Remember what you did to me? So how does it feel to get it back about 100 times over? Just wondering. Sleep well tonight.
iePolitics: Hey Mark Kirk
Reply
Tag Archives: Mark Kirk
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?
iePolitics: More on Colonies
Wow. There is a slew of new articles on the Colonies scandal tonight. Two are especially interesting to me.
The first is on Mark Kirk and his control of Gary Ovitt. Reading the article jogged my memory of a conversation I had with him towards the end of our friendship. He said he was pushing to allow chiefs of staff in closed session. His reasoning was, and these are his descriptions not mine, that COSes are “smarter,” “younger,” and “better looking.” He said he was getting push back because some of the supervisors were jealous of the COSes due to the amount of influence they have. Gee, doesn’t that fit right in with Grand Jury testimony?
iePolitics: “An empty vessel” – WOW!
I wonder if Supervisor Gary Ovitt even noticed or comprehended what was said about him in the Grand Jury proceedings. “Empty vessel” is a rather accurate description of two of our five county supervisors. Ovitt should be embarrassed by what was said about him, but I doubt he is cognizant enough to feel that shame.
iePolitics: Kirk quits
Sorry to those who asked, I don’t have much of the scoop on this. I can say I feel he was given special treatment due to the fact he got Greg Devereaux his job with San Bernardino County. The others who were charged, such as Rex Gutierrez and Greg Eyler, were fired immediately.
My feelings are that had he not quit before the end of the fiscal year, he would have been fired. I’ve also heard he is having some financial difficulties and suspect he may need to cash out a few assets.
All I can say Mark is you got a taste of what to you dished out to so many others. Karma is a bitch and God will get ya too!
iePolitics: More from Supervisor Gary Ovitt
“I have the utmost confidence in Mark Kirk. He did not engage in any improper activities.” – Gary Ovitt, February 10, 2010.
iePolitics: Supervisor Gary Ovitt . . . in his own words
“The charges announced today against Bill Postmus and Greg Eyler are an undeserved embarrassment to the county….the county looks forward to seeing justice prevail.” – July 24, 2009, the day the two were arrested.
“Mark Kirk is a person of great intelligence and integrity…I know Mark to be a consumate professional, loving father and family man, and all around good person of high morals and character.” – May 9, 2011, the day of Kirk’s arrest and indictment.
From a reader . . .
Jim has been posting a series on the $400,000 in PAC monies handed out by Jeff Burum after the Colonies settlement. See PAC donations. This was received tonight: Continue reading
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.
iePolitics: Kirk expects “to return to work in a couple of weeks”
According to sources who attended the Friends of the Fair event, Mark Kirk, whose wife is on the fair board, was overheard saying that he expects to return to work in a couple of weeks. That is in contrast to Adam Aleman, Jim Erwin, and Rex Guiterrez, who were terminated upon their arrests. Like those three, Kirk is a contract, at-will employee with no civil service protection.
iePolitics: So why hasn’t Mark Kirk been fired?
Inquiring minds want to know why Mark Kirk has not been terminated from the county. Upon their arrests, Adam Aleman, Rex Gutierrez, and Jim Erwin all lost their jobs. Of course, they didn’t help land County Administrative Officer Greg Devereaux (Kirk’s boss) a $300,000-a-year job either. It must be nice to have friends in high places to protect you. Do I smell a new conspiracy?
iePolitics: Who’s on top? – Part Two
When we wrote “Who’s on top?” back in February, we had no idea just how prophetic we were. Now almost three months later Mark Kirk and Jim Erwin have been arrested along with Paul Biane and Jeff Burum. You could call them the Four Musketeers, or the Four Banditos, or even the Colonies Four. You could, but . . .
It seems that Jeff Burum’s charges really could be dropped but we still believe it will have to be done with a writ. I guess the legal Beagles at the District Attorney’s and Attorney General’s office screwed up just a bit. So that brings us down to the Three Musketeers, or the Three Banditos, or the Colonies Three. Except . . .
iePolitics: To our Colonies Four
Just remember this each time you decide to wimp out again and not fight the real enemy. Johnny Cash, who was famous around the world, never thought he was too good to fight for justice for the little people.
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:
From a reader . . .
AKA: Tweedle Dee Tweedle Dumb Tweedle Dumber Just Plain Stupid
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.”
iePolitics: Taking bets
Not monetary! So here is the question of the day. How long will it take Mark Kirk to sell out Jeff Burum to save his own hide? We all think he will do a Matt Brown. We are betting it will be three days or less depending on how much he enjoys the jail food.
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.
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.
iePolitics: Update on indictments
We have confirmed with multiple sources that those who may be indicted by the San Bernardino County Grand Jury in the ongoing corruption scandal have been told they will be allowed to turn themselves in, which is quite a departure in comparison to how Bill Postmus, Jim Erwin, et al., were handled. Of course, this is the right way to do things because not a single one of them is a flight risk. We are wondering if the new AG has had an effect of how things are done or if someone cut a deal. Of course, there are many rumors that certain members of the bench are under investigation and we know positively that Ramos is being looked at closely. Either way, it is interesting to see the disparity in treatment.
iePolitics: Blood Stains On Their Hands–Originally posted January 19, 2010
Not long after Thanksgiving I was at a friend’s house and we were discussing my situation at the time. This friend is a very strong Christian and he and his wife have helped me in many ways with their only request being that I not identify them. We were talking about the fact that most of those who have helped me out were non-Christians and how the so-called “Christians” had really let me down. The conversation naturally gravitated to Jim Erwin and Mark Kirk, two of my most high-profile friends. I commented about how Jim, someone who I don’t believe has ever had a personal relationship with Christ, has been a Godsend to me and helped me over and over when I’ve needed it most. Mark, who I know to be a strong Christian, has let me down every time, never keeping his word to me.
Last Friday when I heard the news of the findings in the Hostile Work Environment investigation against District Attorney Mike Ramos, my heart sank. I immediately called Cheryl Ristow and the pain in her voice was heartbreaking. I could relate because, I too, had been let down by our leaders who have in their power the ability to do the right thing with integrity and instead choose to make decisions in their own best interests and not care about how many others they hurt. We are all nothing but collateral damage to them, unimportant and unworthy of their concern or help. Continue reading
iePolitics: Retirement subsidy
Much of the media portrays government employees as being “greedy bastards” as John and Ken like to say. It is not likely the public will have any sympathy for the San Bernardino County retirees that just had their retirement cut by up to $230 a month.
If you read about government pensions in the news, $230 a month seems like a very little sacrifice. That would be true if you are a prison guard, a sheriff’s lieutenant, or a former county supervisor. But here in San Bernardino County, for many average employees, the $230 cut will bring their monthly retirement check to under $1000 a month, hardly the gross amounts we hear about in the news.
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.
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: Who’s on top?
We are hearing that Jim Erwin and Mark Kirk have met a time or two recently. Kirk seems to have forgotten what Erwin did to him. That is probably for the best as we expect Kirk to be charged and arrested in the next few months.
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.”
iePolitics: #400
A message to Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt, Mark Kirk, and Matt Brown. Remember the number 400.
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.
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.
iePolitics: LaJolla Institute
Traci and Patricia visited the address listed on the contracts approved in 2009 and again on August 24, 2010. Here are those contracts: 09-860[1] and here is the last tax return: 2009taxreturn.
The county did two no-bid contracts with this “non profit” totalling $240,000 in less than two years. The non-profit just happens to be run by campaign donors and a close personal friend of Gary Ovitt, Mark Kirk and Greg Devereaux. But all of it is above board, right?
iePolitics: The LaJolla Institute, etc.
This is the email I sent to all of the members of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors and Greg Devereaux on January 14, 2010. Needless to say, not one of them responded. I didn’t expect any of them to do so.
I have several questions regarding your unanimous approval of a non-competitive consulting contract with La Jolla Institute in the amount of $150,000 on September 15, 2009 and an additional $90,000 on August 24, 2010.
iePolitics: Civil suit depo list
iePolitics just received the list for the first round of county officials to be depo’d in the Postmus civil case. The list is being sent to County Counsel this week.
iePolitics: Attention Mark Uffer
Mark, I just sent Sandy an email. I know you love Mark Kirk as much as I do so I’m looking for some info. Please ask Sandy to read it and respond to me even if he (you) can’t help. Thanks.
iePolitics: Depositions start to fly in the civil corruption cases
Do you swear or affirm that the testimony you are about to give is the truth?
Some defendants in the civil corruption cases have started receiving depo notices. Bill Postmus, Jim Erwin, Greg Eyler, Rex Gutierrez, and Adam Aleman are all named in the lawsuit.
In response, the defense is sending similar notices to specific members of the Board of Supervisors, their current/former chiefs of staff and other current and past staffers who are familiar with time card fraud and campaign work on county time. Let the fireworks begin as the county’s hypocrisy is made public for all to see, that is if those depo’d tell the truth. We shall see.
iePolitics: Gonzales is only a pawn in the anti-ethics campaign
Mark Kirk
This week’s public battle between Supervisors Neil Derry and Josie Gonzales has a lot of people rolling their eyes. Many don’t realize that even if Gonzales is indicted, she will remain chairman of the board as the County Charter has no provision to remove her. We have to admit all of this is pretty funny. But the humor in the public tit for tat belies the serious consequences the behind-the-scenes conflict could have for county residents.
Although Gonzales is the cover girl for the current round of fighting, she is merely a puppet for two very devious puppeteers attempting to maintain a stronghold on the Fifth Floor in an effort to hide and cover up. Derry’s “sunshine” would expose their evil, and often times, illegal deeds.
iePolitics: Hey Adam
Adam,
I hear you have a slew of photos from the China trip—some of them very, very, very interesting. How about letting us post some?
My phone number has changed but Ted can give it to you or you can email me at iepolitics2010@gmail.com.
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.
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.”
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
Posted: 12/30/2010 05:47:55 PM PST
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.
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.
iePolitics: From the pulpit to the fifth floor
Larry Enriquez
We were recently told that no one would believe that San Bernardino County Chairman of the Board Gary Ovitt is corrupt. We would disagree.
Once Ovitt’s first chief of staff, Mark Kirk, was transferred to the County Administrative Office after being named as an unindicted co-conspirator in the Colonies scandal, Ovitt named his best friend and pastor, Larry Enriquez, as his new chief of staff.
iePolitics: Potential Opponents
We have taken a bit of criticism for suggesting possible opponents for Supervisors Mitzelfelt, Derry and Gonzales. Those who pride themselves in their astute political analysis have been quick to point out where we are wrong. What few are considering is the effect redistricting will have on the 2012 elections.
Politicians are politicians, meaning their political careers are foremost in their minds. Many could never earn what they earn if they had to work a real job. Getting re-elected so they can maintain their power and lifestyle is all that is important. Continue reading
iePolitics: Is Mark Kirk the last John Doe Standing?
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.
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.
iePolitics: Devereaux puts Kirk in charge of county redistricting
Seems getting the CAO his job reaps many benefits. One of them is being put in charge of county redistricting. In other words, Mark Kirk was given the task of determining the new supervisorial districts. Gee, we can only imagine how fair that will be.
Fortunately, Supervisor Neil Derry got wind of it. We hear he took care of the issue. We only hope so. Time will tell.
iePolitics: While Gutierrez serves time in prison, Kirk enjoys the good life even after committing the same “crimes”
Mark Kirk
We have learned recently of all of Mark Kirk’s riches. Two Cadallacs, a plane, a large home, land, European vacations, cleaning lady, timeshare and a stay-at-home wife. Certainly he lives the “good life” on a Chief of Staff salary. So how does he afford it?
Well for one, he does political consulting . . . political consulting on county time. Emails have surfaced clearly showing that Kirk has run campaigns while he was supposed to be working for Chairman of the Board Gary Ovitt.
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.
iePolitics: Done with the blackmail by Devereaux, Mitzelfelt, Derry, Kirk and others
Greg Devereaux
This is one of those posts where I made myself wait 24 hours to write. Just received an email that Mitzelfelt is going to deal with my situation after the first of the year. As of today it is 87 days since he first agreed to “help.” I will let him decide if he wants to share my response with all of you.
The bottom line is I’m tired of being threatened and blackmailed with my job and my livelihood by Devereaux, Mitzelfelt, Derry, Kirk and others. I sick of being told that they will withhold the money they owe me until I shut down the blog, resign, and/or only write positive articles about them. I am also tired of being threatened over some other issues in my life.