Here is the latest: The Sentinel
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Category Archives: In the News
iePolitics: Colonies rumors and more
There are two opposing rumors of sorts out there. First, in this week’s issue of the Sentinel, Mark claims that Supervisor Josie Gonzales filed a Grand Jury complaint in 2006 over the Colonies issues, thus making the powers-that-be aware of some of the overt acts two years before the District Attorney’s office claims they actually knew. This was supposedly part of her Grand Jury testimony last week. That seems to be very problematic if true.
And, in the opposite direction is word that by the county waiving attorney/client privilege, the District Attorney has been able to obtain enough information to prosecute Supervisor Gary Ovitt for his part in the Colonies scandal. Apparently, they have emails and other documents that now prove a quid pro quo arrangement between Burum and the three supervisors.
iePolitics: The Sentinel
Here is the link to the June 10, 2011 Sentinel: The Sentinel
iePolitics: The Sentinel
For those who don’t subscribe, here is the link for the latest edition of The Sentinel: Sentinel
iePolitics: Arrested for paying in pennies
As I read this story, I thought back to high school PoliSci and the lecture about “legal currency.” The man in this story was arrested for paying a $25 medical bill, which he did not believe he owed, with 2500 pennies. He was fined for the offense.
LAWeekly: Men’s County Jail Visitor Viciously Beaten by Guards
Sheriff Lee Baca says jail is unsupervisable and should be shut down
By Chris Vogel Thursday, May 19 2011
Shackled in handcuffs, Gabriel Carrillo was being detained in a small break room near the visitors’ lobby in Men’s Central Jail when, he says, a Sheriff’s deputy knocked him to the floor with an uppercut.
PHOTO BY TED SOQUI
The Men’s Central Jail
Carrillo several days after being beaten
Carrillo, 5 feet 6 and 160 pounds, doubled over in pain. Three deputies began kicking and punching the baby-faced 23-year-old in his head and thigh, tearing his white T-shirt while blood splattered on his blue jeans and Air Jordans.
With each blow, Carrillo felt his body jerk as his head bounced up and down on the cold, county building floor. He briefly lost consciousness, only to wake to the sting of punches to his head and face.
Through eyes purple with bruises and nearly swollen shut, Carrillo could see blood pouring out of his head onto the floor.
“I’m not f–king resisting,” he cried out.
Suddenly, Carrillo felt a blast of chemical spray. He was blinded and gasping for air as more punches pummeled his increasingly numb legs and torso. It was like being caught in a violent ocean wave, Carrillo recalls. Every time he tried to come up for air, another blow drove him back under.
“I can’t breathe! I can’t breathe!” Carrillo wheezed.
“Shut the f–k up,” Carrillo claims a deputy said. “If you can talk, you can breathe.”
Finally, Carrillo lay motionless, watching officers wipe his blood off the floor with clean towels, thinking to himself, “How did this happen? All I was trying to do was visit my brother in jail.”
Carrillo arrived at Men’s Central Jail, a dungeon like fortress near downtown Los Angeles, around noon on Feb. 26 with his girlfriend, Grace Torres, to visit his younger brother, who was locked up on charges of carrying a concealed weapon.
It was a Saturday, and Torres was on call for her job at an employment agency. She says she was afraid of being fired if she missed a call, so she tucked her cellphone into her boot and sneaked it into the visitors’ lobby, despite the signs prohibiting it. Carrillo, a general laborer who helped build a stage for an Academy Awards after-party next to the El Capitan Theater, says he forgot he had a phone in his pocket.
While they waited, Torres moved to scratch her foot and her phone fell onto the floor. Within minutes, she claims, deputies had confiscated the phones, handcuffed Carrillo and taken the two of them into the break room, where a deputy pushed Carrillo into the side of a refrigerator.
iePolitics: Should welfare recipients be drug tested?
Florida’s governor thinks so. And the dems are not happy about the bill he signed. Here is the story.
iePolitics: So what happens if Kirk cuts a deal?
Think about it. Kirk is not someone with a lot of backbone. I know he is scared to death right now. Of the Colonies Four, he is the most likely to cut a deal. And that makes for interesting talk around the water cooler on the Fifth Floor.
Mark is good friends with both Jeff Burum and Greg Devereaux. Jeff Burum and Greg Devereaux. Greg Devereaux is very close with John Doe No. 2, the so-far unindicted co-conspirator and partner of Jeff Burum, Dan Richards.
iePolitics: The Sentinel
Here is the link to this week’s edition of the Sentinel: Sentinel
iePolitics: Colonies timeline
I received this tonight and thought I would share: ColoniesSummary
I have mentioned in the past that I have spoken with several well-known criminal lawyers, both prosecutors and defense attorneys, and they all agreed there is likely a statute of limitations issue, especially in reference to Jeff Burum. So I asked Robert off the record the same question. He is not involved in the case. Here is his response:
On the record: This matter was successfully challenged by Jim at the complaint stage. In recognition of this, the indictment talks about this on the last page. I’m sure the current defendants will fight on this issue and, if unsuccessful, appeal it before trial.
iePolitics: The internet is a great thing
We can learn from all different cultures around the world. One of the stats sites I use is based in one of the Scandinavian countries. Right now the ad running for one of their products states, “Introducing Effen the way nature intended. How will you enjoy your Effen cucumber?” I had to do a double take. I think something got lost in the translation.
iePolitics: Remember Traci and the other wackos
For those who don’t know, if you read the comments on the Daily Press website, “Phelan Patriot” is Traci/Patricia. They post under a bunch of other names on Jim’s website. I banned them long ago from here for all of their anti-Semitic rhetoric. These are the same people who were passing out literature at the Republican Central Committee a few months ago. Anyway, here is a story about their group of wackos.
Courthouse locks down after commotion by ‘Restore America’ protesters
May 13, 2011 6:43 PM
VICTORVILLE • The Victorville courthouse was locked down for about half an hour Friday morning after a judge ordered a group of protesters to leave his courtroom.
More than 30 De Jure California Republic members from San Bernardino County, who say their mission is to restore the power of the American people, showed up to support Gilbert Hernandez Scott and Yvette Barragan, a Victorville couple charged with abusing their children.
When called to appear for their case, Scott and Barragan refused to step across the bar, which separates the gallary from the area where court proceedings are held. They also demanded that Judge John Tomberlin relieve their attorneys so they could represent themselves.
The judge advised the defendants on the pitfalls of self-representation in court.
But when Tomberlin told them to cross the bar, some of the protesters in the gallery stood up and began shouting at the bench, said Carlos Rodriguez, who was waiting in the gallery for a different case.
The judge told them to leave the courtroom for contempt of court, Rodriguez said.
All other courtrooms were closed off after all the deputies in the courthouse gathered in Tomberlin’s courtroom to escort some of the protesters out. Other judges in the building had to lock themselves inside their chambers.
To read the rest of the story, click here.
iePolitics: Now that the three-ring circus is over
I’ve been taken aback by some of the comments about the arrests of Jim Erwin, Mark Kirk, Paul Biane, and Jeff Burum. At a personal level I was glad to see a couple of them arrested, not because I believe they should have been, but because they need to get off of their high horses and find out what it feels like to be wrongly accused by someone looking to strengthen their own political power. All four were very powerful men who had a chance to prevent this from happening but chose to look the other way because it wasn’t their lives and livelihoods being affected. Now it is and it doesn’t feel so good to be on the receiving end. That doesn’t make what happened to them right.
From the legal, the ethical, and the Constitutional level, what happened this week is wrong. Cassie MacDuff’s comment is one of the egregious statements, outside of those by District Attorney Mike Ramos, that shows those who claim to want law and order want no such thing. In reference to having to spend two nights in jail and have bail set exorbitantly high, she wrote:
From a reader . . .
AKA: Tweedle Dee Tweedle Dumb Tweedle Dumber Just Plain Stupid
iePolitics: Bail – Updated
We are hearing that all but Jeff Burum has been bailed out. We are not sure what is going on with Jeff.
Burum is now out too.
iePolitics: Hey boys, remember one name . . . Andrew Lamberto
Jim Erwin
Jeff Burum
Mark Kirk
Paul Biane
So, how do you boys feel now? Were the accommodations comfy? Food good? Those stainless steel toilets are really special, aren’t they? Some people deserve such extravagance. Like Rex. Because “He lied.”
iePolitics: As always, we were full of crap
Jim Erwin, Paul Biane, Mark Kirk, Jeff Burum
A picture says a thousand words.
iePolitics: Taking bets
Not monetary! So here is the question of the day. How long will it take Mark Kirk to sell out Jeff Burum to save his own hide? We all think he will do a Matt Brown. We are betting it will be three days or less depending on how much he enjoys the jail food.
iePolitics: We were right
At least we were right to a degree. I’m talking about the District Attorney’s office asking for and getting excessively high bails on the latest arrestees, Jeff Burum, Jim Erwin, Mark Kirk and Paul Biane.
I have not hidden the fact that I wanted to see these guys arrested . . . vengeance, karma, the golden rule . . .whatever. They needed to be shown some humility like so many of the rest of us.
iePolitics: Were they tricked?
Over the past few months, iePolitics has been given lots of info regarding the various scandals that often has seemed to be a setup. Sometimes we print it; sometimes we don’t.
When I posted my “pool‘ post, it was based on backroom chatter we had been hearing, not the “info” usually sent our way through various channels. Then on Sunday we heard that the John Does had been notified by the district attorney’s office that they would be allowed to turn themselves in. We verified that yesterday and posted the indictment update.
iePolitics: The Sentinel
For those who have not read the latest edition of the Sentinel, here is the link: The Sentinel
iePolitics: Okay, this is disgusting, I agree
But we need a little levity with all the bad stuff that we expect to happen tomorrow.
Just in from Muslim Heaven
OSAMA BIN LADIN has just met with the first of his 72 virgins that Allah promised
iePolitics: Update on indictments
We have confirmed with multiple sources that those who may be indicted by the San Bernardino County Grand Jury in the ongoing corruption scandal have been told they will be allowed to turn themselves in, which is quite a departure in comparison to how Bill Postmus, Jim Erwin, et al., were handled. Of course, this is the right way to do things because not a single one of them is a flight risk. We are wondering if the new AG has had an effect of how things are done or if someone cut a deal. Of course, there are many rumors that certain members of the bench are under investigation and we know positively that Ramos is being looked at closely. Either way, it is interesting to see the disparity in treatment.
iePolitics: Jeff and Neil: Do you really want to share a cell with Jim?
We are hearing some pretty crazy stuff, except I’m beginning to think it’s not so crazy after all. Anyone who knows Erwin knows he like to run his mouth. But this time around it appears he has got the AG and DA believing it. And I’m not so convinced he is making it up either.
- Jeff, does Jim really have $100,000,000 backing him in his defense?
- Neil, are you and Jim really closer than ever? Are you really going to go down fighting together?
Seriously, if all the things Jim is sending our way are true, you two better be ready to meet Bubba. I suspect Mikey is making those arrangements for you as I write this.
iePolitics: bin Laden’s last moments
iePolitics: Score one for the good guys!
Osama bin Laden
CNN is reporting Osama bin Laden is dead–over 3000 days after September 11, 2001. Now it shall be interesting to see what President Obama’s reaction will be.
iePolitics: Behind the scenes, Part Three
I think everyone has noticed I changed the blog format a few days ago. This new theme is extremely versatile and you will see some significant changes overtime. I added the cross masthead last night with the intent of leaving it up just for Easter and then replacing it. But as I started to write this post, I decided to leave it up longer as I need a reminder of why we do what we do and that we need to be doing it for the right reasons.
This post is the third in the series about those things that occurred behind the scenes that made Bill’s guilty plea came about. It’s about those who fight for justice, not for justice sake, but for selfish reasons; for self-preservation.
I started to see a change in Bill’s attitude after Rex’s first trial ended in a mistrial. It was hard not to have a change in attitude because we knew the facts of the case, facts that never saw the light of day in the courtroom during either trial. The mistrial should have been a “not guilty” verdict.
IVDB: Colonies settlement: Justice means following facts
OpEd: Jeff Burum
Created: 04/23/2011 07:07:31 AM PDT
It is clear to me that prosecutors want to re-create the history of the Colonies settlement without the facts and have no intention of clearing my name. Over the last two and a half years, they have not only ignored the facts of multiple court rulings but they have demonstrated a total disregard for the truth and the law.The truth will eventually come out and I will be cleared of the prosecutors’ purported “scheme to conspire.” After all, we live in a country where we all get equal protection under the law whether prosecutors like it or not. Trying to prove guilt where none exists underestimates the power of honesty and my belief in our great nation and its judicial system. We live in a country where a businessman like me from humble beginnings can stand up to government when government is wrong – whether it is a flood control district or a law enforcement division.
During the initial five years of continual courtroom battles, my partners and I fought against lawyers and government employees who forced us to build one of the largest flood control facilities in Southern California at our own expense. They misused their position of power and misstated the facts with taxpayer-funded lawyers who were constantly rewarded for giving bad legal advice. They believed we would either run out of money fighting back or we would just capitulate.
iePolitics: Is it me or is this taking the piercing thing too far?
iePolitics: Attention former Grand Jurors
I had a Grand Juror contact me and I responded. I have not heard back. If that’s you and it is intentional, that’s okay. But often times my email ends up in spam so I just want to be sure. I really would like to hear from you.
iePolitics: A recommended website
My attorney turned me on to this website today: www.pensiontsunami.com. It is extensive and includes articles about pensions and pension reform around the state as well as around the country. I will be adding it to the blogroll also.
iePolitics: TSA’s search policy
The video I was trying to find when I came across the video in the post below was on Paul Schrader’s Facebook page. Although not as disturbing as the cop video, I think this is outrageous. I’m not sure if this link will work if you are not a member of Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=178856042162464
iePolitics: Male cops strip searching female
I was looking for a completely different video and came across this:
I’m curious. What is the SBSD’s current policy on such things?
SBSun: County’s total debt in Colonies deal to reach more than $184 million
Posted: 04/04/2011 07:01:59 PM PDT
Updated: 04/04/2011 07:09:37 PM PDT
Newly calculated numbers show that San Bernardino County’s debt for its landmark legal settlement with Rancho Cucamonga developer Colonies Partners will be $185 million by the time bonds reach final maturity in 2037.On a 3-2 vote, the Board of Supervisors approved the $102 million settlement, the largest in the county’s history, in November 2006 to end four years of heated legal battle with the developer over flood-control improvements at property in Upland that Colonies planned to build on. The property ultimately became the Colonies Crossroads residential/commercial development adjacent the 210 Freeway.
Former Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Postmus and supervisors Paul Biane and Gary Ovitt voted in favor of the settlement in 2006, while supervisors Josie Gonzales and Dennis Hansberger dissented.
iePolitics: The Sentinel
The April 1, 2011 issue of the Sentinel is out. If you are on the email list it is like in your spam box due to an issue in mailing. Here is the link.
iePolitics: Subpoenas and Johnson letters
Both the Sun and Press Enterprise are running stories tonight to tell you what we already did. Four supervisors are being subpoenaed—Brad Mitzelfelt, Neil Derry, Gary Ovitt, and Josie Gonzales—to testify before a special grand jury convened since former Assessor Bill Postmus signed a plea deal to cooperate in the ongoing corruption investigations.
iePolitics: I’m only human
19Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Over the years, I have quoted the above passage many times. I think a good many of our core readers find iePolitics because they have been wronged in some way.
Today, I have had one of those teary-eyed days. I learned yesterday that it appeared the district attorney was acting fast and a criminal grand jury was being empanelled to indict most or all of the corruption figures. Although not confirmed, I heard today that all five John Does have been served. I am also hearing that the current charges may be dropped against Jim Erwin so to avoid a preliminary hearing and that he will be indicted as well. We shall see.
My first question to my source was, “So that means Mark Kirk was served?” I cannot help but think back to January 1, 2010, the last time I spoke with Mark.
iePolitics: What is a Johnson letter?
We are hearing they went out. I know the purpose. I just can’t find a legal reference. Can someone shed some light? Thanks.
iePolitics: When do parental rights cease?
I saw this on Facebook and hope to God it is someone’s idea of a joke:
Beauty’s in the eye of the beholder and one San Fran mom is doing everything to make her little girl a true beauty. Instead of playing with her mommy’s lipstick and make-up, Britney Campbell’s mom injects her [8-year-old daughter] with Botox every three months.
Britney told The Sun tabloid, “My friends think it’s cool I have all the treatments and they want to be like me. I check every night for wrinkles, when I see some I want more injections. They used to hurt, but now I don’t cry that much.”
VVDP: Local ‘clown’ headed to trial for allegedly threatening Bell city clerk
March 18, 2011 3:50 PM
DOWNEY • A local activist who regularly dresses as a clown to confront elected officials is headed to trial for allegedly threatening the city clerk of Bell.
Edwin Thomas Snell, 64, was held to answer on one felony count of making criminal threats.
Snell of Apple Valley, who already has two prior felony convictions, was arrested in October by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies.
After a preliminary hearing Thursday, Commissioner Burt Barnett at Downey Superior Court ruled there was enough evidence to hold Snell for trial.
To read the rest of the story, click here.
iePolitics: High Desert Tea Party losing its touch?
It seems things are getting more and more bizarre with Bill Jensen and the High Desert Tea Party. For a group that supposedly aligns itself with self-governance and against federal interference in local issues, it is hard to understand why the local chapter would want to take on service rats, denying the disabled an important tool for self-sufficiency.
Kudos to Councilman Russ Blewett and the remaining three councilmen who stood their ground and voted to allow the rats in public buildings. Raspberries to Jensen supporter and friend Bill Holland who voted to ban the animals.
iePolitics: The Sentinel
For those who would like to read this week’s Sentinel, here is the link: The San Bernardino County Sentinel
iePolitics: Jeff Burum Blog?
This was sent to me this morning. I wondered if it was real since it was JeffBurum.net and not JeffBurum.com. Another person by the same name is an accountant in Colorado and already owns the .com. Anyway, it appears to be real. So here is the link: www.jeffburum.net
We can only guess Jeff is trying to rebuild his reputation and counteract all the negative items on the web. I guess we shall see.
iePolitics: The Sentinel
I have not been able to post The Sentinel lately. That is because the files became too big to download to the blog once Mark started adding color graphics. Here is the link for those who would like to read it: The Sentinel
Mark, like the rest of us trying to fight city hall, is working on a shoestring so I know he appreciates your support.
iePolitics: See County Fly
Coflyonthewall wrote: How petty can you be? I read Mr. Erwins blog for daily facts about the county, state, and national news. yours for funny gossip and “whats happening around town”. Juicy, probably not true gossip. At least he’s not giving us hard luck stories and begging for money all the time. How many times have you shut down?? All the time Mr. Erwin manages his blog without hard luck stories. My, my, my. my, my! Also he prints, everthing thing. Lets see if you do!
I apologize for the delay but I have not had much in the way of internet access in the past couple of days. I think you deserve a reply for several reasons.
iePolitics: Gutierrez transferred to Tehachapi
Rex Gutierrez has now been transferred to the next leg of his incarceration. He is currently residing at Tehachapi. He says the food is much better than at West Valley. I’m sure all of his co-defendants and unnamed co-conspirators will want to visit him just like they all did at West Valley. You need to let his wife know to tell him to send you a form so you can be cleared.
iePolitics: More on Colonies–Is there any integrity left?
When I started to write the last entry on the Colonies corruption scandal, I had in my mind where I wanted to go with the post. Unfortunately, that’s not where I ended up. I thought I would try again.
The idea for this post had been floating around in the back of my mind for a week or so when somehow Bill and I got started talking about dying and the afterlife. Bill made a comment to me “At least I know where I’m going when I die so I’m not afraid of death.”
WUWM:Walker Says National Guard could Respond to Unrest, as State Employees Learn of his Budget Proposal
By Ann-Elise Henzl
February 11, 2011 | WUWM | Milwaukee, WI
Gov. Scott Walker says he is confident state workers will continue to show up for work and do their jobs, despite their potential disappointment in his emergency budget proposal.
However, if there is worker unrest, Walker says the Wisconsin National Guard is prepared to respond.
iePolitics: What I think of the Colonies scandal a year later
In a comment one of the bloggers asked me something along those lines. This is a post I have been trying to write for a week or so. If you dare to read it, expect it to be long and rambling as I have a lot to say about the scandal, the defendants and the John Does. I’m not even sure where to start.
Much of what I think about the Colonies scandal is no different that what I thought a year ago after the arrests were made and the John Does were “named.” But some has.
iePolitics: Looks like the good Crebs name isn’t so good after all
It seems Jason Crebs, relative of Colonies Partner Ray Crebs, cut a deal with the US Attorney’s office. Innocent people don’t cut deals and plead to things they did not do. It shall be interesting to see who he sold out to save himself. So much for family honor.