iePolitics: Happy Thanksgiving to those who chose not to do the right thing

Rex Gutierrez

This year Rex will spend his Thanksgiving Day in prison, taking the fall for those who would not do the right thing and because of those who are not afraid to commit perjury and other crimes.   By this time next year, he will have been out for a while.  I wonder how many of you may be in his place by that time.  Some of you at this time last year called me crazy for suggesting that you too could be where he was headed.   Now you are just a bit worried, aren’t you?  And worried you should be.

iePolitics: Behind the scenes, Part Three

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

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

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

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iePolitics: A couple of comments

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

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

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iePolitics: Appeal filed by Gutierrez

Docket (Register of Actions)

The People v. Rex Alexandergutierrez
Case Number E052781

Date Description Notes
01/27/2011 Notice of appeal lodged/received (criminal). dtd Jan 18, 2011; Rex Dale Alexandergutierrez
01/27/2011 Notice to reporter to prepare transcript. dtd Jan 20, 2011; CSR Harrison, Morrow
01/27/2011 County clerk extension granted. to file record on Apr 10, 2011 due to clerk unable to timely process the appeal.
02/09/2011 Notice to reporter to prepare transcript. (1st amended) To add date of Feb 4, 2011 to CSR Harrison.
02/15/2011 Change of address filed for: Applnt. Previous address: ADI.

Rex is pro per, because as the rich and powerful say, “Rex lied.”

iePolitics: Gutierrez transferred to Tehachapi

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

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iePolitics: Will Rex have his sentence commuted tonight too?

We hear that Governor Schwarzenegger reduced the prison sentence of  former Speaker of the Assembly Fabian Núñez’ son from 16 years to 7 years.   Earlier this year, Núñez and an accomplice pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the stabbing death of a college student at San Diego State University.

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iePolitics: 2010: A year of deceit

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

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

iePolitics: Twelve days down, 898 to go

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

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iePolitics: Is Mark Kirk the last John Doe Standing?

Mark Kirk

All of the corruption figures and John Does are now off of the Fifth Floor and elsewhere in the county—except for John Doe No. 4, that is.  Bill Postmus,  defendant; Jim Erwin, defendant; Greg Eyler, defendant; Rex Gutierrez,  prisoner; and Paul Biane, John Doe No. 5 are all gone. Somehow Mark Kirk has avoided arrest and prosecution so far.  But we hear the investigation is far from over.

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iePolitics: While Gutierrez serves time in prison, Kirk enjoys the good life even after committing the same “crimes”

Mark Kirk

We have learned recently of all of Mark Kirk’s riches.  Two Cadallacs, a plane, a large home, land, European vacations, cleaning lady, timeshare and a stay-at-home wife.  Certainly he lives the “good life” on a Chief of Staff salary. So how does he afford it?

Well for one, he does political consulting . . . political consulting on county time.  Emails have surfaced clearly showing that Kirk has run campaigns while he was supposed to be working for Chairman of the Board Gary Ovitt.

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iePolitics: A rogue judge

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.

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Capitol Weekly: Enviros target Fish & Game commissioner

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

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

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

Richards, meanwhile, has denied all wrongdoing.

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iePolitics: Now that there has been a guilty verdict . . .

It is time that a complete investigation be done of every employee on the Fifth Floor of the County Government Center for time card fraud.  Gutierrez did nothing that isn’t done every pay period by members of the Board of Supervisors staff.  Many county department heads are also equally guilty of not working 80 hours a pay period.  Perhaps we are on the verge cleaning things up after all.

SBSun: Firm targeted in Gutierrez trial stands by its decisions

Joe Nelson, Staff Writer

Posted: 10/24/2010 05:41:24 AM PDT

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

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

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

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

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

www.inlandpolitics.com

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

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

Events not covered by the local newspapers of course.

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

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

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

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

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

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iePolitics: Was it love or what?

It seems Assistant Attorney General Melissa Mandel fell head over heals over Rex Gutierrez today during the final stages of the trial.  The angry Ms. Mandel was pretty intense from what we hear, even attacking Rex’s wife during closing arguments.

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iePolitics: BOS: Bloodstains on Your Hands

That’s the night the lights went out in Georgia
That’s the night that they hung an innocent man
Don’t trust your soul to no back woods Southern lawyer
Cause the judge in the towns got bloodstains on his hand

Last night I printed the email I sent to the Board of Supervisors regarding the fact that San Bernardino County Human Resources Director Andrew Lamberto had perjured himself on the witness stand in the Rex Gutierrez preliminary hearing where he insisted that Exempt (Salaried) employees must work 80 hours a pay period.  He did so again at the first trial and even more forcefully and blatantly at the current trial.  We will be providing those transcripts as soon as they are made available to us.

The Board of Supervisors was made aware of Lamberto’s testimony at the time of the preliminary hearing because it contradicted what he had told them.  Because of Rex Gutierrez’ arrest, inquiries had been made regarding Exempt employee work requirements.  According to the County of San Bernardino Exempt Compensation Plan, employees classified as “exempt” have to work the number of hours necessary to carry out their duties.

When this language originally came into being, it had to do with the fact that Exempt employees often worked more hours than regular employees, thus the higher compensation package.  However, over the years, it has become more common for Exempt employees to work fewer hours, depending on where they work.  This language is also meant to take into account the fact that certain positions require a lot of after-hours and weekend meetings and events as well as the ability to work from home.

As we said, Rex’s arrest sent Exempt employees scrambling because, if he could be arrested for time card fraud for not working a traditional 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule or a full 40 hours a week, so could they.  An inquiry was made to Lamberto by the Third Supervisorial District.  Here is the exchange:

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SBGrapevine: Editorial: Time for the US Department of Justice to Step in: Compelled to Deceive – Part Three

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.

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SBGrapevine: Editorial: Now is the time for the US Department of Justice to step in – Part Two

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.”

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iePolitics: Cost benefit analysis – not!

We know we don’t have many qualified analysts in county government.  Nothing could be more obvious with two facts that came out this week.

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.

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iePolitics: The Rex Gutierrez trial: So who is telling the truth?

Nope.  I’m not talking about Adam Aleman or any of the other witnesses.  I’m talking about Joe Nelson and Jim Erwin.  The accounts of today’s proceedings seem to differ quite a bit.

Personally, my vote is with Jim.  You can see his version at www.inlandpolitics.com.

After hearing about some of what went on in the courtroom today, I couldn’t help myself but send Adam a text that just said, “Life will get better when this is all over.”  We texted back and forth for a few minutes—nothing about the case of course—just other stuff going on in our lives.

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InlandPolitics: It’s showtime!

www.inlandpolitics.com

Thursday, September 30, 2010 – 09:00 p.m.

It’s showtime in the re-trial of former Assessor employee and Rancho Cucamonga City Councilman Rex Gutierrez.

Gutierrez, who is charged with three felonies related to alleged time card fraud during his employment under former San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus, now faces his main accuser.

That person? Former Assistant Assessor and key prosecution witness Adam Aleman.

Late Thursday afternoon Aleman took the witness stand for the prosecution.

Aleman, a convicted felon, is the central witness in all the alleged corruption cases being prosecuted by Attorney General Jerry Brown and District Attorney Mike Ramos.

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iePolitics: Gutierrez trial to begin at 1:30 today

Jury selection was completed yesterday.  The final makeup of the jury includes four Hispanics and two African-Americans.  Eight of the jurors are women.  Occupations include teachers, nurses and truck drivers.

This jury has significantly more and better educated jurors than the last one and that can be important.  On the last jury, the educated jurors were the holdouts.  They could understand that the district attorney did not prove his case and that the “conspiracy theory” is absurd.

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iePolitics: D-Day is nearing

Today’s article by Joe Nelson of the Sun is almost amusing to those of us who have been close to San Bernardino County’s “biggest corruption scandal in the county’s history.”  Joe has finally figured out what we have been telling him for a year or so now.  Yes, D-Day is nearing and it ain’t gonna be pretty.

The local media has not missed a beat in the years-long corruption scandal.  There has been nary a day without a headline or two referencing some aspect of the ongoing investigation, arrests, and prosecution.

But the reporting has been a bit skewed.  Well, actually, some reporters have seemed incapable of critical thinking or even basic investigative reporting.  Almost all have taken a “if Mike Ramos said it, it must be true” approach to these stories.

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iePolitics: Mike Ramos update

Well Mikey was finally official served with the Ristow lawsuit yesterday.  No one can wait until he gets deposed.  As we have stated before, Ristow’s attorney has in his possession six sworn statements from District Attorney employees who state they have had affairs with Ramos, and in some cases, were asked to lie about it by Ramos.  I wonder if Ramos will ask the Board of Supervisors to provide funds for legal defense.  Anything is possible with Mikey.

In another turn of events, Rex Gutierrez was in court yesterday.  It seems the court isn’t quite ready to hear the case.  The problem is Rex isn’t waiving any more time.  So, either the case has to go to trial or the charges be dismissed.

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iePolitics: The power of the internet

This video was posted by a friend on my Facebook page yesterday.  I had to take a look.

Watching the video reminded me of a story I have been going to write for a while.  Here is an average, almost geeky, regional cover band, and in two months this video has topped six million hits.  It’s entertaining, no doubt—awesome and funny at the same time.  But that is not the point.  The point is that 20 years ago, this would still be a regional cover band—one that no one had ever heard about, much less seen.   But the internet has changed the way information is delivered to us.

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iePolitics: Canary caught in a conspiracy?

It seems our favorite yellow singing Canary, Confidential Informant No. 1, “persona au gratin,” none other than Adam Aleman, has been caught in yet another lie.  Imagine that—not our little Adam!  Tell us it ain’t so.

Discovery has been trickling into defense counsel at a snail’s pace, if at all.  Imagine defense counsel Jim Reiss’ surprise when, while being questioned under oath in the Rex Gutierrez corruption trial, Aleman claimed he had interviewed over a hundred times with district attorney investigators.

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InlandPolitics: So what do Mike Ramos and Rex Gutierrez have in common?

  • Written by The Insider
  • Posted July 6, 2010 at 8:38 am

Ramos

www.inlandpolitics.com

While Rancho Cucamonga City Councilman and former San Bernardino County Assessor’s Office Inter-Governmental Affairs Officer Rex Gutierrez was allegedly doing city work on county time and county work on city time, what was our favorite San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos doing?

Well he had his own version of “inter-governmental affairs” on his mind. Yep, that’s right. He was busy with affairs for sure. You know the kind—fornication, copulation, making whoopee—not with the wife he tells these women he is divorcing, but with his subordinates.

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iePolitics: The Significance Has Been Lost

As I read various blog comments and accounts of Rancho Cucamonga City Councilman and former San Bernardino County Assessor employee Rex Gutierrez’ corruption trial and non-verdict, I realize the magnitude of what happened Wednesday is lost on most.  Let me explain.

The District Attorney pulled out all stops to keep this case from going to trial any sooner than necessary due to his re-election campaign and fear certain information might come out during the trial.   Gutierrez refused to waive time further.  The District Attorney used every procedural delay available and the trial did not commence until the last possible moment.  The District Attorney was hoping a smoking gun would materialize but it never did.  The District Attorney’s hand was forced. Continue reading

iePolitics: Do jurors notice the little things?

I was only allowed in the courtroom for a few hours in the Rex Gutierrez case but it was long enough to notice the stark difference in the courtroom personalities of Deputy District Attorney John Goritz and defense attorney Jim Reiss.  Here are a few things I noticed:

  • I do not remember Goritz greeting the jury.  Reiss greeted the jury and they responded.
  • Goritz used a podium almost like a security blanket.  When it was Reiss’ turn to present, he would move the podium to his right side so when it was Goritz’ turn to speak again he had to walk across the courtroom to retrieve it, making his need for it all the more obvious.
  • Goritz spoke mostly in a monotone.  Reiss exhibited a great deal of fluctuation in his voice.
  • Goritz spoke to an audience.  Reiss got up close and personal with the jurors.
  • Goritz stayed glued to his spot and jurors drifted off.  Reiss moved all over the courtroom forcing the jurors to follow him and stay engaged.
  • Goritz treated the defendant in a very condescending and snobbish manner.  Reiss treated most of the witnesses with respect. Continue reading

InlandPolitics: Gutierrez jury requests testimony read-back (Revised)

  • Written by Administrator
  • Posted June 29, 2010 at 9:31 pm

www.inlandpolitics.com

Another interesting aspect of today’s deliberations in the Rex Gutierrez trial was the request for testimony read-back by the jury.

The jury requested the court reporter read-back testimony of the defendant.

The testimony in question is related to Gutierrez’s explanation regarding documents he submitted.

Very interesting…….

InlandPolitics: Jury deliberations end for the day in Gutierrez case, questions favorable to defense presented – Revised

  • Written by Administrator
  • Posted June 29, 2010 at 4:51 pm

www.inlandpolitics.com

***This post was updated and revised late Tuesday night after the receipt of clarification on the jury’s inquiry. A completely different line of inquiry occurred than that originally published***

The jury deliberating the fate of Rancho Cucamonga city councilman and former Assessor employee Rex Gutierrez ended its first full day of deliberations with no verdict and a couple questions for the court and attorneys.

I’m paraphrasing of course, but the jury presented the question as to how the “Good-Faith” defense could be viewed as a mitigating factor for the defendant related to the charges related to time card fraud / grand theft. Continue reading

InlandPolitics: Closing arguments begin in Gutierrez case

  • Written by Administrator
  • Posted June 24, 2010 at 5:22 pm

www.inlandpolitics.com

Closing arguments began this afternoon in the case involving Rancho Cucamonga city councilman and former Assessor employee Rex Gutierrez.

Gutierrez is now charged with only three felonies related to his employment under former Assessor Bill Postmus, after Superior Court Judge Duke D. Rouse acquitted him of Embezzlement by a Public Officer, count number three of the complaint. The Embezzlement charge dismissal is a blow to the prosecution. The embezzlement charge is what is referred to as a “general intent” crime with a lower threshold to prove guilt. Continue reading

InlandPolitics: Is Gutierrez collateral damage from DA pursuit of developer?

  • Written by Administrator
  • Posted June 21, 2010 at 2:05 pm

www.inlandpolitics.com

This mornings events at the trial of Rancho Cucamonga City councilman and former Assessor employee Rex Gutierrez had the atmosphere of watching paint dry, until the lead District Attorney investigator on the case was questioned by defense attorney Jim Reiss.

Gutierrez is charged with four felonies related to alleged time card fraud and prosecution claims that his hiring by former Assessor Bill Postmus was a conspiracy orchestrated by Rancho Cucamonga developer Jeff Burum.

Some of the interesting highlights from this morning include;

Investigator and designated case officer Schyler Beaty testified that an examination of phone records found over 300 phone calls between Gutierrez and Burum during Gutierrez’s tenure at the Assessor’s office. A period of more than 18 months.

When Beaty was asked by Reiss if he had conducted an analysis of call activity between Gutierrez and Burum prior to Gutierrez’s employment at the Assessor’s office, Beaty said no. Continue reading

iePolitics: Rex’s Hours of Work

For some reason, no one seems to get the fact that as an exempt employee, Rex Gutierrez only had to work the number of hours required by his supervisor.  He would be paid for 40 hours no matter what.  The exempt Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) states:

Hours of Work

Employees shall be required to work such hours as necesssary to carry out the duties of their position as designated by the appointing authority, and such hours may be varied so long as the work requirements and efficient operations of the County are assured.

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iePolitics: Is it really double dipping?

This past week San Bernardino County Deputy District Attorney John Goritz and state of California Deputy Attorney General Melissa Mandel unveiled their “conspiracy theory” in the trial of former Assessor’s Office employee Rex Gutierrez.  In addition to having worked for the county, Gutierrez also is an elected member of the city of Rancho Cucamonga City Council.  Gutierrez is accused of conducting city of Rancho Cucamonga business on county time.

For argument’s sake, let’s say that Gutierrez was not a salaried employee, but an hourly employee.   So this question was raised:  Is it illegal to do work for one government agency on the time clock of another if there is no personal gain? There are a considerable number of current and past elected officials in this county who hold/held other government jobs while serving in their elected positions:

  1. Rick Roelle – SB County Sheriff’s Department/Apple Valley Town Council
  2. Acquanetta Warren – City of Upland/Fontana City Council
  3. Chas Kelly – SB County Board of Supervisors/San Bernardino City Council
  4. Jim Miller – SB County Real Estate Services/Grand Terrace City Council
  5. Mark Nuami – City of Colton/Mayor of Fontana
  6. Anthony Riley – SB County Board of Supervisors/Hesperia Unified School Board
  7. Mark Shoup – SB County Public Defender’s Office/Apple Valley Town Council
  8. Marge Mendoza-Ware – SB County WDD/Colton Joint Unified School Board
  9. Karen Morgan – SB County Sheriff’s Department/Victor Elementary School District Board
  10. Bob Hunter – SB County Assessor’s Office/Victorville City Council
  11. Jason Anderson – SB County District Attorney/Ontario City Council
  12. Debbie Dorst-Porada – LA County Public Health/Ontario City Council
  13. Robert Armeta – State of California/Colton Joint Unified School Board
  14. Jim Lindley – SB County Board of Supervisors/Hesperia City Council
  15. Chad Mayes – SB County Board of Supervisors/Yucca Valley City Council
  16. Paul Bosaki – United States Postal Service/Hesperia City Council
  17. Joel Klink – United States Postal Service/Twenty-Nine Palms City Council
  18. Steve Spear – SB County Sheriff’s Department/Twenty-Nine Palms City Council
  19. Frank Luckino – HiDesert Water District/Yucca Valley City Council
  20. Erin Kirk – Victor Valley College/CalState/San Bernardino County Fair Board
  21. Peter Allen – Victor Valley College/Apple Valley City Council
  22. Michael O’Rourke – SB County Sheriff’s Department/San Bernardino County Fair Board
  23. Sue Ovitt – State of California/Chaffey Joint Union School Board
  24. Art Bustamonte – SB County Public Defender’s Office/Chaffey Joint Union School Board
  25. J. John Dutrey – City of Rialto/Montclair City Council
  26. Leonard Paulitz – CalPoly/Montclair City Council
  27. Kimberly Cox – Helendale CSD/Mojave Water Agency

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST:

MIKE RAMOS – SB COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY/REDLANDS SCHOOL BOARD

I’m sure I’m missing quite a few.

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iePolitics: The Matinee: Watching Paint Dry

It seems things did not improve much for the prosecution this afternoon in the Rex Gutierrez trial.  San Bernardino County Deputy District Attorney John Goritz continued with his monotonous presentation of the People’s case.  Goritz attempted to advance his “conspiracy” theory even though no one is charged with conspiracy.  For that matter, the main “conspirator” isn’t charged with anything. Continue reading

InlandPolitics: The Gutierrez prosecution – further analysis

  • Written bySenor Blogger
  • Posted June 8, 2010 at 1:33 pm

Yesterday’s pre-trial court hearing in the case against Rancho Cucamonga City Councilman and former Assessor’s employee Rex Gutierrez was interesting to say the least.

Between Friday and Monday’s proceedings you would have thought it was two different cases.

Friday’s hearing was to determine readiness for trial and whether or not developer Jeff Burum would take the stand.

On Friday Superior Court Judge Duke Rouse set the trial process in motion and denied a Motion to Quash a subpoena issued to Burum. Rouse also told prosecutors he didn’t see any evidence in the preliminary hearing transcripts or in a Motion to Allow Hearsay Testimony of Co-Conspirator Adam Aleman that met the threshold of proof as to any conspiracy between Burum, former Assessor Bill Postmus, and Gutierrez to effect Gutierrez’s hiring with the understanding Gutierrez would perform no work for the county, but instead do Burum’s bidding in Rancho Cucamonga business. Continue reading

iePolitics: A Few Worried Souls – Revised

Yep, that is right.  There are a few people who are shopping this weekend for leak-proof undergarments.   Monday the Rex Gutierrez criminal trial will be underway.

Let’s see . . . first up is our favorite yellow singing Canary, Confidential Informant No. 1, “persona au gratin,” the star witness for the prosecution  . . . Adam Aleman.  I wonder which stories he will tell next week.  There is such a long list of them.  Maybe it will be the one about the off-shore bank accounts. By the way Adam, Bill and Jim found their debit cards so they don’t need your help after all.  Or perhaps it is the $1.02 million Jim Brulte received in kickbacks.  Or the rat trap left on your porch.  The bullet through the mail, maybe? Oh, the list is endless. Continue reading

iePolitics: The Canary Has Been Knocked Off His Perch

It seems our favorite singing Canary, “persona au gratin,” Confidential Informant No. 1, none other than Adam Aleman, has been told to change his phone number and not communicate with our side of the cases.  I guess his braggadocio finally got the attention of District Attorney investigators, who are watching their cases against the big, bad “corruption” figures go down the toilet, almost literally. Continue reading