iePolitics has learned from a well-placed West-End source that the February 10, 2010, incoherent spectacle produced by San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos and California Attorney General Jerry “Moonbeam” Brown, charging former Assessor Bill Postmus and former Assistant Assessor Jim Erwin with multiple felonies, including bribery and embezzlement, may have had a much more far-reaching purpose. And that “purpose” has to do with one unnamed, but very identifiable, John Doe; John Doe No. 1, i.e., Jeff Burum, to be exact.
The underlying scheme of Ramos’ recent interest in “cleaning up corruption in San Bernardino County” is oft-discussed by political insiders. His crusade came about only after his power base took a major hit due to the defeat of political crony and powerbroker, San Bernardino County Third District Supervisor Dennis Hansberger, by dark horse candidate Neil Derry. (more…)
These days when my political-type friends and I are talking on the phone, the subject of phone taps always comes up. When I’m talking with Bill or Jim, for example, I assume the district attorney’s office has their phones tapped and can hear everything I say. So, since there is always a supply of 7-in-1 and Bordetella in my refrigerator, I always remind Bill that if he’s at my house he can find the clean syringes there. And when talking with Jim, I make it a point of giving him the account number Adam passed along to me for that off-shore account with the $1.02 million in it from Colonies settlement. The three of us are getting our passports ready for the big day. (more…)
Tonight I read of the second celebrity suicide in as many days. Today it was announced that Marie Osmond’s 18-year-old son, Michael Blosil, committed suicide. Yesterday, it was Andrew Koenig, best known for his role on Growing Pains. From his father’s website is this quote:
If you’re one of those people who feel they can’t handle it any more, if you can learn anything from this: it’s that there are people out there who really care. You might not think so . . . but there are people who really, really care. And before you take that final decision, check it out again . . . talk to somebody. And for those families who have members who they fear are susceptible to this kind of behavior, don’t ignore it, don’t rationalize it. Extend a hand.
I’ve taken my share of criticism from those who have not been there. ASKING FOR HELP IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. One knows they need help and even wants help but asking for it is truly impossible. (more…)
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.
I meant to post this earlier today, but ran out of computer time. This reminds me of one of the very first conversations Mark Kirk and I had in 2008. I chastised him for accepting contributions from Colonies. He told me that Jeff does more for other people in a week than most do in a year. He said that Jeff is very charitable. I know he helped me when I needed it most. I’m glad to see his peers are supporting him.
- Written by Administrator
- Posted February 12, 2010 at 7:28 pm
*** The following letter was forwarded to InlandPolitics with a request to publish after 6:00 P.M. this evening***
.
February 12, 2010
Dear Jeff,
We write this letter to ask you to cease your passive stance towards District Attorney Michael Ramos.
News of the unwarranted attack on your reputation and credibility, and that of your friends and supporters has reached many of us in the last forty-eight hours.
You have been a respected member of your community for years. You have been unselfish in helping your community and neighbors. You built your business from nothing and have come so far to have it all destroyed by this man.
We commend your passion in devoting countless hours of your life to assist those less fortunate in life by contributing back to not just your community, but areas throughout the United States.
You have so many friends and supporters from around the country who stand ready to help you address what has been forced upon you.
It is the understanding of many of us that District Attorney Ramos actually looked you in the eye and assured you that no evidence of any wrongdoing had ever been found against you. It is also our understanding that a Mr. David Ellis, a representative for the District Attorney informed you that a clearance letter directed at you was forthcoming.
Apparently, this was all just an elaborate ruse. (more…)
The Feburary 12, 2010 issue of The Sentinel can be found here.
- 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. (more…)
Yesterday’s new conference with San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael “sexual predator” Ramos and California Attorney General Jerry “Moonbeam” Brown seemed to include a lot of hyperbole and leave out a few facts. In one of the latter political whore’s best effort at grandstanding, Brown stated,
What is significant here is the most appalling corruption case in decades, certainly in the history of San Bernardino County and maybe California itself. Individuals corrupted public office and were able to grab more than $100 million of the taxpayers’ money through this scheme.
There is one very big problem with this statement. The county had lost twice in court already. It was strongly suggested to the county by the trial court judge that it attempt to reach a settlement. The Colonies asked for $300 million and the county settled for $102 million. That settlement was negotiated with the help of a mediator who just happened to be a retired California Supreme Court Justice.
Jim has a copy of the last page of the agreement and a bio of the justice on his blog. To read Jim’s entry, click here.
I’m afraid I’ve been very busy today moving so I learned of the arrests last this morning and didn’t have an internet connection. As of a short time ago Bill Postmus has made bail. I’m told they are trying to get Jim out today too.
I’m told the rumor is true that Bill did have meth in his possession at the time of his arrest, which will likely be the only legitimate charge in all of this.
I know both have their detractors but this bail is ridiculous. See my previous article on the subject: Eighth Amendment
Anyone of us could find ourselves the object of a district attorney’s or law enforcement officer’s wrath. As I keeping saying, an out-of-control district attorney is more dangerous to a free society than any criminal he prosecutes.
I’m sure that is what the reporter who called me a little while ago regarding Former Assessor Bill Postmus’ and Former Assistant Assessor Jim Erwin’s early morning arrests was thinking. Well, yes, as a matter of fact I do believe this is just another attempt by a desperate district attorney to be re-elected and a governor-wannabe-again feeling the pressure from Meg Whitman.
Ramos will do anything to deflect from his own misdeeds. And time will prove these charges are as trumped up as the last ones.
One thing comes to mind here and that is something Postmus keeps telling me. He claims this whole corruption scandal is the result of Mike Ramos wanting to get at Jeff Burum. He thought Erwin would roll on Jeff the first time. If anything, their friendship seems stronger. I expect today’s event to strengthen it even more. (more…)
Administrator: I got blasted when I wrote about this a while back including from one of the blog’s biggest supporters. I was assured it wasn’t true. It’s sounding a heck of a lot more true as more people go public.
10:46 PM PST on Sunday, February 7, 2010 By MARK MUCKENFUSS
The Press-Enterprise
Volunteers and donors to the Humane Society of San Bernardino Valley said they were surprised to learn that the organization had been euthanizing close to 10,000 animals per year.
Most of the euthanasias were performed after hours by a small group of people.
Former employees said even some who worked at the Humane Society were unaware of the activity, which has gone on for years.
Those contacted for this story said that if they questioned the practice, they were told not to worry about it. If they persisted, they said, they were fired.
A letter by a former veterinarian for the agency complained of “truckloads” of healthy animals being euthanized. (more…)
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
˜Eighth Amendment, Constitution of the United States˜
Today’s hearing in which Michael Jackson’s doctor, Conrad Murray, entered a plea of not guilty to involuntary manslaughter charges and bail was set at $75,000, three times the usual bail for an involuntary manslaughter charge, begs a comparison to San Bernardino County’s own high-profile prosecutions. Those, of course, are the Jim Erwin and Bill Postmus criminal cases. (more…)
- Written by Administrator
- Posted February 7, 2010 at 10:08 am
It looks like The Sun newspaper is feeling a little self-conscious these days.
Editor Frank Pine, the subject of much criticism on this blog over the past several months for his rose-colored glasses when it comes to his newspapers non-reporting of stories for which they have facts in hand is trying to defend his actions.
Are Pine’s rose-colored glasses the problem? Or is there an agenda?
It sure hurts when questions like this become focused on a local newspaper. (more…)
Rank ‘Em: One-Ring Starting Quarterbacks
Created: February 4, 2010, 12:29 PM
Now that Drew Brees has his ring, where does he rank among the greats?
After completing the best season in New Orleans Saints history, Drew Brees has finally won his first Super Bowl.
Brees’ lone Super Bowl victory puts him on an eclectic list of starting quarterbacks with one title to their names. From all-time greats like Brett Favre to big personalities like Jim McMahon, 18 men have started and won pro football’s biggest game but once in their careers.
Below, we’ve listed the 18, and now it’s up to you to rank them from top to bottom.
You must submit at least FIVE for your rankings to count.
To read the rest of the story, click here.
- 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. (more…)
Twelve citizens of the city of Grand Terrace have a filed a request with District Attorney Mike Ramos to investigate one of his many mistresses for Government Code section 1090 violations. Which mistress you may ask. Yes, I realize it is difficult to keep them all straight. This time around it is Bertha Bea Cortes, a councilwoman for Grand Terrace.
Cortes has bragged to community members about her relationship with Ramos and her use of that relationship to effect a prosecution of fellow councilman Jim Miller for, you guess it, Government Code section 1090 violations. What’s that old adage about “living in glass houses”?
Unlike Miller, Cortes’ violations appear deliberate. Additionally, Cortes, who sources indicate to iePolitics has children living in the home, reports no income whatsoever despite an active real estate license, and advertising by herself and her broker on her behalf. It is unclear how she paid to keep her license active or for the advertising, or for that matter how she feeds and clothes her children with no income. There are no $11,000 payments on Ramos’ 460 to Cortes, so her source of support remains a mystery.
(more…)
I sent a text to Jim Erwin this morning after reading the Sun story on former Assessor’s Office employee Rex Gutierrez’ preliminary hearing yesterday, basically saying that I hope when this whole scandal is over, Jeff Burum sues the heck out of the Sun, Adam Aleman, and Mike Ramos. Tonight I read the Press Enterprise story and am adding that paper to the list.
I wrote in my “Black Helicopters” post on the last blog about my almost two-hour conversation with Adam Aleman a few months ago where he claimed that District Attorney investigators intimidated and tricked him into saying things about the entire cast of characters in the corruption scandal, including Jeff Burum. He completely denied presenting any of the information to District Attorney investigators as hard, cold facts and stated that much of it was rumor he expected them to check out and not act on until verified. (more…)
Former San Bernardino County Assessor’s Office Intergovernmental Affairs Director Rex Gutierrez appeared in court today for preliminary hearing on charges of embezzlement and grand theft relating to time card fraud. His case was bound over for trial starting in about 60 days.
Among the witnesses was San Bernardino County Human Resources Director Andrew Lamberto, who testified that Gutierrez’s work hours were determined by his immediate supervisor, former Assistant Assessor Adam Aleman. Aleman has already plead guilty to four felonies in connection with the scandal, including presenting a false claim, in exchange for his testimony against the remaining defendants.
Lamberto’s assertion appears to be in direct conflict with state law, which does not restrict a salaried employee’s work schedule except for sick leave and vacation time. The county’s position has been that Exempt employees, such as Gutierrez, defendant Greg Eyler, and all the staff members for the Board of Supervisors (BOS), County Counsel, and the County Administrative Office are in fact salaried employees who are not required to work a set number of hours. This sudden switch in policy described at today’s hearing by Lamberto will likely result in not only a much more intensive grilling of Lamberto at trial, but also subpoenas being issued to the five Chiefs of Staff to the Board of Supervisors as well as those in the County Administrative Office and County Counsel to explain the disparate treatment of employees covered under the same Memorandum of Understanding and the same California Labor Codes. (more…)
Here is the list for the current election cycle. Note the $1,000,000 contribution to their own PAC.
| DATE |
PAYEE |
CONTEST |
POSITION |
PAYMENT TYPE |
AMOUNT |
| 02/19/2009 |
ADAM FOR ASSEMBLY 2010 |
STATE ASSEMBLY PERSON 59 |
SUPPORT |
MONETARY |
$3,900.00 |
| 08/24/2009 |
ADAM FOR ASSEMBLY 2010 |
STATE ASSEMBLY PERSON 59 |
SUPPORT |
MONETARY |
$1,500.00 |
| 09/24/2009 |
AVILA FOR MAYOR |
|
SUPPORT |
MONETARY |
$500.00 |
| 02/19/2009 |
CALIFORNIA DEMOCRATIC PARTY |
|
SUPPORT |
MONETARY |
$5,000.00 |
| 02/13/2009 |
CALIFORNIA DEMOCRATIC PARTY SPEAKERS CUP |
|
SUPPORT |
MONETARY |
$60,000.00 |
| 02/13/2009 |
CALIFORNIA REPUBLICAN PARTY |
|
SUPPORT |
MONETARY |
$10,000.00 |
| 06/26/2009 |
CALIFORNIA REPUBLICAN PARTY |
|
SUPPORT |
MONETARY |
$25,000.00 |
| 08/24/2009 |
CALIFORNIA REPUBLICAN PARTY |
|
SUPPORT |
MONETARY |
$50,000.00 |
| 04/20/2009 |
CALIFORNIANS FOR JOBS AND A STRONG ECONOMY |
|
SUPPORT |
MONETARY |
$5,000.00 |
(more…)
These require no editorial. I think they speak for themselves.
| DATE |
PAYEE |
CONTEST |
POSITION |
PAYMENT TYPE |
AMOUNT |
| 07/11/2007 |
ABEL MALDONADO FOR SENATE |
STATE SENATOR 15 |
SUPPORT |
MONETARY |
$2,500.00 |
| 05/10/2007 |
ADAMS FOR ASSEMBLY 2008 |
STATE ASSEMBLY PERSON 59 |
SUPPORT |
MONETARY |
$1,000.00 |
| 06/22/2007 |
ADAMS FOR ASSEMBLY 2008 |
STATE ASSEMBLY PERSON 59 |
SUPPORT |
MONETARY |
$2,600.00 |
| 08/01/2008 |
AGHAZARIAN FOR SENATE |
|
SUPPORT |
MONETARY |
$1,500.00 |
| 10/17/2008 |
AGHAZARIAN FOR SENATE |
|
SUPPORT |
MONETARY |
$3,600.00 |
| 03/21/2007 |
ALBERTO TORRICO FOR ASSEMBLY 2008 |
STATE ASSEMBLY PERSON 20 |
SUPPORT |
MONETARY |
$2,500.00 |
| 10/30/2007 |
ALBERTO TORRICO FOR ASSEMBLY 2008 |
STATE ASSEMBLY PERSON 20 |
SUPPORT |
MONETARY |
$3,600.00 |
| 08/01/2008 |
ANNA CABALLERO FOR ASSEMBLY |
|
SUPPORT |
MONETARY |
$2,000.00 |
| 08/30/2007 |
ANTHONY ADAMS FOR ASSEMBLY |
STATE ASSEMBLY PERSON |
SUPPORT |
MONETARY |
$4,500.00 |
| 10/16/2008 |
ANTHONY ADAMS FOR ASSEMBLY |
STATE ASSEMBLY PERSON |
SUPPORT |
MONETARY |
$900.00 |
| 05/29/2008 |
ARABO FOR ASSEMBLY |
STATE ASSEMBLY PERSON 78 |
SUPPORT |
MONETARY |
$1,000.00 |
| 10/17/2008 |
BILL BERRYHILL FOR ASSEMBLY |
|
SUPPORT |
MONETARY |
$3,600.00 |
| 07/30/2007 |
BILL EMMERSON FOR ASSEMBLY 2008 |
STATE ASSEMBLY PERSON 63 |
SUPPORT |
MONETARY |
$7,200.00 |
(more…)
iePolitics is starting a series examining the influence of Indian gaming on politics and crime in San Bernardino County. We will detail its involvement with organized crime and the Mexican Mafia, the preferential treatment by San Bernardino County officials, and their political activities through political action committees, as well as report on some of the “incidents” involving the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians that go unreported by mainstream media.
Among the topics will be the relationship between Tribal Chief James Ramos and District Attorney Mike Ramos, the chaos with the tribal police whose captain happens to be the wife of Safety Employee Benefit Association President William Abernathie, and incidents with the Gaming Commission, most recently involving a physical assault by Tom Ramos, James’ brother.
(more…)
“Jeff Burum: A Traitor to our Constitution;” “Dirty, filthy, stinking, crappy politics;” “Greedy Money Hogs;” “Dirty Pigs” were all expressions I just heard within 60 seconds of tuning in to my least-favorite radio show as a description of Jeff Burum and his businesses. This is exactly what I was writing about yesterday in the “The Dennis Hansberger Connection.” (more…)
For almost a year the question has been asked repeatedly, “Why would San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos take on the likes of Jim Erwin?” It’s especially puzzling for several reasons.
First, Mike is a poltroon. He utilizes his paltry supply of testosterone to satisfy his overactive libido. None is left to be a man in any other way. He is emasculated. He is not capable of going to battle because he believes in the righteousness of an issue. To suggest he is attempting to “clean up corruption” is ludicrous, especially coming from one of the most corrupt district attorneys in the entire country.
Second, Mike and Jim were at least casual friends at one point and certainly political allies. As president of the Safety Employees Benefit Association (SEBA), Jim helped Mike and his political friends in their campaigns for elected office. A SEBA endorsement is substantial in this county and to potentially alienate such a powerful force could be political suicide. (more…)
As San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Chairman Gary Ovitt’s first year of service as chairman comes to a close, it is a good time to examine what this Board has accomplished in the past year. By all accounts, we have a Board of Supervisors that is in constant turmoil, unable to complete only the most routine of tasks.
Year 2009 began with promise. Former Chairman Paul Biane completed his lackluster stint as Chairman with a corruption scandal hanging over his head that neutered him to the point of complete ineffectiveness. His successor, Gary Ovitt, was expected to bring a breath of fresh air. Although not known personally for strong leadership skills, Ovitt, unlike Biane, was known for high moral standards. Through his chief of staff, Mark Kirk, Ovitt was expected to accomplish much. (more…)
The story below is from the Sacramento Bee. Will was my main contact in Senator Runner’s office. He was always very helpful and respectful whether I needed something for the blog or for Republican Woman. I was very sorry to hear about his untimely death. iePolitics sends our condolences to his family and friends.
January 12, 2010
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. (more…)
The Sentinel page is back and can be found in the upper left-hand column or here.
| Business Regulation Town Hall and Legislative HearingState Senator George Runner (R- Antelope Valley) and Cameron Smyth (R- Santa Clarita) announced that they will host a legislative hearing on the impact of regulations on local businesses.
In the wake of a study released last year that concluded that the cost of regulation on California businesses is nearly $500 billion annually, and with unemployment at record high levels, the overregulation of businesses is likely one primary cause of the state’s lagging economy and high unemployment rates.
Printable Flyer
When:
8am-9am on Friday, January 15, 2010 (more…)
|
There is one especially nice thing about Jim and I having separate blogs and that is I can write about anything I want to write about without grief from Postmus, Stout, Erwin, Derry or Burum for writing about the “personal” stuff. This is one of those “personal” posts that makes those guys cringe but I don’t have to worry about it because they will never see it as they are busy with their own blog. I’ve been inundated with questions so I’m going to take a few minutes to explain all that has happened to bring about two separate blogs.
Back in October after I was laid off from work I had a bit of a meltdown. Under normal circumstances I would have taken the action with stride but 2009 was anything but a normal year for me. For the first time in a couple of decades, not having a county paycheck to rely upon was financially devastating for me. I have always had multiple sources of income including my businesses, savings earnings, rental income and second/third jobs. But 2009 was the year of financial hell and the layoff caught me off guard and unprepared. On top of that, not only did they lay me off, they also messed with my final paycheck, shorting me a lot of money. Thus the meltdown. (more…)
