Tag Archives: county of san bernardino

iePolitics: The County’s press release on Colonies and Postmus

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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.

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iePolitics: Is Mark Kirk the last John Doe Standing?

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Mark Kirk

All of the corruption figures and John Does are now off of the Fifth Floor and elsewhere in the county—except for John Doe No. 4, that is.  Bill Postmus,  defendant; Jim Erwin, defendant; Greg Eyler, defendant; Rex Gutierrez,  prisoner; and Paul Biane, John Doe No. 5 are all gone. Somehow Mark Kirk has avoided arrest and prosecution so far.  But we hear the investigation is far from over.

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InlandPolitics: S.B. County to blogger: Want worker’s comp? Resign!

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www.inlandpolitics.com

Thursday, December 2, 1010 – 09:35 a.m.

The plot thickens in the battle between a popular local blogger and her government employer.

San Bernardino County has been locked in a protracted battle with employee Sharon Gilbert over her blog iePolitics.com

The county wants the website, which has exposed serious and embarrassing missteps by the county, shut down and/or Gilbert gone.

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iePolitics: Another unhappy SBPEA customer

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It looks like there may be a decertification vote to get rid of the San Bernardino Public Employees Association (SBPEA) and bring in the International Union of Operating Engineers by the employees of the city of San Bernardino.  Someone needs to remind me if this is the same union currently working on a decertification vote in San Bernardino County for all of us.

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iePolitics: We shall see

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Well if things go as planned, come Tuesday the county should be burdened with one less incompetent department head.  We will have to wait and see if the Board of Supervisors has the backbone to go through with it.  If they do, that only leaves maybe another 10 or 15 to go.  We wouldn’t want to rush them.

SbGrapevine: Editorial: “Corruption on Steriods”

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County of Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley

www.sbgrapevine.com

Today’s arrest of Robert Rizzo and seven others in the city of  Bell scandal made for a happy day for all citizens who are frustrated and sickened by the corruption that permeates every level of government.  The arrests also highlight what can be done when citizens join forces and let their voices be heard, combined with having elected an experienced prosecutor dedicated to the pursuit of justice.

The Bell scandal has more than one San Bernardino County connection.  As has been well publicized, Rizzo is the former city manager of two San Bernardino County cities, Hesperia and Rancho Cucamonga.  But the significance runs much deeper.

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InlandPolitics Commentary: Is “culture of cover-up” plaguing S.B. County government?

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  • Written by Senor Blogger
  • Posted May 23, 2010 at 1:39 pm

One things for certain.

San Bernardino County doesn’t want any bad news made public. And when it does go public by way of internal leaks, the course of action is to downplay or deny.

The current situation at San Bernardino County-owned and operated Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) is a prime example.

When allegations alleging a breakdown in quality of care began surfacing several months, hospital and county officials denied any problems existed. This was until outside investigations surfaced that found critical breakdowns in medical care and other areas.

Medicare and MediCal have threatened to terminate reimbursements to the facility. A threat that doesn’t materialize until after at least two prior warnings.

I can’t find any public disclosures of any prior warnings to the facility. Continue reading →

iePolitics: Paul Biane having a bad day!

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(Click image to enlarge)

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San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Biane (Pictured) saw his campaign sign in a neighbors yard and called the Sheriff’s Department to “remove his property” from the yard.

You will notice the change made to the artwork.

InlandPolitics Commentary: Putting Uffer teaching gig in the proper context

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www.InlandPolitics.com

  • Written by Senor Blogger
  • Posted April 27, 2010 at 9:06 am

I was spending some time over the last few days giving some thought to former County Administrative Officer (CAO) Mark Uffer’s teaching job at California State University, San Bernardino and came up with some more appropriate courses I believe should be instituted at the school.

Uffer is currently assigned to teach PA 664 – Management of Public Organizations, a graduate level course.

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InlandPolitics Commentary: S.B. County Supervisors should waive privilege, if possible

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www.InlandPolitics.com

  • Written by Administrator
  • Posted April 27, 2010 at 5:49 am

Tuesday morning the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors will considering waiving its attorney-client privilege protecting communications related to the litigation and 2006 settlement of the lawsuit between the County Flood Control District and Colonies Partners, LP.

The $102 million settlement was to compensate for damages created by flood control actions resulting from the construction of the 210 freeway in Upland.

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InlandPolitics: Next up, the Cardoza trial

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  • Written by Blogger
  • Posted April 9, 2010 at 10:01 am

Now that the trial of Rancho Cucamonga City Councilman Rex Gutierrez has been continued to June 1st, focus now shifts to a lesser publicized case with even greater potential to inflict major damage to the professional and political career of San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos.

The trial in question involves former District Attorney Investigator Christopher Cardoza.

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InlandPolitics: Judge delays Gutierrez trial at request of DA

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  • Written by Administrator
  • Posted April 9, 2010 at 9:15 am

As expected, a Superior Court Judge agreed with San Bernardino County prosecutors to delay the trial of Rancho Cucamonga City Councilman Rex Gutierrez this morning.

The trial, which was scheduled to commence Monday morning, addresses charges against Gutierrez alleging time card fraud stemming from Gutierrez’ tenure with the San Bernardino County Assessor’s Office under Bill Postmus.

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InlandPolitics: Was there going to be two more John Doe’s?

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  • Written by Senor Blogger
  • Posted April 9, 2010 at 8:02 am


A source familiar with last years Grand Jury proceedings focusing on the investigation into the Colonies Settlement is alluding that two more names were in play during the proceedings.

Apparently, on the wall of the Grand Jury room where testimony was being taken were enlarged Department of Motor Vehicles photographs of seven individuals.

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InlandPolitics: S.B. County budget deficit explodes, foreshadows pay cuts and layoffs

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San Bernardino County’s main strength over the past several years has been touted by it’s administrative team as being in the area of “financial management”.

Apparently this hasn’t been the case. The term “smoke and mirrors” may be more appropriate.

What has been described as one financial landmine blowing up after another is the current situation at the county’s Arrowhead Avenue Government Center. The situation seems to indicate the county’s Unrestricted “General Purpose Reserve” may have vanished into thin air. It would appear faulty budget practices and assumptions have not only made the proposal to cancel all employee raises for the foreseeable future problematic, now layoffs have become a rapidly developing reality.

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InlandPolitics Commentary: S.B. County: Mark Uffer and his already tangled web

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  • Written by Senor Blogger Edit
  • Posted April 4, 2010 at 9:26 am

Well now the long-awaited Uffer claim has hit the presses will all the fan fare one would expect.

The April fool’s day filing is only fitting.

Let’s get this straight. Mr. Uffer wants to be made whole until his claim/case is resolved, meaning he wants full pay and benefits to continue beyond his one year severance.

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InlandPolitics: Uffer claim available

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  • Written by Administrator
  • Posted at 7:35 am

To download a PDF version of former County Administrative Officer Mark Uffer’s highly entertaining claim, click here: Uffer Claim

iePolitics: Inquiring Minds Want to Know

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With the pending arrival of newly hired San Bernardino County Administrative Officer Greg Devereaux, we are pondering some points:

  • Will Assistant County Administrative Officer Dean Arabatzis now be required to work 40 hours a week at the County Government Center?  Five days a week, every week?
  • Will the Fifth Floor continue to be a ghost town on both sides of the isle on Fridays?
  • Will CAO Devereaux also work five days a week?
  • Will County Counsel Ruth Stringer and her deputy county counsels be allowed to continue to accrue millions in leave balances?
  • What will replace our beloved “Service First”?
  • Will Chicken Man show up to board meetings in a chicken suit?
  • Will Board of Supervisors staff follow Devereaux’s lead and start working five days a week, 40 hours a week?
  • Will department heads caught lying and cheating have consequences similar to line staff?
  • Will David Wert be required to work 40 hours a week, five days a week, every week?
  • Will department heads who go on vacation be required to green-slip their time?
  • Will non-elected department heads be allowed to continue bonking their line staff?
  • Will anything be done about sexual harassment and racial discrimination in the work place?
  • Will anything of significance ever get accomplished by the Fifth Floor in a timely manner?

InlandPolitics: SB County supervisors campaign financials prove interesting

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  • Written by Administrator
  • Posted February 3, 2010 at 12:25 pm

The campaign finance disclosure statements for members of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors have some interesting characteristics of note.

Here is the annual summary of all five supervisors who collectively raised $899,384.54 in 2009.

Not bad for a poor economy.

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InlandPolitics: S.B. County: Devereaux reportedly seeking outside talent

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  • Written by Administrator
  • Posted February 1, 2010 at 7:00 am

InlandPolitics.com has learned that incoming San Bernardino County Administrative Officer Greg Devereaux is looking at outside talent for key positions in his new administration.

Which positions are being looked at by Devereaux is not clear, but county supervisors appear to be allowing the incoming chief full authority to manage and get the house in order.

By all accounts Devereaux is doing just that.

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InlandPolitics Commentary: Credibility of former Assistant Assessor now in play

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  • Written by Blogger
  • Posted January 31, 2010 at 11:31 am

Cases involving four criminal defendants which are now entering the evidentiary stage appear to now rest on the sole testimony of one key witness.

Former Assistant Assessor Adam Aleman who has plead “no-contest” to one count of Vandalism, two counts of Destroying or Altering Documents, and one count of Presenting a false claim, is now the “go to” guy for District Attorney Michael Ramos, who is attempting to portray himself as a corruption fighter.

Some glaring issues arise here when taking a look at Aleman’s charges.

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InlandPolitics: Ramos investigation doesn’t add up – Part 2

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  • Written by Senor Blogger
  • Posted January 30, 2010 at 10:14 am

More questions continue to be raised regarding the recently released report into the conduct of District Attorney Michael Ramos and his department, involving a former mistress of Ramos.

I last focused on statements made to investigators by Ramos and the number of inconsistencies.

Now let’s look at the treatment of Investigative Technician Cheryl Ristow. Ristow had a 17-month long affair with Ramos in the 2003 to 2005 period of time.

Even though it would now appear it was more of a relationship of necessity and convenience for Ramos.

Wanna have sex? Just pick up the phone.

After all, Ramos is the DA.

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InlandPolitics: S.B. County: Ramos investigation doesn’t add up – Part 1

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  • Written by Senor Blogger
  • Posted January 28, 2010 at 11:45 am

The long-awaited investigation into sexual-related misconduct and work place activity of District Attorney Mike Ramos and his department management staff was released yesterday afternoon. The investigation was triggered by allegations made against Ramos and his managers by Cheryl Ristow, an employee in the District Attorney’s office.

True-to-form, San Bernardino County fails to disappoint by creating a bigger mess.

Local newspapers jumped on the “Ramos is cleared” band-wagon immediately. One even attacked the claimant Cheryl Ristow in the headline.

Ramos immediately claimed vindication on all fronts and denied everything once again.

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InlandPolitics: Grand Terrace’s Cortes focus of complaint (Update – 1)

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  • Written by Administrator
  • Posted January 27, 2010 at 8:43 am

City of Grand Terrace council member Bertha Bea Cortes is the focus of a complaint submitted to the San Bernardino County District Attorney this week.

InlandPolitics.com received a copy of the complaint by email this morning.

The complaint signed by twelve citizen’s of the city alleges that Cortes committed multiple violations of the Political Reform Act. Specifically, that Cortes engaged in a conflict of interest in violation of section 1090 of the California Government Code, and committed perjury by filing false statements of economic interest, known as Form 700.

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InlandPolitics: S.B. County: What the three-page memo didn’t cover – Part 2

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  • Written by Senor Blogger
  • Posted January 26, 2010 at 9:51 am

InlandPolitics.com has received permission to use excerpts from a journal submitted as an exhibit by the complainant to county investigators.

The journal is handwritten and covers the time period from April 24, 2004 through July 25, 2005.

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InlandPolitics: More questions arise related to DA referral on Biane failure to disclose

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As more statements from those involved appear in local newspapers, and other information is gathered related to the travel activity of County Supervisor Paul Biane and incoming County Administrative Officer Greg Devereaux, it is becoming very apparent that both men are on opposite sides of the coin.

In 2008, both men accompanied local businessmen to West Viriginia for a football and golf outing.

However, their stories in local newspapers diverge from here out.

Devereaux appears to have made an honest mistake in his reimbursement for the travel.

Devereaux was apparently unaware that the rule for reimbursement of private charter travel had been changed some 45 days before the trip.

The old rule, commonly referred to as the “Southwest Airlines” rule mandated the reimbursement for any private charter travel must be done so at the lowest available common carrier flight to the same destination available to the public. Devereaux complied.

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InlandPolitics Commentary: S.B. County: Disclosure of DA investigative report and other materials required by law

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The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors is expected to take-up the matter of the Ramos investigation and report next week. It would be nice to be a fly on the wall for this meeting.

Case law not only requires the disclosure of the report, but also other documentation from the four-month-long, $140,000 inquiry.

The controlling legal case governing the release is BRV, Inc. v. Superior Court, 143 Cal. App. 4th 742.

The BRV case involved the release of an investigation report into the conduct of a school superintendent, who was eventually given a ’sweetheart severance deal”, which was a matter of public concern. A local newspaper filed a lawsuit to have the report and related materials released.

The Superior Court denied the request to release.

The California Court of Appeal reversed the Superior Court and ordered the release. The California Supreme Court denied review.

Not only does the BRV case require disclosure of the report with certain identifying information redacted, it also requires the release of other supporting information. Continue reading →