iePolitics: This is the part where I lose all respect

From a Press Enterprise article:

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

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

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

“Entertainment,” Cope suggested.

“Entertainment,” Burum agreed.

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

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

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

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

iePolitics: 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.

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

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

We are not ready to say Ramos is equally bizarre.  But he is still a predator, a predator who could be retired as of today had promises been kept.

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

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

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

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iePolitics: Lamberto transcripts turned over to BOS

Andrew’s got some ‘splaining to do.  Transcripts clearly showing San Bernardino County’s Director of Human Resources Andrew Lambert purposely mangled the truth while testifying at the Gutierrez trial two weeks ago have been turned over to the Board of Supervisors and County Administrative Office.  In the meantime, iePolitics has received a considerable number of hits this morning from the FBI on the posts regarding Lamberto’s perjury.

Lamberto’s testimony could not only send an innocent man to prison, but may very well impact numerous others working for the Board of Supervisors and County Administrative Office.  Mark Kirk in particular has been targeted by District Attorney investigators, and based on information from a confidential informant, we believe they have stepped up their investigation in the past week.  We have been told he is one of the individuals whose payroll records have been subjected to a search warrant/subpoena.

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iePolitics: A mystery that needs solving

Biane Hit Piece

Well we have a mystery.   Hit pieces against Fontana Councilwoman and Second Supervisorial candidate Janice Rutherford started showing up in mailboxes last week.  One mail piece asked Rancho Cucamonga residents if they wanted “Fontana’s problems”—a piece clearly meant to  spark an elitist attitude by Rancho Cucamonga voters. A second mailer linked Rutherford with Upland Mayor John Pomierski. The mailer pictured above was received today.

The Political Action Committee (PAC) identified on the mailers is ”Citizens Against Corruption Opposing Rutherford for Supervisor 2010.” In their paperwork filed with the Registrar of Voters office all that is listed is an address which belongs to Sutton Law Firm in San Francisco.

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InlandPolitics: Yucaipa at its best

Monday, September 27, 2010 – 9:20 p.m.
Last Updated: September 28, 2010 – 1:20 p.m.

www.inlandpolitics.com

On Monday night Yucaipa city government was at its best.

The matter involving a controversial Spanish-language radio tower took on an increasingly ugly tone, with allegations and daggers being hurled by various interests, including Mayor Dick Riddell.

The players present. Redlands Attorney John Mirau, representatives from Riverside-based O’Reilly Public Relations, Chas Kelly,  a field representative for county supervisor Neil Derry, plus a handful of sign carriers of Anglo-descent.

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InlandPolitics: The Insider: Was Jerry Brown lied to?

  • Written by The Insider
  • Posted August 29, 2010 at 2:46 pm

www.inlandpolitics.com

Sunday, August 29, 2010 – 2:40 pm

It’s finally crunch time in the multi-year corruption probe launched by San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos.

And one has to wonder what Ramos told Attorney General Jerry Brown in regards to his evidence?

There’s a bigger question starting to be asked by some close to the investigation.

Was Brown lied to?

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iePolitics: Corruption Defendant Got A Taste of Justice in San Bernardino County

I like “I told you so’s” even to my friends.  Former San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus got an “I told you so” from me yesterday.

Up until yesterday, Superior Court Judge Micheal Dest seemed to be doing the “right thing” during the hearings for the corruption defendants, at least in comparison to Judge Duke Rouse, who has been doing anything but the “right thing.”  But I spent two years working for the little man and tried to tell Bill and Jim that Dest would do what is best for Dest politically. Continue reading

InlandPolitics Commentary: A battle of Good vs. Evil

  • Written by Administrator
  • Posted February 15, 2010 at 12:09 pm

This last week’s developments involving the filing of charges against two former county officials, the naming of five “un-named” co-conspirators, and the reputation destruction of others referred to in a complaint and accompanying arrest affidavit has commenced a chain of events that will reverberate in San Bernardino County for years.

The charges and accusations come with less than one week before the filing period for the June primary election officially opens. District Attorney Mike Ramos is seeking re-election and California Attorney General Jerry Brown is running for Governor.

After the conclusion of a live press conference District Attorney Mike Ramos made it clear to reporters they could deduce who the “un-charged” or “un-named” parties were by carefully reading the criminal complaint. Figuring out the names wasn’t the least bit difficult. Ramos’ venom was evident. He spoke of personal attacks on himself and his family and concerns over his budget being cut.

Former Assessor and County Supervisor Bill Postmus, who already posted $110,000 bail was re-arrested and forced to post an additional $250,000. Former Assistant Assessor Jim Erwin, who had already posted $220,000 bail was also re-arrested and required to post an additional $380,000.

Neither Postmus nor Erwin had ever been late to any court appearance.

The “un-named” individuals are Jeff Burum, co-managing partner, Colonies Partners, Dan Richards, co-managing partner, Colonies Partners, Patrick O’Reilly, CEO, O’Reilly Public Relations, Paul Biane, second district supervisor, and Mark Kirk, chief of staff to fourth district supervisor Gary Ovitt. Continue reading

iePolitics: Not enough arrests for Ramos’ political career?

Sources close to the investigation have revealed that San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos wanted to have arrest warrants issued for all five John Does at the same time that warrants were issued for former Assessor Bill Postmus and former Assistant Assessor Jim Erwin.  It was Attorney General Jerry Brown who crushed Ramos’ plan to arrest Colonies Partners Jeff Burum and Dan Richards, consultant Patrick O’Reilly, Fourth District Chief of Staff Mark Kirk and Second District Supervisor Paul Biane.  It was also Brown who insisted that they not be personally named in the complaint.

InlandPolitics: Is dirty politics behind District Attorney actions? – Part 2

  • Written by Blogger
  • Posted February 12, 2010 at 9:23 am

In this article we will take a close look at the destroy-at-all-cost targeting of San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos and his Orange County-based political consultant David Ellis, owner of Delta Partners, LLC.

One thing is for certain. It’s becoming increasingly obvious Ramos’ agenda in his falsely-proclaimed never-ending quest to rid San Bernardino County of political corruption, and it definitely isn’t about fighting crime.

That agenda being, neutralize the county’s west-end political power base.

In our last article we discussed the Ramos/Ellis back-stabbing of two politicos. The two being Deputy District Attorney and former Ontario City Councilman Jason Anderson, a now former friend and client of Ellis and perceived threat to Ramos, and Patrick O’Reilly, CEO of Riverside-based O’Reilly Public Relations, and now former friend of Ellis. Continue reading

InlandPolitics: Is dirty politics behind District Attorney actions?

  • Written by Blogger
  • Posted February 5, 2010 at 12:22 pm

One has to admit the political buzz in San Bernardino County is non-stop.

Many reverberations have crossed the transom regarding District Attorney Michael A. Ramos’ motivation for his politically charged actions over the past 18 months.

Some motivations that have surfaced of late have gained credibility.

While Ramos is employing the “I’m fighting political corruption” mantra in limited public appearances throughout the county, other issues have arisen that involve not only Ramos, but his Orange County-based consultant David Ellis, owner of Delta Partners, LLC.

It becomes really slimy and underhanded from here.

While Ramos is mostly known for his interest in having serial extramarital affairs, drunkenness, and an affinity for golf, he also worries about his political future. With his past, who wouldn’t.

Ellis on the other hand cares about three things and three things only. Those being Franklin, Grant, and Jackson!

He’ll sell anyone down the river for a buck.

Let’s talk about a couple targets of the Ramos/Ellis tag team. Continue reading

iePolitics: Where does right end and wrong begin?

I was chatting with a friend a few weeks ago and he was riled up over Mark Kirk.  He commented that he wanted to make Kirk feel pain.  He wasn’t talking about physical pain, but the emotional pain he was feeling and which he blames on Kirk.  I had a very hard time understanding how one could hate that much.  I even talked to Mark about it because I couldn’t fathom what Mark could have done to bring about that much animosity from another human.

Here we are just a few short weeks later and I feel the same way.  I confessed to my therapist in my group today and I didn’t get taken 5150 so I know can now safely admit this here, but a week ago today I was so distaught at what Mark had done that for the first time since my problem with the suicidal thoughts started on October 8, 2008, I made the only totally serious attempt.  I started with ten Trazadon, followed by five Tramadol fifteen minutes later and then rotated with five pills every fifteen minutes for several hours.

I was so sick of Mark discounting my feelings I just wanted to show him how much he hurt me, not that he would give a crap, but ones mind is not thinking coherently when this is going on.  I remember with each group of five pills I was convinced they would be the ones that would finally knock me out.  I kept wondering when I was going to die and was getting really mad that it didn’t happen. Continue reading