From San Bernardino County Auditor-Controller/Recorder/Tax Collector Larry Walker: Matt Brown Appointment
Matt Brown previously worked as Second District Supervisor Paul Biane’s chief of staff but has been out on administrative leave for a couple of months while a hostile work environment investigation was conducted. Brown alleged he started being harassed once it was discovered he cooperated with the corruption investigation by San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos against Biane. Brown is said to have attempted to get Biane on tape through secret recordings. It is not known if those recordings produced evidence against Biane.
Last week Walker’s long-time assistant, Betsy Starbuck, was suddenly terminated. Starbuck had been Walker’s Chief of Staff since at least 1991 when he was chairman of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors and became his assistant upon his election to the Auditor-Controller/Recorder post. However, in the months since employees from the Recorder’s division came forward regarding intolerable working conditions under Assistant Recorder DeAnn Thompson, rumors have sprung up regarding a growing rift between Starbuck and Walker.
DeAnn Thompson also followed Walker over from the Board of Supervisors. Her previous gig was as a clerk at J.C.Penneys. Many staffers have complained about her leadership skills and lack of eduction beyond high school. However, she is rumored to be Walker’s mistress.
Brown’s appointment brings to mind several questions our ATC readers may be able to answer. Starbuck wasn’t assistant recorder was she? I thought she was Assistant ARC and Thompson was assistant recorder. I may have this messed up but where did Thompson go and who is going to the Assessor’s Office next January?
Somehow this feels like Larry is keeping DeAnn with him and sending Matt packing next year, but I could be wrong. That would protect Larry’s mistress and keep a politico from the opposition out of his office, but even I can’t believe the county is this corrupt. Or can I?
Let me provide some corrections to your blog. De Ana (correct spelling) Thompson is the Chief Deputy Recorder. If you look at the 10/11 budget, the ACRTTC section contains a chart detailing the hierarchy. Betsy Starbuck is listed as Assistant Auditor-Controller/Recorder County Clerk. A position at the same level is Assistant Recorder, which at the time had never been heard of before, and no one is listed as holding the position. The Chief Deputy Recorder position is not listed at all.
Now Brown has been appointed to this never before seen position, and Starbuck is out at a position at the same level. Not sure what to make of it. I hope it doesn’t mean what I fear it means…
What the…?! What scum-sucking weasels! The hits just keep on coming don’t they?
Someone is supposed to be sending me the new org chart with that info. From what the Sun says, the new position was funded by the BOS?
I know I’m not the only one who thinks something stinks here.
When you see the org chart, you will also notice that while the position Starbuck held was Assistant Auditor-Controller/Recorder County Clerk, the Recording Services and County Clerk functions are listed under this new Assistant Recorder position. Why would the name of Starbuck’s former position include those functions, if another position is responsible for them? And why is Larry Walker appointing someone Assistant Recorder 5 months before the division is no longer under his control? Stinks? You are being kind….
I thought with the merger of the Assessor and Recorder then the Auditor/Controller Treasurer Tax Collector, Larry Walker was supposed to be saving the county money. If I remember correctly, he was supposed to report back to the BOS with how much he was saving. Adding a new position is not saving money.
also, anyone know what Matt Brown’s qualifications are for the position of Assistant Recorder??
Please post the org chart when you get it. Thanks
How much money did this consolidation of the TTC into ACR purport to save? How many new high level positions have been created and filled?
The county is just conducting a shell game as usual. Moving their cronies around to make it look like they are cleaning house when all they are doing is covering their backsides. Disgusting; these moves will end up costing more.
It is embarrasing on many levels to tell my friends that live in California, that I live in San Bernardino County. However, it is my home, lived here for many many years. In 1980 there was an Assistant Recorder, the elected official was the County Clerk Recorder, there was an asst county clerk and asst county recorder, as well as chief deputy positions on either end. The offices were much smaller, in fact, until 2001, there were only 3 top positions in the Recorders office. When Larry was appointed, he put in massive amounts of management and mid-management positions to cover for Deana, who needed all these people to do her job. Just my opinion, I was there.
Is De Ana going to be “training” Matt on her management style? I certainly hope not. How does this affect the merger that should happen in January with the assessor? I would think Draeger should have a say in all of this… did he?
en: When I started with the county (25 + years ago), I was proud to be employed here. Now, when people ask me where I work, I am ashamed to tell them, County of San Bernardino.
There is a real problem when an employers employees are no longer proud of their workplace. And the problem is not with the employees; problems begin at the top, so start mucking out at that level.
that is odd, Assistant Recorder is not even on the Human Resources list of classification. So how could they even appoint someone to a made up position. I know Walker just appointed him today, but the org chart for fiscal year 2010/11 was due a couple months ago. you would think if you were doing things by the book, then there would be a classification created. Surprisingly, it wasn’t done. Or HR hasn’t posted it.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Opening the week July 19th, 2010
Position Title Salary Deadline
Animal License Checker I $11.36 – $14.51 hourly 07/23/10
Cook I $10.83 – $13.81 hourly 07/30/10
Sheriff’s Academy Driving Instructor* $3,631.33 – $4,628.00 monthly 07/30/10
Sterile Processing Technician I $11.67 – $14.87 hourly 07/30/10
Promotional Opportunities Open to County Employees ONLY
(Closed Promotional)
Executive Secretary III (Closed/Promotional) $3,901.73 – $4,979.87 monthly 07/23/10
Principal Assistant County Counsel $131,331.20 – $168,126.40 annually 07/30/10
Can everyone say REORGANIZATION, the Devil made them do it.
Org chart is posted…in a separate post.
De Ana might just end up heading the newly created disbursements section after next months retirement (seems the good management is getting out while the ships still somewhat afloat)…i mean it suits her perfectly…she’s unqualified for the job and would be on the same floor as Larry…just a thought.
It stinks to high heaven!!! Walker is paying back the BOS for his raise (when all other exempts went without, except GD’s new hires) by finding a place for M. Brown and at the same time finding a way to keep his sweetie from being transferred in January to the assessor’s office. No wonder Betsy was having a fit!!! It is unethical and malfeasance of office and Betsy probably called Walker on it!! Then out the door she goes…will someone call 1-800-tell-Larry about the fraud????
Is Matt Brown related to Elsie Karen Brown and/or Karen Elsie Brown?
Is De Ana Thompson related to Clara (Brown) Thompson.
De Ana Thompson is married to Tom Thompson, the head of Burtronics copy machines…guess where ACR and the rest of the county get their copy machines from…
don’t know if she is related to Clara Thompson, if she is, she is an in-law.