iePolitics: California’s First Dog
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Tag Archives: Jerry Brown
iePolitics: A cop lie?
This story was sent to me tonight because it was aired on 48 Hours this evening and a local private investigator is featured. The person watching it knew that I had been interviewed by Paul Ingels last year and was very impressed with what he did for this victim of the justice system. Here is a video but the complete story can be found at the link above. Paul also has some links to the story on his site.
I added Paul in under “Attorneys” for those of you who might need his services in the future.
iePolitics: A budget deal?
We are hearing that Governor Brown has his votes to put the taxes on the ballot. It’s not too hard to figure out who on the Senate side may turncoat as five Republicans have been very vocal.
iePolitics: DA Ramos has friend in Governor
From the KNews website:
San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael Ramos met with Governor Brown in Sacramento Thursday. The meeting was to discuss the budget and public safety. Ramos said the get together with Brown was positive and productive. The two also discussed the issue of realignment, or moving some state services to the control of counties. For example, the parole system and the state-controlled part of the juvenile justice system. Ramos said, “I know the governor understands that public safety is a priority for the residents of San Bernardino County and the State of California.”
iePolitics: The Governor’s Welfare Budget
State Budget Bulletin – January 10, 2011
Brown’s Budget Proposes Painful Cuts Affecting Low-Income Californians
Revenue Solutions Also Proposed As Part of the Mix
Newly-elected Governor Jerry Brown unveiled his proposed budget for the 2011-12 fiscal year. His budget proposes $12.5 billion in spending cuts, $12 billion in revenue extensions and changes, $1.9 billion in other “budget solutions” and a $1 billion reserve. The plan addresses an 18-month budget gap of $25.4 billion, which includes a current year deficit of $8.2 billion and a budget year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012) deficit of $17.2 billion.
iePolitics: Will our BOS follow Brown’s lead?
Governor Jerry Brown
Governor Jerry Brown, a Democrat, is returning $7 million to the state’s treasury and cutting his office budget by 25 percent. According to an article in the January 8, 2011, edition of the San Francisco Chronicle:
As expected, Brown axed the secretary of education position, an advisory office under the governor that was worth $1.9 million annually. Brown also returned the lion’s share of transition funds allocated to him, spending just $120,000 of the $770,000 available.
He also cut $4.5 million from the governor’s office’s $18 million annual budget, in part by eliminating the office of the first lady. Brown’s wife, Anne Gust Brown, has already taken an unpaid position as special counsel to the governor.
“California is facing a huge deficit and it is necessary to find savings throughout all of government,” Brown said in a written statement. “We all have to make cuts and I’m starting with my own office.”
In order to cut one-quarter from his office’s budget, Brown eliminated the position of cabinet secretary and all deputy cabinet secretaries. He cut press and communications staff; closed field offices in San Diego, Riverside and Fresno; and cut the governor’s Washington, D.C., office staff. Additionally, as Brown announced in December, he eliminated the office of Laura Chick, the special inspector general appointed by former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to audit federal stimulus spending in California. That position was temporary and set to expire midyear.
So, if a Democrat can do it, how about our four Republican members of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors? Do you all really need deputy chiefs of staff, district directors, or media relations staff? Do you really need more than one field office? We think not.
iePolitics: Ramos named to state Board of Education
James Ramos
Governor Jerry Brown appointed San Manuel Tribal Chairman James Ramos to the California Board of Education. Ramos also serves on the San Bernardino Community College Board of Trustees.
Ramos was among seven Democrats named to the board today by Brown. Brown was expected to make five appointments, however, the Senate chose not to confirm two Schwarzenegger appointments, Ted Mitchell and David Lopez, giving Brown the ability to appoint a majority of the board to help form his own education policy.
iePolitics: Will Rex have his sentence commuted tonight too?
We hear that Governor Schwarzenegger reduced the prison sentence of former Speaker of the Assembly Fabian Núñez’ son from 16 years to 7 years. Earlier this year, Núñez and an accomplice pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the stabbing death of a college student at San Diego State University.
iePolitics: Former BOS member gets Governator’s nod
Patty Aguiar, who replaced her husband Fred Aguiar on the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, was just given a last-minute appointment to the Board of Veterinary Medicine by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. He was expected to make approximately 400 such appointments before turning over the state to Governor-elect Jerry Brown.
SBSun: San Bernardino County district attorney attends meeting with Gov.-elect Jerry Brown
Editor’s Note: This certainly makes us wonder what we have been led to believe about Ramos. We also hear that he is going to continue in his position to the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board under Governor-elect Brown. Makes us wonder.
Posted: 12/16/2010 07:22:55 PM PST
San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael A. Ramos was among a statewide contingent of law enforcement officials who met with Gov.-elect Jerry Brown this week to discuss major issues.Among the items discussed, Ramos said he was concerned about a future loss of revenue from the sun-setting Vehicle License Fund, state prison realignment discussions and the state budget. The meeting occurred Monday at Brown’s office in Sacramento.
iePolitics: It’s time for John and Ken to get back into action
Barbara Cram Riordan
Earlier this year popular KFI 640 radio talk show hosts John and Ken focused a number of shows on the California Air Resources Board (CARB), detailing the facts that show the agency is out of control. The upcoming implementation of AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act, only makes this very powerful agency all the more dangerous to the teetering economy of California.
John and Ken primarily focused their attention on Mary D. Nichols, who is the chairperson for CARB. Nichols was first appointed to the CARB in 1978 by then-Governor Jerry Brown. She served under Brown until 1983. She was reappointed as chairman in 2007 by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
iePolitics: If Meg loses . . .
I read the polls and shake my head. It appears we are going to elect Jerry Brown as governor once again. That amazes me.
I know we have a Democratic majority, and in a normal election year with normal candidates, a Democratic win would be expected. But this election cycle and these two candidates are anything but normal.
After two years of Obama, Republicans are expected to do well in most regions of the country, with lifelong politicians having a rougher time of it. California seems to be bucking that trend. It appears we are going to elect someone who has lived almost his entire life on the public dole.
Again, that amazes me. Jerry Brown is old, not that that is a bad thing except he comes across as almost senile at times due to the effects of illicit drug use on his brain. Jerry Brown also has history—a history of running the state into the ground once before. Jerry Brown has been outspent and he is not very appealing; he’s boring.
Meg is a moderate Republican who offers commonsense change. She proposes running the state more like a business, and unlike Brown, has real-life experience in building a profitable business. So why do the voters seem to be on the verge of rejecting Meg?
SBGrapevine: Editorial: Time for the US Department of Justice to Step in: Compelled to Deceive – Part Three
Adam Aleman
Are you listening US Attorney? San Bernardino County is in crisis. It is a crisis that mocks our justice system; one that distorts the truth; and one where integrity is a forgotten. Bringing about justice is no longer the highest priority of our county prosecutors; winning at any and all cost is their goal—a goal that has little to do integrity, truth or . . . justice.
There are many lesser-known stories of justice gone awry in our county. Ours starts with a little-known manager at the local Outback Steakhouse who went on to make headlines. His name is familiar to all of us. It is Adam Aleman.
Aleman caught the attention of then-Supervisor Bill Postmus many years ago. He eventually left Outback Steakhouse to become a member of Postmus’ Board of Supervisors staff.
SbGrapevine: Mitzelfelt Gains Statewide Profile with Global Warming Suspension
AB32, written by Assembly members Fabian Nunez and Fran Pavley, was signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on September 27, 2006. It is known as the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006.
The Act requires that the level of greenhouse emissions be reduced to 1990 levels by 2020, with the first reductions required to begin in 2012. Greenhouse gases include:
- Carbon dioxide (CO2)
- Methane (CH4)
- Nitrous oxide (N2O)
- Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
- Perfluorocarbons (PFCs)
- Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)
It is estimated that, based on levels in 2006 when the bill was passed, greenhouse gases would have to be reduced by 25 percent. Opponents to the Act argue this is an impossible goal at this time with today’s technology without forcing a number of industries to move out of California. The Act is considered a “job killer” in a state where unemployment has reached near all-time highs.
InlandPolitics: Conspiracy evidence reinforces ‘politically-motivated’ allegation
“I am always troubled when the publicity regarding a case exceeds the evidence,” Levenson said. “It creates these incredibly high expectations, and it’s very damaging to the defendants, and we don’t even know if the evidence will support the charges.”
Laurie LevensonFormer Federal Prosecutor and Professor of LawLoyola Law School(Excerpt from article printed in The Sun on 08/26/2010)
Sunday, September 26, 2010 – 3:00 p.m.
What a difference six months can make.
After nearly a year and a half of making claims of political retaliation. The facts seem to be coming home to roost.
The defendants in the alleged conspiracy case involving the $102 million dollar settlement between the County of San Bernardino and Colonies Partners have now received substantial evidence in the case, including the grand jury testimony of current and former county supervisors, former county administrative officer Mark Uffer and his moral compass, various county staffers, and other witnesses.
iePolitics: D-Day is nearing
Today’s article by Joe Nelson of the Sun is almost amusing to those of us who have been close to San Bernardino County’s “biggest corruption scandal in the county’s history.” Joe has finally figured out what we have been telling him for a year or so now. Yes, D-Day is nearing and it ain’t gonna be pretty.
The local media has not missed a beat in the years-long corruption scandal. There has been nary a day without a headline or two referencing some aspect of the ongoing investigation, arrests, and prosecution.
But the reporting has been a bit skewed. Well, actually, some reporters have seemed incapable of critical thinking or even basic investigative reporting. Almost all have taken a “if Mike Ramos said it, it must be true” approach to these stories.
SbGrapevine: Editorial: “Corruption on Steriods”
County of Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley
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.
InlandPolitics: S.B County: Senior Republicans level stinging criticism at Ramos
- Written by Senor Blogger
- Posted August 30, 2010 at 9:09 am
Ramos with Attorney General Jerry Brown
Sunday, August 29, 2010 – 11:50 pm
San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos, the architect of a corruption probe against various current and former San Bernardino County officials, has now become the recipient of criticism from senior republicans.
One elected official is even is asserting that prosecutions brought by Ramos may in fact be politically motivated.
U.S. Representative Jerry Lewis (R-Redlands) and incoming minority leader, State Senator Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga), in recent interviews published in Monday’s Press-Enterprise “Political Notebook” render some ominous criticism of Ramos.
The following is an excerpt from the column related to Ramos.
Inland Rep. Jerry Lewis, R-Redlands, said last week that the ongoing corruption scandals in San Bernardino County have not affected his work in Washington.
InlandPolitics: The Insider: Was Jerry Brown lied to?
- Written by The Insider
- Posted August 29, 2010 at 2:46 pm
Sunday, August 29, 2010 – 2:40 pm
It’s finally crunch time in the multi-year corruption probe launched by San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos.
And one has to wonder what Ramos told Attorney General Jerry Brown in regards to his evidence?
There’s a bigger question starting to be asked by some close to the investigation.
Was Brown lied to?
iePolitics: Another Fifth Floor arrest . . . or two?
That is the rumor. To be more exact, the rumor is that Mark Kirk will be arrested for time card fraud before the Rex Gutierrez case gets underway in a few weeks. We are also hearing Paul Biane’s arrest is imminent.
These rumors can almost always be traced back to our favorite yellow singing Canary, Confidential Informant No. 1, Mr. Max Factor himself, Adam Aleman. It seems that every time Mikey has to face bad news he deflects with disinformation through Adam.
iePolitics: The Postmus arrest – behind the scenes
Yesterday’s arrest of former San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus was not much of a surprise to anyone close to this case. What was more of a surprise was how blatantly the San Bernardino County Public Integrity Unit (PIU) went out of their way to keep from having to present their case at the preliminary hearing.
The first trick up Deputy District Attorney Lewis Cope’s sleeve was to present the defense with “new” evidence from with the previous 48 hours. Well that was the story. But the story changed. Here is the new story according to the Sun:
Prosecutor Lewis Cope expressed disappointment Thursday that he was unable to proceed with the preliminary hearing.
The new report provided to defense attorneys, Cope said, will not change the way he plans to present his case.
“It’s unfortunate in this case that the timing worked out this way, because we would have liked to have moved forward,” Cope said.
The hearing was postponed until September 23, 2010, giving the district attorney more time to investigate the same old stuff even more. But that’s not what they said, you say. And you would be quite gullible if you believe what Cope claimed. His actions yesterday spoke much louder than anything he stated.
iePolitics: Too bad the FBI won’t make arrests in the Fourth District and beyond
I guess I had what some might call an epiphany this week. Many of our readers would say it is about time.
You see, for the first time since the corruption scandal started, I genuinely want to see Mark Kirk, Gary Ovitt, Greg Devereaux, and others led away in handcuffs, booked and serve some jail time. Do I believe it will happen? No, I don’t. I still feel the Colonies Settlement is clean.
Everything else in the Fourth District office, however, is not so clean. But the problem is that neither Mikey and Moonbeam or the FBI will look at the real dirt. Mikey and Moonbeam are too busy accepting campaign donations from SEBA and SBPEA. The FBI isn’t interested in the kind of real corruption that goes on in this county.
In this instance, it is simply not the sort of thing the FBI will get involved with. I’m not suggesting there will not be arrests made, just not arrests of the county’s most corrupt individuals, except possibly Mikey.
iePolitics: The US Department of Justice has been busy today
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iePolitics: More information on FBI probe
Additional information regarding the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) probe into the San Bernardino County corruption scandal has been trickling into iePolitics. It appears there are two general areas the Bureau is concentrating on: all investigations conducted by District Attorney Mike Ramos’ Public Integrity Unit (PIU) and the Superior Court bench.
Based upon questions being asked by agents, this investigation is wide-ranging. iePolitics has been told that questions are being asked regarding various real estate deals; destruction of records by former Third District Supervisor Dennis Hansberger; disparity in handling the various FPPC complaints by Ramos against Penrod, Erwin, Biane, Devereaux, and others; the difference in the way in which 1099 charges against Jim Miller and Bea Cortes were handled; the POST scandal; possibly several of the issues at ARMC (regarding Supervisors Biane and Gonzales); and much more.
CRP: Democrats begin jockeying for 2014 Democratic gubernatorial nomination
Rep. Loretta Sanchez forms 2014 Gubernatorial Committee
With growing doubts surrounding Jerry Brown’s highly competitive race for Governor, Congresswomen Loretta Sanchez announced yesterday she’s forming a Committee to raise money for a gubernatorial run in 2014.
With Jerry Brown running an uninspired campaign for Governor, jockeying for the 2014 nomination for Governor has already begun,” said Crystal Feldman, press secretary for the California Republican Party. “Nervous Democrats, uneasy over Brown’s likelihood of capturing the Governor’s office and extending his decades-long tenure on the California state payroll, are starting to hedge their bets. Even Brown’s supporters are showing uneasiness that he has no plan to create jobs, lacks any proven ability to manage budgets and protect taxpayers, and has no clear path to restore California’s economy. After 40 years in politics controlling Sacramento’s back rooms, it looks like Democrats are poised to issue Jerry his gold watch and move toward the next chapter.
iePolitics: County’s top lawyers all on thin ice
San Bernardino County’s three top lawyers may be “former” employees by year’s end. San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos, Public Defender Doreen Boxer, and County Counsel Ruth Stringer all are in precarious positions at best.
Although mainstream media has refused to cover the antics of District Attorney Mike Ramos, iePolitics and InlandPolitics have covered them extensively. We have been accused of libeling poor Mikey. But the seeds he has sown are about to come back to haunt him and prove that we are the ones with truth on our side.
iePolitics: Canary caught in a conspiracy?
It seems our favorite yellow singing Canary, Confidential Informant No. 1, “persona au gratin,” none other than Adam Aleman, has been caught in yet another lie. Imagine that—not our little Adam! Tell us it ain’t so.
Discovery has been trickling into defense counsel at a snail’s pace, if at all. Imagine defense counsel Jim Reiss’ surprise when, while being questioned under oath in the Rex Gutierrez corruption trial, Aleman claimed he had interviewed over a hundred times with district attorney investigators.
InlandPolitics: Oops! LA County District Attorney investigating Bell since March
Yes, Attorney General Jerry Brown repeatedly claims he’s all over the City of Bell salary scandal.
Brown’s office has subpoenaed thousands of city records. He’s giving city officials twenty-four hours to turn them over.
Otherwise one can infer search warrants will be the order of the day.
But, maybe Brown should have checked with Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley before embarking on his politically charged grand standing.
Yesterday Cooley revealed his office has a wide ranging investigation into Bell to include election fraud in addition to the salary issue. An investigation that started last March.
InlandPolitics: The Brown-Biane saga – Part 2
- Written by Administrator
- Posted July 11, 2010 at 6:05 pm
The ongoing saga involving San Bernardino County supervisor Paul Biane and his apparently former chief of staff Matt Brown just keeps getting better and better.
During our last update we informed you that Brown was reportedly balking at taking a position in the Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector’s office.
Sources at the time were telling InlandPolitics.com Brown wanted his legal bills paid for by the county.
InlandPolitics: Brown not laughing any longer
- Written by Administrator
- Posted July 11, 2010 at 5:10 pm
A little less than two weeks ago California Attorney General and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown was poking at Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman over the millions she had spent to date, and the fact he still had a 5 point lead in a recent poll.
Remember the invite Meg to tea comment?
Then came last Wednesday. The widely respected Field Poll had Whitman and Brown in a statistical tie. Brown stopped laughing.
So much for that lead. A lead Brown will likely never see again.
iePolitics: Holy Cow Robin! Can I be your Batman?
Moonbeam and Robin
Batman: “Haven’t you noticed how we always escape the vicious ensnarements of our enemies?”
Robin: “Yeah, because we’re smarter than they are!”
Batman: “I like to think it’s because our hearts are pure.”
Riddle me this readers: What were they thinking?
“What was who thinking?” you say. Our men in tights . . . our caped crusaders . . . our dynamic crime fighting duo . . . Moonbeam and Mikey . . . oops, I mean Batman and Robin.
That’s right! Moonbeam had been wandering aimlessly along in the fog for far too long until he ran right smack dab into the “crime of the century.” Robin had been fighting corruption in San Bernardino County by his lonesome since his Batman retired (Hoops isn’t into wearing tights and a cape) so he eagerly welcomed his new “partner”—Hackleman’s term, not mine, and we won’t go any further with that visual—and our dynamic duo was united. (See photo on office wall.)
SBSun: Chicago-style politics comes to county
Editor’s Note: Just remember we said it first, third and fifth! (Fox said it second and Erwin fourth.) And we were ridiculed for saying it.
Richard Grenell
Posted: 07/08/2010 07:57:06 PM PDT
In the aftermath of the announcement that District Attorney Mike Ramos’ team failed miserably to prove that Rex Gutierrez participated in a conspiracy or lied on his time card, there was one little-noticed comment that stood out.Assistant District Attorney Jim Hackleman, Mike Ramos’ appointed hatchet man, accidentally confirmed a suspicion many San Bernardino County residents had suspected for many months. Hackleman was asked by the media if the DA’s Office would seek a re-trial of their failed and costly conspiracy case and his comments were very telling. Hackleman proved just who was driving this wild political investigation when he said, “We’re going to sit down with our partners in the Attorney General’s office and will thoroughly review and refine our case with them.”
InlandPolitics: Corruption cases problematic for Brown
Written by The Insider
- Posted July 1, 2010 at 11:19 am
District Attorney Mike Ramos / Attorney General Jerry Brown
Thursday, July 1, 2010 – 10:00 a.m.
Once thing is for certain.
San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos drawing Attorney General Jerry Brown into his crusade against his political enemies was a smart move.
Even though Defendant Jim Erwin pushed him into it. Continue reading
iePolitics: The Significance Has Been Lost
As I read various blog comments and accounts of Rancho Cucamonga City Councilman and former San Bernardino County Assessor employee Rex Gutierrez’ corruption trial and non-verdict, I realize the magnitude of what happened Wednesday is lost on most. Let me explain.
The District Attorney pulled out all stops to keep this case from going to trial any sooner than necessary due to his re-election campaign and fear certain information might come out during the trial. Gutierrez refused to waive time further. The District Attorney used every procedural delay available and the trial did not commence until the last possible moment. The District Attorney was hoping a smoking gun would materialize but it never did. The District Attorney’s hand was forced. Continue reading
InlandPolitics: Inland Empire Republicans for Jerry Brown?
- Written by Administrator
- Posted June 14, 2010 at 8:17 am
In the Inland Empire there is always an interesting political dynamic afoot.
This one is a beauty.
Sources tell InlandPolitics that San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos, a Republican, has embarked on an effort to fulfill a commitment he made to Democratic candidate for Governor Edmund “Jerry” Brown.
The commitment? Form a group of local influential Inland Empire Republicans to support Brown in the November showdown with GOP nominee Meg Whitman. Something that would be interesting to say the least, but highly improbable. Continue reading
Fox News: California Primary Bucks the Trend
By Christian Whiton
Published June 09, 2010
In Tuesday’s California primary elections, the state bucked the trend elsewhere where conservative candidates have been ascendant. The two big GOP nomination races, for governor and U.S. senator, were won easily by Meg Whitman and Carly Fiorina. They both trounced more conservative rivals in elections marked by surprisingly low turnout in this year of the tea party. The primary reason: money.
Whitman flooded a primary opponent who sought to reduce California’s sky-high taxes on businesses and individuals. She committed an estimated $71 million of her own funds. Fiorina, who spent at estimated $5 million of a personal fortune, amassed 57 percent of the vote and easily defeated conservative state Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, a west coast version of Florida’s Marco Rubio, and fiscally conservative former Congressman Tom Campbell. Continue reading
InlandPolitics Commentary: S.B. County Supervisors should waive privilege, if possible
- 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.
iePolitics: To Waive or Not to Waive
It is expected that the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors will discuss the California Attorney General’s request that the county waive its attorney-client privilege regarding the $102 million Colonies settlement in closed session during their April 27, 2010, regularly-scheduled meeting. Second District Supervisor Paul Biane and Fourth District Supervisor Gary Ovitt have both recused themselves. Third District Supervisor Neil Derry and Fifth District Supervisor Josie Gonzales have suggested they will vote in favor of waiving privilege. Only Supervisor Mitzelfelt has not committed one way or another.
In a strongly-worded letter, Senior Assistant Attorney General Gary Schons threatened county supervisors with legal action if they did not waive their attorney-client privilege. However, the supervisors’ duty is to the citizens of San Bernardino County, not an Attorney General grandstanding for political benefit. Continue reading
iePolitics: Postmus/Erwin Arraignment Sends District Attorney’s Office into Meltdown
This morning’s scheduled arraignment for former Assessor Bill Postmus and former Assistant Assessor Jim Erwin was postponed until April 26, 2010, so that the defendants could finalize arrangements for legal counsel. The hearing also provided the defendants’ attorneys a forum to notify the court and the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office and the state of California Attorney General’s Office of the fact that neither defendant will waive time. This revelation sent both agencies into meltdown. Continue reading
iePolitics: “Attorney General Brown Charges Ramos with Fraud”
Ok Publius, before you jump on my case about taking meds, perhaps you should reconsider the advice you give your boss. Generally, before charging and arresting individuals, investigators investigate. It’s not the other way around, i.e., conducting the investigation after the arrests are made. Not to mention the fact that you have libeled and slandered at least six politicos/businessmen in the community without just cause to promote Mikey’s political career.
So, now the District Attorney and Attorney General want the county to relinquish its attorney/client privilege so it can get around to investigating the Colonies settlement. Duh! Why didn’t I think of that? Continue reading
iePolitics: Moonbeam’s Colonies Debacle Tied to Whitman?
iePolitics has learned from a well-placed West-End source that the February 10, 2010, incoherent spectacle produced by San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos and California Attorney General Jerry “Moonbeam” Brown, charging former Assessor Bill Postmus and former Assistant Assessor Jim Erwin with multiple felonies, including bribery and embezzlement, may have had a much more far-reaching purpose. And that “purpose” has to do with one unnamed, but very identifiable, John Doe; John Doe No. 1, i.e., Jeff Burum, to be exact.
The underlying scheme of Ramos’ recent interest in “cleaning up corruption in San Bernardino County” is oft-discussed by political insiders. His crusade came about only after his power base took a major hit due to the defeat of political crony and powerbroker, San Bernardino County Third District Supervisor Dennis Hansberger, by dark horse candidate Neil Derry. Continue reading
InlandPolitics: S.B. County DA: The rule of “Do as I say, not as I do” raises questions
A major allegation contained in the recent announcement of charges in the “windshield crack-like” corruption investigation into San Bernardino County government by District Attorney Mike Ramos and Attorney General Edmund “Jerry” Brown has some interesting twists.
Ramos earlier this week announced a series of reforms necessary to put the power of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors in check. Continue reading
iePolitics: You know Adam, that is so true!
Adam,
This comment was just posted to the blog:
Adam:
You could still save yourself if you actually told the truth to someone with a FEDERAL badge. If, as Sharon says, you were coerced and threatened, it would be Ramos and Moonbeam who would be facing RICO charges.
I hear from mutual friends that you are starting to get scared, and scared you should be. I know I could pass a polygraph if I had to over what I’ve reported as you having said to me and I also know I’m not the only one you’ve said it to.
As angry as I am for what your lies have done to people I know and care about, I have always felt sorry for you, but mostly for your parents. You have put your family through hell. Continue reading
iePolitics: Not enough arrests for Ramos’ political career?
Sources close to the investigation have revealed that San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos wanted to have arrest warrants issued for all five John Does at the same time that warrants were issued for former Assessor Bill Postmus and former Assistant Assessor Jim Erwin. It was Attorney General Jerry Brown who crushed Ramos’ plan to arrest Colonies Partners Jeff Burum and Dan Richards, consultant Patrick O’Reilly, Fourth District Chief of Staff Mark Kirk and Second District Supervisor Paul Biane. It was also Brown who insisted that they not be personally named in the complaint.
iePolitics: “If only I had a brain”
One can only imagine the discussion during the special closed-door San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, February 16, 2010, called by Supervisor Josie Gonzales. I wonder which of the four remaining supervisors will be blessed with the duty of having to explain to Gonzales the identities of John Does 4 and 5. At least it will be entertaining for the others.
So Josie, since you seem to think the Board of Supervisors needs to investigate itself, where do you propose to start? Do you realize that all four of the remaining supervisors and a number of their support staff “profitted” from the Colonies settlement in one way or another. So, do you believe that the other four supervisors should place themselves on Administrative Leave and let you run the show? Continue reading
iePolitics: Hmm . . . Isn’t this what Moonbeam and Lil’ Willy just did?
Check out 182(a)(2), 182(a)(3) and 182(a)(5)
PENAL CODE SECTION 182
182. (a) If two or more persons conspire:
(1) To commit any crime.
(2) Falsely and maliciously to indict another for any crime, or to procure another to be charged or arrested for any crime.
(3) Falsely to move or maintain any suit, action, or proceeding.
(4) To cheat and defraud any person of any property, by any means which are in themselves criminal, or to obtain money or property by false pretenses or by false promises with fraudulent intent not to perform those promises.
(5) To commit any act injurious to the public health, to public morals, or to pervert or obstruct justice, or the due administration of the laws.
(6) To commit any crime against the person of the President or Vice President of the United States, the Governor of any state or territory, any United States justice or judge, or the secretary of any of the executive departments of the United States. They are punishable as follows: Continue reading
iePolitics: The Governor’s Race
Months ago some Republican operatives were quietly admitting defeat in the Governor’s race no matter which of the then-three candidates won the Republican nomination. I didn’t like that defeatest attitude but have slowly resigned myself to the possibility of having Moonbeam as our governor again. It could be worse as the Governator has proven so I wasn’t too worried.
Now that we have seen Moonbeam in action right here in our own little county, we should all be grateful that Republican hopeful Meg Whitman is starting to grow on voters. Meg is not the best of orators, but once she receives the nomination, she REALLY needs to debate Moonbeam. Continue reading
Senator Barbara Boxer: Moonbeam and Babs
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iePolitics: The Colonies Settlement Agreement, Part I
Yesterday’s new conference with San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael “sexual predator” Ramos and California Attorney General Jerry “Moonbeam” Brown seemed to include a lot of hyperbole and leave out a few facts. In one of the latter political whore’s best effort at grandstanding, Brown stated,
What is significant here is the most appalling corruption case in decades, certainly in the history of San Bernardino County and maybe California itself. Individuals corrupted public office and were able to grab more than $100 million of the taxpayers’ money through this scheme.
There is one very big problem with this statement. The county had lost twice in court already. It was strongly suggested to the county by the trial court judge that it attempt to reach a settlement. The Colonies asked for $300 million and the county settled for $102 million. That settlement was negotiated with the help of a mediator who just happened to be a retired California Supreme Court Justice.
Jim has a copy of the last page of the agreement and a bio of the justice on his blog. To read Jim’s entry, click here.
iePolitics: “She drank the Kool-Aid”
I’m sure that is what the reporter who called me a little while ago regarding Former Assessor Bill Postmus’ and Former Assistant Assessor Jim Erwin’s early morning arrests was thinking. Well, yes, as a matter of fact I do believe this is just another attempt by a desperate district attorney to be re-elected and a governor-wannabe-again feeling the pressure from Meg Whitman.
Ramos will do anything to deflect from his own misdeeds. And time will prove these charges are as trumped up as the last ones.
One thing comes to mind here and that is something Postmus keeps telling me. He claims this whole corruption scandal is the result of Mike Ramos wanting to get at Jeff Burum. He thought Erwin would roll on Jeff the first time. If anything, their friendship seems stronger. I expect today’s event to strengthen it even more. Continue reading