I have been told that the Sheriff’s Department has sent out a memo that the Academy will be shut down for the month of June as a cost-savings measure. However, there is a rumor flying around that it is actually POST that is shutting down the Academy. Apparently, this would not be the first time POST has done such a thing.
Three current and former San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department employees pleaded not guilty Friday in Superior Court to felony charges tied to a scandal involving the falsification of training documents for increased pay and retirement benefits.
Sheriff’s custody specialist Angela Gray, 42, retired Lt. Bill Maddox, 57, and training specialist Sallyann Christian, 45, entered their not guilty pleas before San Bernardino Superior Court Judge Brian McCarville.
Today seven current or retired members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department were indicted on a variety of felonies involving falsification of training records that resulted in higher rates of pay and higher retirement allowances. Among those indicted were retired Assistant Sheriff Mike Stodelle, Lieutenant Russell Wilke, Detective David Pichotta, and retired Lieutenant Bill Maddox. Pichotta is the former son-in-law of retired Sheriff Gary Penrod.
Others indicted include retired Captain Hobart Gray, who is charged with perjury, grand theft and conspiracy; his wife Angie Gray, charged with three counts of conspiracy, two counts of attempted grand theft, and one county of grand theft; and Sallyann Christian, charged with one count of conspiracy and one count of grand theft.
I am going to get as much written as I can before the press conference starts so no one can say I am writing this based on what happens in less than an hour. Any thoughts I do not get to will be written in a separate post later today.
I want to start by addressing two specific things that we are taking criticism over. First is the number 27.
We are hearing that S-23 is packed with people awaiting the arraignments of those indicted/charged today in the POST scandal. The names coming out so far are:
We will update this list as we get more names.
Editor: Please click on link below so I get paid!
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.
The ethically-challenged San Bernardino County is expected to receive yet another black eye within a week or so. Sheriff’s Department officials are accused of falsifying training records that were submitted to the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.), resulting in tens of thousands of dollars being paid to each recipient that was not earned.
P.O.S.T. was created to set minimum selection and training standards for California law enforcement. Certificates include basic, intermediate, advanced, supervisory, management, and executive. Specialized certificates can also be awarded. Each new level brings with it a raise in hourly pay.
To read the rest of the article, click here.
Needless to say, the POST scandal is generating a lot of interest. The most common question I’m getting is “Who’s on the list?” Although I have heard quite a few names, other than Gary Penrod and Lee Watkins, I can’t remember any. We shall see if either are involved.
We now have confirmation from four separate sources that indictments are being issued in the POST scandal. The only question is just how many and who exactly is involved. I believe there may be some POBR and/or statute of limitations issues to be worked out. We have been given numbers of expected indictments ranging from 15 to 30. We also understand that indictments may reach the highest level of the Sheriff’s Department and may even involve other agencies.
iePolitics has received information that the Grand Jury had subpoenas regarding the POST scandal served on 22 individuals and that 15 have or are about to be indicted. We also understand there will be numerous terminations. This confirms information we posted last month; however, we are still not clear if a special criminal Grand Jury has been empaneled. Otherwise, we are assuming that charges will be filed rather than indictments issued. If anyone has additional information, please contact us at iepolitics2010@gmail.com.
I received this tonight:
I am hearing that a Sgt from Central is being transferred to handle what is left of the POST investigation because the Grand Jury finally wants to look at it.
Recently we have all been reading about problems within the Sheriff’s Department. Although the majority of these issues are not major problems some of them are.
When a person becomes a Peace Officer they take an oath which is known as the “Law Enforcement Code of Ethics”. In that code is a line that states “Honest in thought and deed in both my personnel and official life, I will be exemplary in obeying the laws of the land and the regulations of my Department”.
You know Neil, we try to defend you here at iePolitics most of the time. But some things are beyond defensible.
For example, your comment that the POST scandal is a personnel matter. It is NOT a personnel matter. It is a FELONY matter that involved Sheriff Rod Hoops, former Sheriff Gary Penrod, and at least a couple dozen others ranging from clerical staff to deputy chiefs. It is misconduct of the worst kind by public officials and it is being swept under the rug with the tacit approval of the board of supervisors.
But it’s okay because you all endorse one another for election, donate to one another’s campaigns, and attend one another’s fundraisers. We wouldn’t want justice to interfere with that, now would we?
Our campaign is on fire. We have people waving signs who are 7 years old to 68 years old. Every weekend they are on streets in the county waving our signs for a few hour. We had one group stand in Rancho Cucamonga for 6 hours. We have them in the high desert and all over the basin. We have some that do this during the week. Are main goal is the weekends and the 3 days prior to the election. If you want to join us, email me at sheriffpaul.net and we will get you out there. Also ask about the free limo ride. Can you say Sheriff Schrader 10 times? www.sheriffpaul.net
Two teenagers from our Chino Hills crew.
SHERIFF PAUL SCHRADER 2ND AMENDMENT SHERIFF
CAN YOU SAY SHERIFF SCHRADER 10 TIMES?
PLEASE VOTE FOR PAUL SCHRADER SHERIFF OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.
CANDIDATE FOR SHERIFF PAUL SCHRADER/SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY IS THE ONLY PRO SECOND AMENDMENT CANDIDATE IN THE SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SHERIFF’S RACE.
“A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”– (2ND Amendment)
“The strongest reason for people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.” — (Thomas Jefferson) Continue reading
Well you didn’t listen to iePolitics when we told you that Mark Uffer is a liar and look what it has gotten you. And you didn’t listen to iePolitics when we told youMike Ramos is a liar. If any of you are living under a rock and don’t know about the affidavits, I suggest you ask another district. Although the information hasn’t been released to the general public yet, I know for sure it is on the Fifth Floor. And you all are going to look like complete fools for believing the only person who can lie as much as Adam Aleman. Continue reading
The story below on Captain Gray, his wife, and the falsified P.O.S.T. certificates has been on our blog since last year with a heck of a lot more detail than is included in the Sun article. Although I’m glad Sheriff’s candidate Rick Averbeck was able to get the media interested after months of us trying, it does seem opportunistic. Continue reading
I love my family. This is what it is all about. We walked all day long. We made lots of new friends and supporters. My girls are learning leadership everyday they work on this wonderful endeavor. We have great support from most of the businesses in the downtown area of Upland. We walked and talked to several people by door knocking later in the day, which was such a success. Upland residents are ready for a “Fresh Start” and we are here to help.
As many of us have read over the years the words used by public officials, “I can’t comment on that, it’s a personnel issue”, or “confidential employee matter”.
This law as we know it, is becoming one of the most abused in the public sector. Our public officials are claiming these laws apply in internal matters, and as we are starting to see, being used to cover up corruption.
The Unions can and do use it to avoid discussing what they do not want others to know good or bad. Allow me to explain. Continue reading
Paul Schrader has 27 years of law enforcement experience. During his time he has worked on problems that effect local issues and have shown positive crime reduction in areas. Paul shares his vision to assist the Department in lowering crime in high crime areas.
Paul Schrader, candidate for sheriff of San Bernardino County shares his vision for the homeless population in San Bernardino county and how the Department can help.
Paul Schrader for Sheriff of San Bernardino County. I will help the deputies bring this Department up to year 2010 standards.
Please watch this second video in a series regarding Paul Schrader for Sheriff of San Bernardino County. I hope it shows you who Paul really is. I would also like to add, when I discuss the issue of investigations by deputies regarding a CCW, I will use civilian investigators to save money. I think sending a patrol deputy out in uniform to do a background check is expensive and bad management of resources. Sending contract or civilian investigators out is cost effective.
Please review this video of San Bernardino County Sheriff’s candidate Paul Schrader. This is the first in a series made by Fay Mime Production in association with High Desert People.com. I want to thanks the folks in the High Desert for their support and especially Rene De La Cruz for his help and direction.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HuGPox_GSI
For those of you concerned with the apparent fraudulent training certificates being issued involving San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department employees, someone from the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) was reading the entry yesterday. The Commission can no longer make any claims that they don’t know what is going on in this county.
It seems we have yet another double standard in this county. When law enforcement officials commit a crime, such as Mike Ramos and now members of the Sheriff’s Department, our chief law enforcement officers for the county look the other way or help in a cover up.
If you would like to contact POST and request this matter be fully investigated, you can do so at 916.227.3909 or via email at postmaster@post.ca.gov.