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.
STATEMENT BY THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO REGARDING THE POSTMUS GUILTY PLEAS AND THE STATUS OF LITIGATION
The charges to which Bill Postmus has pled guilty constitute an unforgivable breach of trust and the most serious offense an elected official can commit against the people he was sworn and obligated to serve. The County condemns and is repulsed by his crimes. However, the County is pleased that Mr. Postmus has admitted wrongdoing and pledged to assist investigators.
It will take a month or more of analysis by the County’s legal team and consultation with the Board of Supervisors to determine what course of action the County and District should follow regarding the County and Flood Control District’s November 2006 settlement with Colonies Partners LLC. The County asks for the public to be patient as it sorts through this very complex legal matter, because the outcome could well be far-reaching in terms of time and expense.
I have to admit I was surprised to see retired Judge Chris Warner’s response to former supervisor Dennis Hansberger’s accusations regarding the Colonies settlement. I was also surprised Judge Warner recently retired. My understanding is he is battling a serious illness, which may account for his retirement and his need to speak his peace.
I have said from the beginning that no matter what anyone else has done in reference to the Colonies settlement, I believe Judge Warner acted in good faith and in accordance with the law. I was Judge Warner’s first secretary when he was appointed to the bench. He was meticulous and conscientious about his decisions. He was very highly regarded.
I argued at length with a newspaper reporter not long ago about Judge Warner and his background. I cannot remember for sure if Judge Warner ever worked as a prosecutor, but he came from a solid private practice. He did not need the money. As a matter of fact, he likely took a pay cut when appointed to the bench. He also did not answer to the district attorney like so many other judicial appointments do.
It seems Jason Crebs, relative of Colonies Partner Ray Crebs, cut a deal with the US Attorney’s office. Innocent people don’t cut deals and plead to things they did not do. It shall be interesting to see who he sold out to save himself. So much for family honor.
Mike Richman
As discovery trickles in to the corruption defendants, we have discovered yet another figure in the probe who can’t seem to get the lies straight. Mike Richman has not been charged with a crime, but he was sued by the county. He has since settled a civil lawsuit over his Assessor’s contract for consulting services. We are not sure his impetus for lying now.
Richman was the owner of MPR Strategies, a governmental and political consulting firm. He did consulting for a number of political campaigns, and at one point, worked for the California Legislature.
It doesn’t seem to matter if we are discussing Jeff Burum, the Lewis Family, or any other of a number of successful, wealthy businessmen in our community, they are all “corrupt.” I don’t mean that they are really, truly corrupt, but they are “corrupt” in the minds of the less successful. The common thought seems to be that if one has money, then one has no integrity. Our community doesn’t allow for making an “honest” hundred million or so. Hard work, sacrifice, intellect, college education, and just plain good old-fashioned luck can all be damned. If one is successful, then one must be a crook.
I’m sure there is a term for this mentality, and with our current corruption scandal, that mentality has become very frustrating. Otherwise intelligent people seem to be more interested in finding blame than finding truth. The fact that so many have bought into Batman and Robin’s conspiracy theory is proof that logic and critical thinking have given way to hysteria and enjoyment in the fact that someone with power may be taken out, not for wrongdoing, but because they have power and wealth. I suppose the weak hope to bask in the demise of the powerful.
iePolitics is starting a series examining the influence of Indian gaming on politics and crime in San Bernardino County. We will detail its involvement with organized crime and the Mexican Mafia, the preferential treatment by San Bernardino County officials, and their political activities through political action committees, as well as report on some of the “incidents” involving the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians that go unreported by mainstream media.
Among the topics will be the relationship between Tribal Chief James Ramos and District Attorney Mike Ramos, the chaos with the tribal police whose captain happens to be the wife of Safety Employee Benefit Association President William Abernathie, and incidents with the Gaming Commission, most recently involving a physical assault by Tom Ramos, James’ brother.