Posts Tagged ‘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.

Read more…

InlandPolitics: The Insider: Was Jerry Brown lied to?

www.inlandpolitics.com

Sunday, August 29, 2010 – 2:40 pm

It’s finally crunch time in the multi-year corruption probe launched by San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos.

And one has to wonder what Ramos told Attorney General Jerry Brown in regards to his evidence?

There’s a bigger question starting to be asked by some close to the investigation.

Was Brown lied to?

Read more…

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.

Read more…

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: 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.

Read more…

InlandPolitics: The Brown-Biane saga – Part 2

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…

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: 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: 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…

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.

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

iePolitics: John Doe No. 5

Paul led the successful citizen campaign to pass Measure P and limit terms for County Supervisors—including his own.
He blew the whistle on corruption in the County Assessor’s office—resulting in the removal and arrest of the Assessor and several of his associates.

Excerpted from Paul Biane’s Facebook page.

John Doe No. 5 seems to have a selective memory problem.  Perhaps it is from all the alcohol or one too many late-night parking lot tête-à-tête, but something is skewed in Paul’s brain.  He seems to have forgotten he is a yet-to-be-charged possible defendant in San Bernardino County’s largest corruption scandal in history.  Mikey and Jerry refer to him as John Doe No. 5 or has he forgotten?

Perhaps  I’m being too harsh.  Maybe, I should give credit where credit is due.  In Biane’s quest to become the crime fighting hero of San Bernardino County, his actions did result in the arrest of several county officials, one of which may well be himself.  Now that is sacrafice for his constituents.  There, my dear voters, is a great reason to vote for Paul Biane.  He narc’d himself off. Read more…

InlandPolitics Commentary: S.B. County: Another shoe drops

As if anyone with an ounce of intelligence couldn’t see it coming, the obvious was revealed this evening.

Matt Brown, Chief of Staff to Second District Supervisor Paul Biane has a civil attorney. The attorney being none other than Sanford Kassel. Read more…

iePolitics: Another Fine Pickle

Just when we think the corruption scandal involving the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors can’t possibly get better, it always does.  The most recent revelation is fromof Second District Chief of Staff, Matt Brown.  He confessed on Monday to being one of the informants against his boss, Supervisor Paul Biane.  And he claims he is being retaliated against for the same.

The fact that Matt is an informant is hardly breaking news.  Anyone with their handy-dandy Cracker Jack super-sleuth ring could have figured that one out.  San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos and California Attorney General Jerry Brown might have just as well dimed him out back on February 10, 2010, for diming out his boss.  The complaint, that pretended to be anything but transparent, was one of the most transparent documents we have witnessed in recent San Bernardino County history. Read more…

iePolitics: Karma is a bitch, isn’t it Matt?

So now San Bernardino County Second District Chief of Staff Matt Brown has outed himself as a witness for the prosecution in connection with the current Colonies scandal.   Surprise . . . surprise . . . surprise.

We could have told you that!  Well, actually we already did tell you so . . . a very long time ago.

Brown’s close relationship with Mark Uffer was reported last year where Uffer promised Brown a job if anything happened to Second District Supervisor Paul Biane.  And between FPPC filings, a politically-motivated Colonies investigation by the district attorney and attorney general, false accusations by Uffer, and a long list of other improprieties alleged against Biane, it looked like Brown just may need Uffer’s help. Read more…

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…

InlandPolitics Commentary: S.B. County Supervisors should waive privilege, if possible

iePolitics: To Waive or Not to Waive

It is expected that the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors will discuss the California Attorney General’s request that the county waive its attorney-client privilege regarding the $102 million Colonies settlement in closed session during their April 27, 2010, regularly-scheduled meeting.  Second District Supervisor Paul Biane and Fourth District Supervisor Gary Ovitt have both recused themselves.  Third District Supervisor Neil Derry and Fifth District Supervisor Josie Gonzales have suggested they will vote in favor of waiving privilege.  Only Supervisor Mitzelfelt has not committed one way or another.

In a strongly-worded letter, Senior Assistant Attorney General Gary Schons threatened county supervisors with legal action if they did not waive their attorney-client privilege.   However, the supervisors’ duty is to the citizens of San Bernardino County, not an Attorney General grandstanding for political benefit. 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: Dr. Dev Gnanadev, ARMC, and the FPPC

The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) complaints against San Bernardino County Second District Supervisor Paul Biane, Fifth District Supervisor Josie Gonzales, and former County Administrative Officer Mark Uffer have been resubmitted as it did not appear, based on their response, that the FPPC understood the basis of the first complaint.  The complaint alleges the following: Read more…

iePolitics: SBGOP Refuses to Endorse Mike Ramos – Revised

San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos attended last night’s meeting of the San Bernardino County Republican Central Committee (SBGOP) to ask for their endorsement of his re-election bid.  Arriving late, he indicated that he had been busy and needed to get back to his “family.”  Ramos, however, was denied the endorsement.

It was the recommendation of the Endorsement Committee to issue “No Endorsement” in the county race for District Attorney.  However, one member of the committee made a motion to overturn that recommendation and instead debate the issue.  Jessica Austin, former aide to deposed San Bernardino County Third District Supervisor Dennis Hansberger and also former aide and admirer of Congressman Jerry Lewis, made the motion on behalf of Ramos but there was no second, not even from supporter First District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt.  It should be noted that Mike Ramos along with Congressman Lewis and Dennis Hansberger are considered the power block of San Bernardino County’s East Valley Region.  Prior to revelations of Ramos’ penchant for sexual misconduct and politically motivated prosecutions, Ramos was considered the front runner to succeed to Congressman Lewis.  Austin has stated that her actions echo those of her mentors Lewis and Hansberger and last night she proved it with her attempt to gain an endorsement for a controversial and nefarious individual such as Mike Ramos. 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…

InlandPolitics: Postmus under pressure to maintain property values

Postmus

Former San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus was under pressure from county administrators and supervisors in 2007 and 2008 to limit reductions in assessed property valuations.

The concern at the time was that Postmus was going to bring down assessed property values in accordance with Proposition 8 at a faster pace than desired.

Proposition 8 allows a county Assessor to reduce assessed values of properties where the market value has dropped below the assessed value on county tax rolls. The action gives property owners some relief on their property tax bills.

When the market value of a property reduced under Prop 8 climbs, the assessed valuations is restored to its proper amount at the time.

A property can have more than one reduction under Prop 8 based upon real estate market conditions. Read more…

iePolitics: Thank You Bloggers

I’m not sure who to thank but THANK YOU!!!!  I received the package.  Boy is Lamberto and a few others going to have egg on their faces!  Also, now I realize I owe Kirk and Zook apologies.  It seems my recent impression of Matt Brown and Paul Biane are the correct impressions.  Nice to know Matt has been burning me for so long.  I hope to publish the documents on the blog but need to talk to my attorney first. Read more…

iePolitics: All in the Family – Part 2

Today’s subject is an all-too-frequent name discussed on the blog for reasons of nepotism.  That subject, of course, is San Bernardino County Second District Supervisor Paul Biane.

We have written about Paul appointing both his uncle and his father-in-law to county posts.  In Item No. 2 of today’s board agenda shows that he is reappointing his significant other to a County Service Area:

And, let’s not forget, Biane’s chief of staff, Matt Brown, is married to Jessica Brown, an analyst for the County Administrative Office and daughter to Workforce Development Department director Sandy Harmsen.

Yep, nepotism is alive and well in the Second District.

InlandPolitics: Was there going to be two more John Doe’s?

iePolitics: Is Matt Brown a Snitch?

There was a time when I would have texted or called Second District Chief of Staff Matt Brown to ask him about the accusations being made before printing them, but since Jessica Austin has shared with me what Matt has said behind my back, I am no longer going to give him the benefit of the doubt as I did his wife during the Land Use debacle.  So Matt, I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors.  I actually hope they are not true, but it’s time for an answer. Read more…

InlandPolitics: Biane legal tab now at $74,000

Biane

The legal tab for Second District Supervisor Paul Biane increased further during the first quarter of 2010.

Campaign finance disclosure records filed with the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters show Biane paid another $13,069.75 to the law firm of Corbin, Fitzgerald and Athey LLP. Read more…

iePolitics: FPPC Compliants

Received a letter from the Fair Political Practices Commission today that either I didn’t read closely enough or I didn’t word my complaint clearly enough, but the bottom line is that the complaints will be resubmitted this week.  Not sure what I did as the letter didn’t seem to address the complaint.  Anyway, there is no way they are getting off that easy.

SUN: Medical marijuana patient still in custody

Editor’s Note:  I am bending my “no newspaper articles” rule because I consider this to be so egregious.  Here is a perfect reason to vote AGAINST Mike Ramos, Paul Biane, Gary Ovitt, and Rod Hoops.  It’s time the will of the people be upheld and none of these politicians are willing to uphold this law.

InlandPolitics: Were Supervisors being misled on Colonies litigation?

Information regarding the Colonies litigation is trickling out and what is being said is not surprising at all.

While state and county prosecutors work to obtain access to privileged legal discussions and materials in an effort to prove their corruption case, InlandPolitics has developed a few fragments of what is being described as a tense litigation process.

While the revelations covered in this story have been briefly touched on over the past several months, a little more clarity is appearing. Read more…

iePolitics: FPPC Complaints Filed

FPPC complaints have been filed against San Bernardino County Supervisors Josie Gonzales and Paul Biane as well as former County Administrative Officer Mark Uffer.  The complaints all allege that these three individuals, along with countless other politicians and department managers, have been the recipients of free medical services at the county’s hospital, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC), and have failed to report the gifts on their Statements of Economic Interests (Form 700).

VIPs, as they are known at the county-run hospital, routinely have medical treatment arranged for them free of charge at the ARMC at taxpayer expense.  Often, in order to hide the free treatment, no computer records or medical charts are created.  VIPs, if being treated in the emergency room, are moved ahead of even critically ill patients. Read more…

iePolitics: So Devereaux and BOS Members . . .

You say you want transparency and to clean up corruption in San Bernardino County.  So, when are you going to do something about one of your own—our very own Director of Human Resources, Andrew Lamberto?

Lamberto lied under oath at the Preliminary Hearing for Rex Gutierrez.  Unfortunately, at the time Rex’s attorney did not know about the memo that Lamberto authored regarding the issue of time card fraud and exempt employees.  But he know now!  And from what I’ve heard, he has subpoenaed it. Read more…

iePolitics: One More Thing

Everyone keeps asking how to help.  There is one BIG thing every one of you can do to help, not only me, but everyone in this county who has been abused by the system and that is this.  On June 1, 2010 vote for Paul Schrader for Sheriff, Scott Markovich for Second District Supervisor, any opponent of Gary Ovitt’s, and any opponent of Mike Ramos.  These bastards need to be kicked out of office!

I am sick to death of the Sheriff’s Department telling me they are trying to help when they have been one of the biggest contributors to my problems.  HOOPS NEEDS TO GO!  We need a sheriff in there with some integrity.

And we need a Chairman of the Board of Supervisors also with some integrity, including in their chief of staff.  If the only way to get rid of Mark Kirk is to get rid of Gary Ovitt, so be it.

InlandPolitics: Lewis Companies pushing Rutherford to run?

Written by Administrator

Posted February 17, 2010 at 10:28 am

The political chatter is heavy this morning with Fontana City Councilwoman Janice Rutherford rattling the sabre at Second District Supervisor Paul Biane.

And of course, rumors have it that hiding behind the scene with Rutherford is the Lewis Group of Companies pledging their financial support. Read more…

iePolitics: Biane to Declare Tonight

According to article on the Press Enterprise blogs, San Bernardino County Second District Supervisor Paul Biane will announce his intent to seek a third term tonight in Rancho Cucamonga.  Biane has picked up two opponents, Peter “Scott” Markovich and Dennis Labadie, so far with rumors of Upland mayor John “JP” Pomierski also joining the race.  Insiders tell iePolitics that another candidate is also expected to declare shortly. Read more…

iePolitics: Board Decides Not to Sue Itself

In an extraordinarily surprising move, it appears that the four remaining members of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors were not affected by the emotional, pious pleadings of Josie “I wish I had a brain” Gonzales and rejected her ideas about investigating and suing themselves.  They claim it is “Premature.”

Hmm . . . they didn’t think that a year ago when they sued those involved in the corruption scandal before there was one ounce of proof of wrongdoing.  Here we are a year later and there is still no proof—not a single conviction.  So what’s the difference? Read more…

InlandPolitics Commentary: A battle of Good vs. Evil

This last week’s developments involving the filing of charges against two former county officials, the naming of five “un-named” co-conspirators, and the reputation destruction of others referred to in a complaint and accompanying arrest affidavit has commenced a chain of events that will reverberate in San Bernardino County for years.

The charges and accusations come with less than one week before the filing period for the June primary election officially opens. District Attorney Mike Ramos is seeking re-election and California Attorney General Jerry Brown is running for Governor.

After the conclusion of a live press conference District Attorney Mike Ramos made it clear to reporters they could deduce who the “un-charged” or “un-named” parties were by carefully reading the criminal complaint. Figuring out the names wasn’t the least bit difficult. Ramos’ venom was evident. He spoke of personal attacks on himself and his family and concerns over his budget being cut.

Former Assessor and County Supervisor Bill Postmus, who already posted $110,000 bail was re-arrested and forced to post an additional $250,000. Former Assistant Assessor Jim Erwin, who had already posted $220,000 bail was also re-arrested and required to post an additional $380,000.

Neither Postmus nor Erwin had ever been late to any court appearance.

The “un-named” individuals are Jeff Burum, co-managing partner, Colonies Partners, Dan Richards, co-managing partner, Colonies Partners, Patrick O’Reilly, CEO, O’Reilly Public Relations, Paul Biane, second district supervisor, and Mark Kirk, chief of staff to fourth district supervisor Gary Ovitt. Read more…

iePolitics: Not enough arrests for Ramos’ political career?

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.

iePolitics: “If only I had a brain”

One can only imagine the discussion during the special closed-door San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, February 16, 2010, called by Supervisor Josie Gonzales.  I wonder which of the four remaining supervisors will be blessed with the duty of having to explain to Gonzales the identities of John Does 4 and 5.  At least it will be entertaining for the others.

So Josie, since you seem to think the Board of Supervisors needs to investigate itself, where do you propose to start?  Do you realize that all four of the remaining supervisors and a number of their support staff “profitted” from the Colonies settlement in one way or another.  So, do you believe that the other four supervisors should place themselves on Administrative Leave and let you run the show? Read more…

iePolitics: Yet Another Opponent for Supervisor Paul Biane

Sacramento-based sources claim that Senator Robert Dutton (R-31) will throw his hat into the ring to unseat embattled San Bernardino County Second District Supervisor Paul Biane.  Three others, Upland Mayor John “JP” Pomierski, KCAA radio host Peter “Scott” Markovich, and publisher of The Alpenphorn News, Dennis Labadie, have all expressed interest in the seat, with the latter two having already declared their candidacies.

Biane was implicated this week as John Doe 5 in a criminal complaint alleging conspiracy and bribery when San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos filed charges against former Assessor and Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Postmus and former Assistant Assessor and Third District Chief of Staff Jim Erwin. This, combined with other on-going legal issues, opens the door for a likely successful unseating of Biane. Read more…

iePolitics: Blood Stains, Part 4

This post could have just as easily been entitled, “I told you so again” but honestly I am very saddened by today’s news regarding John Does 1 through 5 as described in the Jim Erwin/Bill Postmus arrest affidavit. I was writing a message to Mark Kirk when I remembered a comment I made in my first “Blood Stains” post which read (emphasis added):

The elected leaders in this county have blood stains on their hands, not from touching the hand of the crucified Christ, but from playing with the Devil and destroying the innocent, the poor and the weak.  They have not used their power and authority with wisdom, grace, or benevolence, but rather with selfishness, abusiveness, intolerance, indifference and mean-spiritedness.

Doing what is right can sometimes be painful, but will never be as painful as being brought to one’s knees by an angry God who gave in abundance only to see it unappreciated and abused. Everyone on the Fifth Floor has been given an abundance; some would say an overabundance.  One day many of them may wake up to find it gone and their power gone too.  Then it will  be they who ask for grace and mercy.  Maybe if they are lucky we will have replaced them with leaders with integrity who show them more grace and mercy than the current leadership has shown us. Read more…

iePolitics: “She drank the Kool-Aid”

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. Read more…