s CEO.

About 320 members in the Sacramento County Employees’ Retirement System have purchased service credits since the county’s Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the benefit, without discussion, in 2007. State legislators approved the law that granted the benefit a few years earlier.

“It’s the best deal going,” said Scott Hanson, a principal in Sacramento investment firm Hanson McClain. He recommends service-credit purchases to his government-employed clients. “It’s a great idea for employees. It’s a horrible idea for taxpayers.”

Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2011/09/18/3918306/airtime-may-boost-sacramento-countys.html#ixzz1YN36c2oj

iePolitics: The FBI raids

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I’ve been reading the comments and stories and listening to all of the conspiracy theories.  There doesn’t seem to be a single theory that fits all of the circumstances known.  I am going to put forth my own theory and I guess we shall all see who is right and who is wrong in a few months.

First, a little background based on those things that I know or sense:

Continue reading →

iePolitics: So what does this do to the statute of limitations issues?

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I’m wondering if we have any experts our there that can tell us that now that the feds are involved, do the statute issues go away?  This is one of at least ten conspiracy theories I have heard today.  In other words, there are those that believe that District Attorney Mike Ramos asked for the FBI to get involved because he wants to get the Colonies Four badly and the feds have the potential of charging them with many more crimes than will be allowed in state court because of the statute issues.  There are definitely some behind-the-scenes things going on that indicate that Mikey likes this and isn’t worried at all about the feds being here.

iePolitics: Well Jim, I tried to tell you so!

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5

Jim Erwin has been a bit upset with me, so much so that he removed iePolitics from his blogroll.  He didn’t want to hear the truth but would rather believe his own propaganda.  Well Jim, I told you so.

It has been obvious for a while now that recent developments in the Colonies case did not set well with law enforcement.  They do not like their butts handed to them on a silver platter, which was done to a small degree by Judge Brian McCarville a few weeks ago.

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iePolitics: Search warrants served at multiple locations

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So far confirmed are the offices of Jeff Burum and Patrick O’Reilly and the home of Mark Kirk.

We have confirmed that there are up to seven law enforcement vehicles at the home of Mark Kirk.  It appears that his vehicle and garage have already been searched.  Agents have been at the location for a couple of hours.

Bill Postmus was NOT involved in today’s search.  We have not been able to confirm at this point if Jim Erwin has been served with a warrant today or not.

UPDATE:  The Sun is reporting that warrants were served at the home of Jim Erwin as well.  There is a nice slideshow of his home (or should I say of the agents raiding his home) on the Sun’s website.

Next Update:  We are hearing that nine warrants were served today.  So far confirmed are:  Jeff Burum’s home, Jim Erwin’s home, Mark Kirk’s home, Patrick O’Reilly’s business, National Core, and Diversified Pacific.  That leaves three additional locations.

iePolitics: California’s “most corrupt” welfare department

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Linda Haugan

 

I spent some time on the phone with those who work with the Coalition of California Welfare Rights Organizations and they told me three things.  First, Linda Haugen is the single most corrupt Welfare administrator in the state of California—and that’s the nicest thing they had to say about her.  Second, San Bernardino County is the worst county in the state for violating the law and the rights of applicants.  Third, this county desperately needs advocates for all phases of the HSS system.

It was suggested to me that a few of us who know the system, and know how corrupt it is, open a non-profit to advocate on behalf of the clients who are getting screwed over by Haugen and her blatantly illegal policies.  I love this idea.  I’ve talked to a few friends about it and it is agreed that such a program is desperately needed here in the desert where the problem is especially bad.  They was the legal aid place really doesn’t have time or the expertise to deal with it.  I think as former TAD employees we could really kick some butt.

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