Tag Archives: fppc

iePolitics: More on FPPC forms

Posted on by Administrator
1

Well I finally heard back from the Town of Apple Valley on my request.  They were going to try to charge me .25 a page for the forms.  I explained to the clerk that the most she can charge for FPPC 700s is .10 a page and that is state law.  She then proceeded to tell me that the town council passed a resolution that the town can charge .25 a page.  I explained to her that the town cannot overrule state law.  She said she would call me back and she did a few minutes later.  I will be picking up the forms on Monday at a cost of .10 a page.

That was almost a $10 difference.  Citizens who don’t know their rights get screwed over by government every chance government has.  Now we shall see if she tries to make me fill out a CPRA request when I get there, which is forbidden by state law.  But I’m sure there is a town resolution . . ..

iePolitics: FPPC and Victor Valley College

Posted on by Administrator
7

Last week I went in person to Victor Valley College and requested a copy of a FPPC Form 700 on one of their trustees.  Someone in the President’s office asked who I was and why I wanted it.  They refused to give it to me and told me to call the FPPC.

So today I did.  I was advised by the FPPC that any agency who refuses to provide Form 700s is breaking the law and I should file a complaint with the FPPC.  Not only that, it is illegal to ask who is making the request, for identification, or for the reason.  They only thing an agency can do is charge a maximum of .10 a page if hard copies are given to keep.

Continue reading →

iePolitics: BOS still protecting Dr. GnanaDev

Posted on by Administrator
1

The Board of Supervisors has updated the San Bernardino County Conflict of Interest Code at least once since we pointed out the fact that Dr. GnanaDev is listed as a Category 2 filer instead of a Category 1 filer, as he should be. Why is this important?

Continue reading →

iePolitics: Trying to remember

Posted on by Administrator
1

The first Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) complaint I ever filed was against First District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt and Reggie King from Young Homes.  I can’t remember the details except that King was trying to hide his campaign contribution through a defunct corporation or something like that.  I believe I filed under the money laudering section of the code.  Brad was required to amend his FPPC 460 and King received a warning letter.

Continue reading →

iePolitics: FPPC complaints against ALL San Bernardino County superior court judges?

Posted on by Administrator
10

Does anyone have a suggestion about how to get the FPPC form 700s on all San Bernardino County judges?  This has been going on since the middle of  last year.  I have made three formal written requests and they simply will not let me see them.   The only response I got was from the presiding judge and it was a stupid answer. I’m on the verge of filing a complaint with the FPPC against each and every judge.  Any suggestions?

Colton First: Colton CPOA under investigation

Posted on by Administrator
3

The Colton Police Officers Association is currently under investigation by the California Fair Political Practices Commission for  a variety violations of the California Political Reform Act, including failure to declare itself a political action committee as required by California state law.

Continue reading →

InlandPolitics: The Sun still protecting DA

Posted on by Administrator
5

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.

Continue reading →

iePolitics: The Ramos Fine

Posted on by Administrator
Reply

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.

Continue reading →

iePolitics: More on ARMC

Posted on by Administrator
4

Reading the spin from county personnel on the issues at San Bernardino County-run Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) has been interesting.  Or perhaps disgusting is a better word.

Some of you may remember the Fair Political Practices Commission complaint I filed back in March against Mark Uffer and Supervisors Paul Biane and Josie Gonzales.  I received notice from the FPPC that there was no violation despite the fact that all three of them along with countless others had been given free medical care at ARMC and did not report this gift of public funds on their FPPC Form 700s.

Continue reading →

Senor Blogger: Attorney For Group Supporting Paul Biane Admits They Violated Election Law

Posted on by Administrator
2

Don't vote for Paul Biane

File this under “It seemed like a good idea at the time.”

An independent expenditure campaign forms to target Janice Rutherford in her bid for a seat on the board of supervisors.

They use a supposed top-notch election law firm to handle the finances as well reporting requirements. They hire a spokesperson to handle press relations.

What could possibly go wrong?

Continue reading →

iePolitics: FPPC investigation into Ramos “ongoing”

Posted on by Administrator
Reply

Some may remember the FPPC complaint I filed against San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos about six months ago.  I had not received status on the complaint since a few weeks after I filed it.  I finally called up there to see if perhaps the letter had been lost in the mail.  I was told they will not give me status on an on-going investigation and will advise me when they have completed it.  So you will know when I know.

iePolitics: Guess what Ruthie has done now to embarrass the BOS

Posted on by Administrator
10

Back in early June, iePolitics was tipped off that Dr. Dev Gnanadev, medical director for Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC), had real property in San Bernardino County and the beach area that he was not reporting on his FPPC Form 700.  We were also advised that he employed his wife in his medical billing business and required some of the doctors that contract with ARMC to use his medical billing service.  His wife’s income was also not reported on his FPPC Form 700.

We obtained copies of his last four 700s and determined there were discrepancies.  We also had the Assessor’s Office check his name for real property and found several possible properties he did not claim in this county.  Because the information he put on his Form 700 was done very sloppily, it was hard to tell exactly how much he under-reported but it was clear he had not reported everything he was required to report.

Continue reading →

iePolitics: FPPC complaint filed against Al Vogler

Posted on by Administrator
1

As noted in the comment in the post below, one of Vogler’s latest targets, David Holman, has in fact filed a complaint with the Fair Political Practices Commission.   Campaign signs are required to have a disclosure statement on them.  Vogler’s Political Action Committee (PAC), the Hesperia Free Press,  which paid for the signs, was not identified on the signs.  For that matter, there was no identification whatsoever as to what PAC was behind paying for and placing the signs.

Continue reading →

iePolitics: ARMC: Our BOS wants more stupid?

Posted on by Administrator
2

So is our illustrious San Bernardino Board of Supervisors up to stupid again?  We hope not.  But we won’t know for sure until Tuesday’s meeting.  BOS agenda item No. 16 has left us scratching our heads.  This board item approves new,2-year contracts with all of the various medical providers for Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC), with the exception of the Anesthesia contract, which is extended six months.

ARMC has been under investigation almost continuously since the final quarter of 2009 for a variety of reasons including malpractice, patient abuse, billing issues, and violations of state regulations.  All three levels of government, federal, state and county, have been involved in these investigations and they have not been completed.  The situation at ARMC remains so dire that it could lose its Medi-Cal and Medicare funding which in turn could lead to the hospital being shut down.

Special Agents from the California Department of  Justice are currently investigating possible criminal misconduct at ARMC.  It is rumored that it has to do with, among other things, the medical care received by Supervisors Biane and Gonzales and former County Administrative Officer Mark Uffer and his family and friends.  That makes sense because otherwise it would be the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office investigating.  However that agency has very close personal ties with all involved and that is why it appears the investigation has been turned over from the District Attorney to the Attorney General.

There has been a battle going on at ARMC for months now.  Those doctors who are tired of the mismanagement and despotic rule by ARMC Medical Director Dr. Dev GnanaDev have started speaking out.  And at least one has paid a price for doing so, that being the doctor in charge of Anesthesia, which is why his group’s contract is being extended rather than receiving a new 2-year contract like all others at the facility.  Dr. GnanaDev wants to replace him with one of his own but there is too much heat to do so right now.

The new series of contracts has one change and that is there is a separate contract for Dr. GnanaDev as medical director and one for Dr. GnanaDev for patient care.  However, the conflicts of interest still exist: Continue reading →

Fred Karger: Californian’s Against Hate

Posted on by Administrator
15

Editor’s Note:  This is a mailing list I ended up on I suspect due to the post I wrote about Chris Lancaster.  For the record, in addition to ET, Al Vogler, and Barb Stanton, Assembly District 59 candidates Chris Lancaster, Ken Hunter and Tim Donnelly all participated in one aspect or another of the very bigoted campaign against Anthony Riley and/or Corey Calaycay.  I’ve got the emails to prove it in case they try to deny it.  Anyway, I really don’t hate Mormons.  I have always had a lot of respect for them.  But I had a huge issue with both Chris Lancaster, who is a Mormon, and Tim Donnelly, who I don’t believe is Mormon, preaching God and then participating in such hateful work.


June 11, 2010                                                                                    619-592-2008

Statement by Fred Karger, founder of Californians Against Hate, re Guilty Finding by the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) Against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church) Case #08-735

SACRAMENTO, CA – Today the FPPC, in an unprecedented ruling against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, found the Salt Lake City based Church guilty on 13 counts of late campaign reporting.  The Mormon Church was fined $5538 in an agreement worked out ending the 19 month long investigation.  The Church was the primary backer of California’s Proposition 8, which ended gay marriage in California two years ago.   The Mormon Church initially admitted to spending only $2078 to pass Prop 8.  When I filed my sworn complaint on November 13, 2008, they instantly attacked me. Continue reading →

iePolitics: Ramos Under Investigation By The FPPC – Again

Posted on by Administrator
1

San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos is once again under investigation by the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC)  See letter:

This is the second letter received from the FPPC on this matter. The first letter acknowledged receipt of the complaint and advised they would determine if there was enough evidence to investigate. The 460 speaks for itself so it would have been hard to say there is no evidence.

Basically, the complaint alleges that Ramos used his campaign account as a slush fund—something he is accusing everyone else of doing. And it appears that he used his campaign account so that his county credit card would not be scrutinized. Continue reading →

iePolitics: Ramos FPPC Complaint Moves Ahead

Posted on by Administrator
2

San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos and the treasurer for his re-election committee have been notified by the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) of the recently-filed complaint regarding their claim that there were a minimum of 127 credit card purchases under a $100 that did not have to be itemized on their Form 460.  This means that the Commission did not reject the complaint outright but will be investigating it further.

This is the second time in recent months Ramos has been the subject of a FPPC investigation.  Earlier, he was found to have not reported $10,000 in income given to his wife Gretchen for campaign-related functions.  Ramos paid a $200 fine to settle the claim.

iePolitics: Now that Mark Uffer is gone . . .

Posted on by Administrator
Reply

Magic Johnson is speaking on April 29, 2010, at the county-sponsored “Business Insight Series.”  I’m sure he will leave behind an autographed something or two.  So who gets it?  Whose Form 700 should it go on?  And who will take it but not report it? 

Only a handful of managers have been axed and most of the crooks are still employed by the county, so this should be yet another scandal to follow and yet another Fair Political Practices Commission complaint to file.  We’re chomping at the bit guys!

iePolitics: More FPPC and PIU Complaints

Posted on by Administrator
Reply

Before I get into the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) and Public Integrity Unit (PIU) complaints filed today, I owe everyone an explanation of the complaint filed last week.  It was filed against San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos alleging possible violation of the $100.00 per year cumulative payment to a single vendor rule, violation of campaign-related expenditure requirements, and misuse of campaign funds. Continue reading →

iePolitics: A New FPPC Complaint Against Mike Ramos

Posted on by Administrator
Reply

Although I am not going to give details until we know the complaint has been received by the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC), a new complaint has been sent to the FPPC for investigation.  I have been told that due to the nature of the complaint, the FPPC will contact the Ramos campaign for clarification.  We cannot imagine Mikey being able to provide adequate justification for his actions to convince the FPPC not to fine him.

Some time tomorrow afternoon, iePolitics will release the details of the complaint.

iePolitics: Will copulating with the District Attorney prevent criminal prosecution?

Posted on by Administrator
6

Twelve citizens of the city of Grand Terrace have a filed a request with District Attorney Mike Ramos to investigate one of his many mistresses for Government Code section 1090 violations.  Which mistress you may ask.  Yes, I realize it is difficult to keep them all straight.  This time around it is Bertha Bea Cortes, a councilwoman for Grand Terrace.

Cortes has bragged to community members about her relationship with Ramos and her use of that relationship to effect a prosecution of fellow councilman Jim Miller for, you guess it, Government Code section 1090 violations.  What’s that old adage about “living in glass houses”?

Unlike Miller, Cortes’ violations appear deliberate.  Additionally, Cortes, who sources indicate to iePolitics has children living in the home, reports no income whatsoever despite an active real estate license, and advertising by herself and her broker on her behalf.  It is unclear how she paid to keep her license active or for the advertising, or for that matter how she feeds and clothes her children with no income.  There are no $11,000 payments on Ramos’ 460 to Cortes, so her source of support remains a mystery.

Continue reading →

iePolitics: Deputy AG to Court: Erwin wants to be “special”

Posted on by Administrator
3

At the last court appearance former Assistant Assessor and Chief of Staff Jim Erwin made in front of Judge Duke Rouse, arguments were heard to have an evidentiary hearing to recuse the District Attorney’s office from Erwin’s case.  During those arguments, the deputy Attorney General assisting in the prosecution suggested to Judge Rouse that Erwin wants to be given “special” treatment.  This particular statement highlights the ignorance of the Attorney General’s office in reference to the political corruption in San Bernardino County. Continue reading →

iePolitics and inlandpolitics: Different Reasons For What We Do

Posted on by Administrator
2

Jim made me laugh this morning and doesn’t even know it. I’ve come to the conclusion that having separate blogs is a good thing. Our overall mission is the same, and we share most of the same targets. But we both have our “special” people or organizations that need our “special” attention.

For me, for example, my newest target is San Manuel. Those who have known me for years know I have a special place in my heart for Native Americans. It goes back to when I was 8 years old and my family moved to Tucson from Eagle Rock.  Even at that age I realized the disparate treatment of Native Americans.  Tucson at the time was almost in a depression and the poverty on the reservations rivaled any third-world country.  Anyway, I’ve spent my share of time on reservations since and love the culture.  If I had my choice right now I would be living near the Navajo Reservation in Arizona or the Zuni Reservation in New Mexico.

Continue reading →