Governor names Ramos to standards board

FILE PHOTO/2010

San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael Ramos, left, and then-Attorney General Jerry Brown confer in February 2010.

BY JIM MILLER

SACRAMENTO BUREAU

jmiller@pe.com

Published: 15 November 2011 04:13 PM

SACRAMENTO – Gov. Jerry Brown has appointed San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael Ramos to the Commission for Peace Officer Standards.

Ramos, of Redlands, has been district attorney since 2002 and has been with the district attorney’s office since 1989. Ramos, a Republican, and Brown, a Democrat, have worked together on various issues, such as Ramos’ support this year for the governor’s proposal to extend temporary tax increases.

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Neither Lewis nor his official spokesperson, Jim Specht, would confirm or deny those reports, some of which held that an announcement from Lewis on the subject was imminent.

A member of Congress since 1978, Representative Lewis is currently the ranking Republican member on the full House Appropriations Committee and all 11 of its subcommittees.

From January 2005 until January 2007, he was the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, which is responsible for funding all federal programs. The Appropriations Committee chairmanship is one of the most powerful positions in Congress and for the two years he held that post, Lewis was considered one of the most influential people in the United States. Previously, from 1999-2005, he was chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, the panel with jurisdiction over all national security matters including the entire $416 billion Pentagon budget , which accounts for close to half of all funds appropriated by Congress.

At present, Lewis is the 13th most senior member of the House of Representatives in terms of longevity in office. He is, at 77, the 16th oldest of its 435 members.

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For example, in the past two days I have met both a retired lawyer and a retired cop.  The cop was quick to point out he did not work for SBSD.  I wonder why he thought that would matter to me? 

Of course, as of yesterday SBSD is off my radar for a day or two and the FBI is in the bullseye.  If Jim or anyone else tries to tell you that the Feds are here to clean things up, it is a big lie . . . a very big lie.  They are here to assist Mike Ramos convict who Mike Ramos wants convicted whether they are guilty or not.  Anyone who expects to see the corruption at SBSD investigated, you’re out of luck as is the case for most of those thinking any of the rest of the corruption in this county will ever be cleaned up.  And FBI agents have no more integrity than the worst SBSD deputy.

Yes, I still expect we will see indictments with the city of Victorville, maybe SBIA, maybe ARMC, and probably Colonies—whatever Mikey wants.   And for the record, there is a Federal Grand Jury convened, again despite what anyone else tries to tell you.

Speaking of Ramos, I hope to have an article posted tomorrow at Examiner.com that will surprise many and I expect to be called a “sellout.”  I don’t care because I call a spade, a spade, whether I like someone or not, based on their actions and not my personal feelings.  Ramos is doing a couple of good things in the world of animal cruelty and I applaud him for that.  I will provide more details tomorrow.

Then yesterday I made a truly innocent visit to a city animal shelter only to have the city manager (well known to all my readers) come completely unglued because I didn’t identify myself as a “reporter.”  I wasn’t there to do anything but visit the animals.  So what do they have to hide I wonder?

Beside internet access issues, I have had the worst cold I have experienced in at least five years.  I have been miserable.  I think I am on Day 10 now, and really not feeling much better.  I finally broke down and went to ARMC.  I was given incredibly quick service and was impressed (well not quite as impressed when I found out they had me listed as an employee).  But James, the PA who saw me, was very professional as was all the staff.  I also had the chance to visit with some old coworkers for a few minutes.

And one last thing.  I need to have my truck smogged.  I took it one place and felt like they were scam artists so I didn’t have it done.  Anyone know of an honest smog shop here in the Victor Valley?

I remember in approximately May of 2009 meeting Jim Erwin for the first time at the Coco’s on Highland and Waterman.  He had contacted me not too long after his first arrest because he wanted to show me the evidence he had that District Attorney Mike Ramos was on a political witch hunt.  At that point he had one large binder full of documentation complete with a time line/log.

Jim and I had never met before that meeting.  Our only real contact was written sparring on Red County and iePolitics and maybe a phone call or email or two setting up the meeting.

I do have the tendency to say what I think and I was blunt with Jim about my opinion about the accusation of the prostitutes on the New York trip.  I have serious issues with spouses who cheat.  Jim assured me there were no prostitutes.  I told him I would give him the benefit of the doubt but if he was lying to me . . ..

Two years later, I’m finding it hard to believe he was telling the truth.  And I wonder about the other men who travelled with Jeff.

But the one I wonder the most about is Jeff’s wife.  We do not know if the accusations about the prostitutes are true. We have only heard one side of the story.  This could very well be our horny District Attorney trying to take the attention off of his own philandering.  At the same time there is an overwhelming sense that prostitutes were simply part of the game.

Anyway, let’s get back to Jeff’s wife.  From what I’ve heard (can’t verify), she is not some trophy wife socialite who Jeff hooked up with after he made his first hundred million.  Rather she was with him before his great success.  I have to think this is devastating to her, especially having to read about it day after day.  How could any woman ever trust Jeff?  How does it make his children feel?

Now, what if none of this is true?  It doesn’t matter.  Jeff will forever be remembered as the businessman who used prostitutes to bribe county officials, and his wife and kids have to live with this for the rest of their lives.  What a legacy if true!  And what an incredible miscarriage of justice if not.

I’ve always felt that the way sex has been used in these prosecutions/persecutions is despicable.  Whether it is using one’s alternative lifestyle to control or trying to destroy marriages to wear down resolve, there has been a miscarriage of justice even if all defendants are found guilty as charged on all counts.  The sensationlism Ramos has used to prosecute this case is disgusting.  Whatever the outcome of these cases, he should face criminal charges himself.

(SAN BERNARDINO) – Congressman Jerry Lewis (R-Redlands) endorsed San Manuel Tribal Chairman James Ramos this week in Ramos’ bid for a seat on the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.  Ramos has served as a member of the San Bernardino Community College Board of Trustees since 2005. He is also a member the California Board of Education since his appointment by Governor Jerry Brown in January of this year.

Lewis’ endorsement raised eyebrows among county Republicans.  Ramos is a Democrat who is running against a conservative Republican incumbent, Supervisor Neil Derry.  Many Tea Party members and Republicans alike have accused Lewis of being a RINO (Republican In Name Only) and an opportunist with this endorsement.  Ramos and the San Manuel tribe contribute heavily to political campaigns in the region, including that of Congressman Lewis.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Rep congressman endorses casino boss, dem in county race – Los Angeles Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/political-buzz-in-los-angeles/rep-congressman-endorses-casino-boss-dem-county-race#ixzz1VF58VJLD ]]> http://iepolitics.net/2011/08/13/iepolitics-once-again-please-click/feed/ 2 http://iepolitics.net/2011/08/02/iepolitics-a-bit-perturbed/ http://iepolitics.net/2011/08/02/iepolitics-a-bit-perturbed/#comments Wed, 03 Aug 2011 01:54:34 +0000 Administrator http://iepolitics.com/?p=10067 Continue reading →]]> If my piece yesterday sounded like I was a bit perturbed, it is because I was perturbed and irritated with newspaper reporters/publishers and politicians who try to claim they are taking the high road when they are just as corrupt or more corrupt than those they report about or prosecute.  Let’s face it.  Frank Pine is not the least bit interested in ending corruption in San Bernardino County.  Without corruption stories, the Sun is nothing.

Good government does not make headlines.  Corruption stories sell newspapers and the more sensational, the more papers sold.  I can’t wait to hear these newspaper execs cry foul play when a judge rules that their one-sided sensationalized reporting has tainted the jury pool to the point that the Colonies cases must legitimately be moved out of county.  These guys do not seek justice, they seek revenue.

If Frank Pine was truly interested in seeing corruption cleaned up in this county, he would pursue the stories for which he has been provided documentation and eyewitness accounts from victims.  The same goes for the Press Enterprise’s Cassie MacDuff.

It was really hard to read the two PE fluff pieces yesterday on Supervisor Josie Gonzales and former Supervisor Dennis Hansberger.  Have the reporters forgotten all of the questionable circumstances around Hansberger and his staff, such as destruction of public records or FPPC violations?  If I remember correctly, Josie has been cited by the FPPC as well.  Was there ever a newspaper story about that?

Did anyone ask Josie why she was “hiding” from Jim Brulte and Jeff Burum one day and dancing on the tables at a nightclub the next?  There were lots of witnesses so it’s not like they even tried.  Or perhaps it is because their reporting is more one-sided and jaded than that of the blogs they so quickly and  easily disparage.

As for Mike Ramos, talk about the kettle calling the pot black.  I don’t believe a single Colonies figure has had as many FPPC complaints sustained against him as Ramos has had.  But as I said in my comment on the story, “Ask and you shall receive.”  But you might want to remember the old adage about being careful about what you ask for.  Elected officials are elected officials and campaign contribution limits will affect all elected officials, not just those Mikey doesn’t like.

Has anyone looked at Mikey’s 460s recently?  I think if you add up the sums, there are contributors who need special favors who gave him more than $100,000 cumulatively.  But that doesn’t count because he is not trying to send himself to prison . . . where he belongs.

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.

It’s not likely Kirk could cut a deal without burning Burum.  That could put Devereaux in a very sticky position.  And don’t forget it was Devereaux who was on that private jet with Biane and Richards.  It’s entirely possible that Kirk knows enough to take out Devereaux also, something that could make Ramos happy during this budget crisis.  As much of an ass as Devereaux is, how could he possibly cut Ramos’ budget with the possibility of criminal charges hanging over his head.

Every source I have tells me the word on the street is that Devereaux is being investigated.  The question is whether or not it is a real investigation or one to handcuff Devereaux a bit, figuratively speaking in this case.

The charges against San Bernardino County Third District Supervisor Neil Derry were expected by many close to the corruption investigation. The timing was not.

Many will claim I desperately need one of those aluminum foil hats when I state yet again that the “corruption scandal” was not prompted by District Attorney Mike Ramos’ desire to clean up corruption in this county but rather to assist his close political allies, including former Third District Supervisor Dennis Hansberger, in a political assassination of one who is shining a light into their shenanigans and criminal wrongdoing.  What went on behind the scenes just prior and post to the announcement of charges against Derry make that statement all the more credible and Ramos’ actions all the more egregious.

The timing to the Derry announcement was moved up for a single reason.  What has not been reported in the mainstream media is that the county’s Public Attorney’s Association was going to announce their support of and a $100,000 donation to Derry’s campaign.  The “charges” were filed and announced once Ramos got wind of their endorsement and the association withdrew their support and their contribution.  It was imperative to Ramos, once he learned of the Associations’ support, to stop it in its tracks.  And he succeeded.

It is no secret that Ramos-Lewis-Hansberger and the rest of the old guard East Valley political assassins want to regain the Third District seat for the candidate of their choice who will keep their dirty little secrets secret and promote their political agenda.  Derry has made it clear he will not protect the status quo.   Mike Ramos, Mark Uffer, Ruth Stringer, Dennis Hansberger and others have all learned that the hard way.  Whether the accusations against Derry are true or not, they pale in comparison to that of the Ramos-Lewis-Hansberger mafia.  It is especially interesting that they have chosen someone with real mafia ties as their candidate of choice.  It shows they will stop at nothing to keep the spotlight off of their shady activities.

What is disconcerting about this situation is that none of this could have been pulled off without help from the AG.  The question is whether Gary Schons is just another Ramos pawn or active participant.  Time will tell, but based on what we witnessed last week, Schons appears as corrupt as our own law enforcement agents.

Some have suggested that Mikey is sleeping with Kamala.  To that I say, “only in his wet dreams.”  She appears to be a talented and ethical lady.  We only hope she quickly catches on to those rogue employees in her department that will eventually only bring it shame.

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.

But being arrested and being arrested with bail set so high you can’t get out are two different things.  I have posted more than one story about our county prosecutor’s lack of concern for the Constitution of the United States.  Whether you are a Burum, et al. supporter or hater, today should concern you.  If the district attorney can show such little concern for the Constitutional rights of the rich and powerful, are the little people safe in their own communities?

Burum’s bail is five times that of failed Bell city manager Robert Rizo.  It is higher than what most bank robbers, rapists, and wife beaters get.

The justice system will determine if Burum and the others are criminals or men wrongly accused.  Apparently, Ramos wanted to hedge his bets that a jury might not buy into his conspiracy theory and instead meted out his own brand of punishment.

No matter what I may personally feel about Jeff Burum, Mark Kirk, Paul Biane and Jim Erwin, I cannot say any of them are a flight risk.  Especially in Erwin’s case, we know he will make every scheduled appearance because he has proven that to be the case for the past two years.

Justice was not served today.  It was stomped into the ground.  Am I surprised?  Not in the least.

Why not?  For the conspiracy in the Colonies scandal to have taken place as Mikey suggests, all of the planets would have had to line up perfectly and that certainly took supernatural powers by Jeff Burum or Jim Erwin.  And it seems with some of the bizarre rulings in Judge Rouse’s courtroom, the DA must have a voodoo doll of Rouse.  Perhaps we need a priest to exorcise the evil spirits from the courtroom and make Rouse’s head spin 360 degrees.  Of course, we are kinda hearing that some federal investigators are already trying to make that happen . . . after they start to roll.

We are also wondering if the new defendants will be subjected to exorbitant bail as well.  Again, there is no reason for it.  We shall see.   And we shall also see how many charges each defendant will face.  Erwin seems likely to face the most. We are still betting the indictments will take place this week.

The Derry case has sent shock waves throughout the state. I had a chance today to speak briefly with a political attorney from one of the state’s most respected political law firms.  The AG is setting precedence with this case, precedence that will affect every politician running for office in this state.

To put it in this attorney’s words, he could go through any candidate’s forms and find enough errors to charge the candidate with perjury.  Errors such as the one made by Derry have always been handled administratively through the Fair Political Practices Commission.  Errors are common on every form.

District Attorney’s throughout the state now have license to take out political enemies in the name of “corruption fighting.”  FPPC rules were never made to turn honest or minor mistakes into prison sentences and ruined careers.  Nor were they meant as a means to make a name for oneself when wanting to run for higher political office such as Congress.

Now we learn that Attorney Mark Garragos, best known for his unsuccessful defense of Scott Peterson in the murder of Lacy Peterson, invoked the Derry case in a trial he is handling here in San Bernardino County involving bribes offered to former Chief of Staff for Supervisor Josie Gonzales, Bob Paige.  Once again, the issue of selective prosecution is being raised.

What readers seem to be missing is that whether Derry committed the act intentionally or unintentionally, what he is accused of is common practice.  If enough digging was done, it is likely every elected official in this county is guilty of the same thing, including Mike Ramos himself.  As a matter of fact, didn’t Mike Ramos sign a FPPC 700 under penalty of perjury only to find out he lied?  Where are the charges against him?  His was a $10,000 error the first time and about $13,000 the second time.

This case has nothing to do with ethics or perjury.  It has everything to do with embarrassing Derry and attempting to assure he does not get the SEBA endorsement and his campaign donations dry up so that Ramos and Hansberger can run the candidate of their choice.

Yes, the county is full of conspiracies and this one could affect everyone from the Governor on down.

Testimony continues before the criminal Grand Jury where we expect to see a number of the unnamed co-conspirators indicted.  It is conceivable that the district attorney will drop charges against Erwin and then indict him to avoid the preliminary hearing altogether.  Erwin has subpoenaed several current and former officials including District Attorney Mike Ramos.

We expect Rouse to rule in the District Attorney’s favor.

That’s the night that they hung an innocent man
Don’t trust your soul with no back woods southern lawyer
Cause the judge in the town’s got blood stains on his hands

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.

Every election we see debated the question of whether one’s religious beliefs should play a role in his or her decision-making process if elected to public office.  I don’t believe it is possible for one’s belief system not to affect one’s decisions, whether they are personal or public.  Most major religions, Christian and non-Christian alike, advocate a strong sense of ethics and integrity.  Whatever a candidate’s belief system, if it is strongly grounded in ethics and integrity, and it is a system he or she adheres to, we should welcome that candidate to office.  We have very few leaders in public office that believe in and PRACTICE ethics and integrity.

I can think of a number of strong Christians on the Fifth Floor:  David Zook, Matt Brown, Mark Kirk, Gary Ovitt,  and Josie Gonzales.  With this kind of leadership in this county, why the heck are things so screwed up and so immoral?

What has been extenuated this week is that the supposed morality and ethics the above individuals claim to have in their personal lives does not carry over to their public lives.  The deal cut as part of the Mike Ramos investigation has to be one of the most selfish acts I have witnessed in my county career.  Each of these people were only out to save themselves and everyone else be damned.

The Bible says:

A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. ²⁵ Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. ²⁶ Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants. (2Tim 2:24-26 NLT)

(God said…) “He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. And he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises, a morning without clouds, like the tender grass springing out of the earth, by clear shining after rain.” (2 Sam 23.3b-4)

A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor, but he who hates covetousness will prolong his days. (Pr 28.16)

If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials become wicked. (Pr 29.12, NIV)

For me the most disheartening of all has been Mark Kirk and Gary Ovitt.  I know in their personal lives Mark and Gary are devote Christians.  They hold the most powerful political positions in San Bernardino County, and as such, should be setting an example of how moral and ethical people behave and lead in public office.  Instead we have witnessed the same selfishness that we see in an immoral Paul Biane or Mike Ramos.

Not one of these people mentioned cares the least about how many innocent people they destroy as long as their own needs are met.  Not one of them leads by example, with benevolence, or with integrity.  It is all about self and greed.  It does not matter to any of them if those they lead suffer the loss of their jobs, their security, their families, or their lives.  As some have told me, among those on the Fifth Floor were those rooting me on in my attempted suicide, hoping I would be successful.  That is the kind of moral leadership we have in this county.

A leadership position carries with it responsibility, especially when one proclaims to the world they are a “Christian.”    The world will judge God by the actions of that leader.  And although Christian leaders will never be perfect, they do have an added responsibility to lead according to the principles set forth by God and those principles include personal INTEGRITY!!

The elected leaders in this county have blood stains on their hands, not from touching the hand of the crucified Christ, but from playing with the Devil and destroying the innocent, the poor and the weak.  They have not used their power and authority with wisdom, grace, or benevolence, but rather with selfishness, abusiveness, intolerance, indifference and mean-spiritedness.

Doing what is right can sometimes be painful, but will never be as painful as being brought to one’s knees by an angry God who gave in abundance only to see it unappreciated and abused.  Everyone on the Fifth Floor has been given an abundance; some would say an overabundance.  One day many of them may wake up to find it gone and their power gone too.  Then it will  be they who ask for grace and mercy.  Maybe if they are lucky we will have replaced them with leaders with integrity who show them more grace and mercy than the current leadership has shown us.

District Attorney Michael Ramos stated, “The plea today resulted from the filing of Conspiracy charges in connection with the Colonies Settlement last year by my Office and the Attorney General and demonstrates that public officials will be held accountable for violations of the public trust while in office. The District Attorney’s Office and the Attorney General will continue to vigorously pursue our investigation and prosecutions in this joint effort to seek justice for the citizens of San Bernardino County.”

“I am strong and I will continue to fight this,” said Ristow when I spoke to her by phone.  “I don’t care if I get a dime.  I want Mike to admit what he did.”

Ristow said that her attorney had settled the issues that were preventing the case from moving forward yesterday and were to file a document today so that the next court date could be set.  However, today Gafkowski did a 180 and dismissed the case.  It is not clear what changed since yesterday.

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.

So,  if Postmus is a “criminal” as she states, what does that make Burum, Richards and the rest of the co-conspirators and those not yet named but who materially benefited from the settlement?

Like I said in my other post, perhaps all you “rich and powerful” should go back to your blog and your county club and leave us to our aluminum foil.  You are not as smart as you think.

Jeff Burum

So, I thought the idea was to fund an opponent?  Or was it to let Rex take a hit for you?  I’m beginning to wonder.

I didn’t use to feel this way, but I do now.  I hope the thug squad shows up at your office one day with the steel bracelets.  Then you will know what it feels like to be sold out by those you trust.

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.”

She told me many stories such as about the time Uffer brought in a family member in who was thought to have chicken pox, and instead of coming in through the ER, brought him in through trauma where victims were being treated that had just been helicoptered in.  Not only was their privacy compromised, but they were exposed to chicken pox.

Another story I wish I could remember the details of was about Uffer having another distant relative brought in to the ER and receiving VIP service.  There were also many stories of various elected officials and how they were treated and then had their bills written off.

While I worked there a county supervisor came in and demanded VIP parking.  He parked in a no parking or handicapped zone and then complained because Colton PD ticketed him.  I don’t know if he was able to get his ticket fixed or not.

City of Upland

This is one of the more interesting stories of last year.  The FBI raided Upland City Hall, the home of J.P. Pomierski, and several businesses including one owned by Jeff Burum and Mark Davidson.

Even Pomierski’s friends admit he is a heavy-handed crook who has been extorting money from local businesses for years, so the raid came as no surprise.  However, this relates back to private investigation in Ramos that we were told was commissioned by Jeff Burum.

Not only were we told that private investigators delivered packages to the US Attorney’s Office and the California Attorney General’s Office regarding a “solid felony” committed by Mike Ramos, we were told that Burum was settling several scores with that package of information including those with Pomierski and with the Lewis family.

We have been awaiting Pomierski’s arrest as we understand the FBI had him dead with an undercover investigation.  We have also been hearing chatter that Pomierski has been cooperating with the FBI to give them information on “the big fish.”

Some say Pomierski doesn’t know anything  about Burum to make such an exchange; others say he does.  I guess we will know the answer depending on who is wearing the stainless steel bracelets.

Either way, I suspect the arrest(s) will be sooner rather than later.

The Colonies Scandal

I will preface this prediction with an explanation.  I am sure by now most of you known something has happened between Jim Erwin and me.  I am not going to go into details other than to say I’m angry and hurt.  But I can’t say I wasn’t warned nor can I saw it wasn’t expected.  However, I am over it and wish Jim the best.

These predictions are not based upon any ill will towards Jim as I do believe he is being railroaded.  I also want to stress that despite the fact Jim continues to blame Bill for what has happened, he has absolutely nothing to do with what did happen nor anything to do with these predictions.

Jim and I have a very different set of moral values and he knew there are certain things I cannot forgive.  Bill could not affect that.  It was Jim’s choice and Jim’s choice alone.

That being said, there are those that will talk to me now that there is a rift.  And they have verified some things I have heard for a very long time.

Jeff Burum is clearly the “prize” in the Colonies prosecutions but Erwin has become the “most wanted.”  The District Attorney’s office is not going to settle unless Erwin serves prison time.  This is not about guilt or innocence.  This is about settling scores.  And the PIU has a score to settle with Erwin.

We know evidence of guilt has little to do with criminal prosecution or conviction in this county.  They want Erwin and I predict they will get him.  And if what some have told me is true, they only need to dig under another rock or two to find what they need.  It will be a two-fer as it will implicate Burum as well and I believe it will fall within the statute of limitations.

I predict there will be additional charges filed against Erwin, Burum will be arrested, and there is a strong possibility that Biane will play a much bigger role in all of this than he has so far.

The 1200 Acres

I’m not sure what to think on this one.  I haven’t really heard if the District Attorney has concluded its investigation on this one.  I do know there was mischief involving Burum that the District Attorney is very aware of it.  But last I knew they could not call it criminal in reference to Burum and the “criminal” in this situation has not been identified.  It is likely a county employee connected with the former Second District, i.e., Biane and Matt Brown.  We will have to wait and see.

County Governance

Some will call this wishful thinking on my part, but I have good reason to believe the following list of people will no longer be county employees by the end of the year:

Andrew Lamberto

Sandy Harmsen

Matt Brown

DeAnn Thompson

Mark DeBoer

Mark Kirk

and others . . .

]]> http://iepolitics.net/2011/01/01/iepolitics-predictions-for-2011/feed/ 15 http://iepolitics.net/2010/12/31/iepolitics-2010-a-year-of-deceit/ http://iepolitics.net/2010/12/31/iepolitics-2010-a-year-of-deceit/#comments Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:48:30 +0000 Administrator http://iepolitics.com/?p=7031 Continue reading →]]> 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.
• Meg Whitman would be easily elected and Jerry Brown would be retired.
• There would be a hung jury in Rex’s second case.
• There would be an appeal filed based on juror misconduct in Rex’s second case.
• Rex would no serve any prison time.
• The courts would remove the District Attorney from the corruption cases.
• The Colonies Partners were going to sue the county for the $300 million for challenging the decision.
• The Colonies Partners were going to sue the county for defamation in the corruption scandal.
• The statute of limitations has run our on the five John Does when in reality the District Attorney indicates they still have a couple of more years to arrest Burum, Richards, and Kirk.
• The Ristow affidavits would be released.
• Attoney General’s Office would drop the corruption cases once they realized Ramos was only trying to further his political career.
• Ruth Stringer and Doreen Boxer would be gone by January 2010.
• An outside attorney would appointed as county counsel.
• Greg Devereaux would clean up the county and most Uffer appointees would be fired.
• Adam Aleman would be crucified in the Gutierrez trial and shown to be a liar.  The jurors would never believe him.
• Bill Postmus would never stay clean.
• The search warrants would be thrown out.
• iePolitics would shut down this year.

Corruption probes cast wide net

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.

Most recently, District Attorney Michael A. Ramos announced that federal investigators had joined the ongoing state and local probe into corruption in county government.

“As we come to the end of the year, we are pleased to join with the FBI in the establishment of the San Bernardino County Corruption Task Force. And our partnership with the Attorney General’s Office remains stronger than ever,” Ramos said.

“I made a commitment to the citizens of this county to fight public corruption. I will devote every necessary resource to hold accountable those who have violated the public’s trust and to restore confidence in our local government.”

County officials and spokesmen for Rancho Cucamonga developer Colonies Partners LP maintain the $102 million settlement between the county’s Flood Control District and Colonies was the product of a fair process and hard bargaining that ultimately saved taxpayers from a judgment that might have reached $300million had the county lost in court.

Still, Board of Supervisors Chairman Gary Ovitt, who voted along with then-supervisors Bill Postmus and Paul Biane to approve the settlement, said the county “supports any investigation of possible wrongdoing.”

“Let justice be served,” Ovitt said in a statement. “Anyone convicted of wrongdoing should be held accountable.”

Ovitt stressed, however, that county leaders have not let the scandal deter them from the public’s business.

“The county has not been fixated on or distracted by these matters,” he said.

To read the rest of the story, click here.

ReprintPrint Email Font Resize Corruption probes cast wide net Investigators pursue cases across county Joe Nelson, Staff Writer 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. Most recently, District Attorney Michael A. Ramos announced that federal investigators had joined the ongoing state and local probe into corruption in county government. “As we come to the end of the year, we are pleased to join with the FBI in the establishment of the San Bernardino County Corruption Task Force. And our partnership with the Attorney General’s Office remains stronger than ever,” Ramos said. “I made a commitment to the citizens of this county to fight public corruption. I will devote every necessary resource to hold accountable those who have violated the public’s trust and to restore confidence in our local government.” County officials and spokesmen for Rancho Cucamonga developer Colonies Partners LP maintain the $102 million settlement between the county’s Flood Control District and Colonies was the product of a fair process and hard bargaining that ultimately saved taxpayers from a judgment that might have reached $300million had the county lost in court. Advertisement Still, Board of Supervisors Chairman Gary Ovitt, who voted along with then-supervisors Bill Postmus and Paul Biane to approve the settlement, said the county “supports any investigation of possible wrongdoing.” “Let justice be served,” Ovitt said in a statement. “Anyone convicted of wrongdoing should be held accountable.” Ovitt stressed, however, that county leaders have not let the scandal deter them from the public’s business. “The county has not been fixated on or distracted by these matters,” he said.

The key to the Ristow case is the up-to-now confidential affidavits signed by five women who were involved with Ramos.  Making those affidavits public will take Ramos down and he knows it.

So far none of the predictions about his demise have come true.  The BOS has only seen a report that basically puts all the blame on Ristow.  Mark Kirk , Andrew Lamberto, and Ruth Stringer made sure the truth did not come out.

Ramos has two votes on the Board of Supervisors, Supervisors Gary Ovitt and Josie Gonzales.  If he wants the county to pay off Ristow to settle the case with the guarantee the affidavits are sealed and kept away from the public, both of those supervisors will do so.

Mikey needs a third vote.  We know Supervisor Neil Derry will never vote to keep the affidavits sealed no matter what Ramos threatens him with.

But Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt has some skeletons in his closet whether imagined or not.  Brad “Bill Who?” Mitzelfelt has tippytoed around Ramos for two years, scared to death of what he knows Ramos is capable of to control him.

If we have learned anything about Mitzelfelt in the past few months it is he is a wimp and lacks integrity.  If Ramos orders his Thug Squad to look in Brad’s direction, Brad will do WHATEVER it takes to keep them as far away as possible and we believe that includes voting for a multi-million dollar settlement if necessary.

The other vote could also come from Supervisor Janice Rutherford.  She has never been presented with any evidence that we are aware of to show Ramos the thug that he is.  If he wanted to call in a favor with her, insiders say she very well could vote on his behalf.

If Ristow is taken out of the picture, Ramos will have four more years of unbridled politicking in the name of “cleaning up corruption.”  He very well could rehabilitate himself into a viable candidate for Congressman Jerry Lewis’ job in four years or win a fourth term as district attorney.

I know Cheryl and she very much wants the truth to come out more than anything else.  But I also know there is a plan in place for a brutal court trial if Mikey’s hand is forced.  I’m not sure anyone in Ristow’s shoes is up to that.  I hope she holds firm, but also won’t blame her if she doesn’t.

]]> http://iepolitics.net/2010/12/28/iepolitics-how-the-ristow-case-will-resolve/feed/ 4 http://iepolitics.net/2010/12/22/sbsun-ramos-named-to-transition-team-for-ag-elect-harris/ http://iepolitics.net/2010/12/22/sbsun-ramos-named-to-transition-team-for-ag-elect-harris/#comments Thu, 23 Dec 2010 00:26:38 +0000 Administrator http://iepolitics.com/?p=6869 Continue reading →]]> Editor’s Note:  It seems we have been misled once again.

By Mike Cruz

Read more: http://www.sbsun.com/news/ci_16920735#ixzz18t4XeCtn

San Bernardino County Courthouse

If ever there is a judge that the US Department of Justice needs to investigate, it is Judge Duke D. Rouse.  He has clearly become a bagman for District Attorney Mike Ramos.

Many things went on during the Rex Gutierrez trial that were never written about in the media.  One of them is the fact that Gutierrez’ attorney, Jim Reiss, became very ill during the proceedings.  Reiss asked that the trial be continued so that he could seek medical treatment.  Rouse refused.

Once the trial was concluded, Reiss did in fact seek medical attention.  It turns out he has full-blown diabetes, which explained some of what observers noticed during the proceedings.  Reiss seemed to have difficulty presenting the case and a hard time comprehending evidence.  He was sweating profusely and rushed through much of the defense, not presenting evidence in Gutierrez’ favor.  He was clearly very sick.

Rouse also made numerous rulings against Gutierrez that any other judge would not have made.  For example, after Andrew Lamberto got on the stand and lied under oath, Rouse would not allow into evidence the memo showing that Lamberto knew better than what he was testifying to.  That same memo was allowed into evidence days later in the Postmus/Eyler case by Judge Michael Smith.

Rouse also refused to allow limited testimony by Jim Erwin, Bill Postmus, and Jeff Burum, testimony that would have proven the conspiracy charge is bogus.  Rouse clearly cut backroom deals with prosecutors.

Judge Rouse showed his true colors yesterday at the Gutierrez sentencing where he gave Rex more time than he would have if Rex had beaten his wife, assaulted a cop, burglarized a home, stolen a vehicle, or assaulted his child.

An investigation into Judge Rouse and whatever quid pro quo agreement he has with Ramos and his deputies is clearly warranted.  Are you listening US Department of Justice?

]]> http://iepolitics.net/2010/12/16/iepolitics-a-rogue-judge/feed/ 9 http://iepolitics.net/2010/12/05/inlandpolitics-the-sun-still-protecting-da/ http://iepolitics.net/2010/12/05/inlandpolitics-the-sun-still-protecting-da/#comments Mon, 06 Dec 2010 01:43:59 +0000 Administrator http://iepolitics.com/?p=6551 Continue reading →]]>

District Attorney Mike Ramos

www.inlandpolitics.com

Sunday, December 5, 2010 – 01:30 p.m.

Last week another round of perjury for San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos.

Last week another list of excuses and deflections by his biggest defender.

The editorial board of The Sun seems to be on its heels over the latest screw-up by Ramos, but rushed to his defense none-the-less.

Last week the California Fair Political Practices Commission announced it intended to fine Ramos and his campaign treasurer, San Bernardino-based certified public accountant Marvin Reiter, for nine errors on Ramos’ campaign finance disclosure.

Most of the some $9,000 in omissions were credit card charges related to hotels and bars.

The lastest episode comes on the heels of Ramos being caught for failing to disclose a $10,000 payment he made to his wife from his campaign funds in 2009 for alleged campaign work.

A practice which is now banned under state law.

Both Ramos and Reiter have admitted to the latest offense.

There is circumstantial evidence to believe Ramos turned to his campaign credit card as a source to supplement his income in the second half of 2009 after his county-issued government credit card use fell under the scrutiny from at least one county supervisor and a reporter for The Sun.

The investigation into questionable activities by reporter Joe Nelson was quashed by editor Frank Pine as not being newsworthy.

To read the rest of the article, click here.

One of my disappointments during the past eleven days of non-blogging has been my inability to write about the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) findings against San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos.  Many of you may remember that we filed the complaint against him that resulted in this fine.  See:  Mike Ramos

Although we are happy with the finding of guilt, we do not believe the commission is going far enough.  Ramos is actively prosecuting his  political enemies for similar deeds, charging infractions as felonies.  Yet, as an attorney he should be held to a higher standard.  But instead he is receiving a slap on the hand in comparison to others.

Letters can be sent to the FPPC prior to the December 9 board meeting,requesting that the commission look into the matter further.  Considering Ramos’ propensity for hotel encounters with his various paramours, examining the thousands of dollars in hotel bills taken from his campaign war chest is warranted.

If you are interested in requesting that the commission hold Ramos to the same standard as he holds his political enemies, you can fax a letter to (916) 322-0886.  Several letters have already been collected and will be faxed prior to the meeting.

]]> http://iepolitics.net/2010/12/04/iepolitics-the-ramos-fine/feed/ 0 http://iepolitics.net/2010/11/21/iepolitics-rouse-leaves-majors-reductions-of-charges-open/ http://iepolitics.net/2010/11/21/iepolitics-rouse-leaves-majors-reductions-of-charges-open/#comments Mon, 22 Nov 2010 05:02:44 +0000 Administrator http://iepolitics.com/?p=6467 Continue reading →]]> Last Friday Judge Duke D. Rouse denied the defense’s motion to drop almost all charges in the Erwin FPPC case because he indicated that it needed to be reviewed at the preliminary hearing.  He did say that if those charges all involved a single form, they would not likely survive the prelim.  They all do in fact involve a single form.

We expect the prelim to take place early February.  It shall be interesting to see what happens.

Devereaux’s loyalty to Chairman Gary Ovitt stems from the years he served as city manager of Ontario when Ovitt was mayor.  It has been obvious from the beginning as Ovitt, and his then-chief of staff, Mark Kirk, orchestrated both former-County Administrative Officer Mark Uffer’s termination and Devereaux’s hiring.  The process took well over a year and the entire Fifth Floor knew that no one but Devereaux was being considered for the job.

Ovitt faces the end of his chairmanship in  January.  He has presided over one of the most ineffectual, dysfunctional, and corrupt Board of Supervisors in decades.  His chairmanship has been a disaster for this county.

Three of the remaining supervisors are vying for the top spot.  Supervisor Josie Gonzales would normally be the successor but everyone knows she is not capable of being chairman.  Between her lack of integrity and her tendency to sweep problems under the rug, she is the last person we need in a county going through serious ethical issues.  And she is expected to be the subject of a federal indictment sometime next year.

Both Neil Derry and Brad Mitzelfelt have expressed interest in the top spot as well.   Supervisor-elect Janice Rutherford is thought to support Derry.

Devereaux is said to be guiding Ovitt towards supporting Gonzales.  If she were elected as chairman, it would give Devereaux a lot more power as Gonzales is not capable of making decisions on her own and has always depended heavily on the County Administrative Officer.

This leave Supervisor Mitzelfelt as the deciding vote and he is Devereaux’s target.  We are hearing a lot of chatter about  Devereaux’s attempts to cause a rift between Derry and Mitzelfelt, both of whom have supported one another on important issues in the past.

It’s appearing that Mitzelfelt may have to settle for the vice chair position to either Gonzales or Derry.  However, we are also hearing rumors that Devereaux may be attempting to convince Gonzales to serve two more years as vice chair with Mitzelfelt getting the top spot by building a coalition of Ovitt, Mitzelfelt and Gonzales.  Such a coalition would be an effective means of stopping ethics reforms in the county proposed by both Derry and Rutherford.  These reforms will eventually strip Devereaux of some of his power base.

We here at iePolitics have definitely had our issues with Supervisor Mitzelfelt, but we have never felt that he is corrupt, especially not like Ovitt and Gonzales.  Gonzales has sided with corruption across the board from Dr. Dev GnanaDev at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center to District Attorney Mike Ramos.  Ovitt has been caught up in the corruption scandal, with his former chief of staff being an unnamed co-conspirator.  There are numerous other issues involving Ovitt that the FBI may very well be investigating that could also point to Devereaux.

We hope that Mitzelfelt will do right by not only the voters of the First District, but of the county as a whole, and side with ethics and reform.  Anything short of that would lessen his chances of re-election in two years.

Editor’s Note:  For a blog that “no one reads,” stories that are printed on it sure do have the tendency to create havoc.  We knew there would be several additional names to this list, but then presents drop from the sky.  And those presents were read by the defense.

iePolitics has obtained a partial list of witnesses expected to be called as a part of the upcoming corruption trial in People v. Postmus, et al.  Attorneys for the defendants have given the judge an expected length of seven to eight weeks for the trial.  Here are the names we have been given so far:

• Mike Ramos
• Female DA Employee No. 1
• Female DA Employee No. 2
• Female DA Employee No. 3
• Female DA Employee No. 4
• Female DA Employee No. 5
• Matt Brown
• Adam Aleman
• Brad Mitzelfelt
• Mark Kirk
• Gary Ovitt
• Mark Uffer
• Sheila Raines
• Harlow Cameron
• Dennis Draeger
• Bud Randles
• Bob Schreiber
• Ruth Stringer
• Michael Smith
• Maury Weiss
• Tim Johnson
• Josh Candaleria
• Bob Smith
• Josh White
• Naseem Farooqi
• Robert Eland
• Steve Hauer
• Bob Windle
• Andrew Lamberto
• Cheryl Ristow

Additions:

• Brenda Solis
• Burt Southard
• Brian Johns
• Bobby Cox
• Fire Crew Member No. 2
• Fire Crew Member No. 3
• Amy Sheldon

Our condolences to the family.

www.inlandpolitics.com

Wednesday, November 10, 2010 – 9:28 a.m.

Is the District Attorney really calling the shots in the investigation involving activities at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC)?

The evidence is building, and it’s beginning to look more and more like the answer is “no”.

Confidential sources tell The Insider that federal agents were doing the questioning of hospital staff, not investigators for District Attorney Michael Ramos, as everyone is being led to believe.

Considering all of Ramos’ personal and professional issues, can anyone really blame the feds.

The level of seriousness of the ARMC investigation can be drawn from the line of questioning.

Sources tell The Insider the alleged conduct under investigation includes, but is not limited to; medical treatment of uncharted and unregistered patients who are public officials; the theft of public services; allegations of threats and intimidation of medical providers and staff; and allegations of abuse in the Department of Behavioral Health inpatient unit.

The buzz on this issue? Ramos dragged his feet on the whole ARMC matter until finally the feds had to step in.

Ramos, who has been accused of utilizing his office to lash out at his political enemies, has also worked tirelessly to protect those he views as allies.

Other sources say Ramos may have been out to protect one member of the board of supervisors in particular. Someone Ramos views as an ally.

To read the rest of the story, click here.

Smith dismissed the PC424 charge against Eyler, stating he clearly was a not a public official.  Also dismissed were a PC424 and PC 487(a) against Postmus in reference to the .10 cents that was not properly repaid on the airline ticket for friend and business partner Dino DeFazio.

Defendants are now scheduled to be arraigned before Judge Duke D. Rouse on November 19, 2010.

]]> http://iepolitics.net/2010/11/08/iepolitics-judge-smith-drops-total-of-three-charges-in-corruption-case/feed/ 1 http://iepolitics.net/2010/11/07/inlandpolitics-the-insider-county-judge-shopping-on-ramos-case/ http://iepolitics.net/2010/11/07/inlandpolitics-the-insider-county-judge-shopping-on-ramos-case/#comments Mon, 08 Nov 2010 03:17:51 +0000 Administrator http://iepolitics.com/?p=6183 Continue reading →]]>

www.inlandpolitics.com

Sunday, November 7, 2010 – 1:45 p.m.

San Bernardino County appears to be judge shopping in a lawsuit filed against it and District Attorney Mike Ramos by former employee Cheryl Ristow.

Ristow has sued the county and Ramos, claiming she was retaliated against by Ramos for refusing to keep secret and affair between her and the two-term DA, when knowledge of their relationship went public in May 2009.

During an ex-parte hearing on November 3, Superior Court Judge Janet Frangie recused herself, upon a peremptory challenge by the county.

Frangie isn’t anointed from the local home grown attorney crop, but instead is from Los Angeles County. Therefore, the county’s legal minds are less trustful of Frangie to see things their way.

To read the rest of the story, click here.

Brown made headlines earlier this year when he complained that he was the victim of a hostile work environment because he also wore a wire in an attempt to entrap his boss, Supervisor Paul Biane, on behalf of the District Attorney’s Office.  Brown went out on stress and returned months later after settling with the county for $25,000 a new job paying the equivalent to his $225,000 annual salary and benefits he received working for Biane.

Brown is proving to be quite the snitch.  He and his wife Jessica have worked both sides for years.  Now he is working for another elected, Democratic Auditor-Controller-Tax Collector Larry Walker.  Walker is despised by many on the Fifth Floor.

It was Fifth Floor politicos who were instrumental in leaking information regarding the Walker-Thompson alliance to iePolitics a couple of years ago.  It makes us wonder who Brown is actually working for now and where his loyalties lie.  Republican politicians would like nothing better than to see Walker caught up in a headline-grabbing scandal.  Perhaps Brown can deliver in time.

]]> http://iepolitics.net/2010/11/01/iepolitics-more-prosecutorial-misconduct-exposed-at-postmus-prelim-matt-brown-proves-worth-to-opponents-once-again/feed/ 4 http://iepolitics.net/2010/10/28/iepolitics-where-are-the-arrest-warrants-for-jeff-burum-mark-kirk-gary-ovitt/ http://iepolitics.net/2010/10/28/iepolitics-where-are-the-arrest-warrants-for-jeff-burum-mark-kirk-gary-ovitt/#comments Fri, 29 Oct 2010 02:13:22 +0000 Administrator http://iepolitics.com/?p=6100 Continue reading →]]> 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.

One of the worst abusers is Mark Kirk, former chief of staff to Chairman Gary Ovitt.  Former County Administrative Officer Mark Uffer turned over documentation to the District Attorney showing just that and we have been told a subpoena/search warrant was served on Kirk’s payroll records.  Where is the arrest warrant?

Bill Postmus is being prosecuted for allowing Gutierrez to work less than 80 hours a week.  Gary Ovitt should be prosecuted for allowing Mark Kirk and his other staff members to do the same thing.  Again, what is the District Attorney waiting for?

Perhaps most telling was  San Bernardino County Spokesperson David Wert’s comments:

County spokesman David Wert said he was not surprised by the verdicts against Gutierrez and that the decision bolsters a lawsuit the county has fired seeking restitution for misconduct in the Assessor’s Office.

“The jury’s verdict is consistent with the points that the county is making in its civil suit, and the county will move forward in its efforts to recover its losses,” Wert said.

We know that Wert is not allowed to make any comment on anything significant without the permission of County Administrative Officer Greg Devereaux.  That combined with the fact that Devereaux, along with the entire Board of Supervisors, has known for seven months that Human Resources Director Andrew Lamberto has lied, now three times, at the Gutierrez hearings regarding  the Exempt Benefit Plan, we can only assume that the Fifth Floor wants to see those who work less than 80 hours a pay period prosecuted.  We can also assume that Devereaux and the Supes no longer enjoy an amicable relationship with Jeff Burum or the Colonies Partners.  Obviously, they feel a conspiracy did in fact take place based on Wert’s comments.  So, where is the civil suit against Burum?

iePolitics has never made an apologies as to where our loyalties lie and that is with the rank-and-file county employees and the taxpayers.  Despite what many claim, we are about seeing justice.  Unless these three individuals and quite a few more from the Fifth Floor are charged for doing the exact same things as Gutierrez, then this has been nothing but a witch hunt.  It is time county government gets cleaned up.

I had been leaning towards voting for Newsom because if we are going to have a Democrat in office, I would prefer one who admits to being a democrat.  Mikey is a former Democrat as well, changing parties when he decided to run for public office.

So, it’s decided for me.  Newsom has my vote.

Adam Aleman

www.sbgrapevine.com

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.

Adam came from a hard-working family and the values he was raised with served him well.  He proved to be a quick learner and a natural politico with a strong drive for success.  But along the way to climbing up the ladder to a position as Assistant Assessor at the age of 24, something went terribly wrong.

They say power corrupts.  They also say it goes to the head.  Aleman is an excellent argument for both statements.

The public never really heard the name “Adam Aleman” until San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos announced that search warrants were served on the San Bernardino County Assessor’s office where Bill Postmus had become Assessor a year earlier and Aleman became one of two assistant assessors.  Jim Erwin was the second.

The Assessor’s Office had been the subject of a Grand Jury probe, initiated as a result of Second District Supervisor Paul Biane filing a complaint with the District Attorney’s Public Integrity Unit over political work being done on county time.   The complaint alleged that Postmus was running a political operation out of the Assessor’s Office.

During the Grand Jury probe, documents from the Assessor’s Office were requested as part of the investigation.  Several Assessor’s Office employees were also asked for their testimony before the Grand Jury.  Adam Aleman was one of those employees.  He was also responsible for submitting the requested documents.

Whether it was his youth, fear, arrogance, or simply the fact that values his parents tried to instill in him did not take, Aleman started down the road of deception.  Before submitting the requested documents he altered them, and then lied about it.  He also lied to the Grand Jury and destroyed county property.

After months of investigation, on June 30, 2008, Aleman was arrested and charged with nine felonies.  One year to the day, June 30, 2009, Aleman plead guilty to four felony counts.  As part of the plea agreement, those felonies will be reduced in exchange for his truthful testimony against any and all other defendants in the Assessor’s Office corruption scandal and ancillary cases.

Long before June 2009, Aleman’s “deal” had become obvious to anyone connected in anyway with the corruption scandal.  Public officials and private citizens alike were interrogated, harassed, bullied, searched, accused, and intimidated by District Attorney investigators from the Public Integrity Unit based on “intel” provided to them from Aleman.

Aleman has described himself as a “master manipulator” on one hand but on the other has said privately that he was coerced into making statements about others by the investigators.  He claims he merely told them he was passing along rumors that he expected them to check out to determine if they had a factual basis.  He also has said that he has been intimidated by them when they have played “good cop, bad cop” with him, threatened him with a long prison sentence if he didn’t cooperate, and encouraged him to lie.

To read the rest of this story, click here.

Grand Terrace City Councilwoman Bea Cortes

Friday, October 15, 2010

www.sbgrapevine.com

Are you listening US Attorney?  San Bernardino County is in crisis.  The principles our nation were founded on are being undermined by the very person sworn to uphold the Constitution of the United States—the person charged with enforcing the Constitution and all state and local laws at the county level.

When one reads the California District Attorneys Association Code of Ethics reprinted in Part One of this series, it is easy to see its President and our county’s District Attorney, Mike Ramos, has broken every concept put forth in that document.  He flagrantly violates those ethical standards while claiming to be in the pursuit of “justice.”

But it is worse than simple ethical lapses.  Ramos and his staff have stopped at nothing to gain convictions, including violating the law themselves.

Nine months after the first arrest in the case was made, an arrest warrant was served on Jim Erwin, Supervisor Neil Derry’s chief of staff at the time.  The arrest was for violations of Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) reporting requirements, violations that if found to be true are usually handled with a warning letter and/or fine.

Erwin had no history of FPPC violations or any other crime.  Yet he was charged with ten felonies and bail was set at $220,000.  Those ten felonies all related to a single FPPC 700 form, which had it risen to the level of a “crime” in any other jurisdiction, would have been filed as a single misdemeanor.  It was a clear case of selective prosecution, an argument that is bolstered by all the prosecutions that have NOT taken place in this county for similar “offenses.”

We know that even here in San Bernardino County FPPC violations are handled with warning letters and/or fines normally, if any action at all is taken.  Recent allegations of FPPC violations show that to be true with other elected  and appointed officials such as Mike Ramos, Gary Penrod, Bea Cortes, Paul Biane,  Jim Penman,  Greg Devereaux, Josie Gonzales, and Kelly Chastain.  Ramos refused to file on a single one yet many of their “crimes” were far worse than that of Erwin.  Penrod and Chastain, for example, had been filing false claims for years.

To read the rest of the story, click here.

District Attorney Mike Ramos

www.sbgrapevine.com

Are you listening United States Attorney?  San Bernardino County is in crisis.  Oh yes, we have financial problems like every other jurisdiction but we will get through them in due time.  Our crisis is a much more serious threat to our citizenry.  It is a crisis of ethics, of safety, and of fear.

Our crisis undermines the feeling of security and well being of law-abiding citizens.  It mocks those who gave their blood to protect the Constitution of the United States.  It is as evil a crisis as any American community can face.

Our crisis centers around the political aspirations of our district attorney who uses his powers, not just to prosecute criminals, but to persecute political enemies.  Justice no longer equates with truth but rather revenge.

California Government Code Section 26500 defines  the district attorney as the chief law enforcement officer in the county.  It is one of only four positions in any county that is required by the California Constitution to be elected.  The others are sheriff, assessor and members of the governing body.

The California District Attorneys Association defines the ethical duties of prosecutors as follows:

In administering justice, a prosecutor must abide by a strict code of ethics. A prosecutor must always strive to discover the truth while carrying out all official duties. Furthermore, a prosecutor must “keep abreast of the law and strive to improve the legal profession.” (Professionalism Manual, CDAA, 1999).  Additionally, the prosecutor must exercise the utmost professionalism as he or she is in the position of demonstrating ideal social behavior for others to follow.

At any level, the primary role of the prosecutor is to “investigate and prosecute impartially” criminal suspects on behalf of the People. Prosecutors should prosecute with “earnestness and vigor” while employing only “legitimate investigative techniques” to ensure that “guilt shall not escape or innocence suffer.” (Berger v. United States (1935) 295 U.S. 78, 88.)

In carrying out their duties, prosecutors are required to follow statutory regulations imposed on them by California’s Business and Professions Code § 6068 (a)-(d). These duties include upholding the federal and state constitutions and laws; respecting courts of justice and judicial officers; maintaining only such actions as appear to be legal or just; and employing only such means as are consistent with the truth and never seeking to mislead a judge or judicial officer.

Mike Ramos was elected as San Bernardino County District Attorney almost eight years ago.  His first term in office was unremarkable.  He was part of the county political machine, happy to maintain the status quo as long as his indiscretions were ignored by the county’s most influential politicos.  His Public Integrity Unit did not win a single conviction of note.

As Ramos began his second term of office things started to change.  Rumors increased that Congressman Jerry Lewis was considering retirement within a few terms and Ramos would likely be his chosen successor.  Rifts between the West end and East end factions began to widen.

To read the rest of the story, click here.

Lewis Cope is a Mormon.  I have found most Mormons to be good people.  But then there are those that try to force their church’s bigoted attitudes on everyone else.  When one is a District Attorney, they should be enforcing state law, not church law.  Cope has a different view.

Cope, being a good Mormon, believes alternative lifestyles are sinful.  Nothing could have been more clear today.  Much of what Cope tried to produce as being a crime had to do with a lifestyle he disagrees with rather than the Penal Code.  It was so bad that Judge Smith had to seize three pieces of “evidence” and order them sealed.

Bud Randle may not be a Mormon, but he is a good ol’ boy redneck who seems to have similarly equal scorn for those with lifestyles that he finds disturbing.  Randle testified that Adam Aleman (Randle pronounces it Ail-Man in his obvious dislike for Hispanics as well) claims Bill is a HO  MO  SEX  YOU  AL, pronouncing it similar to what a southern preacher might in a fire and brimstone sermon.  Randle’s prejudices were obvious today.

What is funny about all of this is these guys apparently forget about their religion when it comes to their boss.  Mikey is the king of sleaze.  To quote Bill today:

Today’s pre-trial hearing is just another example of how our sex-craved District Attorney Mike Ramos will stop at nothing to draw attention away from his continuous professional lapses and sexual misconduct with his own subordinates.

And it’s true.  These guys have no problem with someone who uses his office and his authority to lure subordinates into sexual relationships but then complain about two people having a consensual relationship because they don’t like who they are.  Cheating on your wife is not a sin as long as you do it with another woman.  Now there’s a concept we should all live our lives by.

The District Attorney’s office sunk to a new low today.  What a surprise!

As part of a probe that all parties concerned had hoped might remain unnoticed by the public at large, investigators for district attorney Mike Ramos have been calling upon the San Bernardino County GOP to turn over some “books” for review.

Sources tell the Sentinel that Nan Rider, the former San Bernardino County Republican Central Committee member  who was previously  chosen to serve as the secretary to the central committee’s elite ruling executive committee but was later relieved of that duty by current central committee chairman Robert Rego, has been less than cooperative in making the requested documentation available.

Rider was unavailable to confirm or deny that report.

The district attorney’s inability to obtain the requested documents is apartially a function of  reluctance on the part of several members of the county GOP establishment to cooperate with Ramos and his public integrity unit, which has charged or named as unindicted co-conspirators five individuals who served on the central committee within the last five years. Differences within the county Republican Central Committee itself,  including resistance to the leadership role now being exercised by Rego, who is seeking to reform the committee and its practices, has complicated the pursuit of the information as well.

Ramos and his investigators have interested themselves in the San Bernardino Republican Central Committee as an outgrowth of a criminal case already filed against former San Bernardino County assessor Bill Postmus and former assistant assessor Jim Erwin. They were charged by the district attorney’s office and the state attorney general’s office in February with an extortion and bribery scheme related to the county board of supervisor’s  November 2006 vote to settle a lawsuit brought against the county by the Rancho Cucamonga-based development company, Colonies Partners, over flood control issues at that company’s Colonies at San Antonio project in northeastern Upland. At that time, Postmus had just been elected county assessor but had not been sworn into that post and was still on the county board of supervisors. He voted with supervisors Paul Biane and Gary Ovitt to settle the lawsuit with a $102 million payout to the Colonies Partners.

The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office and California Attorney General’s Office in its criminal filing against Postmus and Erwin further delineated the action of five unnamed co-conspirators – Jeff Burum and Dan Richards, the managing principals of the Colonies Partners; the Colonies Partners’ public relations consultant, Patrick O’Reilly; Mark Kirk, who had been the chief of staff to Ovitt; and Biane – in the criminal complaint.

According to that criminal filing, Burum and Richards, with the assistance of O’Reilly and Erwin – who had long been one of Postmus’s political associates and had been the president and later the executive director of the Safety Employees Benefit Association [SEBA], the union representing the county’s sheriff’s deputies – in 2006 drafted political hit pieces containing derogatory and embarrassing information about Postmus and Biane and threatened to mail it to their constituents, but ultimately withheld it. This threat to ruin Postmus and Biane’s political careers constituted extortion, according to prosecutors, and was followed up with a show of substantial generosity to those who had just been extorted after the vote to confer the $102 million on Burum and Richard’s company was made. Following that 3-2 vote, Burum, Richards and their company provided $100,000 to a political action committee founded and controlled by Erwin, a total of $100,000 to two political action committees founded and controlled by Postmus, $100,000 to a political action committee founded controlled by Kirk which was active in supporting Ovitt, and $100,000 to a political action committee which was founded by Biane’s chief of staff, Matt Brown, but which was secretly, prosecutors allege, controlled by Biane.

In this same time frame, Postmus was the chairman of the San Bernardino County Republican Central Committee and Biane was the vice chairman. Under Postmus’ leadership, the central committee created an executive committee, which Postmus stacked with central committee members employed in his county office and the county offices of Biane and Ovitt. The executive committee was then empowered to take action on behalf of the entire central committee. Members of the executive committee included Postmus, Biane, Ovitt, Kirk, Brown, Richards, and Adam Aleman, another close Postmus associate.

Several hundred thousand dollars in political donations were passed along to Postmus, and Ovitt in the 2002 to 2006 time frame which had originated with the Colonies Partners or Burum’s and Richards’ other companies. Some of this money came to the Postmus, Biane and Ovitt campaigns directly. Much of that money came to them indirectly through the sheriff’s deputies’ union’s political action committee, which was in large part controlled by Erwin, as well as the San Bernardino County Republican Party, which was then controlled by Postmus, Biane and Ovitt through the executive committee.

The district attorney’s office is now exploring whether the San Bernardino Republican Central Committee was used as a money laundering vehicle for bribes that may have been delivered to Postmus or Biane.

Aleman worked for Postmus when he was supervisor, helped manage his campaign for assessor, was hired as assistant assessor by Postmus in 2007, and was subsequently arrested in 2008 and pleaded guilty in 2009 to destroying public property, misappropriating public property and giving false testimony to a grand jury. Since making his plea deal with prosecutors, Aleman has told investigators that Burum provided hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes to Postmus and others in return for the board’s approval of the $102 million settlement.

As current chairman of the county GOP, Robert Rego has sought to undo the dictatorial practices attributed to the party leadership under Postmus as well as Postmus’ immediate  successor as central committee chairman, Biane. A vestige of the Postmus era, however, was Nan Rider, a member of the central committee known to have been a supporter of former Republican Assemblyman and State Senator Jim Brulte, one of the more powerful Republican state lawmakers from San Bernardino County in the last quarter century. Postmus was a Brulte protégé.

Rider, who resided in San Bernardino County’s Fourth Supervisorial District from whence Brulte had served in Sacramento, failed in her bid to be elected to the San Bernardino County Republican Central Committee in 2008. As the district director for Assemblyman Bill Emmerson, however, Rider was able to wangle an appointment to the central committee as Emmerson’s alternate, such that she was able to participate in the central committee meetings whenever Emmerson was absent, which was quite often. In her alternate capacity with the central committee, Rider was reinstalled as the secretary to the executive committee. In November 2009, when Emmerson moved from Redlands in San Bernardino County to Hemet in Riverside County, he automatically lost his eligibility to serve on the San Bernardino County Republican Central Committee. By extension, Rider lost her position on the central committee, since she was there in the capacity of Emmerson’s alternate. Assemblyman Anthony Adams then consented to allowing her to be his alternate, but a few months later Adams’ departure from the central committee resulted in her leaving.

Upon departing, Rider took with her the “books,” i.e., notes, she had been keeping as secretary to the executive committee, which sources tell the Sentinel, were entered into her personal laptop computer.

According to a Republican Party source, who referred to Rider as “the longtime SBGOP secretary” and “Brulte’s eyes and ears” inside the central committee, when Rego sought the notes of executive committee sessions from her after her departure, she refused to hand them over.

Subsequently, when the district attorney’s office made its request for the notes, minutes and books the central committee possessed, Rego was unable, through no fault of his own, to comply.

“Apparently Robert Rego has stated to Mike Ramos that Rider refuses to return them,” a Republican Party official told the Sentinel. There might be some hostility toward Rego on Rider’s part, the party official said. “Since Rider was not elected to the central committee, Rego ‘fired’ her as the executive secretary and she kept many documents and books, refusing to turn them over to Rego and the executive board,” the GOP official said.

Attempts to reach Rider for her version of events were unsuccessful.

Rego told the Sentinel, “The district attorney’s investigators weren’t asking for books, exactly. They were looking for attendance records from 2007 and 2008. That was prior to the current central committee. Since those records were pertinent to that period of time, it was referred to Nan. She was a committee member and secretary at that time.”

Rego said he was not able to respond to the investigators’ request because he did not have custody of the records they sought and “since I was not an officer during that period of time.”

Rego said he was not certain what the district attorney’s office was looking for or whether its investigators received everything they were looking for.  “The only thing I know of that was  requested were attendance records from 2007 and 2008. My understanding was those were delivered to them. There may be more that I don’t know about. I was a member of the central committee in 2007 and 2008 but I was not on the executive committee at that time.”

Queried directly on whether the investigators had sought information pertaining to donations provided to Postmus or others by the Colonies Partners or its principals through the Republican Party, Rego said, “I know there are a lot of directions being taken in the investigation. This is the first I have heard about that concern for the central committee but that does not necessarily mean they are not looking at those things. I have no idea.”

Nor was Rego able to say whether Brulte was a subject of interest in the district attorney’s probe.

“Jim Brulte hasn’t been involved in the central committee in the last two years,” Rego said. “I don’t know how involved he was directly or indirectly in the two years before that.”

Robert Ziprick, the current second vice chairman of the San Bernardino County Republican Central Committee, said, “We can’t  help what happened under Bill Postmus. If there are questions about what happened in the past, the best we can do for our county and our party is to run a straight ship. If the DA wants something, my position is we should give it to him.”

Whether the records the district attorney’s office seeks are currently in the possession of the committee  is another matter, Ziprick said.

“I’m not sure where those records are or if we even have them,” Ziprick said.

“I know when Nan left, Robert [Rego] wanted the records left in the office.”
Ziprick said the district attorney’s office had the power of subpoena to force Rider to give up any documentation she might possess but that he did not believe the central committee had the authority to force her to give up the notes she took.

“She is no longer on the central committee,” he said.

Ziprick acknowledged that Rider was closer to the past leadership of the county GOP than she was to Rego and the others now heading the central committee.

“She had been there a long time,” he said. “She knows a lot of people in the party like Brulte.”

Ziprick, an attorney, reiterated that there was no effort by the current party leadership to cover for the past leadership.

“Something could have happened in the past we didn’t know about,” he said.

“My position is if the DA wants something we will produce it. I haven’t been asked. If I were asked, I would want those records produced. I am an officer of the court. You have to follow the rules regardless and let the chips fall where they will. If it is my choice and I get to vote on it, I would say turn it over and we will just live with the consequences.”

The Board of Supervisors is very aware of District Attorney Mike Ramos’ sexual exploits with his subordinates and colleagues alike during county time, on county property, and in county vehicles.  Most of them personally witnessed him and Doreen Boxer at the City/County Conference in Lake Arrowhead several years ago.

And at least some of those residing on the Fifth Floor have personal knowledge of Mike Ramos approaching Ruth Stringer and asking to “eat your pussy” in order to get himself a raise.  His romps with employees and prostitutes alike are well known.

But the BOS is also aware of sexual harassment throughout the county.  This is a perfect example of why Jene-Rene Basle was hired and why they keep Andrew Lamberto on board.  Both are experts at making sure victims are harassed until they leave county employ.  As a matter of fact, Lamberto himself has an issue with not being able to keep it zipped up on the job and the BOS won’t do a thing about it.

Our supervisors do not care about sexual harassment or hostile work environment.  Four of them are male chauvinist pigs at their finest.  They honestly disgust me with what they have done.  However, being a women, Josie, who has very first-hand knowledge of the Ramos situation, went along with them.  That is indefensible.

There was no need whatsoever to fund Ramos’ defense.  He is an elected official who participated in illegal behavior.  He could have funded his defense with his campaign war chest.  That is an allowable use and he has plenty to fund it with.

One chief of staff told me today, “Innocent until proven guilty.”  BULLSHIT!!!  Ramos is a pig and every member of the BOS knows what he has done.  But they are such wimps and misogynists themselves, they don’t have balls enough to stand up to him.

Shame of this Board of Supervisors.  Nothing will ever change until we get rid of all five of them.

We discovered that the investigation of the century has so far cost the District Attorney’s Office over $4 million.  No, it costs taxpayers over $4 million.  Does anyone realize how much fraud Bill Postmus has been accused of that they are trying to collect on?

I don’t have the exact amount but it is between $1100 and $1200.  Even if convicted, does anyone think he is going to do jail time for that?  Do all of you really believe this matter is worth over $4 million?

What’s funny is that the only possible conviction outside of Adam they could get in these cases is Greg Eyler AND that is only if he somehow chickens out and takes a plea deal.  But don’t count on it.

One of his charges MUST be dropped altogether for reasons I will not explain.  And the other charge MUST be reduced to a misdemeanor.  On the latter, the law is totally on his side so he would be a fool to take a plea just to get on with life a little sooner.  As long as he can hang on, his cases will go away.

And another great use of resources?  That would be the Hueston investigation.  Adam told me the other night he has been served with a demand letter for $1,536,541 because he is the only one who defaulted on the civil suit.  Most of that amount represents the cost of the Hueston investigation to date.

You’ve got five unemployed defendants with no assets.  And, the county has taken the lid off of how much Hueston can continue to spend.

Like I said, we don’t have many good analysts in the county.  Certainly neither the District Attorney, the County Administrative Office or County Counsel have qualified analysts.  If they have any at all, they should be fired.

Remember, District Attorney Mike Ramos, during the City-County Conference and in front of dozens of county and city officials, asked if he could “eat Ruth’s pussy.”  Well it looks like Ruthie wants to return the favor, figuratively speaking, that is.

We have a district attorney who cannot keep hyperactive little Willie under control during work hours and now expects the Board of Supervisors to pay the bill for all of its roaming around.  And Ruthie is recommending they do so.

First, this is Mikey’s problem, not the county’s.  The only reason the county is being sued is because Ruthie interfered in the investigation that should have sent Mikey packing.

Second, Mikey can pay for this lawsuit out of his campaign fund.  He has plenty of money for that.

Third, this is the first of likely six or more lawsuits to be filed against Mikey because he can’t keep it zipped up on county time.  Five other women, at least two are deputy district attorneys, have come forward and signed declarations that Mikey had sexual relations with them on county time, in county vehicles, and in county buildings.  Remember, that stairwell over there could tell stories.

And finally, this is morally and ethically wrong.  Almost every member of the Board has witnessed Mikey in compromising situations on county time.  Several of them personally witnessed Mikey and Doreen Boxer.  Josie was even asked to counsel Boxer over the incident as she was the only woman on the Board.

If the Board really approves this money, we will know they have no backbone.  This is truly an outrageous abuse of taxpayer funds and it an abuse of prosecutorial powers by Mikey.  We all know he is holding the threat of prosecution over their heads.