Paul Biane

iePolitics: Did Matt Brown receive a bribe today to keep quiet before the election?

I know that I am not the only one that thinks the county of San Bernardino sunk to a new low today.  The decision to pay off former Second District Chief of Staff Matt Brown is a slap in the face to all county employees who must face a real hostile work environment each and every day because they do not have the money for an attorney and the county refuses to conduct a legitimate investigation.  County Administrative Officer Greg Devereaux and our Board of Supervisors should be ashamed of themselves.

Of course, this payoff begs the question of Why?  Well, the answer is easy. A mistake by the District Attorney’s office has alerted corruption defendants to the fact that Brown was involved in attempting to get his boss, Second District Supervisor Paul Biane, on tape in an undercover operation.  It would be highly detrimental to Supervisor Paul Biane’s re-election chances to have his former Chief of Staff tell what he knows before November 2.

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iePolitics: A comment about Supervisor Derry

The comment below was written on the blog today.  I decided to address the comment as a separate entry.

I am sure that you are funnelling these issues to Supv Derry since he has frequented this blog in the past. However, the way you have treated him during these past few months is not condusive to him wanting to return. I would be surprised if he bothers to take the time.

As to the specifics of this issue, why do you believe Supv. Derry is the responsible party when the BOS has placed that duty squarely on the CAO? It would seem prudent to direct these departmental issues to the CAO, and if one or more Supv. still follows this blog and is interested in the case, then they or the new unit in the CAO’s office can follow-up.

Let me respond.  I do not expect Neil to return to the blog ever nor do I care.  As far as I am concerned, Neil has become one of the problems, just like the other four; not the solution.  However, I know anything addressed to anyone on the Fifth Floor will be read by staff up there, so I will continue to address him this way.  He doesn’t respond to emails so there is no point in trying that means.

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iePolitics: Speaking of stupid supervisors

Supervisor Derry,

No, that title is not in reference to you. I was asked to pass this along in reference to your question a few weeks ago regarding SBPEA and the County of San Bernardino.

It seems Andrew Lamberto/Linda Haugan/Bob Blough are at it again. Remember that email I sent  to you and George that you both ignored regarding PID Chief Virginia Lugo, et al., using C-IV to run all employees to see if they have ever been on a welfare case of any kind?  Well sometimes illegal activities backfire.

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iePolitics: Another Fifth Floor arrest . . . or two?

That is the rumor.  To be more exact, the rumor is that Mark Kirk will be arrested for time card fraud before the Rex Gutierrez case gets underway in a few weeks.  We are also hearing Paul Biane’s arrest is imminent.

These rumors can almost always be traced back to our favorite yellow singing Canary, Confidential Informant No. 1, Mr. Max Factor himself, Adam Aleman.  It seems that every time Mikey has to face bad news he deflects with disinformation through Adam.

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iePolitics: Marijuana and Cocaine use by those on the Fifth Floor

Pure Peruvian Cocaine

Hypocrite is defined by Webster as:

1 : a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion
2 : a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings

In case anyone hasn’t noticed, we have a hypocrite or two or three on the fifth floor of the County Government Center.  We have been reminded of that several times during the past couple of years.

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iePolitics: Neil, you thought you were off the hook

You have asked me for examples where I feel you are being unethical and here is yet another.  This is a situation you have known about since last November and NOTHING has been done.

The reason you know about the situation is because of me and my incident on Thanksgiving Day. The issue is, of course, Hartford Insurance.

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iePolitics: Let them eat cake

Linda Haugan

An edict has been issued.  The peasants are no longer allowed to have fans or radios at their desks.  It costs too much in electricity.

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iePolitics: Update on the Guasti Command Post Incident

I have now received multiple confirmations that the incident did in fact take place.  I am still trying to verify some of the other participants, but a number of sources have stated that besides for then-Captain Hoops, San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Biane was also present and among those drinking and having sex with the women.  I am still trying to nail down an exact date so we can do a California Public Records Act request on the call logs, etc.  I am told that Sheriff’s deputies were complaining about the incident but Hoops silenced them.

iePolitics: Raspberries to Mitzelfelt

This was going to be a much meaner post—I mean comparing anyone to Josie is pretty mean, isn’t it?  But, then I remembered one of Brad’s field representatives, Jessie Flores, did a big favor for me week before last, and I decided I should be a little nicer.  So, here goes the “nice” version of this post.

Brad, what the heck were you thinking?  We expect these kind of stupid decisions out of Josie because she is stupid ,and out of Paul because he is usually drunk, but we expect a tempered, well-reasoned decision out of you.  Today we did not get it.

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iePolitics: The Ristow Lawsuit

I wasn’t going to blog about this because there really is no point right now in arguing the merits of the case.  Anyone who has read this blog for any length of time know where I stand on the issue.  No one is going to believe the outcome I predicted months ago until depositions start being taken and evidence that hasn’t been made available yet becomes public.  Some of you are on Cheryl’s side and some of you are on Mike’s side and I’m not going to change anyone’s opinion.

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iePolitics: BOS: You haven’t had enough yet?

To the Honorable Members of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors,

Haven’t you had enough yet?  Honestly, why wasn’t County Counsel Ruth Stringer fired today?  She does not work for County Administrative Officer Greg Devereaux.  She works for you.  And she should have been fired TODAY!

I only wish I could share with the readers of iePolitics the details of her latest fiasco—a fiasco that has already been expensive and one that almost cost you, the taxpayers, an additional very large sum of money.

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iePolitics: “Even ‘they’ can’t be that stupid”

Every time we here at iePolitics have declared that San Bernardino County officials have reached the pinnacle of stupidity and arrogance, we are proven wrong.  Although the events of the past 24 hours are not surprising, they are appalling.

For weeks now there has been behind-the-scenes chatter about what exactly was going to be done to pull off the transfer of San Bernardino County Second District Chief of Staff Matt Brown to the Auditor-Controller/Recorder/Tax Collector office.  Many of us figured there would be wrangling to send Brown to the Assessor’s Office next year when the Recorder’s function is transferred to that department.  The question was how.

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iePolitics: Matt Brown Appointed Assistant Recorder – Updated

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.

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iePolitics: Gosh, I Take a Few Days Away from the Blog and . . .

I have to admit I cringed when I saw the story on Joe Tuner.  I think very highly of Joe.  He’s been accused over the years of some things that haven’t necessarily been accurate, but accurate or not, he has tried very hard to clean up his reputation.  And he has done a good job.   Mostly, it is gonna just take time.

I think the story tonight illustrates perfectly one of the points in Jason Whited’s piece last week.  Because of technology, especially the Internet, past mistakes are not nearly as easily forgotten.  Mistakes in the last five years and on into eternity could come back to haunt us for a lifetime.

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iePolitics: Another One Bites the Dust?

We are hearing that San Bernardino County Auditor-Controller/Recorder terminated his assistant Betsy Starbuck today.  Betsy has been with Larry since at least 1991 when she served as Chief of Staff while he was Chairman of the Board of Supervisors.  Rumors have been surfacing for months about discord between Walker and Starbuck over deputy recorder and mistress Deanna Thompson.

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iePolitics: Solid Waste Management

Editor:  I received this letter with permission to post it.  Does this sound familiar to any other county employees?

May 5, 2010

Honorable San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors
Gary Ovitt, Chairman – Fourth District
Josie Gonzales – Vice-Chair – Fifth District
Brad Mitzelfelt – First District
Paul Biane – Second District
Neil Derry – Third District
Greg Devereaux, County Administrative Officer
Gerry Newcombe, Deputy Administrative Officer
385 N. Arrowhead Avenue, 5^th Floor
San Bernardino, CA  92415                                                          Via Hand Delivery

Dear Chairman Ovitt, Vice-Chair Gonzales, Supervisors Mitzelfelt, Biane, and Derry, Messrs. Devereaux and Newcombe:

I have given notice to leave my position with the County of San Bernardino effective June 4, 2010, after over 20 years of employment.  I feel it is import to share with you why an employee with that much time in the organization would choose to resign.

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iePolitics: Josie Gonzales: Is she stupid or just plain dumb?

Almost two years ago I argued with a chief or staff or two as to why it would be wrong and unethical for the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors to bypass Fifth District Supervisor Josie Gonzales and give the vice-chairmanship to newcomer First District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt.  Josie had paid her dues; it was her turn in the rotation; and it would look bad, not only because she was the only minority and woman on the board, but also because the corruption scandal was just heating up and no one really knew at that time if Mitzelfelt would be dragged into it as Postmus’ chief of staff.  We wrote a number of articles chastising the board for even considering not electing her to the position she earned.

Today, I will tell you that was the dumbest position we ever took on this blog.  I don’t believe that Brad is justified in hating me for most of what he hates me for, but I have to admit I deserve his animosity on this one.

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InlandPolitics: The Brown-Biane saga – Part 2

InlandPolitics: S.B. County: Vehicle study reportedly identifies $2 million in savings

www.inlandpolitics.com

San Bernardino County may have identified a source for potentially significant savings.

Significant as in $2 million per year, according to sources. A nice amount especially in light of budget constraints. Read more…

iePolitics: Corruption on the Fifth Floor and Elsewhere – Everyone Wants to Blame the Rich Guy

It doesn’t seem to matter if we are discussing Jeff Burum, the Lewis Family, or any other of a number of successful, wealthy businessmen in our community, they are all “corrupt.”  I don’t mean that they are really, truly corrupt, but they are “corrupt” in the minds of the less successful.  The common thought seems to be that if one has money, then one has no integrity.  Our community doesn’t allow for making an “honest” hundred million or so.  Hard work, sacrifice, intellect, college education, and just plain good old-fashioned luck can all be damned.  If one is successful, then one must be a crook.

I’m sure there is a term for this mentality, and with our current corruption scandal, that mentality has become very frustrating.  Otherwise intelligent people seem to be more interested in finding blame than finding truth.  The fact that so many have bought into Batman and Robin’s conspiracy theory is proof that logic and critical thinking have given way to hysteria and enjoyment in the fact that someone with power may be taken out, not for wrongdoing, but because they have power and wealth.  I suppose the weak hope to bask in the demise of the powerful.

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iePolitics: Smoke and Mirrors on the Fifth Floor – Part 2

Here is an email I received this morning:

Sharon:

Greg’s reorg is not about money. It’s a power shift. Think about the personnel the Supervisors are giving up.

1st: Devereaux is after O’Toole
2nd: Brown took himself out
4th: Ovitt gave up Kirk
5th: Devereaux is taking Page

Devereaux isn’t going after anyone in the 3rd, because Derry doesn’t have anyone who can help Derry match wits with Devereaux.

And the email is absolutely correct and one of the biggest points we plan to make with this series.   There is a shifting of  power taking place on the Fifth Floor.

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iePolitics: Smoke and Mirrors on the Fifth Floor – Part 1

This is part one in a series of articles examining the spending habits of the Board of Supervisors.  We are being told that each of the five Board of Supervisor Districts has been asked to cut $500,000 from their budgets.  Sounds like they finally get it that we are in budget meltdown, right?  Wrong!

We are trying to get as accurate information as possible through California Public Records Act requests but we are being stonewalled by the County Administrative Office.

Let’s take this district by district.

Read more…

iePolitics: I Want To Share An Email With You

I’m just getting to my email of the past few days and came across one that says a lot of what I’ve been thinking about for the past few days. I don’t believe there is anything in the body of the email that would give away the sender, so I am going to share it in its entirety. Here it is:

Hi Sharon.  I’ve thought long and hard about this, and now that I’ve got my thoughts together, I’m going to write you a detailed message.  I hope you’ll have the time to read it.  There are several issues that need to be investigated regarding SBPEA in respect to newer employees.  Although I’m sure you’re aware of them, I just want to refresh your memory and perhaps these can be added to the formal complaint.

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iePolitics: What Is Old Is New Again

I took a peek at the new Organizational Chart that goes into effect on June 30, 2010 for the county of San Bernardino:  OrganizationalChart.  Several things stood out.

First, it looks like County Administrative Officer Greg Devereaux undid all the completely stupid and self-serving changes former County Administrative Officer Mark Uffer made last year.  No more empire building for Ufferites.

Second, unless I missed it, which is possible, this reorganization did not go before the Board of Supervisors for approval.  I know when I worked for the Deputy Administrator for EPWA, one of the last projects we worked on was a large-scale county reorganization that took Architecture and Engineering and another important division that I can’t remember now away from Marie Alonzo and made a number of other changes including eliminating our own jobs.  I know that had to go before the Board of Supervisors for approval as has other county reorganizations since so I wonder:  Is this Devereaux’s way of showing who is boss? Read more…

iePolitics: Politics 101 – Selling Your Soul

You need to scroll down to the bottom and work your way up to get this.

I have kept quiet about this only because I really wanted to see Larry Walker defeated.  Ensen took Zook’s advice and distanced himself from me and the blog.  He and/or his girlfriend even posted some nasty remarks about me on the blog.  We can see how much good it did him.  Maybe he will get that Airport Commission position for his effort.

One of the things all of you o the Fifth Floor need to realize is that this blog is far reaching.  Yep, I have my detractors, but I have a heck of a lot more secret supporters who do what they can to help out, send us intel, etc.  Some are right under your noses.

For example, a couple of months ago someone was nice enough to get some items from my personnel file and send them anonymously to my attorney.  These were emails between Mark Uffer, Andrew Lamberto and Matt Brown about the blog showing they were investigating me once again and going to put me on Administrative Leave because of the blog. Read more…

iePolitics: ARMC – Dev and Dev – It Only Gets Worse

I have a prediction.  In my crystal ball I see the future, the near future.  And in that near future San Bernardino County Medical Director Dr. Dev GnanaDev and San Bernardino County Administrative Officer Greg Devereaux will be the most loathed two men on the planet by members of the Board of Supervisors and their entire staffs.  You see, Dr. GnanaDev and Arrowhead Regional Medical Center director Patrick Petre convinced CAO Greg Devereaux to sell out the members of the Board of Supervisors.  Seem far fetched?  You ain’t seen nothing yet! Read more…

iePolitics: County Fire

Late last week it was announced that Assistant Fire Chief Dan Wurl was named to replace retiring Fire Chief Pat Dennen.  And with that announcement came the stories and with the stories came the re-hash of last year’s trailer incident.  So the newspaper blogs were busy with derogatory remarks about both Dan and Pat.  And that’s a problem.

You see, the story that Mark Uffer and Andrew Lamberto told to the Board of Supervisors and the media wasn’t exactly the truth.  As a matter of fact it was a huge cover up for their own lies and empire building.  Those two tried to destroy Pat and Dan for their own financial rewards.  And Mark and Andrew covered for a few others who were greasing hands of certain politicians. Read more…

iePolitics: ARMC: Our BOS wants more stupid?

So is our illustrious San Bernardino Board of Supervisors up to stupid again?  We hope not.  But we won’t know for sure until Tuesday’s meeting.  BOS agenda item No. 16 has left us scratching our heads.  This board item approves new,2-year contracts with all of the various medical providers for Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC), with the exception of the Anesthesia contract, which is extended six months.

ARMC has been under investigation almost continuously since the final quarter of 2009 for a variety of reasons including malpractice, patient abuse, billing issues, and violations of state regulations.  All three levels of government, federal, state and county, have been involved in these investigations and they have not been completed.  The situation at ARMC remains so dire that it could lose its Medi-Cal and Medicare funding which in turn could lead to the hospital being shut down.

Special Agents from the California Department of  Justice are currently investigating possible criminal misconduct at ARMC.  It is rumored that it has to do with, among other things, the medical care received by Supervisors Biane and Gonzales and former County Administrative Officer Mark Uffer and his family and friends.  That makes sense because otherwise it would be the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office investigating.  However that agency has very close personal ties with all involved and that is why it appears the investigation has been turned over from the District Attorney to the Attorney General.

There has been a battle going on at ARMC for months now.  Those doctors who are tired of the mismanagement and despotic rule by ARMC Medical Director Dr. Dev GnanaDev have started speaking out.  And at least one has paid a price for doing so, that being the doctor in charge of Anesthesia, which is why his group’s contract is being extended rather than receiving a new 2-year contract like all others at the facility.  Dr. GnanaDev wants to replace him with one of his own but there is too much heat to do so right now.

The new series of contracts has one change and that is there is a separate contract for Dr. GnanaDev as medical director and one for Dr. GnanaDev for patient care.  However, the conflicts of interest still exist: Read more…

iePolitics: Chris Jones Defeated Yet Again

Some may not consider it a loss, but when a two-term incumbent cannot even pull 35 percent of the vote, it is a loss.  I will predict here and now that Paul Biane will lose to Janice Rutherford in November.

Again, we have a situation where a candidate/consultant ran a very dirty campaign and the voter’s saw through it.  Congratulations Janice!

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. Read more…

Paul Schrader: Appointed Sheriff Rod Hoops endorses his good friend Paul Biane for Supervisor again.

Hoops he did it again!  The legacy of the good old boy club continues.

Its time for a fresh start. Break the club. Its time. We deserve better.

Elect Paul Schrader as Sheriff of San Bernardino County 2010. www.sheriffpaul.net

InlandPolitics: S.B. County: BOS 2 – Biane, Rutherford finances prove interesting

• Written by Administrator
• Posted May 29, 2010 at 9:33 am

A review of campaign finance disclosures filed with the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters this week gives some interesting twists in the race involving Second District Supervisor Paul Biane.

Biane is seeking a third term amongst a field of five challengers. A run-off is all but assured.

For the latest pre-election reporting period covering sixty days, Fontana Councilwoman Janice Rutherford raised $136,196.25, including a late contributions of $10,000.00. Rutherford has remaining cash-on-hand of only $7866.93.

Supervisor Paul Biane raised $101,756.00 for the same period and has remaining cash-on-hand of $188,645.12.

Biane has outspent Rutherford on a ratio of at least 2 to 1 and is retaining significant resources for a most likely November runoff election with Rutherford. A runoff in the same election as match-ups involving Meg Whitman vs Jerry Brown and Carly Fiorina or Tom Campbell vs Barbara Boxer, will be costly for both candidates.

The reason? High turnout.

In the November election, lower propensity voters will turnout in the supervisorial race due to the up-ballot contests, driving up costs for both candidates in reaching out to less-informed voters. Read more…

iePolitics: Yesterday’s BOS Meeting

Gee, San Bernardino County Second District Supervisor Paul Biane admitted he reads the blog.  Well, Paul, you did something VERY shitty to me in connection with County Fire last December and I haven’t forgotten.  And what you guys did to Pat even after you knew the truth is outrageous.  So, you deserve every negative thing we can write about you.

Josie, do you know how stupid you sound?  Seriously.  Granted, your threat to speak out is a serious threat to any of us who have ever had to listen to you.  Hear you’re a bit worried about all the free medical care you received now that Mikey is no longer investigating.

iePolitics: Is Assemlyman Bill Emmerson (R-Somewhere In California) Turning Against District Attorney Mike Ramos?

Is Assemblyman Bill Emmerson (R-Hemet/Upland/Redlands/Wherever) turning against one of his strongest endorsers? For years, DA Mike Ramos and Bill Emmerson have been politically close. DA Mike Ramos has endorsed Emmerson for legislative offices through the years, and Emmerson has backed Ramos for district attorney.

However, is that supposedly close political relationship about to change?

With much fanfare, it was announced in February 2010 that DA Ramos believed that Second District County Supervisor Paul Biane (who was identified only as a “John Doe”) was an unindicted co-conspirator in alleged malfeasance related to the 2006 Colonies settlement. Biane, like most of those charged by Ramos, denies all allegations, and he himself has not yet been charged. However, at a press conference that attracted statewide media attention, Ramos made clear when unveiling Biane’s possible involvement in an alleged corruption scheme that the criminal investigation remains “ongoing.” Read more…

iePolitics: Time To Cut Out The Cancer At ARMC

As a child growing up with a mother who prescribed to old-fashioned thoughts about medical care, I was always told never to allow doctors to operate on cancer because exposing cancer cells to air would cause them to grow exponentially.  Of course, today we know how to use surgery to cure an otherwise fatal tumor.

Several years ago all of Southern California watched the crisis at the Los Angeles County-run King-Drew Medical Center.  If history can predict the future, we have a similar, fatal cancer growing at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) that needs to be excised fully and quickly.

The residents of San Bernardino County are being led to believe that the current investigations and accusations at San Bernardino County’s only county-run hospital are routine and relatively minor.  We keep hearing that they are part of the “learning process.”  ARMC has been in business for over 10 years and San Bernardino county has operated a hospital for decades before that.  If the county hasn’t learned how to run a hospital by now, I’m not sure it ever will. Read more…

iePolitics: Can justice be found in San Bernardino County? – Part 3

Justice cannot be for one side alone, but must be for both. — Eleanor Roosevelt

So far in this series we have discussed the District Attorney’s office and the Conflict Panel.  There are three other components to justice, or the lack thereof, in San Bernardino County:  the Public Defender, the Sheriff’s Department, and the Superior Court bench.  Today, we will discuss the office of the Public Defender.

The Mission Statement on the wall of the Public Defender reads:

The Public Defender protects the constitutional rights of indigent defendants by providing skilled legal counsel and passionate advocacy at all critical phases of state level criminal and civil commitment litigation.

It is hard to believe that Public Defender Doreen Boxer would have the audacity to post such a blatant lie once one knows what really goes on at the Public Defender’s office.  iePolitics has been contacted by numerous Public Defender employees with stories of retaliation for helping clients and tales of conspiracy with the district attorney’s office to the detriment of justice.   And both actions seem to be allowed and rewarded.

But is it really that bad?  I mean, crooks going to jail, and deservedly so, is a good thing, right?.  The Sixth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States reads:

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

So, yes.  It really is that bad.  Anything that violates the Constitutional rights of any citizen of the United States is bad, very bad.  Perhaps today it is a serial murderer but tomorrow it could just as easily be you or I.  Once we lose our freedoms granted to us by the Constitution of the United States, America no longer exists.  And that why what is happening in San Bernardino County’s justice system is so troubling.  Literally, we are watching those who have committed no crime be prosecuted with malice.  And those who are trying to defend any who have been charged, punished for doing their jobs. Read more…

iePolitics: Very Disappointed in the Chairman’s Office

As I mentioned in another post, I attended San Bernardino County Fire Chief Pat Dennen’s retirement party Saturday night.  Supervisors Mitzelfelt and Gonzales were there along with a representative from Supervisor Derry’s office.

There is a lot I have not been able to write about the situation with Chief Dennen because of the precarious position he has been in due to plotting and conniving by former County Administrative Officer Mark Uffer and Human Resources Director Andrew Lamberto.  Now that Pat is retiring from the county and taking a position with the state of California, I will be able to write the truth.  Expect to see some shocking revelations in the near future.

The secrets have been hard secrets to keep.  But I have hardly been the only one who knows the truth behind what happened last year.  Between Jim Erwin and me, we made sure a couple members of the Board of Supervisors knew too.  The one that I was directly responsible for was Chairman Gary Ovitt. Read more…

iePolitics: More ARMC Cover Up

Sometimes I really wonder who is the worst lawyer, District Attorney Mike Ramos or County Counsel Ruth Stringer.  From Ramos we have learned that the Constitution of the United States is not applicable in San Bernardino County, at least not in connection with political enemies.   And County Counsel Ruth Stringer has taught us that copulation involving public resources is covered by the “deliberative process” and therefore not subject to review, not that we wanted to review the copulation, only the expenditures attached thereto.

Now we find our two legal beagles are at it again.  Well, not with each other we hope, but in consort of sorts, with those at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) who wish to cover for the misdeeds of members of the Board of Supervisors, the county’s Medical Director Dr. Dev GnanaDev,  ARMC Chief Executive Officer Patrick Petre, and a handful of doctors and other ARMC employees. Read more…

Appointed Sheriff Rod Hoops Supports Supervisor Paul Biane in this election. Do we need a fresh start?

This is why we need a fresh start in the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.  I have been at meetings where Rod Hoops has said there are big problems on the 5th floor with the Board of Supervisors and he will not go there without a witness with him.  Then he supports one of the problems. I also received the flier with Hoops and Ramos together.  The voters get it.

Why do we need a fresh start? When you have a cloud of corruption over all county government and the board appoints the Sheriff, it is time to vote out all the incumbants.

What do I want to bring into the Department?

Transparency

As part of my fresh start approach to the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department, it will be my duty to see that the Department is above reproach in order to restore and retain the respect and trust of the public. My first objective is to make all areas of the Department transparent, especially the jails. There will be an open dialogue maintained with the community and community activists who have questions regarding the Department, including the jails.

In order to bring justice to those wronged and closure to those who have done right, I will have all internal investigations expedited. The community will know the truth, and Deputies will be treated fairly and in accordance with “The Peace Officer’s Bill of Rights”.

Elect Paul Schrader for Sheriff of San Bernardino County.

iePolitics: Another One Bites The Dust

Another major upset has occurred in politics.  Today’s victim is Arlen Specter, an iconic Democratic Senator from Pennsylvania.

Everyone knows I have my normal friends and then I have my “political” friends.  I’m sure my “political friends” are happy with the suggestion that they are not “normal” but everyone else knows what I mean. Read more…

iePolitics: ARMC Coverup

Evidence is surfacing that a major coverup is in progress at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC).  Allegations surfaced months ago that San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Second District Supervisor Paul Biane and Fifth District Supervisor Josie Gonzales received extensive free medical care at ARMC.  A complaint has been filed with the Fair Politicial Practices Commission (FPPC) alleging Form 700 violations due to the fact that these supervisors, along with former County Administrative Officer Mark Uffer, received free medical care, which constitutes a gift of public funds, and did not report said gifts as required by law on their Form 700s.

Today, iePolitics learned that ARMC Chief Executive Officer Patrick Petre at the behest of  ARMC Medical Director Dr. Dev Gnanadev, has ordered privacy statements  be signed and backdated by ARMC employees in regard to anything they witnessed in reference to members of the Board of Supervisors or other elected and appointed officials who may have been given free  medical care at the facility.  It appears that this process has been put into place to interfere with a criminal and/or Grand Jury investigation into practices at ARMC.

iePolitics has been contacted by employees who have been threatened with HIPAA violations if  they discuss the wrongdoing at ARMC.  It appears every effort is being made to sweep the current scandal under the rug. Read more…

iePolitics: Paul is still having a bad day!

It seems the neighbors refuse to be defeated:

iePolitics: Paul Biane having a bad day!

(Click image to enlarge)

.

San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Biane (Pictured) saw his campaign sign in a neighbors yard and called the Sheriff’s Department to “remove his property” from the yard.

You will notice the change made to the artwork.

iePolitics: Is Paul Biane Having A Bad Day?

This gem was found on the Sun blogs:

iePolitics: Chris Jones Candidates

I am on a mission!  We have three candidates running for office in San Bernardino County whose campaign consultant is Chris Jones.  They are Don Kurth, Paul Biane, and Chris Lancaster and they have the three dirtiest campaigns in this county.  All three need to be defeated!

Anyone with verifiable information about these three can send it to me at sharon@iepolitics.com or PO Box 2722, Apple Valley, CA 92307.  Also, I can be reached at (760) 954-0280.

iePolitics: Special Treatment at ARMC

When I read yesterday “And Comunale said not renewing the anesthesiology contract – which is held by one of Comunale’s relatives – is ‘just a vendetta on GnanaDev’s part’” in the San Bernardino Sun, I assumed the vendetta was against Comunale.  Well it turns out I was wrong.

As mentioned in the last Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) article I wrote, San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Biane had two MRI’s under anesthesia at the hospital.  As we have been reporting, board members frequently have procedures done without charting so that they do not have to pay for the procedures or co-pays.  And Biane expected the same in this instance.  But the anesthesiologist refused to complete the procedure without charting.  So Biane doesn’t want the contract renewed.  And Biane and Gnanadev cover for one another.  Are you listening Mike Ramos?

iePolitics: More on Matt Brown

‘They said they’re putting me on leave to protect me from any possible retaliation, to take me out of the situation until they complete their investigation and to protect the county from any liability,’ Brown said Wednesday in a conference call from the office of his attorney, Sanford A. Kassel.

San Bernardino Sun, May 5, 2010

Two important things struck me about this quote.  First, “protect me from any possible retaliation.”  What a crock of bull!  Employee after employee in this county makes hostile work environment claims and is forced to work day after day with the perpetrator(s), sometimes even on those rare occasions when Andrew Lamberto can’t cover it up and the claim has been found to be true.  Why is Matt receiving paid Administrative Leave and special treatment?  This is disgusting!

This county not only does NOTHING to discourage hostile work environments for line staff, they encourage it.  One has to look no further than Service First to see that.  Every employee in this county was subjected to foul language, threats, and absolutely obnoxious behavior from an administrator. Read more…

iePolitics: Medical Marijuana and the Conservative Republican

It’s not like I hide it.  I am an ultra-conservative fiscal Reagan Republican.  I am also a tree-hugging liberal.  And on social issues, well, I’m all over the place.  I am pro-life, anti-gay marriage, pro-gay union, pro-rehabilitation/anti-lock-em up for non-violent offenders, pro-rehab for drug offenders, pro-Second Amendment, anti-illegal immigration, anti-closed borders, anti-anchor baby, pro-reasonable immigration policy, anti-Patriot Act, anti-anything that erodes Constitutional Rights further . . ..

For some reason, my attitude towards medical marijuana confounds my fellow Republicans.  I absolutely believe medical marijuana should be legal and easily available to anyone with a valid prescription.  I have total contempt for what our San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors has done regarding this subject and feel the same way about any other city/county that has used loopholes to ban dispensaries in contempt of the will of the people. Read more…

InlandPolitics: Slap at former colleague ends bad week for Biane

• Written by Administrator
• Posted May 8, 2010 at 11:17 am

San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Biane ended a not so good week taking an ironic slap at a former friend and colleague.

The week started with a new controversy surrounding a complaint from Biane’s chief of staff Matt Brown. Brown claims he’s being harassed and retaliated against for cooperating with county investigators in a probe which has targeted his boss. Brown’s complaint letter made waves for Biane most of the week.

Then yesterday comes along this beauty of a campaign piece delivered to Second District mailboxes.

Can you say awkward.

While stomping a former friend into the ground may be a viable tactical strategy, it doesn’t seem to be a great concept at this point in time. Considering one, Postmus, is currently a charged defendant and two, Biane is running from the same dark clouds. Read more…

iePolitics: The More We Learn About Chris Lancaster’s Consultant, The Bigger Slime He Turns Out To Be

We have all enjoyed Chris Jones’, aka Taxfighter, comments on the blog. Chris, of course, is the campaign consultant to 63rd Assembly District candidate Don Kurth, San Bernardino County Second District Supervisor Paul Biane, and 59th District Assembly candidate Chris Lancaster.  You see a pattern?  Three sleezy candidates all hire the same sleezy campaign consultant.  But this is hardly Chris Jones’ first foray into dirty politicking.  He has a history . . . a long history.  Here is about a campaign he ran almost 12 years ago.  Fortunately for us, his candidate lost.  Let’s hope his three candidates this year lose as well.

Assembly Candidate’s Negative Mailer Misfires

Politics: Republican John Kellogg loses endorsements by Baugh, Morrissey after he sends flier linking his 68th district opponent to a convicted child molester.

May 30, 1998|PETER M. WARREN, TIMES POLITICAL WRITER