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.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in February and March 2011 obtained from a federal grand jury indictments in the Upland corruption case, in which former mayor John Pomierski, his appointee to the Upland Housing Authority, John Hennes, and their associates Anthony Orlando Sanchez and Jason Roy Crebs have been charged with participation in a bribery and extortion scheme allegedly involving using Pomierski’s authority at City Hall to shake down businessman with permit applications pending before the city. Pomierski and Ramos were political allies. Ramos endorsed Pomierski in his successful runs for mayor in 2004 and 2008. In 2010, Pomierski endorsed Ramos in his run for reelection for district attorney. Two days after Ramos held back two challengers in the June 8, 2010 election, the FBI and IRS served search warrants at Pomierski’s home and at Upland City Hall, seizing documents and other evidence used to convince a federal grand jury in Los Angeles to indict him a little less than nine months later. Part of the formula Pomierski and Hennes were allegedly able to apply in extorting money from their victims was the claim that Pomierski functioned under an umbrella of protection provided by the district attorney’s office. And indeed, Pomierski had enjoyed an uncommon degree of tolerance from San Bernardino County’s highest law enforcement authority in perpetuating his alleged depredations. Despite widespread whisperings heard as early as 2006 that Pomierski was on the take, Ramos went out of his way to endorse him in his electoral effort against councilman Ray Musser in 2008.

To read the rest of the story, click here.

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.

However, this time it is the FBI and IRS.  Does District Attorney Mike Ramos control the FBI and IRS?  I doubt he has much influence at all.  Yet there is just a bit of a “gotcha” here.  Who knows what roll the District Attorney played in today’s activities, if at all.  We will find out soon enough.

But this does go back to some posts over the past year where I have been told I am full of crapola.  And maybe I am.  I never know when I am being fed good information and when I am being fed misinformation on purpose.  Here are a few of the pieces of information/misinformation I have been fed.  You can decide if any of it is valid or not.

1. Jeff Burum had his private investigators put together a package on JP Pomierski and turn it over to federal authorities, thus resulting in the Upland raid.
2. Somewhere in the process, JP or another target turned the tables and implicated Burum, Ovitt, and Devereaux, handing over new evidence.
3. Jeff Burum had his private investigators put together a package on Mike Ramos and turn it over to federal authorities, which so far has resulted in nothing apparent.
4. Jim Erwin expects all charges to be dropped and Mike Ramos to go to prison.

I’m about to lose my computer connection, so I will have to finish this later.  Anyway, No. 2 came from my law enforcement friends who claim they know one of the agents involved in Upland.  All of the rest came from Erwin.   Perhaps they are all wrong and one investigation has zero to do with the other.  (That’s my personal feeling.)  You be the judge.  Time will tell.

But, one thing is for sure:  Jim Erwin is going to prison.  Mark my words.

I have defended Judge Christopher Warner many times on this blog.  As I have written before, I was his first secretary when he was appointed to the bench.  Although it is certainly possible to be corrupted in a system that is so inherently corrupt, I find that hard to believe in this instance.  I guess that is why I found the Sun stories attacking Judge Warner and Justice Panelli so offensive.  I simply do not believe that either of them did what the District Attorney’s office, Attorney General, and Dennis Wagner are accusing them of doing.

That brings me to Dennis Wagner.  And I shall preface the rest of this post by saying that what I am about to describe is based on conversations with Jim Erwin and Mark Kirk at the time.  Both have lied to me in the past and may have been lying during this episode but this is what they led me to believe.

I was forbidden to write about this at the time.  But now everyone involved has either been fired, retired, or arrested.

When former County Administrative Officer Mark Uffer arranged to have me forced off work and onto an unpaid leave of absence in October 2009, I was in meltdown.  Needless to say I was more than a bit upset with him and several suicide attempts were made.  Erwin really tried to help me keep it together.  It was during that episode that it was determined there were enough votes to fire Uffer.

Uffer later accused the BOS of Brown Act violations but in reality the reason I knew what was going on was because Kirk and Erwin were trying to keep the information off of iePolitics and keep me from going ballistic.  It was never a member of the BOS who told me was going on but rather Mark and Jim.

I can’t speak to all that was going on in the Third District but I can say that Erwin was pushing hard for Uffer’s termination.  Kirk was doing the same in the Fourth District.  And a third party was being used to put pressure on Brad Mitzelfelt.  It became clear there were enough votes to terminate Uffer and bring in Devereaux.

When the time came to make it happen, everyone involved knew that County Counsel Ruth Stringer could not be trusted with the information as she had violated attorney/client privilege a number of times by sharing information with Uffer and District Attorney Mike Ramos.  Kirk made the determination to instead use Jean-René Baslé to handle the situation.

This whole process  took several weeks and as it progressed several of the parties involved realized just how much of an issue it was having Stringer as County Counsel.  There was quite a bit of discussion about terminating her at the same time as Mark Uffer.

Sometime while all of this was going on, Dennis Wagner was asked to give outside advice to a member of the board.  Then the question arose that if Stringer was terminated, who would replace her.  Wagner’s name came up.  I was told that he was asked and he responded that he would accept the position.

Now my battery is dying, so you all will have to wait until I find another internet connection in the next few days to hear the rest of this story.  Sorry. 

Update:

I can only go by what I was told by Erwin and Kirk, but they told me after the meeting in which Uffer was terminated that iePolitics was mentioned in closed session and used as a reason not to fire Stringer by Biane, and maybe others.  Of course, everyone knows how much Biane hated me and iePolitics.

As time went on, several BOS members knew they wanted to get rid of Stringer but not enough had guts enough to ignore her threats.  Stringer had the goods on several board members and was willing to violate attorney/client privilege by going to the District Attorney to keep her termination at bay.  She did in fact violate attorney/client privilege, something which some have threatened to file a complaint with the State Bar over but, again, I don’t believe any really had the guts to follow thru with.

Now, of course, Dennis Wagner seems to have a case of sour grapes.  From what Erwin told me, he really, really wanted the job because he wanted the county retirement.  I have to wonder about his true motives in what he has been doing of late with the media.

I know there was another aspect of this story I was going to tell, but I can’t think of it right now.  Hopefully it will come to me next time I have an internet connection.

]]> http://iepolitics.net/2011/08/30/iepolitics-a-few-more-things-about-the-colonies-scandal/feed/ 1 http://iepolitics.net/2011/08/02/iepolitics-a-bit-perturbed/ http://iepolitics.net/2011/08/02/iepolitics-a-bit-perturbed/#comments Wed, 03 Aug 2011 01:54:34 +0000 Administrator http://iepolitics.com/?p=10067 Continue reading →]]> If my piece yesterday sounded like I was a bit perturbed, it is because I was perturbed and irritated with newspaper reporters/publishers and politicians who try to claim they are taking the high road when they are just as corrupt or more corrupt than those they report about or prosecute.  Let’s face it.  Frank Pine is not the least bit interested in ending corruption in San Bernardino County.  Without corruption stories, the Sun is nothing.

Good government does not make headlines.  Corruption stories sell newspapers and the more sensational, the more papers sold.  I can’t wait to hear these newspaper execs cry foul play when a judge rules that their one-sided sensationalized reporting has tainted the jury pool to the point that the Colonies cases must legitimately be moved out of county.  These guys do not seek justice, they seek revenue.

If Frank Pine was truly interested in seeing corruption cleaned up in this county, he would pursue the stories for which he has been provided documentation and eyewitness accounts from victims.  The same goes for the Press Enterprise’s Cassie MacDuff.

It was really hard to read the two PE fluff pieces yesterday on Supervisor Josie Gonzales and former Supervisor Dennis Hansberger.  Have the reporters forgotten all of the questionable circumstances around Hansberger and his staff, such as destruction of public records or FPPC violations?  If I remember correctly, Josie has been cited by the FPPC as well.  Was there ever a newspaper story about that?

Did anyone ask Josie why she was “hiding” from Jim Brulte and Jeff Burum one day and dancing on the tables at a nightclub the next?  There were lots of witnesses so it’s not like they even tried.  Or perhaps it is because their reporting is more one-sided and jaded than that of the blogs they so quickly and  easily disparage.

As for Mike Ramos, talk about the kettle calling the pot black.  I don’t believe a single Colonies figure has had as many FPPC complaints sustained against him as Ramos has had.  But as I said in my comment on the story, “Ask and you shall receive.”  But you might want to remember the old adage about being careful about what you ask for.  Elected officials are elected officials and campaign contribution limits will affect all elected officials, not just those Mikey doesn’t like.

Has anyone looked at Mikey’s 460s recently?  I think if you add up the sums, there are contributors who need special favors who gave him more than $100,000 cumulatively.  But that doesn’t count because he is not trying to send himself to prison . . . where he belongs.

Mike Ramos and Rod Hoops

Editor’s Note:  The photo above is from Ramos’ Facebook page.  Even we would not stoop this low. See previous post.

Ramos to represent California in national group
Staff Report
Created: 06/29/2011 03:42:31 PM PDT

The Board of Directors for the National District Attorneys Association has unanimously voted in District Attorney Michael A. Ramos as its newest member.

Ramos will hold the position for one year, and he has been asked by NDAA President-elect Jan Scully to serve as co-chair of the committee for corrections and prison re-entry, according to a press statement released today by the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office.

“Because of my work as president of the CDAA with Governor Brown on AB 109 this past year, I have been noticed as an expert in this area,” said Ramos, who is serving in his third term as the county’s top prosecutor.

Read more: http://www.dailybulletin.com/news/ci_18378230#ixzz1Qp494eI2

And, in the opposite direction is word that by the county waiving attorney/client privilege, the District Attorney has been able to obtain enough information to prosecute Supervisor Gary Ovitt for his part in the Colonies scandal.  Apparently, they have emails and other documents that now prove a quid pro quo arrangement between Burum and the three supervisors.

It shall be interesting to watch this unfold.

And finally, numerous sources are now saying that something major is expected to happen in the Arrowhead Regional Medical Center investigation next month.  iePolitics has heard from very excellent sources that Paul Biane is the most likely to be in a lot of trouble and that Dr. Dev GnanaDev will likely be terminated.  We are not clear if we should expect criminal charges against either Dev or Supervisor Josie Gonzales.  There is also a possibility of charges against Mark Uffer and Jessica Brown.  We know other files were taken as well but we do not know whose files those were or if they are suspects.

This, too, shall be fun to watch as it unfolds.

Fassari, yours is the most intelligent post on this thread. I was editor of my high school magazine. Of course I pushed the limit on humor and content and was very worried what would pass my journaoism teacher and the Principal. I did not get censored.

There can not be intention of possessing child porn for refusing to turn in a yearbook that was purchased not only innocently but by expectation according to traditions spanning a century. Any blame lies with the student page editor, the yearbook editor, the yearbook supervisor, and the principal.

There is also the news value aspect to the photo. It was a depiction of what student society actually was at the high school and what was possible under the established supervision.

Finally, were not these students only emulating what they saw in their heros at the SBSD and the San Bernardino County DA office? Or are we to expect that our curious students never log into iepolitcs.com?

What are you teaching our kids, Mr. Hoops and Mr. Ramos?

Camp Good Grief

Redlands Daily Facts

Mike Ramos and Rod Hoops

Some may remember the post from long ago regarding the photo on Ramos’ wall depicting Gary Penrod and himself as Batman and Robin.  We speculated at the time that Rod Hoops was not a tights-wearing-kind-of-guy and we were right.  Seems cowboy boots are more his style.  Now, which one is Woody?

Beck v. City of Upland

9th Cir.
May 28, 2008
05-56901

The court of appeals reversed a judgment of the district court. The court held that a §42 U.S.C. §1983 action for an allegedly retaliatory arrest made on a warrant obtained after the filing of a criminal complaint was not precluded, by California law immunizing the arresting officers, and pursuant to Hartman v. Moore, 547 U.S. 250 (2006).

Kenneth Beck owned Dineen Trucking in the City of Upland. Beck often did rubble removal and recycling work. He heard that Upland was planning construction work that would create a significant amount of rubble.

However, without public notice or comment, the Upland city council awarded a sizable no-bid contract for the work to an out-of-town competitor, Intravaia Rock & Sand.

Because the city normally put all projects over $5000 out to bid, Beck suspected irregularities. He called the mayor and told him that he planned to raise his concerns about the contract at the next city council meeting.

At the mayor’s behest, Beck instead met with Ron Willemsen, president of Intravaia, police chief Martin Thouvenell, and the public works director.

Beck was advised to work out a deal with Willemsen to share the contract, but the two were unable to agree and reached no deal. Instead, Beck went to city manager Michael Milhiser, after which the city backed out of the Intravaia contract.

At about the same time, Willemsen promised Beck to sic city agencies on him for his efforts to block Willemsen’s contract. Within a month, a law firm representing Intravaia made a zoning complaint to Upland, suggesting that rubble piles on Beck’s land were out of compliance with recent zoning changes.

To read the rest of the article, click here.

I have not hidden the fact that I wanted to see these guys arrested . . . vengeance, karma, the golden rule . . .whatever.  They needed to be shown some humility like so many of the rest of us.

But being arrested and being arrested with bail set so high you can’t get out are two different things.  I have posted more than one story about our county prosecutor’s lack of concern for the Constitution of the United States.  Whether you are a Burum, et al. supporter or hater, today should concern you.  If the district attorney can show such little concern for the Constitutional rights of the rich and powerful, are the little people safe in their own communities?

Burum’s bail is five times that of failed Bell city manager Robert Rizo.  It is higher than what most bank robbers, rapists, and wife beaters get.

The justice system will determine if Burum and the others are criminals or men wrongly accused.  Apparently, Ramos wanted to hedge his bets that a jury might not buy into his conspiracy theory and instead meted out his own brand of punishment.

No matter what I may personally feel about Jeff Burum, Mark Kirk, Paul Biane and Jim Erwin, I cannot say any of them are a flight risk.  Especially in Erwin’s case, we know he will make every scheduled appearance because he has proven that to be the case for the past two years.

Justice was not served today.  It was stomped into the ground.  Am I surprised?  Not in the least.

Why not?  For the conspiracy in the Colonies scandal to have taken place as Mikey suggests, all of the planets would have had to line up perfectly and that certainly took supernatural powers by Jeff Burum or Jim Erwin.  And it seems with some of the bizarre rulings in Judge Rouse’s courtroom, the DA must have a voodoo doll of Rouse.  Perhaps we need a priest to exorcise the evil spirits from the courtroom and make Rouse’s head spin 360 degrees.  Of course, we are kinda hearing that some federal investigators are already trying to make that happen . . . after they start to roll.

We are also wondering if the new defendants will be subjected to exorbitant bail as well.  Again, there is no reason for it.  We shall see.   And we shall also see how many charges each defendant will face.  Erwin seems likely to face the most. We are still betting the indictments will take place this week.

Yellow Rat Snake

There is a post over at www.inlandpolitics.com regarding Supervisor Paul Biane’s former Chief of Staff Matt Brown’s Young Republican PAC.  Here is the link:  Young Republican PAC.

Brown is one of the sleaziest county politicos in the whole county corruption scandal.  He attempted to record his former boss while collecting a $200,000-plus salary from him.  It is also thought he is behind many of the recent leaks.

Some might call Brown a hero.  The only problem with Matt is that he is just about the worst of the worst in terms of dirty politicos in this county.  He has used his close relationships with District Attorney Mike Ramos and Mark Uffer to insulate himself from what should be criminal charges as great as any of those already charged or expected for the John Does.

We can only hope that the FBI, which at very least, is investigating the Brown’s use of free medical care at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center dig a little deeper.  And, we can only hope Jim is right.  We would expect to see no less than felony charges against Brown filed by the Attorney General if he is.  Yea, sure we do!

One thing I always think about in terms of Matt Brown is Mark Kirk telling me what a good friend Matt was and what a good person Matt also was.  I suspect Matt stabbed Mark in the back too.  And I wonder when he will take out Larry Walker for all of us.  It’s only a matter of time.

That’s the night that they hung an innocent man
Don’t trust your soul with no back woods southern lawyer
Cause the judge in the town’s got blood stains on his hands

Not long after Thanksgiving I was at a friend’s house and we were discussing my situation at the time.  This friend is a very strong Christian and he and his wife have helped me in many ways with their only request being that I not identify them.  We were talking about the fact that most of those who have helped me out were non-Christians and how the so-called “Christians” had really let me down.  The conversation naturally gravitated to Jim Erwin and Mark Kirk, two of my most high-profile friends.  I commented about how Jim, someone who I don’t believe has ever had a personal relationship with Christ, has been a Godsend to me and helped me over and over when I’ve needed it most.  Mark, who I know to be a strong Christian, has let me down every time, never keeping his word to me.

Last Friday when I heard the news of the findings in the Hostile Work Environment investigation against District Attorney Mike Ramos, my heart sank.  I immediately called Cheryl Ristow and the pain in her voice was heartbreaking.  I could relate because, I too, had been let down by our leaders who have in their power the ability to do the right thing with integrity and instead choose to make decisions in their own best interests and not care about how many others they hurt.  We are all nothing but collateral damage to them, unimportant and unworthy of their concern or help.

Every election we see debated the question of whether one’s religious beliefs should play a role in his or her decision-making process if elected to public office.  I don’t believe it is possible for one’s belief system not to affect one’s decisions, whether they are personal or public.  Most major religions, Christian and non-Christian alike, advocate a strong sense of ethics and integrity.  Whatever a candidate’s belief system, if it is strongly grounded in ethics and integrity, and it is a system he or she adheres to, we should welcome that candidate to office.  We have very few leaders in public office that believe in and PRACTICE ethics and integrity.

I can think of a number of strong Christians on the Fifth Floor:  David Zook, Matt Brown, Mark Kirk, Gary Ovitt,  and Josie Gonzales.  With this kind of leadership in this county, why the heck are things so screwed up and so immoral?

What has been extenuated this week is that the supposed morality and ethics the above individuals claim to have in their personal lives does not carry over to their public lives.  The deal cut as part of the Mike Ramos investigation has to be one of the most selfish acts I have witnessed in my county career.  Each of these people were only out to save themselves and everyone else be damned.

The Bible says:

A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. ²⁵ Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. ²⁶ Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants. (2Tim 2:24-26 NLT)

(God said…) “He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. And he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises, a morning without clouds, like the tender grass springing out of the earth, by clear shining after rain.” (2 Sam 23.3b-4)

A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor, but he who hates covetousness will prolong his days. (Pr 28.16)

If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials become wicked. (Pr 29.12, NIV)

For me the most disheartening of all has been Mark Kirk and Gary Ovitt.  I know in their personal lives Mark and Gary are devote Christians.  They hold the most powerful political positions in San Bernardino County, and as such, should be setting an example of how moral and ethical people behave and lead in public office.  Instead we have witnessed the same selfishness that we see in an immoral Paul Biane or Mike Ramos.

Not one of these people mentioned cares the least about how many innocent people they destroy as long as their own needs are met.  Not one of them leads by example, with benevolence, or with integrity.  It is all about self and greed.  It does not matter to any of them if those they lead suffer the loss of their jobs, their security, their families, or their lives.  As some have told me, among those on the Fifth Floor were those rooting me on in my attempted suicide, hoping I would be successful.  That is the kind of moral leadership we have in this county.

A leadership position carries with it responsibility, especially when one proclaims to the world they are a “Christian.”    The world will judge God by the actions of that leader.  And although Christian leaders will never be perfect, they do have an added responsibility to lead according to the principles set forth by God and those principles include personal INTEGRITY!!

The elected leaders in this county have blood stains on their hands, not from touching the hand of the crucified Christ, but from playing with the Devil and destroying the innocent, the poor and the weak.  They have not used their power and authority with wisdom, grace, or benevolence, but rather with selfishness, abusiveness, intolerance, indifference and mean-spiritedness.

Doing what is right can sometimes be painful, but will never be as painful as being brought to one’s knees by an angry God who gave in abundance only to see it unappreciated and abused.  Everyone on the Fifth Floor has been given an abundance; some would say an overabundance.  One day many of them may wake up to find it gone and their power gone too.  Then it will  be they who ask for grace and mercy.  Maybe if they are lucky we will have replaced them with leaders with integrity who show them more grace and mercy than the current leadership has shown us.

Now, for the interpretation for all Sheriff’s Officials:

Memo: The department completed a thorough internal investigation concerning improper documentation of training records by employees.

Should Read: After discovering that our brass was committing theft, I was shamed into conducting an internal investigation because if I used an outside investigating agency as I should have, my friends would have been arrested and charged criminally.

Memo: Upon conclusion of that investigation, steps have been taken to prevent a reoccurance (sic) of this conduct.

Should Read: We will be smart enough next time to not get caught.

Memo: Additionally, the investigation was submitted to the District Attorney’s Office for their review and possible criminal filing.

Should Read: Once that dastardly blog and the infidel made our indiscretions public, we were forced to advise the District Attorney.  However, since Mikey and I are such strong allies, it is unlikely anything will come of this.  To be sure, we waited until the statute of limitations was almost up and we interfered with the investigation sufficiently enough to all but assure no jury would convict even if charges are filed.

Memo: The Public Safety Subcommittee of the Grand Jury was briefed about this issue at the conclusion of the Grand Jury.

Should Read: Damn that infidel!  Three more months and we would have been in the clear.

Memo: As always, if anyone has information about any type of misconduct by a member of this department, please bring that information forward to your command staff and it will be fully investigated.

Should Read: Don’t go whining to that bitchy blogger.  It’s hard for us to cover up when she sinks her fangs into it.

Memo: When I made the statement in the newspaper that  we have nothing to hide, I meant it.

Should Read: I’m up for election.  This doesn’t look good.

Memo: We all recognize the dedicated, hard work you perform every day, and I truly appreciate  all that you do in accomplishing our ultimate mission to make this county a safer place to live and conduct business.

Should Read: If you are a brown noser, I like you.  If not, well you better do your job or you will be without one.

San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos issued a media advisory today regarding the POST scandal involving up to 27 members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.  He has called a press conference for March 8 at 11:30 a.m.  Employees have been accused of falsifying training records so to receive additional compensation.

The scandal was first discovered as early as 2009 and was reported on a local political blog, iePolitics.com.  Sheriff’s officials continued to deny the extent of the criminal activity among its members as recently as the June 2010 primary when Sheriff Rod Hoops was running for election to his first full term.  He had been appointed the previous year by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors to replace Sheriff Gary Penrod, who retired before his term expired.

“I am strong and I will continue to fight this,” said Ristow when I spoke to her by phone.  “I don’t care if I get a dime.  I want Mike to admit what he did.”

Ristow said that her attorney had settled the issues that were preventing the case from moving forward yesterday and were to file a document today so that the next court date could be set.  However, today Gafkowski did a 180 and dismissed the case.  It is not clear what changed since yesterday.

Much of what I think about the Colonies scandal is no different that what I thought a year ago after the arrests were made and the John Does were “named.”  But some has.

As to the settlement itself, I can only go by what numerous people have told me.   Otherwise waring parties all agree the $102 million was the best the county was going to get.  I have said many times on this blog that I believe District Attorney Mike Ramos’ conspiracy theory is a lot of bs.

Although not everyone involved in the settlement are what I would consider to be ethical people, I don’t believe for a moment that either  Judge Warner or the justices at the Fourth District Court of Appeal would conspire to do anything.  It would take them being willing to face criminal prosecution themselves and that is just hogwash.

In a year’s time, I have changed my mind about some things.  For example, we have every reason to believe one of the John Does has cut a deal with the District Attorney and is offering testimony against the others.  We also believe he is wearing a wire to entrap similarly to Adam Aleman and Matt Brown.  There is a LOT of circumstantial evidence pointing in that direction.

If this is the case, the person most affected will be Jim Erwin.  I honestly believe that Jim will go to prison.  I am not saying that because of our recent difficulties.  Despite those difficulties, I wish Jim no harm.  He has three beautiful children and has worked hard to make amends to them and his wife for the past couple of years.  I do believe this is a political prosecution and if the DA is going to get Jim, he should be getting a heck of a lot of other people too.

However, I have learned in recent months that Jim is his own worst enemy.  In his attempts to not back down, he crosses the line sometimes as I personally witnessed and as we have been told he did in the Colonies Settlement by Aleman.  It appears that the John Doe will corroborate that.

The question is whether Jim acted on his own or if he was acting on behalf of Jeff Burum and/or the Colonies Partners.  That is a very big question in my mind.

I don’t know Jeff Burum and I’m not sure what to think.  The story I told the other day about the RFQ and the 1200 acres is the story told to me by Mark Kirk.  I have every reason to believe I wrote nothing the PIU did not know long ago as Mark led me to believe he told them.  I may be pretty angry with Kirk but I don’t believe him to be a liar in matters such as these.

So, that story does demonstrate Burum’s willingness to do something not too ethical.  Yet, Kirk, Postmus and Erwin have all told me stories of Burum’s contributions to his community and to the less fortunate.  All three have painted a picture of a very caring human being who is a shrewd but ethical businessman.  As I said, I’m not sure what to think.

I’ve been really upset with Jeff and the partners in the months since Rex’s conviction and perhaps I should explain once and for all why.  Rex’s conviction is not their fault to my knowledge.  I base that on what Erwin tells me was offered as help to Jim Reiss, Rex’s attorney, but to be honest, Erwin lied to me about so much, I’m not sure if that help was really offered or not.

But whatever the case, the conviction is not what bothers me.  The bottom line is Reiss did a piss-poor job of defending Rex in the second trial.  There was a lot more that could have been done that wasn’t.  That is no one’s fault but Jim Reiss’.

What does bother me is that Jeff, Dan Richards, and others have tossed Rex aside.  They know Rex is not guilty and there are things they could do about it.  For example, one of the main reasons Rex was convicted was the lies that Andrew Lamberto told on the witness stand.  Andrew should have been fired before the trial was over and he should have been criminally charged.  Jeff, Dan, Kirk, Biane, Ovitt and others all have enough influence with Devereaux to make an investigation happen.  If the county did the right thing, the AG would have to take notice.   Every last one of them has instead run away with his tail between his legs in fear, letting Rex rot in jail.  I don’t think there is a set of balls between them.

I understand that not one of them, nor their attorneys, has expertise in the county’s payroll system or in exempt employees to understand the magnitude of Andrew’s lies, but they know there is an issue there.  Not one of them will do anything about it.  So, honestly, it will not bother me one bit to see any of them taken away in handcuffs.  They need to know what it feels like to be charged and go through the criminal process whether they are guilty or not.

The next few months will likely prove to be eventful.  It is my belief that Ramos is most interested in Erwin, Postmus and Burum.  Erwin and Postmus are already charged and I suspect before it is over the DA will be able to prove at least one major charge thanks to corroborating witnesses.  If the DA can figure out how to get a judge to sign an arrest warrant, I think Burum will be arrested too.  As to a conviction, from what I know it’s going to be hard to prove Erwin was doing Burum’s bidding, but we shall see.

Depending on how motivated the PIU is, I believe there are far more than just the five John Does who could be charged.  Ovitt, Matt Brown, additional county supervisors, and quite a few of the partners could also go down, or at least be charged.  There is some very serious evidence out there that has not been turned over to the defense or leaked to the media that a John Doe is said to be keeping as his ace up his sleeve.  Nothing would surprise me.

In the end, I still believe this whole thing is politically motivated.  Much of the behavior Ramos is charging others with, he has participated in himself.  But as we all have learned the past two years neither life nor the justice system is fair.

Jeff Burum

So, I thought the idea was to fund an opponent?  Or was it to let Rex take a hit for you?  I’m beginning to wonder.

I didn’t use to feel this way, but I do now.  I hope the thug squad shows up at your office one day with the steel bracelets.  Then you will know what it feels like to be sold out by those you trust.

We are not ready to say Ramos is equally bizarre.  But he is still a predator, a predator who could be retired as of today had promises been kept.

But promises were not kept.  And now we are likely to have Ramos as our District Attorney for four more years.  Of course, that will give him four more years to figure out how to send Jim Erwin, Jeff Burum, Dan Richards, Mark Kirk, and Patrick O’Reilly to prison for very long terms.  We only hope he adds Greg Devereaux, Andrew Lamberto, and Gary Ovitt to the list.  San Quentin would be a good place.

Arrowhead Regional Medical Center

If the Federal Bureau of Investigation has control of the investigation and is conducting it thoroughly, we have every reason to believe that Mark Uffer, Josie Gonzales, Paul Biane, Dr. Dev GnanaDev, and Jessica Brown will be indicted.  There could be numerous other elected and appointed officials involved as well but those are the names we hear were on the search warrants.

This prediction is based on my own observations while I worked at ARMC as well as talking with those that were required to provide officials with service.  My former desk partner had worked in the emergency room and was responsible for processing in many “VIPs.”

She told me many stories such as about the time Uffer brought in a family member in who was thought to have chicken pox, and instead of coming in through the ER, brought him in through trauma where victims were being treated that had just been helicoptered in.  Not only was their privacy compromised, but they were exposed to chicken pox.

Another story I wish I could remember the details of was about Uffer having another distant relative brought in to the ER and receiving VIP service.  There were also many stories of various elected officials and how they were treated and then had their bills written off.

While I worked there a county supervisor came in and demanded VIP parking.  He parked in a no parking or handicapped zone and then complained because Colton PD ticketed him.  I don’t know if he was able to get his ticket fixed or not.

City of Upland

This is one of the more interesting stories of last year.  The FBI raided Upland City Hall, the home of J.P. Pomierski, and several businesses including one owned by Jeff Burum and Mark Davidson.

Even Pomierski’s friends admit he is a heavy-handed crook who has been extorting money from local businesses for years, so the raid came as no surprise.  However, this relates back to private investigation in Ramos that we were told was commissioned by Jeff Burum.

Not only were we told that private investigators delivered packages to the US Attorney’s Office and the California Attorney General’s Office regarding a “solid felony” committed by Mike Ramos, we were told that Burum was settling several scores with that package of information including those with Pomierski and with the Lewis family.

We have been awaiting Pomierski’s arrest as we understand the FBI had him dead with an undercover investigation.  We have also been hearing chatter that Pomierski has been cooperating with the FBI to give them information on “the big fish.”

Some say Pomierski doesn’t know anything  about Burum to make such an exchange; others say he does.  I guess we will know the answer depending on who is wearing the stainless steel bracelets.

Either way, I suspect the arrest(s) will be sooner rather than later.

The Colonies Scandal

I will preface this prediction with an explanation.  I am sure by now most of you known something has happened between Jim Erwin and me.  I am not going to go into details other than to say I’m angry and hurt.  But I can’t say I wasn’t warned nor can I saw it wasn’t expected.  However, I am over it and wish Jim the best.

These predictions are not based upon any ill will towards Jim as I do believe he is being railroaded.  I also want to stress that despite the fact Jim continues to blame Bill for what has happened, he has absolutely nothing to do with what did happen nor anything to do with these predictions.

Jim and I have a very different set of moral values and he knew there are certain things I cannot forgive.  Bill could not affect that.  It was Jim’s choice and Jim’s choice alone.

That being said, there are those that will talk to me now that there is a rift.  And they have verified some things I have heard for a very long time.

Jeff Burum is clearly the “prize” in the Colonies prosecutions but Erwin has become the “most wanted.”  The District Attorney’s office is not going to settle unless Erwin serves prison time.  This is not about guilt or innocence.  This is about settling scores.  And the PIU has a score to settle with Erwin.

We know evidence of guilt has little to do with criminal prosecution or conviction in this county.  They want Erwin and I predict they will get him.  And if what some have told me is true, they only need to dig under another rock or two to find what they need.  It will be a two-fer as it will implicate Burum as well and I believe it will fall within the statute of limitations.

I predict there will be additional charges filed against Erwin, Burum will be arrested, and there is a strong possibility that Biane will play a much bigger role in all of this than he has so far.

The 1200 Acres

I’m not sure what to think on this one.  I haven’t really heard if the District Attorney has concluded its investigation on this one.  I do know there was mischief involving Burum that the District Attorney is very aware of it.  But last I knew they could not call it criminal in reference to Burum and the “criminal” in this situation has not been identified.  It is likely a county employee connected with the former Second District, i.e., Biane and Matt Brown.  We will have to wait and see.

County Governance

Some will call this wishful thinking on my part, but I have good reason to believe the following list of people will no longer be county employees by the end of the year:

Andrew Lamberto

Sandy Harmsen

Matt Brown

DeAnn Thompson

Mark DeBoer

Mark Kirk

and others . . .

]]> http://iepolitics.net/2011/01/01/iepolitics-predictions-for-2011/feed/ 15 http://iepolitics.net/2010/12/30/iepolitics-so-who-is-going-to-be-arrested/ http://iepolitics.net/2010/12/30/iepolitics-so-who-is-going-to-be-arrested/#comments Fri, 31 Dec 2010 04:25:46 +0000 Administrator http://iepolitics.com/?p=7019 Continue reading →]]> Editor:  You have to read down to the very end of this article to see that Ramos claims there may be more arrests in 2011.

Corruption probes cast wide net

The past year has been fraught with scandal in San Bernardino County as state and local prosecutors charged two former county officials in a sweeping corruption complaint related to a $102million land dispute and convicted a third former county official on charges of fraud, theft and conspiracy.Also in 2010, federal investigators raided the county’s Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton and Upland City Hall in what appear to be unrelated investigations.

Most recently, District Attorney Michael A. Ramos announced that federal investigators had joined the ongoing state and local probe into corruption in county government.

“As we come to the end of the year, we are pleased to join with the FBI in the establishment of the San Bernardino County Corruption Task Force. And our partnership with the Attorney General’s Office remains stronger than ever,” Ramos said.

“I made a commitment to the citizens of this county to fight public corruption. I will devote every necessary resource to hold accountable those who have violated the public’s trust and to restore confidence in our local government.”

County officials and spokesmen for Rancho Cucamonga developer Colonies Partners LP maintain the $102 million settlement between the county’s Flood Control District and Colonies was the product of a fair process and hard bargaining that ultimately saved taxpayers from a judgment that might have reached $300million had the county lost in court.

Still, Board of Supervisors Chairman Gary Ovitt, who voted along with then-supervisors Bill Postmus and Paul Biane to approve the settlement, said the county “supports any investigation of possible wrongdoing.”

“Let justice be served,” Ovitt said in a statement. “Anyone convicted of wrongdoing should be held accountable.”

Ovitt stressed, however, that county leaders have not let the scandal deter them from the public’s business.

“The county has not been fixated on or distracted by these matters,” he said.

To read the rest of the story, click here.

ReprintPrint Email Font Resize Corruption probes cast wide net Investigators pursue cases across county Joe Nelson, Staff Writer Posted: 12/30/2010 05:47:55 PM PST Updated: 12/30/2010 06:49:15 PM PST The past year has been fraught with scandal in San Bernardino County as state and local prosecutors charged two former county officials in a sweeping corruption complaint related to a $102million land dispute and convicted a third former county official on charges of fraud, theft and conspiracy.Also in 2010, federal investigators raided the county’s Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton and Upland City Hall in what appear to be unrelated investigations. Most recently, District Attorney Michael A. Ramos announced that federal investigators had joined the ongoing state and local probe into corruption in county government. “As we come to the end of the year, we are pleased to join with the FBI in the establishment of the San Bernardino County Corruption Task Force. And our partnership with the Attorney General’s Office remains stronger than ever,” Ramos said. “I made a commitment to the citizens of this county to fight public corruption. I will devote every necessary resource to hold accountable those who have violated the public’s trust and to restore confidence in our local government.” County officials and spokesmen for Rancho Cucamonga developer Colonies Partners LP maintain the $102 million settlement between the county’s Flood Control District and Colonies was the product of a fair process and hard bargaining that ultimately saved taxpayers from a judgment that might have reached $300million had the county lost in court. Advertisement Still, Board of Supervisors Chairman Gary Ovitt, who voted along with then-supervisors Bill Postmus and Paul Biane to approve the settlement, said the county “supports any investigation of possible wrongdoing.” “Let justice be served,” Ovitt said in a statement. “Anyone convicted of wrongdoing should be held accountable.” Ovitt stressed, however, that county leaders have not let the scandal deter them from the public’s business. “The county has not been fixated on or distracted by these matters,” he said.

The key to the Ristow case is the up-to-now confidential affidavits signed by five women who were involved with Ramos.  Making those affidavits public will take Ramos down and he knows it.

So far none of the predictions about his demise have come true.  The BOS has only seen a report that basically puts all the blame on Ristow.  Mark Kirk , Andrew Lamberto, and Ruth Stringer made sure the truth did not come out.

Ramos has two votes on the Board of Supervisors, Supervisors Gary Ovitt and Josie Gonzales.  If he wants the county to pay off Ristow to settle the case with the guarantee the affidavits are sealed and kept away from the public, both of those supervisors will do so.

Mikey needs a third vote.  We know Supervisor Neil Derry will never vote to keep the affidavits sealed no matter what Ramos threatens him with.

But Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt has some skeletons in his closet whether imagined or not.  Brad “Bill Who?” Mitzelfelt has tippytoed around Ramos for two years, scared to death of what he knows Ramos is capable of to control him.

If we have learned anything about Mitzelfelt in the past few months it is he is a wimp and lacks integrity.  If Ramos orders his Thug Squad to look in Brad’s direction, Brad will do WHATEVER it takes to keep them as far away as possible and we believe that includes voting for a multi-million dollar settlement if necessary.

The other vote could also come from Supervisor Janice Rutherford.  She has never been presented with any evidence that we are aware of to show Ramos the thug that he is.  If he wanted to call in a favor with her, insiders say she very well could vote on his behalf.

If Ristow is taken out of the picture, Ramos will have four more years of unbridled politicking in the name of “cleaning up corruption.”  He very well could rehabilitate himself into a viable candidate for Congressman Jerry Lewis’ job in four years or win a fourth term as district attorney.

I know Cheryl and she very much wants the truth to come out more than anything else.  But I also know there is a plan in place for a brutal court trial if Mikey’s hand is forced.  I’m not sure anyone in Ristow’s shoes is up to that.  I hope she holds firm, but also won’t blame her if she doesn’t.

]]> http://iepolitics.net/2010/12/28/iepolitics-how-the-ristow-case-will-resolve/feed/ 4 http://iepolitics.net/2010/12/22/sbsun-ramos-named-to-transition-team-for-ag-elect-harris/ http://iepolitics.net/2010/12/22/sbsun-ramos-named-to-transition-team-for-ag-elect-harris/#comments Thu, 23 Dec 2010 00:26:38 +0000 Administrator http://iepolitics.com/?p=6869 Continue reading →]]> Editor’s Note:  It seems we have been misled once again.

By Mike Cruz

Read more: http://www.sbsun.com/news/ci_16920735#ixzz18t4XeCtn

San Bernardino County Courthouse

If ever there is a judge that the US Department of Justice needs to investigate, it is Judge Duke D. Rouse.  He has clearly become a bagman for District Attorney Mike Ramos.

Many things went on during the Rex Gutierrez trial that were never written about in the media.  One of them is the fact that Gutierrez’ attorney, Jim Reiss, became very ill during the proceedings.  Reiss asked that the trial be continued so that he could seek medical treatment.  Rouse refused.

Once the trial was concluded, Reiss did in fact seek medical attention.  It turns out he has full-blown diabetes, which explained some of what observers noticed during the proceedings.  Reiss seemed to have difficulty presenting the case and a hard time comprehending evidence.  He was sweating profusely and rushed through much of the defense, not presenting evidence in Gutierrez’ favor.  He was clearly very sick.

Rouse also made numerous rulings against Gutierrez that any other judge would not have made.  For example, after Andrew Lamberto got on the stand and lied under oath, Rouse would not allow into evidence the memo showing that Lamberto knew better than what he was testifying to.  That same memo was allowed into evidence days later in the Postmus/Eyler case by Judge Michael Smith.

Rouse also refused to allow limited testimony by Jim Erwin, Bill Postmus, and Jeff Burum, testimony that would have proven the conspiracy charge is bogus.  Rouse clearly cut backroom deals with prosecutors.

Judge Rouse showed his true colors yesterday at the Gutierrez sentencing where he gave Rex more time than he would have if Rex had beaten his wife, assaulted a cop, burglarized a home, stolen a vehicle, or assaulted his child.

An investigation into Judge Rouse and whatever quid pro quo agreement he has with Ramos and his deputies is clearly warranted.  Are you listening US Department of Justice?

]]> http://iepolitics.net/2010/12/16/iepolitics-a-rogue-judge/feed/ 9 http://iepolitics.net/2010/12/05/inlandpolitics-the-sun-still-protecting-da/ http://iepolitics.net/2010/12/05/inlandpolitics-the-sun-still-protecting-da/#comments Mon, 06 Dec 2010 01:43:59 +0000 Administrator http://iepolitics.com/?p=6551 Continue reading →]]>

District Attorney Mike Ramos

www.inlandpolitics.com

Sunday, December 5, 2010 – 01:30 p.m.

Last week another round of perjury for San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos.

Last week another list of excuses and deflections by his biggest defender.

The editorial board of The Sun seems to be on its heels over the latest screw-up by Ramos, but rushed to his defense none-the-less.

Last week the California Fair Political Practices Commission announced it intended to fine Ramos and his campaign treasurer, San Bernardino-based certified public accountant Marvin Reiter, for nine errors on Ramos’ campaign finance disclosure.

Most of the some $9,000 in omissions were credit card charges related to hotels and bars.

The lastest episode comes on the heels of Ramos being caught for failing to disclose a $10,000 payment he made to his wife from his campaign funds in 2009 for alleged campaign work.

A practice which is now banned under state law.

Both Ramos and Reiter have admitted to the latest offense.

There is circumstantial evidence to believe Ramos turned to his campaign credit card as a source to supplement his income in the second half of 2009 after his county-issued government credit card use fell under the scrutiny from at least one county supervisor and a reporter for The Sun.

The investigation into questionable activities by reporter Joe Nelson was quashed by editor Frank Pine as not being newsworthy.

To read the rest of the article, click here.

One of my disappointments during the past eleven days of non-blogging has been my inability to write about the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) findings against San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos.  Many of you may remember that we filed the complaint against him that resulted in this fine.  See:  Mike Ramos

Although we are happy with the finding of guilt, we do not believe the commission is going far enough.  Ramos is actively prosecuting his  political enemies for similar deeds, charging infractions as felonies.  Yet, as an attorney he should be held to a higher standard.  But instead he is receiving a slap on the hand in comparison to others.

Letters can be sent to the FPPC prior to the December 9 board meeting,requesting that the commission look into the matter further.  Considering Ramos’ propensity for hotel encounters with his various paramours, examining the thousands of dollars in hotel bills taken from his campaign war chest is warranted.

If you are interested in requesting that the commission hold Ramos to the same standard as he holds his political enemies, you can fax a letter to (916) 322-0886.  Several letters have already been collected and will be faxed prior to the meeting.

]]> http://iepolitics.net/2010/12/04/iepolitics-the-ramos-fine/feed/ 0 http://iepolitics.net/2010/12/01/iepolitics-exclusive-the-eylerpostmus-witness-list-%e2%80%93-updated-2/ http://iepolitics.net/2010/12/01/iepolitics-exclusive-the-eylerpostmus-witness-list-%e2%80%93-updated-2/#comments Wed, 01 Dec 2010 16:00:19 +0000 Administrator http://iepolitics.com/?p=6502 Continue reading →]]>

Editor’s Note:  For a blog that “no one reads,” stories that are printed on it sure do have the tendency to create havoc.  We knew there would be several additional names to this list, but then presents drop from the sky.  And those presents were read by the defense.

iePolitics has obtained a partial list of witnesses expected to be called as a part of the upcoming corruption trial in People v. Postmus, et al.  Attorneys for the defendants have given the judge an expected length of seven to eight weeks for the trial.  Here are the names we have been given so far:

• Mike Ramos
• Female DA Employee No. 1
• Female DA Employee No. 2
• Female DA Employee No. 3
• Female DA Employee No. 4
• Female DA Employee No. 5
• Matt Brown
• Adam Aleman
• Brad Mitzelfelt
• Mark Kirk
• Gary Ovitt
• Mark Uffer
• Sheila Raines
• Harlow Cameron
• Dennis Draeger
• Bud Randles
• Bob Schreiber
• Ruth Stringer
• Michael Smith
• Maury Weiss
• Tim Johnson
• Josh Candaleria
• Bob Smith
• Josh White
• Naseem Farooqi
• Robert Eland
• Steve Hauer
• Bob Windle
• Andrew Lamberto
• Cheryl Ristow

Additions:

• Brenda Solis
• Burt Southard
• Brian Johns
• Bobby Cox
• SB Cty Fire Crew Member No. 2
• SB Cty Fire Crew Member No. 3
• Amy Sheldon
• Mike Richman
• Roman Nava
• Doreen Boxer
• Lauri Ferguson

Ramos, campaign treasurer to pay $2,500 fine

SAN BERNARDINO • The state campaign watchdog has imposed a $2,500 fine on District Attorney Michael Ramos and his treasurer for failing to itemize campaign credit card charges on Ramos’ public disclosure form.

The California Fair Political Practices Commission found Ramos and his campaign treasurer, Marvin Reiter, had committed technical violations by failing to disclose required vendor information for nine credit card expenditures on the District Attorney’s Dec. 31, 2009 semi-annual campaign report.

The $8,619 in charges included expenditures at Embassy Suites Hotel, U.S. Airways, JW Marriott Hotel, Oak Quarry Golf Club, Institute for Advancement of Criminal Justice, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Tartan Restaurant of Redlands, Double Tree Hotel and Farm Artisan Foods.

Under a stipulated agreement set for approval by the commission on Dec. 9, Ramos and Reiter agreed to pay $2,500 to settle the violations. The maximum fine the FPPC can impose is $5,000.

to continue…..

Bret Henry

I am going to start this by responding to the two people who used a number of various names on the blog but that 95 percent of the negative comments came from.  I chose to remain silent for a day just to see where this would go and it went exactly where I expected it to go as I had been warned ahead of time what the thugs at the Fire union are capable of doing.

You see Bret, Bobby, and the rest of you, you can call me crazy and I could not care less.  You can write whatever lies you would like to and I also don’t care.  Have you heard the saying, “Don’t underestimate the power of someone who has nothing to lose.”  Well, I have absolutely nothing to lose and that sets me apart from your other victims.

Sure, I have suffered from depression for several years now and that shows up mostly on this blog.  Suicide attempts?  Yep, there has been a few of those too and I have talked about them openly.  My life is an open book.  But  there are a few things I don’t talk about, such as an IQ over 140 which helps bring me delight in dealing with morons like you.

Do you honestly think I think the FBI is going to investigate your union over your credit card expenditures?  I know when I’m being baited for more information.  So let me give you a few hints.  Many have told me I have “brass balls,” and I am going to show you exactly what that means over the next few months.

Let’s start with your threats to “write a check” to District Attorney Mike Ramos’ campaign war chest to take care of those you don’t want prosecuted and harass those you want out of your way.

Do you think the FBI just happens to be here?  Well guess what?  They are very much here by design—the design of those who have the ability to hire private investigators and make things happen.  Mikey is a little too busy these days trying to save his own sorry ass to save yours.   Oh yes, he’s got some felonies hanging over his head for the very things you encourage him to do with your “contributions.”

So here is a little advice to you and your E-Board.  Start by looking up “Extortion” and “Blackmail” in the Penal Code.  Then go hire yourselves some top notch criminal defense attorneys because you’re going to need them.

You see, I’ve been sitting on this story for almost a year now.  I haven’t really wanted to, because not only do I want to see you go down, but I especially want to see Mark Uffer and Andrew Lamberto go down, both of who are an integral part of the fraud and deception.  But sometimes it is wise to wait and watch what happens.   Now we have Paul Biane and Greg Devereaux involved in your little scheme and that makes me very happy.

Bret, I’m not Pat or Dan, so make all the threats you want.   I’m not going to run away with my tail between my legs because you threaten to write a check to Mikey boy.   And be sure you know the FBI knows all about it, and before this is over, they are going to learn about some of your other misdeeds.  Blackmail and extortion might just be the tip of the iceberg.  You never know what we have been provided with for proof, now do you?  So you guys keep making your threats.

Editor’s Note:  For a blog that “no one reads,” stories that are printed on it sure do have the tendency to create havoc.  We knew there would be several additional names to this list, but then presents drop from the sky.  And those presents were read by the defense.

iePolitics has obtained a partial list of witnesses expected to be called as a part of the upcoming corruption trial in People v. Postmus, et al.  Attorneys for the defendants have given the judge an expected length of seven to eight weeks for the trial.  Here are the names we have been given so far:

• Mike Ramos
• Female DA Employee No. 1
• Female DA Employee No. 2
• Female DA Employee No. 3
• Female DA Employee No. 4
• Female DA Employee No. 5
• Matt Brown
• Adam Aleman
• Brad Mitzelfelt
• Mark Kirk
• Gary Ovitt
• Mark Uffer
• Sheila Raines
• Harlow Cameron
• Dennis Draeger
• Bud Randles
• Bob Schreiber
• Ruth Stringer
• Michael Smith
• Maury Weiss
• Tim Johnson
• Josh Candaleria
• Bob Smith
• Josh White
• Naseem Farooqi
• Robert Eland
• Steve Hauer
• Bob Windle
• Andrew Lamberto
• Cheryl Ristow

Additions:

• Brenda Solis
• Burt Southard
• Brian Johns
• Bobby Cox
• Fire Crew Member No. 2
• Fire Crew Member No. 3
• Amy Sheldon

Our condolences to the family.

www.inlandpolitics.com

Wednesday, November 10, 2010 – 9:28 a.m.

Is the District Attorney really calling the shots in the investigation involving activities at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC)?

The evidence is building, and it’s beginning to look more and more like the answer is “no”.

Confidential sources tell The Insider that federal agents were doing the questioning of hospital staff, not investigators for District Attorney Michael Ramos, as everyone is being led to believe.

Considering all of Ramos’ personal and professional issues, can anyone really blame the feds.

The level of seriousness of the ARMC investigation can be drawn from the line of questioning.

Sources tell The Insider the alleged conduct under investigation includes, but is not limited to; medical treatment of uncharted and unregistered patients who are public officials; the theft of public services; allegations of threats and intimidation of medical providers and staff; and allegations of abuse in the Department of Behavioral Health inpatient unit.

The buzz on this issue? Ramos dragged his feet on the whole ARMC matter until finally the feds had to step in.

Ramos, who has been accused of utilizing his office to lash out at his political enemies, has also worked tirelessly to protect those he views as allies.

Other sources say Ramos may have been out to protect one member of the board of supervisors in particular. Someone Ramos views as an ally.

To read the rest of the story, click here.

www.inlandpolitics.com

Sunday, November 7, 2010 – 09:15 a.m.

The Insider has learned that one of the areas newspapers has received a complete list of persons named in a search warrant served at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center by federal agents last week.

One has to admit it doesn’t take long for secrets to leak out in San Bernardino County.

The feds were believed to be seeking the medical and business records of various elected and appointed county officials, who are believed to have recieved free or deeply discounted medical services at the publicly-owned facility.

Interestingly one of the names on the list is kind of peculiar.

To read the rest of the story, click here.

www.inlandpolitics.com

Sunday, November 7, 2010 – 1:45 p.m.

San Bernardino County appears to be judge shopping in a lawsuit filed against it and District Attorney Mike Ramos by former employee Cheryl Ristow.

Ristow has sued the county and Ramos, claiming she was retaliated against by Ramos for refusing to keep secret and affair between her and the two-term DA, when knowledge of their relationship went public in May 2009.

During an ex-parte hearing on November 3, Superior Court Judge Janet Frangie recused herself, upon a peremptory challenge by the county.

Frangie isn’t anointed from the local home grown attorney crop, but instead is from Los Angeles County. Therefore, the county’s legal minds are less trustful of Frangie to see things their way.

To read the rest of the story, click here.

www.inlandpolitics.com

Saturday, November 6, 2010 – 12:20 p.m.

Last Updated: November 6, 2010 – 05:30 p.m.

Now the lid has finally blown on the scandal at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC).

What a surprise to us all.

Well, not really.

Saturday mornings local news articles related to federal agents raiding the facility and seizing records were horrendous to say the least.

All of those denials. Or should I say lies.

The most outrageous is courtesy of former ARMC administrator and fired county administrative officer Mark H. Uffer, who through his attorney Sanford Kassel, denies any knowledge of free health care for county elected and appointed officials.

Kassel says Uffer was shocked to hear about the goings on at ARMC.

Shocked? Give me a break.

An interesting statement coming from the ring leader of the V.I.P. care at the hospital.

Mr. Uffer, are you sure your name wasn’t listed on the search warrant?

Even I had a close call with the “I’ll take care of your bill” plan courtesy of Uffer.

Back in the 2003-4 time period I was covered by Kaiser Permanente through the county benefit plan, and had a medical condition arise. I was offered the opportunity to be seen at ARMC through Uffer. When I arrived, I was immediately seen by the emergency room staff, and given various tests. I later received a bill from ARMC and from the attending physician.

I paid both to the tune of about $3,000.

Later, Uffer told me that if I had brought the bill to him he would have taken care of it.

To read the rest of the story, click here.

Brown made headlines earlier this year when he complained that he was the victim of a hostile work environment because he also wore a wire in an attempt to entrap his boss, Supervisor Paul Biane, on behalf of the District Attorney’s Office.  Brown went out on stress and returned months later after settling with the county for $25,000 a new job paying the equivalent to his $225,000 annual salary and benefits he received working for Biane.

Brown is proving to be quite the snitch.  He and his wife Jessica have worked both sides for years.  Now he is working for another elected, Democratic Auditor-Controller-Tax Collector Larry Walker.  Walker is despised by many on the Fifth Floor.

It was Fifth Floor politicos who were instrumental in leaking information regarding the Walker-Thompson alliance to iePolitics a couple of years ago.  It makes us wonder who Brown is actually working for now and where his loyalties lie.  Republican politicians would like nothing better than to see Walker caught up in a headline-grabbing scandal.  Perhaps Brown can deliver in time.

]]> http://iepolitics.net/2010/11/01/iepolitics-more-prosecutorial-misconduct-exposed-at-postmus-prelim-matt-brown-proves-worth-to-opponents-once-again/feed/ 4 http://iepolitics.net/2010/10/17/sbgrapevine-editorial-time-for-the-us-department-of-justice-to-step-in-compelled-to-deceive-part-three/ http://iepolitics.net/2010/10/17/sbgrapevine-editorial-time-for-the-us-department-of-justice-to-step-in-compelled-to-deceive-part-three/#comments Mon, 18 Oct 2010 01:59:20 +0000 Administrator http://iepolitics.com/?p=5878 Continue reading →]]>

Adam Aleman

www.sbgrapevine.com

Are you listening US Attorney?  San Bernardino County is in crisis.  It is a crisis that mocks our justice system; one that distorts the truth; and one where integrity is a forgotten.  Bringing about justice is no longer the highest priority of our county prosecutors; winning at any and all cost  is their goal—a goal that has little to do integrity, truth or . . . justice.

There are many lesser-known stories of justice gone awry in our county. Ours  starts with a little-known manager at the local Outback Steakhouse who went on to make headlines.  His name is familiar to all of us.  It is Adam Aleman.

Aleman caught the attention of then-Supervisor Bill Postmus many years ago.  He eventually left Outback Steakhouse to become a member of Postmus’ Board of Supervisors staff.

Adam came from a hard-working family and the values he was raised with served him well.  He proved to be a quick learner and a natural politico with a strong drive for success.  But along the way to climbing up the ladder to a position as Assistant Assessor at the age of 24, something went terribly wrong.

They say power corrupts.  They also say it goes to the head.  Aleman is an excellent argument for both statements.

The public never really heard the name “Adam Aleman” until San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos announced that search warrants were served on the San Bernardino County Assessor’s office where Bill Postmus had become Assessor a year earlier and Aleman became one of two assistant assessors.  Jim Erwin was the second.

The Assessor’s Office had been the subject of a Grand Jury probe, initiated as a result of Second District Supervisor Paul Biane filing a complaint with the District Attorney’s Public Integrity Unit over political work being done on county time.   The complaint alleged that Postmus was running a political operation out of the Assessor’s Office.

During the Grand Jury probe, documents from the Assessor’s Office were requested as part of the investigation.  Several Assessor’s Office employees were also asked for their testimony before the Grand Jury.  Adam Aleman was one of those employees.  He was also responsible for submitting the requested documents.

Whether it was his youth, fear, arrogance, or simply the fact that values his parents tried to instill in him did not take, Aleman started down the road of deception.  Before submitting the requested documents he altered them, and then lied about it.  He also lied to the Grand Jury and destroyed county property.

After months of investigation, on June 30, 2008, Aleman was arrested and charged with nine felonies.  One year to the day, June 30, 2009, Aleman plead guilty to four felony counts.  As part of the plea agreement, those felonies will be reduced in exchange for his truthful testimony against any and all other defendants in the Assessor’s Office corruption scandal and ancillary cases.

Long before June 2009, Aleman’s “deal” had become obvious to anyone connected in anyway with the corruption scandal.  Public officials and private citizens alike were interrogated, harassed, bullied, searched, accused, and intimidated by District Attorney investigators from the Public Integrity Unit based on “intel” provided to them from Aleman.

Aleman has described himself as a “master manipulator” on one hand but on the other has said privately that he was coerced into making statements about others by the investigators.  He claims he merely told them he was passing along rumors that he expected them to check out to determine if they had a factual basis.  He also has said that he has been intimidated by them when they have played “good cop, bad cop” with him, threatened him with a long prison sentence if he didn’t cooperate, and encouraged him to lie.

To read the rest of this story, click here.

Grand Terrace City Councilwoman Bea Cortes

Friday, October 15, 2010

www.sbgrapevine.com

Are you listening US Attorney?  San Bernardino County is in crisis.  The principles our nation were founded on are being undermined by the very person sworn to uphold the Constitution of the United States—the person charged with enforcing the Constitution and all state and local laws at the county level.

When one reads the California District Attorneys Association Code of Ethics reprinted in Part One of this series, it is easy to see its President and our county’s District Attorney, Mike Ramos, has broken every concept put forth in that document.  He flagrantly violates those ethical standards while claiming to be in the pursuit of “justice.”

But it is worse than simple ethical lapses.  Ramos and his staff have stopped at nothing to gain convictions, including violating the law themselves.

Nine months after the first arrest in the case was made, an arrest warrant was served on Jim Erwin, Supervisor Neil Derry’s chief of staff at the time.  The arrest was for violations of Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) reporting requirements, violations that if found to be true are usually handled with a warning letter and/or fine.

Erwin had no history of FPPC violations or any other crime.  Yet he was charged with ten felonies and bail was set at $220,000.  Those ten felonies all related to a single FPPC 700 form, which had it risen to the level of a “crime” in any other jurisdiction, would have been filed as a single misdemeanor.  It was a clear case of selective prosecution, an argument that is bolstered by all the prosecutions that have NOT taken place in this county for similar “offenses.”

We know that even here in San Bernardino County FPPC violations are handled with warning letters and/or fines normally, if any action at all is taken.  Recent allegations of FPPC violations show that to be true with other elected  and appointed officials such as Mike Ramos, Gary Penrod, Bea Cortes, Paul Biane,  Jim Penman,  Greg Devereaux, Josie Gonzales, and Kelly Chastain.  Ramos refused to file on a single one yet many of their “crimes” were far worse than that of Erwin.  Penrod and Chastain, for example, had been filing false claims for years.

To read the rest of the story, click here.