Rex Gutierrez

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.

Read more…

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

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.

Read more…

InlandPolitics: Corruption cases problematic for Brown

District Attorney Mike Ramos / Attorney General Jerry Brown

www.inlandpolitics.com

Thursday, July 1, 2010 – 10:00 a.m.

Once thing is for certain.

San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos drawing Attorney General Jerry Brown into his crusade against his political enemies was a smart move.

Even though Defendant Jim Erwin pushed him into it. Read more…

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. Read more…

iePolitics: Hung Jury?

Media has been notified to be in court at 1:30 today in the trial of Rancho Cucamonga City Councilman and former Assessor’s Office employee Rex Gutierrez. Unconfirmed reports indicate the jury has reached an impasse on at least one count.

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. Read more…

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

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

iePolitics: Can justice be found in San Bernardino County – Part 5

The administration of justice is the firmest pillar of government.

~George Washington~

I intended for the final installment in this series to profile the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.  But how many times can I write about the incestuous relationships between District Attorney Mike Ramos, Conflict Panel attorneys, Public Defender Doreen Boxer and judges—relationships that often should be prohibited by conflict laws if not their own sense of integrity and morality?  Unfortunately, as we know “integrity and morality” are not important qualities to many of these individuals.

Today I was listening to closing arguments in the Rex Gutierrez case and it hit me as to why I feel so strongly about these corruption cases.  I decided to change my focus for this last article from the Sheriff’s Department to the pursuit of justice by the unjust.

Defense counsel are paid to do one thing and one thing only and that is to mitigate the circumstances in which criminal defendants finds themselves.  In a perfect world, the accused would admit guilt if they are in fact guilty and take their punishment like a man.  But then again, in a perfect world, actually crime would not exist and there would be no need for a justice system. Read more…

iePolitics: Watching Paint Dry – The Sequel

At least there is no Powerpoint presentation this time.  After a dramatic closing argument by defense counsel Jim Reiss, we are being treatment to the third regurgitation of the People’s case by Deputy District Attorney John Goritz.  These poor jurors look so bored. Read more…

InlandPolitics: Closing arguments begin in Gutierrez case

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. Read more…

iePolitics: Breaking News – Judge Rouse Acquits Gutierrez on Count Three

Defense attorney for accused Rancho Cucamonga City Councilman Rex Gutierrez Jim Reiss motioned today that Superior Court Judge Duke Rouse dismiss Count Three, Embezzlement by a Public Officer.  After about thirty minutes of oral argument and review of applicable case law, Judge Rouse acquitted Gutierrez on this count. Read more…

InlandPolitics Commentary: The Rex Gutierrez trial – Day 5

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Rancho Cucamonga city councilman Rex Gutierrez testified today in his own defense.

Attorney Jim Reiss questioned Gutierrez about his background, namely his work history. In addition to his background history Gutierrez went over the process by which the city of Rancho Cucamonga and National CORE partner up. Defense attorney Reiss questioned Gutierrez about his lengthy relationship with developer Jeff Burum, that began around 1992. Throughout this relationship Burum and himself would keep in contact on a consistent basis, Gutierrez said.

Gutierrez testified that he and Burum have communicated roughly every other day for years. Read more…

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

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. Read more…

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.

Read more…

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.

Read more…

InlandPolitics: Two different newspapers, two different worlds – Part 2

www.inlandpolitics.com

You can usually tell a newspaper and their agenda when you contrast and compare stories by two reporters for two different newspapers, who are sitting in the same room.

This is part two in a series covering the disparity in reporting by The Sun / Inland Valley Daily Bulletin Newspaper. The papers are a part of the Los Angeles News Group, which is a subsidiary of MediaNews Group. Read more…

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. Read more…

iePolitics: Day Three

The morning session of the Rex Gutierrez corruption trial proved to be boring.  There is not much to report at all.  Mostly, technical payroll information was reviewed.

This afternoon thing may pick up a bit.  On tap are Rancho Cucamonga Councilmen Spagnolo and Michaels are expected to testify.  We shall have an update later in the day.

iePolitics: Day Two at the Circus

As I mentioned earlier, this morning consisted of the Confidential Informant No 1, our favorite yellow singing Canary, “persona au gratin” Adam Aleman show.  He was it for today’s first act.  He got just a little taste of what is to come later in the trial when everyone is brought back to impeach him.  From what I hear, his seat got a bit hot today.  Observers say the jury looked disgusted with him, and as with yesterday, seemed bored with Deputy District Attorney Goritz.

For the second act, Harlow Cameron was flown in from his retirement home.  I’m told he qualified almost every answer to the irritation of both the defense and the prosecution.

Ted Lehrer, Joshua White and Sally Hill also testified this afternoon.  Some of their testimony helped the prosecution and some of it helped the defense.  The jury continued to look bored and seemed to wonder why they were there. Read more…

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. Read more…

InlandPolitics: Gutierrez case now back on radar screen

• Written by Senor Blogger
• Posted May 19, 2010 at 1:48 pm

Finally! One of the alleged corruption cases is on the radar screen. Really it is!

The case calendar of Rancho Cucamonga City Councilman Rex Gutierrez now has a trial approaching.

Gutierrez is charged with grand theft and other crimes related to alleged time card fraud during his tenure at the Assessor’s office.

The case is scheduled for a Pre-Trial Hearing Conference in Superior Court next Tuesday, when various motions will be taken up by the court. The matter then proceeds to a Readiness Calendar confirmation on May 28th and Jury Trial on June 1st.

Gutierrez’ last day to commence trial is June 11th plus 10 days. If no trial commences by June 21st the case is dismissed.

To read the rest of the story, click here.

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

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

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

iePolitics: Blogging Live From The Rex Gutierrez Hearing

Well that was the intent this morning.  But we never made it into the courtroom.  The hearing was continued, which was disappointing.  The trial is still scheduled to start in a month and cannot be postponed again.  However, we were hoping to have the witness list revealed today. Read more…

iePolitics: Possible Bombshells This Week

There is quite a potential for bombshells dropping this week in a number of ongoing corruption-related issues.

On Monday, we have the arraignment of former San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus and former Chief of Staff Jim Erwin.  It is expected that the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office will turn over discovery for the case.   This may very well prove to be interesting.  First, the rumor that the District Attorney may ask for a gag order would be funny if it didn’t keep popping its ugly head up.  If true, it begs the question, “What is the District Attorney trying to hide?”  Well, that has birthed a few more rumors, the most prevalent of which is that among the discovery will be information showing that Second Supervisorial District Chief of Staff Matt Brown dropped a dime on his boss, Supervisor Paul Biane.  Rumors of Matt’s pending termination have been running rampant for a couple of weeks now. Read more…

iePolitics: Pinocchio Is At It Again

Our county’s resident lying snitch is at it again.  Yes that’s right.  Pinocchio aka Confidential Informant No. 1 aka the yellow singing Canary, aka Adam Aleman is bragging once again about the testimony he gave to the San Bernardino County Grand Jury this past Monday and Tuesday.  Now, he has already pissed the Grand Jury off once by altering evidence  he sent to them.  That brought about just a few felonies.  Now, he seems to have forgotten he is not supposed to be telling us all what was said during the hearing.  But, this is the brash young Mr. Aleman and he can’t help himself. Read more…

iePolitics: Ramos Off the Hook Again . . . For the Time Being

Former District Attorney investigator Chris Cardoza took a plea deal yesterday.  He pleaded guilty to one count of Computer Fraud and one count of Acts Constituting Theft.  He is due back for sentencing on May 27, 2010.  Since he is a licensed private investigator, we suspect both will be misdemeanors so that he can maintain his license. Read more…

iePolitics: A Contest is Shaping Up

We have five defendants, Jim Erwin, Bill Postmus, Rex Gutierrez, Greg Eyler, and Dino DiFazio.  So, we have five criminal defense attorneys; five criminal defense attorneys who have reviewed the discovery provided by the District Attorney’s Office; five criminal defense attorneys who have compared notes; five criminal defense attorneys who have come to realize that Confidential Informant No. 1, our favorite yellow singing Canary extraordinaire, “persona au gratin,” one half of the team known as “Hansel and Gretel,” none other than the young Mr. Adam Aleman has a problem with the truth.  This is hardly new news to readers of this blog.  But there is a new twist.

Part of the discovery is, of course, the recorded interviews with Mr. Aleman.  But not all interviews are given to all attorneys but rather only those that affect each attorney’s client.  However, as I said, the defense attorneys are comparing notes.  And the defense attorneys’ private investigators are interviewing EVERYONE and comparing notes.   Everyone is comparing notes and it doesn’t  paint a pretty picture.  As stated in another article, the defense attorneys can now impeach Mr. Aleman with recordings in his own voice and words.  How much drama will that provide in front of a jury of twelve?  Any wonder why Senior Prosecutor Louis Cope attempted to keep evidence away from the defendants?  Or that there was a suggestion of a gag order? Read more…

InlandPolitics: Judge delays Gutierrez trial at request of DA

iePolitics: The Uffer Questions

Has anyone read pages 129-137 of the Mark Uffer Claim Against the County?  They can be found here:  Uffer-Document

Pages 129-137 consist of the questions Mark Uffer proposed the Grand Jury ask others, including Supervisor Paul Biane and Chief of Staff Mark Kirk.  Those questions are quite revealing.  The question is, “Are they legitimate?” Read more…

iePolitics: Count Down to D-Day

Twenty-one days and counting until the circus of the century begins.  That’s right.  In only three weeks the Rex Gutierrez trial will begin and we will finally all be treated to the smug, if not truthful, testimony of Confidential Informant No. 1, our favorite yellow singing Canary, “persona au graten” Adam Aleman.

So I thought as we get closer to the big day, I would offer our star witness some advice to make it a little more comfortable for him, especially when he finds out how much research has been done into his testimony and his character. Read more…

iePolitics: Liar, Liar and Yet One More Liar

If Rex Gutierrez actually makes it to trial as scheduled, and yes I doubt the case will go to trial, it will be a lesson in lack of ethics and integrity amongst county and former county employees and I’m not talking about Rex.

First up will be Confidential Informant No. 1, our illustrious “Persona Au Gratin,” singing Canary extraodinaire  Adam Aleman, who if he has the misfortune of making it to the witness stand will be able to impress jurors with his magnificant command of the English language, especially the big words he likes to throw around whether he knows what they mean or not.  The jury will be entertained at least. Read more…

iePolitics: Supervisor Paul Biane a crook?

The story from InlandPolitics below is simply amazing.  We all heard the rumors of District Attorney Mike Ramos putting the screws to Supervisor Paul Biane.  We heard stories of him being in hiding and waiting for District Attorney investigators to show up at his door to place him in handcuffs.  His attendance at Board of Supervisors meetings waned.  He looked sullen when he did appear in public.  Some suspected it was his alcoholism but those in the know knew it he was scared to death.  He seemed paralyzed.

Why shouldn’t he be scared?  Of course he should be scared.  The stories of backroom payments from developers abound but those could be true or they could be urban legend.  What we know to be true are the unreported gifts such as the recent revelation about the trip with a developer on a private jet to a football game back East.  There are also other stories of trips to Mexico and Cuba.  And we know from the “Jim Erwin Model” that such lapses result in felony charges and arrests.  Paul has had a lot to be worried about. Read more…

InlandPolitics Commentary: Credibility of former Assistant Assessor now in play

iePolitics: Jeff Burum . . . Jeff Burum . . . and more Jeff Burum

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. Read more…