iePolitics: So Jeff, are you enjoying yourself in Lake Arrowhead? – Originally published December 24, 2010

Editor’s Note:  It’s been a year since this was published.  Rex will be out soon.  At this point, of the Colonies Four, I do not know who is guilty of what.  I will say karma sure is a bitch.  I wonder if they realized when they sold Rex down the river to protect themselves they knew what they were bringing on themselves.  A year sure makes a difference, doesn’t it boys?  Any lessons learned?  I doubt it.  There is a very long trail of people some of you have used and then discarded like trash, isn’t there? Bet that karma is far from over.  Remember my crystal ball.  You should have listened the first time.  Merry Christmas.

While Rex is sitting in jail for a “conspiracy” he “committed” with you, you’re enjoying Christmas with your family at one of your other homes in Lake Arrowhead.  I’m sure he is enjoying his peanut butter and jelly sandwiches while the Burums and Richards and other Colonies partners are enjoying what . . . prime rib, roasted goose, caviar, wine, and all the fixings.  Any Rolex’s under the Christmas tree?

iePolitics: This is the part where I lose all respect

From a Press Enterprise article:

Burum spent $45,273.66 at the store — $12,675 for Erwin’s watch and $18,100 for a Breguet Heritage Grande watch for O’Reilly, according to receipts prosecutors provided as evidence. In his testimony, Burum confirmed the amounts, paid for with his black American Express card.

The only time he paid cash was for three female Asian masseuses that he called up to their condo, Burum said.

“Generally speaking, when I get out of town, I know you know, frankly, how to get a hold of, you know –” he testified.

“Entertainment,” Cope suggested.

“Entertainment,” Burum agreed.

Burum said he couldn’t recall exactly what the women were paid but estimated it was $100 to $200 each. They stayed about an hour or 90 minutes, he said. O’Reilly and Erwin both went into their bedrooms with a masseuse while Burum stayed on the couch with his masseuse, he said.

Later in the testimony, Burum denied receiving any sexual favors from his masseuse. Prosecutors have alleged that the women were prostitutes. Both Erwin and O’Reilly have denied using the services of prostitutes.

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iePolitics: So what does this do to the statute of limitations issues?

I’m wondering if we have any experts our there that can tell us that now that the feds are involved, do the statute issues go away?  This is one of at least ten conspiracy theories I have heard today.  In other words, there are those that believe that District Attorney Mike Ramos asked for the FBI to get involved because he wants to get the Colonies Four badly and the feds have the potential of charging them with many more crimes than will be allowed in state court because of the statute issues.  There are definitely some behind-the-scenes things going on that indicate that Mikey likes this and isn’t worried at all about the feds being here.

iePolitics: Talk about spin!

This is on the Sun’s website:

The federal agents arrived at Burum’s home and at his office minus investigators from the District Attorney’s or state Attorney General’s offices, said a source close to Burum on condition of anonymity.

“It’s clear they are starting over. They’re coming in to take a fresh look at all the evidence,” said the source. “It’s very typical of the federal government to come in and do their own investigation when they don’t think it’s been handled well by the state.”
Read more: http://www.sbsun.com/news/ci_18902033#ixzz1Y3ePYJJD

This is pretty funny.  They served search warrants on the good guys but left the bad guys alone?  That is not to say that I believe that the FBI/IRS is a tool of Mike Ramos.  I every reason to believe that is not even close to the truth.  But it doesn’t go down this way when law enforcement believes you are a victim and not a perpetrator.

iePolitics: Search warrants served at multiple locations

So far confirmed are the offices of Jeff Burum and Patrick O’Reilly and the home of Mark Kirk.

We have confirmed that there are up to seven law enforcement vehicles at the home of Mark Kirk.  It appears that his vehicle and garage have already been searched.  Agents have been at the location for a couple of hours.

Bill Postmus was NOT involved in today’s search.  We have not been able to confirm at this point if Jim Erwin has been served with a warrant today or not.

UPDATE:  The Sun is reporting that warrants were served at the home of Jim Erwin as well.  There is a nice slideshow of his home (or should I say of the agents raiding his home) on the Sun’s website.

Next Update:  We are hearing that nine warrants were served today.  So far confirmed are:  Jeff Burum’s home, Jim Erwin’s home, Mark Kirk’s home, Patrick O’Reilly’s business, National Core, and Diversified Pacific.  That leaves three additional locations.

SBSun: Defendants convicted without a trial

Editor’s Note:  I am a bit late in getting this posted due to lack of Internet access; however, I felt it is an important article.  The Sun and Press Enterprise stories have been very one-sided and seem to be written to taint the jury pool on purpose.

By Paul M. Mahoney
Posted: 08/04/2011 06:23:06 PM PDT

I live in Los Angeles County and am not involved as a participant in any way in the Colonies litigation.

This is in response to your editorial “Appalling portrait of leadership,” July 27. Usually, the newspaper maintains high journalistic integrity, but that editorial did not measure up. It is almost as if the newspaper, with that editorial and prior expos type articles about the Colonies settlement, is attempting to convict the defendants before there has been a trial.

You continuously refuse to acknowledge that the plaintiffs’ demand to settle was $300 million and just assume the $102 million settlement was a wasteful gift of public funds. Had no settlement been reached and had a jury awarded $200 million, would you have written the same editorial criticizing the San Bernardino County supervisors for not attempting to settle the case for less than the jury awarded?

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iePolitics: So who’s in the most trouble?

Jeff Burum

Due to the lack of an internet connection I have had to sit on the sidelines watching things transpire since the release of the transcripts last Friday.  I noticed the very BIG difference in reporting between the Sun and the Press Enterprise.  The Sun’s first story was just terrible.  It was choppy and didn’t make sense.  They have now revised it several times and it is a bit better.

The Press Enterprise, on the other hand, seemed to try for quality rather than speed and produced much better articles.  That being said, there is one gigantic omission in the Press Enterprise stories that make a big difference.

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iePolitics: So what happens if Kirk cuts a deal?

Think about it.  Kirk is not someone with a lot of backbone.  I know he is scared to death right now.  Of the Colonies Four, he is the most likely to cut a deal.  And that makes for interesting talk around the water cooler on the Fifth Floor.

Mark is good friends with both Jeff Burum and Greg Devereaux.  Jeff Burum and Greg Devereaux.  Greg Devereaux is very close with John Doe No. 2, the so-far unindicted co-conspirator and partner of Jeff Burum, Dan Richards.

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iePolitics: Now that the three-ring circus is over

I’ve been taken aback by some of the comments about the arrests of Jim Erwin, Mark Kirk, Paul Biane, and Jeff Burum.   At a personal level I was glad to see a couple of them arrested, not because I believe they should have been, but because they need to get off of their high horses and find out what it feels like to be wrongly accused by someone looking to strengthen their own political power.  All four were very powerful men who had a chance to prevent this from happening but chose to look the other way because it wasn’t their lives and livelihoods being affected. Now it is and it doesn’t feel so good to be on the receiving end.  That doesn’t make what happened to them right.

From the legal, the ethical, and the Constitutional level, what happened this week is wrong.  Cassie MacDuff’s comment is one of the egregious statements, outside of those by District Attorney Mike Ramos, that shows those who claim to want law and order want no such thing.  In reference to having to spend two nights in jail and have bail set exorbitantly high, she wrote:

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iePolitics: Hey boys, remember one name . . . Andrew Lamberto

Jim Erwin

Jeff Burum

Mark Kirk

Paul Biane

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, how do you boys feel now? Were the accommodations comfy? Food good?  Those stainless steel toilets are really special, aren’t  they?  Some people deserve such extravagance.   Like Rex. Because “He lied.”

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iePolitics: We were right

At least we were right to a degree.  I’m talking about the District Attorney’s office asking for and getting excessively high bails on the latest arrestees, Jeff Burum, Jim Erwin, Mark Kirk and Paul Biane.

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.

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iePolitics: Were they tricked?

Over the past few months, iePolitics has been given lots of info regarding the various scandals that often has seemed to be a setup.  Sometimes we print it; sometimes we don’t.

When I posted my “pool‘ post, it was based on backroom chatter we had been hearing, not the “info” usually sent our way through various channels.  Then on Sunday we heard that the John Does had been notified by the district attorney’s office that they would be allowed to turn themselves in.  We verified that yesterday and posted the indictment update.

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iePolitics: Jeff and Neil: Do you really want to share a cell with Jim?

We are hearing some pretty crazy stuff, except I’m beginning to think it’s not so crazy after all.  Anyone who knows Erwin knows he like to run his mouth.  But this time around it appears he has got the AG and DA believing it.  And I’m not so convinced he is making it up either.

  1. Jeff, does Jim really have $100,000,000 backing him in his defense?
  2. Neil, are you and Jim really closer than ever?  Are you really going to go down fighting together?

Seriously, if all the things Jim is sending our way are true, you two better be ready to meet Bubba.  I suspect Mikey is making those arrangements for you as I write this.

iePolitics: Behind the scenes, Part Three

I think everyone has noticed I changed the blog format a few days ago.  This new theme is extremely versatile and you will see some significant changes overtime.  I added the cross masthead last night with the intent of leaving it up just for Easter and then replacing it.  But as I started to write this post, I decided to leave it up longer as I need a reminder of why we do what we do and that we need to be doing it for the right reasons.

This post is the third in the series about those things that occurred behind the scenes that made Bill’s guilty plea came about.  It’s about those who fight for justice, not for justice sake, but for selfish reasons; for self-preservation.

I started to see a change in Bill’s attitude after Rex’s first trial ended in a mistrial.  It was hard not to have a change in attitude because we knew the facts of the case, facts that never saw the light of day in the courtroom during either trial.  The mistrial should have been a “not guilty” verdict.

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iePolitics: A couple of comments

When I read the op-ed piece by Jeff Burum I had to wonder to myself if there are things about the settlement he does not know.  His friends paint one picture of him; the district attorney’s office sure does paint a very different picture.

I do know that I truly hope he and his partners and the others on his side of the issue are getting the Los Angeles FBI involved in this investigation and the claims that that is being done are not simply posturing and smoke and mirrors.  I can honestly say I have zero faith in our justice system these days.

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IVDB: Colonies settlement: Justice means following facts

OpEd:  Jeff Burum

Created: 04/23/2011 07:07:31 AM PDT

It is clear to me that prosecutors want to re-create the history of the Colonies settlement without the facts and have no intention of clearing my name. Over the last two and a half years, they have not only ignored the facts of multiple court rulings but they have demonstrated a total disregard for the truth and the law.The truth will eventually come out and I will be cleared of the prosecutors’ purported “scheme to conspire.” After all, we live in a country where we all get equal protection under the law whether prosecutors like it or not. Trying to prove guilt where none exists underestimates the power of honesty and my belief in our great nation and its judicial system. We live in a country where a businessman like me from humble beginnings can stand up to government when government is wrong – whether it is a flood control district or a law enforcement division.

During the initial five years of continual courtroom battles, my partners and I fought against lawyers and government employees who forced us to build one of the largest flood control facilities in Southern California at our own expense. They misused their position of power and misstated the facts with taxpayer-funded lawyers who were constantly rewarded for giving bad legal advice. They believed we would either run out of money fighting back or we would just capitulate.

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iePolitics: Subpoenas and Johnson letters

Both the Sun and Press Enterprise are running stories tonight to tell you what we already did.  Four supervisors are being subpoenaed—Brad Mitzelfelt, Neil Derry, Gary Ovitt, and Josie Gonzales—to testify before a special grand jury convened since former Assessor Bill Postmus signed a plea deal to cooperate in the ongoing corruption investigations.

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Examiner.com: Former county assessor and chairman of the board agrees to plead guilty

In a surprise move this past Monday, former San Bernardino County Assessor and former Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, Bill Postmus, agreed to plead guilty to two charges in the ongoing corruption investigation into a 2006 settlement  in which the county  paid $102 million to Colonies Partners to end a 4-year legal battle.  Also, as part of the plea deal, Postmus pleaded guilty to one count of misappropriation of funds in a separate investigation into the Assessor’s Office.

Bill Postmus started his career as an elected official in 2000 at the age of 29, becoming the youngest member of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors since the 1800s.  He was a rising star that some went so far as to say could wind up in the White House one day.  Under his leadership, both his district, the largest county supervisorial district in the contiguous 48 states, and the San Bernardino County Republican Party, prospered.

But part way into his second term, things began to change.  Scuttlebutt started to be heard as early as 2005 and increased exponentially once Postmus announced he was running for Assessor while he was chairman of the Board of Supervisors.  It was a move everyone questioned as Postmus was the most powerful politico in the county and the Assessor would not wield nearly as much influence.

To read the rest of the story, click here.

iePolitics: Jeff Burum Blog?

This was sent to me this morning.  I wondered if it was real since it was JeffBurum.net and not JeffBurum.com.  Another person by the same name is an accountant in Colorado and already owns the .com.  Anyway, it appears to be real.  So here is the link:  www.jeffburum.net

We can only guess Jeff is trying to rebuild his reputation and counteract all the negative items on the web.  I guess we shall see.

iePolitics: See County Fly

Coflyonthewall wrote:  How petty can you be? I read Mr. Erwins blog for daily facts about the county, state, and national news. yours for funny gossip and “whats happening around town”. Juicy, probably not true gossip. At least he’s not giving us hard luck stories and begging for money all the time. How many times have you shut down?? All the time Mr. Erwin manages his blog without hard luck stories. My, my, my. my, my! Also he prints, everthing thing. Lets see if you do!

I apologize for the delay but I have not had much in the way of internet access  in the past couple of days.  I think you deserve a reply for several reasons.

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iePolitics: LaJolla, Dean, Rogers, etc.

Life has been A LOT busy lately, and honestly, some things I just don’t care enough about to bother answer justifying my actions.  However, I have a lull right now and thought I would take a few moments to explain a little about what happened with LaJolla, Traci Dean, Little Stevie Wonder (Steve Rogers), etc.

Back on January 5 I met with Traci Dean and Patricia Winkler for the first time.  I was aware of Traci for quite some time through Barb’s website and Traci’s postings on iePolitics.  I decided it was time to compare notes.

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iePolitics: Gutierrez transferred to Tehachapi

Rex Gutierrez has now been transferred to the next leg of his incarceration.  He is currently residing at Tehachapi.  He says the food is much better than at West Valley.  I’m sure all of his co-defendants and unnamed co-conspirators will want to visit him just like they all did at West Valley.  You need to let his wife know to tell him to send you a form so you can be cleared.

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iePolitics: More on Colonies–Is there any integrity left?

When I started to write the last entry on the Colonies corruption scandal, I had in my mind where I wanted to go with the post.   Unfortunately, that’s not where I ended up.  I thought I would try again.

The idea for this post had been floating around in the back of my mind for a week or so when somehow Bill and I got started talking about dying and the afterlife.  Bill made a comment to me “At least I know where I’m going when I die so I’m not afraid of death.”

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iePolitics: What I think of the Colonies scandal a year later

In a comment one of the bloggers asked me something along those lines.  This is a post I have been trying to write for a week or so.   If you dare to read it, expect it to be long and rambling as I have a lot to say about the scandal, the defendants and the John Does.  I’m not even sure where to start.

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.

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iePolitics: Colonies Partner’s wife draws line in the sand

I’m sure some may have read Sally Creb’s comment below.  Here is an excerpt:

Let’s hear some facts, how is my husband “linked in various ways” to the corruption in this County, anymore than you are? Because he is a “Burum associate”? You are right there, but more importantly, he is Jeff’s friend, and need I remind you, Jeff has not been charged or arrested for anything, unlike your associates. Based on your rationalization, and not knowing you, should I assume you are a drug addict or criminal by your association with Postmus?

This is the first time someone associated with one of the partners has publicly suggested that perhaps a corruption scandal figure is guilty of exactly what former Attorney General Jerry Brown and District Attorney Mike Ramos has accused them of.

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iePolitics: One last question for Sally, Jeff and the Fifth Floor

Why do you care?  Seriously.  Why do you care what I write on iePolitics?

First of all, I have been told that my blog is unprofessional and that you all prefer the consistency of  PC Blog.   That is the blog that is read by the “rich and powerful.”  It is read by the “important” people and the “people who count.”  Mine is read by low-level county employees and no one of importance.  I only get comments because of the low-level cops that read it.  Just ask its administrator.  That is what he told me.

I’ve been told that none of you really read iePolitics.  Devereaux denies reading it.  Dan Richards denies reading it.  Jeff Burum only notices if he gets something about himself in a Google Alert.  Mark Davidson gave up not long ago.  Mark Kirk gave up reading it over a year ago.  All the defense attorneys in the corruption cases deny reading it.  The entire Fifth Floor, with the exception of the Third District, denies reading it.  Sheriff Hoops tells me he doesn’t read it.  David Wert has told me he doesn’t care what it says.  Dean Arabatzis has told me he doesn’t read it.  I could go on and on.  NO ONE of importance reads iePolitics.

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iePolitics: So Sally, you want some proof?

So Sally, I am going to make you a deal  that I make anyone who accuses me of lying.  I will take a polygraph on what I’m about to write if Jeff Burum, the partners, Jim Erwin and Mark Kirk will also take polygraphs.

Here are two Jeff Burum stories:

Almost two years ago I had a running conversation going with Mark Kirk about ethics in San Bernardino County.  My argument to Mark was that if one is in a position of power, as he was, one has an obligation to right wrongs.  Mark and I disagreed about this.

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iePolitics: Relative of Colonies partner Ray Crebs charged in Upland FBI probe – Revised

Jason Crebs, son or son-in-law of Colonies Partner Ray Crebs, was one of two individuals charged in federal court in relationship to the ongoing FBI probe in Upland.  Public records indicate that Jason Crebs, 37, is the Chief Executive Officer of JRC Group in Upland.

Also charged was Anthony Orlando Sanchez.  On June 10, 2010, both Sanchez and Crebs were named in the search warrant served on Venture West Capital, where they both work.  A search warrant also named JRC Group.

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iePolitics: So why don’t we have a new District Attorney?

Riverside County District Attorney Paul Zellerbach was sworn in today, replacing the only district attorney in the state of California who could rival San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos in terms of political persecutions.  As a matter of fact, former-Riverside County District Attorney Rod Pacheco seemed to have totally lost it in the final days of his term.  His behavior could only be called bizarre.

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.

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iePolitics: Predictions for 2011

First off, it’s a little late in the day, but HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone.  Let’s start  with the easy predictions first.

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.”

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iePolitics: 2010: A year of deceit

As 2010 comes to a close, we can’t help but feel it was a year of disappointment in relationship to the County’s corruption scandal and much of that disappointment was based on deception.  We feel misled by those out to protect themselves at the expense of others.  Here are a few of things we were told that turned out just the opposite.

  • Credible candidate would run and be funded against Mike Ramos.
  • There would a press conference right after the June primary in relationship to a package turned over to federal authorities.  The package was said to have been compiled by private investigators for Jeff Burum showing District Attorney to be guilty of one solid felony.
  • Search warrants would be served on the District Attorney by the feds.
  • Steve Cooley would easily be elected as Attorney General and would review corruption cases.
  • Paul Biane would be re-elected. Continue reading

iePolitics: So who is going to be arrested next?

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

Investigators pursue cases across county
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.

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iePolitics: Twelve days down, 898 to go

While some of the John Does are glad Rex Gutierrez took his punishment without narc’ing them off and other corruption defendants believe he “deserved” it, we here at iePolitics refuse to forget him the way his former associates have.  Rex is currently incarcerated at West Valley Detention Center awaiting for room at state prison.

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iePolitics: Jeff Burum and Brad Mitzelfelt; Gary Ovitt

Got a tip this morning regarding a community center (?) that was built here in the high desert, funded by the county for a large sum of taxpayers money, because Jeff sat on the board of directors and Brad couldn’t say no as Brad is afraid of Jeff.  Can anyone give me additional information?

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iePolitics: Looks like the John Does could be in lots of trouble

I heard last week that the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office was claiming that the investigation into the Colonies Partners and the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors could go on for another two years and that more arrests are expected.  My first response was that the statute of limitations has expired and didn’t think much more of it.

Today I had lunch with a top-notch criminal defense attorney who is well known to this blog.  I got a lesson in statute of limitations.

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Capitol Weekly: Enviros target Fish & Game commissioner

Editor’s Note:  This is John Doe No. 2

State Fish and Game Commissioner Dan Richards is also a developer with a history of clashing with environmental groups.

Now those groups are trying to play hardball to get him removed, alleging undisclosed conflicts of interests — and an intimate involvement in the saga of disgraced San Bernardino County assessor Bill Postmus. The environmentalists’ initial attack was dismissed in the courts, but they say others are coming.

Richards, meanwhile, has denied all wrongdoing.

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iePolitics: DA Liar No. 3

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.

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iePolitics: Where are the arrest warrants for Jeff Burum, Mark Kirk, Gary Ovitt?

I want to see some action.  The District Attorney’s Office claims they prosecute criminals based on evidence, not on politics.  It is time they prove it.

Yesterday former Assessor’s Office employee Rex Gutierrez was convicted of conspiring with former Assessor Bill Postmus and West End developer Jeff Burum.  It is time now to prosecute both Postmus and Burum for the same crime.  Neither have been charged.  What is the District Attorney waiting for?

Also yesterday, Gutierrez was convicted of time card fraud.  Numerous Exempt employees are as guilty or more guilty than Gutierrez.  It is time we clean up the Fifth Floor.

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SBSun: Firm targeted in Gutierrez trial stands by its decisions

Joe Nelson, Staff Writer

Posted: 10/24/2010 05:41:24 AM PDT

Representatives of a national low income housing nonprofit stand behind a $42.5 million project approved by Rancho Cucamonga in 2007 that became a focal point in the criminal trial of Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez.

City Council members approved the project proposed by National Community Renaissance, or National CORE, on a 4-0 vote in August 2007. City Manager Jack Lam, who was the city redevelopment agency’s chairman at the time, Mayor Don Kurth, and redevelopment director Linda Daniels, who opposed the project, were all absent when the vote occurred.

The project entails the refurbishing of four apartment complexes in the city, and set affordability rates for the units at 99 years.

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InlandPolitics: Lack of case evident in final day of Gutierrez trial

Thursday, October 21, 2010 – 01:15 p.m.

www.inlandpolitics.com

The final day in the trial of former San Bernardino County Assessor employee and Rancho Cucamonga city councilman Rex Gutierrez had some interesting events of note.

Gutierrez is charged with three felony counts related to alleged time card fraud during his employment under former Assessor Bill Postmus.

Events not covered by the local newspapers of course.

Two significant parts in Wednesdays proceedings was courtesy of key witness Adam Aleman and defense lawyer Jim Reiss.

Reiss recalled Aleman to the stand to further exploit Aleman’s inability to tell the truth.

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iePolitics: No reason to let the truth get in the way of a conviction

According to Adam Aleman, Rancho Cucamonga developer Jeff Burum called former Assessor Bill Postmus and told him to give Rex Gutierrez a job.  And the District Attorneys office is quite happy to let the jury think that.  It makes their story of a grand conspiracy all the more believable.  There is one problem.  DA investigators never bothered to follow up on Aleman’s claim to verify it.

The truth is a little different.  What actually happened, had the investigators bothered to ask, is Burum and Jim Erwin were talking, as they often do since they are friends.  Burum mentioned Gutierrez and the fact he needed a job closer to home.  Burum asked if there were any jobs open in the Assessor’s Office—ANY!

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