Tag Archives: sheriff

iePolitics: I promised to post, so here you go . . .

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And he’s a local, which makes this all the better.

 

Deputy Stan Bennett

Deputy Sheriff Stan Bennett’s heroic actions on the night of September 16, 2010 have made him an All-Star in the eyes of his California community. Stan was driving home from his son’s cross country meet when he witnessed a pickup truck drift into oncoming traffic and slam into another car head-on. Without hesitation, Stan immediately took control of the scene of the accident, calling dispatch for assistance and directing another witness to manage traffic.

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iePolitics: Another question for the Board of Supervisors

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Now that we have a new scandal, the POST scandal, are you going to continue with the precedent you set with the Assessor’s Office scandal, and sue everyone before anyone is convicted of anything?  I’m sure Hueston needs the money.

iePolitics: Former deputy convicted on 15 counts

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Here is an excerpt from the Daily Press:

VICTORVILLE • A former Victorville sheriff’s deputy was convicted Tuesday of 15 of 24 counts in connection with soliciting bribes and sexual favors in exchange for reduced charges.

After nine days of deliberations, jurors convicted Matthew Linderman of at least one count for 10 of the 11 alleged victims.

The 33-year-old was immediately taken into custody after the verdict.

Examiner: Seven Sheriff’s Department employees busted for fraud

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Today seven current or retired members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department were indicted on a variety of felonies involving falsification of training records that resulted in higher rates of pay and higher retirement allowances.  Among those indicted were retired Assistant Sheriff Mike Stodelle, Lieutenant Russell Wilke, Detective David Pichotta, and retired Lieutenant Bill Maddox.  Pichotta is the former son-in-law of retired Sheriff Gary Penrod.

Others indicted include retired Captain Hobart Gray, who is charged with perjury, grand theft and conspiracy; his wife Angie Gray, charged with three counts of conspiracy, two counts of attempted grand theft, and one county of grand theft; and Sallyann Christian, charged with one count of conspiracy and one count of grand theft.

iePolitics: Does any member of the BOS understand the significance of what happened today?

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We have been telling you and telling you and not one of you has had balls enough to do something about this.  Do you realize that by Sheriff’ Hoops lying to you and allowing those indicted today to remain on duty, every single investigation they handled for the past two years or more is in jeopardy?

And if former Assistant Sheriff Mike Stodelle is really involved, he retired in 2006 or earlier.  That means that investigations going back to 2006, and perhaps earlier, could be in jeopardy.  We really have no idea the number of victims that potentially may no receive justice.

Continue reading →

iePolitics: New POST information

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We were not going to post this, but rather wait a few days to see what happens.  But now we have the information from two separate sources, one being the Sheriff’s Department and one being a member of the bar.  As with everything, we are going to post this as rumor and see what transpires.

We are being told there will be a second round of indictments.  We  have been told that today’s indictments were just the felonies.  We are being told that there will be 20 more misdemeanor indictments and the defendants will be charged with PC 32, which makes sense for all the brass who looked the other way and allowed this to happen.

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iePolitics: Okay, we have our answer

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Out of the 27 originally investigated, seven have been indicted.  This is from the Sun’s website:

Six of the defendants appeared in Superior Court this morning for arraignment. They were: former Sheriff’s Capt. Hobart Gray, his wife and former sheriff’s training specialist Angela Gray, retired Assistant Sheriff Michael Stodelle, Lt. Russell Wilke, training specialist Sally Ann Christian, and Deputy David Pichotta.

Retired sheriff’s Lt. Bill Maddox failed to appear, and Judge Michael Dest ordered that a warrant be issued for his arrest if he does not appear in court on Friday for his arraignment.

Read more: http://www.sbsun.com/news/ci_17565287#ixzz1G2Rj6XsP

iePolitics: Rumors first

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We are hearing that S-23 is packed with people awaiting the arraignments of those indicted/charged today in the POST scandal.  The names coming out so far are:

  • Deputy Chief Mike Stodelle (retired I believe)
  • Captain Bart Gray (retired)
  • Angie Gray
  • Son-in-law to Gary Penrod (sorry, don’t know his name)

We will update this list as we get more names.

Examiner: SBCo. Sheriff POST scandal to be discussed by District Attorney

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Editor:  Please click on link below so I get paid!

San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos issued a media advisory today regarding the POST scandal involving up to 27 members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.  He has called a press conference for March 8 at 11:30 a.m.  Employees have been accused of falsifying training records so to receive additional compensation.

The scandal was first discovered as early as 2009 and was reported on a local political blog, iePolitics.com.  Sheriff’s officials continued to deny the extent of the criminal activity among its members as recently as the June 2010 primary when Sheriff Rod Hoops was running for election to his first full term.  He had been appointed the previous year by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors to replace Sheriff Gary Penrod, who retired before his term expired.

SBSun: DA Ramos to discuss Sheriff’s Department scandal

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By Joe Nelson

Posted: 03/07/2011 05:11:00 PM PST

 

San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael A. Ramos will hold a news conference at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday to announce developments in a scandal at the Sheriff’s Department regarding an ongoing Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) investigation.

Continue reading →

iePolitics: No update

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I can tell by the hits that everyone is waiting to see what happens today.  Honestly, I expect iePolitics will be the last to know if something goes down today.  From everything I hear, if it is being done today, it is being done in secret and even if I have sources there they will be too afraid to tell me.  There is a lot of misinformation being put out on purpose.  Evenutally, we will all find out how many and what their names are, but I doubt it will be today.

I can tell you beyond a shadow of a doubt, there are a minimum of 27 involved plus the brass who covered it up.  I can’t say with any certainty how many of those will be charged or if they will all be charged/announced at the same time.

iePolitics: POST scuttlebutt

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Rumors are flying in every direction about the POST scandal.  Even my best sources are being inundated with opposing rumors.  Some seem to be being put out there intentionally to see who within the department is leaking them.

So far this morning I have heard that the arrests are taking place today, that the arrests are taking place tomorrow, that the arrests are taking place after the 26th, and that there will be no arrests at all.

Continue reading →

iePolitics: Sheriff’s vehicles

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I was tipped off that lieutenants and above are given car allowances AND the county is paying for all the maintenance, insurance and gasoline for those cars.  Yet I cannot find anything showing that Sheriff’s brass is entitled to or receiving car allowances.  Can anyone confirm or deny this information and point me in the right direction for documentation?

iePolitics: Time for BOS to call for Hoops’ resignation

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The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors appointed Rod Hoops to the position of Sheriff despite our warnings and the warnings of others that he had many skeletons in his closet.  And now that a very large skeleton is becoming public despite all of their attempts to keep it hidden, it is time for the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors to reverse its action and remove Hoops if he does not resign on his own.

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iePolitics: What do Taco Bell and SEBA have in common? – Revised

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You can’t find beef at either place.   Sorry.  That came via text from a good friend.

We hear that SEBA president Bill “Beef” Abernathie is adamantly denying everything in my original story as “bullshit.”  This is where we are at.

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iePolitics: This probably wouldn’t be funny if you’re the one in the back of the patrol car

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Yesterday there was a call in Wrightwood involving a man with a gun  The man was found dead after firing shots at responding deputies.

What the public does not know is that one of the responding deputies had made an arrest of a pregnant female for possession of narcotics. Well this call comes out so this deputy thinks that he needs to respond and goes to the call with the female handcuffed in the back of his unit.

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iePolitics: The Penrod connection

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As I have said in previous posts, I will believe former Sheriff Gary Penrod will be indicted over the POST scandal when it happens.  Penrod is guilty of covering up criminal behavior, misuse of public resources, allowing theft of public resources and interfering with the investigation along with possible other crimes.  Much of the Sheriff’s Department executive staff is also guilty of similar crimes.  But I was given the likely scenario if by some miracle Penrod is charged.

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iePolitics: 27 indictments issued

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iePolitics has learned that 27 sealed indictments were issued last Friday in the POST scandal.  Unconfirmed, but previously reliable, sources say that the indictments came from two grand juries.  We are not clear why two grand juries would be used.  Perhaps a reader to clarify that procedure for us. Continue reading →

iePolitics: Looking for information

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One of the most asked questions I have received since posting the last two POST scandal pieces is, “Is Deputy Chief Ron Cochran going to be indicted?”  I have a stack of Ron Cochran stories piled up from him beating up his girlfriend/wife, the shooting, the accident where he had his girlfriend take the blame and then recanted after she was convicted.

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iePolitics: Education and SBSD

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The memo below was forwarded to me as an example of Sheriff Hoops’ interest in education or lack thereof.  It is nteresting in light of the POST scandal.  English, or should I say correct English and grammar, must be his second language.

From: Guerra, Lee
Sent: Thursday, October 14, 2010 12:39 PM
Subject: Promotions/Transfers on Behalf of Sheriff Rod Hoops

Good afternoon,

Assistant Sheriff Warren Nobles will be retiring from our department effective December 31, 2010.  Warren has dedicated over 32 years of service to the citizens of San Bernardino County.  He has worked in one capacity or another for five different Sheriffs.  An outstanding career.

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iePolitics: More Sheriff’s stuff

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An anonymous email:

The crap that goes on at Sheriff Court Services in San Bernardino (157 West 5th St)

There is an alcoholic OAII (Genie) who sleeps in the break room for hours at a time, The usual corruption within the department is rampant and Sgt Waitchies (allegedly) has never been a deputy out in the field.

I have lots of stories including the naming of a 70-something ornery part time (out of retirement) old hag as the Employee of the Year. Seriously, it is a total embarrassment to work there. Let me know if you would like some more honest-to-goodness unbelievable ethics violations.

iePolitics: 72 days on the beach

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This question is for all general county employees.  If you screwed up on the job enough times that your total days of suspension equaled 72, would you still expect to be employed?  Ok, stop laughing.  Because if you were a deputy for the Sheriff’s Department, you would know it is quite possible.  For example, you could be a narcotics officer assigned to a case only to have your crew come to your home to help you build your barn instead.  Or . . ..

Sergeant John Emmons has served a grand total of 72 hours at the beach.  I supposed it helps that he is good friends with two of the Sheriff’s Department’s most revered employees—Deputy Chief Stewart and Captain Tangway.

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iePolitics: Another Gina Perez story

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This was in my inbox a few days ago.   It took a little while to confirm it:

Her neighbor calls the cops to report someone stealing a car from her house.  Hesperia PD gets called and shows up in time to arrest the people.  It turns out to be repossessors there repossessing one of her cars.  Perez insists the gate was locked and the repossessors damaged the lock to get in.

iePolitics: Update on Idaho plates story

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The deputy chief in question is John McMahon.  Based on the Ramos/Erwin theory of criminal charges, we have a questions or two:

  1. How many counts of perjury were committed by telling the states of Idaho/California that the vehicles in question were driven 51 percent or more of the time in Idaho.
  2. How many counts of theft were committed for depriving California of the Vehicle Licence fees?

Inquiring minds want to know.

SF Examiner: Flood of Brady disclosures

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By: Brent Begin
Examiner Staff Writer
October 28, 2010
Police presence: Police Chief George Gascón says only a few officers will miss patrol work because of past disciplinary issues. (Examiner file photo)

At least 76 Police Department employees have been red-flagged in letters to the Public Defender’s Office as having past disciplinary issues that could discredit their testimony in court — and more are on the way.

The District Attorney’s Office has sent letters to defense attorneys that disclose whether a San Francisco police officer testifying against their client has had disciplinary cases during their careers. Notifying the defense allows the attorneys to then challenge the honesty of the officer in a private hearing with a judge.

Continue reading →

iePolitics: Tips

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I did not realize until yesterday that when I changed out my Blackberry a few weeks ago my voicemail was not properly set up.  I started to think about it yesterday because several people called who would normally leave messages and didn’t. Or so I thought.  It was the icon that wasn’t working properly.

So, I found 50 or so voicemails that have been there for weeks.  I went through them all and there were two that I could not make out enough except to know someone was trying to pass along information to me regarding the Public Defender’s office.  If you would try again, I would appreciate it.

Continue reading →

Senor Blogger: Deputy misbehaving No. 2

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This second story is about a deputy that had a problem with sticky fingers.  Things kept coming up missing at the station and it this certain deputy was always there.

A sting operation was set up and he was sent to a call where there was some money that no one claimed. Well that money was placed there by the Sheriff’s department to see what he would do with it.  I guess he did not know how to handle this situation so he took the money home with him and never tagged it as evidence.

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iePolitics: Integrity questioned

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The concept I am writing about is hardly new to iePolitics.  What is new is that I am going to relate it specifically to the discussions we have been having about morality in the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

I will ask a question I have asked more than once on this blog.  If a man (or woman) is willing to break the most important covenant given to him by God, then why should we expect any higher degree of integrity or morality on lesser issues?  The covenant of which I write is, of course, that of marriage.

Continue reading →

iePolitics: More Sheriff’s Stuff

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Here is an email I received today:

I know you have your hands full with many stories, but I just thought of something that was so “common” within the Sheriff’s Department that it just occurred that it was newsworthy & further shows the corruption & nepotism within the department…when Cindy Beavers was married to Randy Beavers, he made it clear to more than one person that he could “get” a copy of the promotional exams for anyone who was one of his “buddies”.  The promotional process usually consists of 50% station eval & 50% testing grade/group.  With a testing grade/group of “group 1″ & a good station eval then a promotion was almost inevitable.  Randy never made it a secret (especially in his drunken state – which was 99% of the time he was off-duty & probably most of the time he was on-duty) that he could get a copy of the exam or at least the very questions asked on the test that would help people do well on the test and therefore get promoted.  Ask around & you’ll find that this has happened many times – not just with Randy.  I guess it’s a good thing when your wife is having an affair with the Sheriff.

Any clarification from anyone?

iePolitics: Paul Schrader for Sheriff

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www.sheriffpaul.net

There has been a cloud of corruption over the San Bernardino County government for the past decade. So much corruption that even elected officials who have not been involved in any scandals are viewed with suspicion by the citizens of San Bernardino County.

My goal is to give the citizens of San Bernardino County something that is desperately needed; A Fresh Start. That start begins with concerned, responsive elected officials. A Fresh Start with innovative plans and solutions to the challenges we face. Fresh, proactive leadership that will restore faith, hope, and the belief that a better future for our families and our children is not only possible, but is something we can accomplish together. No longer will the citizens of San Bernardino be barred from participating in the design of our future, your voices silenced or unheard. I pledge to you that there will be a Fresh Start in law enforcement, that you will be a part of it, your voice will be heard. Continue reading →

iePolitics: The Race for Sheriff

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There are three candidates running for the office of San Bernardino Sheriff/Coroner, all of whom are Republicans.  Current Sheriff Rod Hoops was appointed by the Board of Supervisors last year to replace retiring Sheriff Gary Penrod.  San Bernardino County Deputy Sheriff Mark Averbeck was the first to challenge his boss for the top spot.  And Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff Paul Schrader is also vying for the top cop position.

To a degree, this was one of the toughest races for me to make a decision about and that may surprise regular readers of iePolitics.  I believe all three candidates are good men who want what is best for this county. Continue reading →

iePolitics: Racism and Cops

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I have received about six emails containing racist/sexist material in the past hour that is being passed around by members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Fontana Police Department and others.  There were names you would recognize, including current and former council members, etc.  Some of this stuff is absolutely appalling like the picture of Obama with a tail and jokes that no black person can hold a job for four years.  Anyone who claims that racial profiling and sexual harassment are a figment of our imagination should see what cops find funny.  And the worst part, some of those involved are supervisors and higher. Continue reading →

iePolitics: SBSD – Don’t They Learn?

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Here is a perfect example of why cover up and nepotism is such a problem in the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.  The current POST scandal should have been a lesson, but it wasn’t.  Why?  Because there was no real punishment for bilking taxpayers out of who knows how much money.  So why not try it again?

Yes.  That is right.  No lesson learned. Continue reading →

iePolitics: A Legacy of Malfeasance – Part 6

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Things just get better all of the time.  Several stories of malfeasance have been told on the blog but not in detail.  The next few parts to this series will be short entries detailing several incidents of misconduct by San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department employees.

Today’s short is that of a reserve deputy by the name of Larry Adams.  He owns or runs a transmission shop in Redlands that works on Sheriff’s vehicles.  When he is not practicing his trade, he is working with the Narcotics Division.

It seems Larry was driving through the city of San Bernardino and he ran a red light in an intersection monitored by red light cameras.  When the notice arrived, he asked someone in Narcotics if they could do something for him and was told they could not.  But then he contacted Sergeant Onadaro.  The sergeant wrote a letter to the San Bernardino Police Department falsely stating that Larry was working in an undercover capacity at the time and was on a surveillance.  He asked that the ticket go away. Continue reading →

iePolitics: Geez, I feel like my blog has been taken over by the ghosts of Starsky and Hutch

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For all the cops who seem to like to argue, I have taken you off of moderate because I’m tired of my Blackberry beeping with a new message to moderate every five minutes.  If you want your messages to go straight to the blog for all the world to see without moderation, you can’t use any bad words, anything bigoted including race or sexual orientation, or include any links, including email addresses, in the body of the message.  I really want to leave the blog this way, so please be respectful so I don’t have to put the blog back on moderate. Continue reading →

ACU: SEBA a “Non-Adversarial Approach”

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In the last couple years I have heard many terms used by SEBA’s staff and their attorneys.

Terms like, “I have to work with these people everyday”.  “Don’t care the Deputies lied”. “What do you care it’s not your money”.  “Not a good idea to upset Judges”. “Not a good idea to sue cops”. “Not a good idea to put management on the witness stand”. “We enjoy a good working relationship with management”. “No we can’t do that to another SEBA member because we will have to represent them later”. “It’s their department they can do whatever they want”.

And now someone says, we take a “non-adversarial approach” in dealing with the County. Continue reading →

iePolitics: POST Scandal

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I’ve received two responses so far.  The first is that Stodell is from the Yucaipa area, which fits the situation.  And the second:

The names that I have heard for sure that have been involved in the POST issue are Bill Zehms, Lt. Jerry Davis and Captain Mark Marnati. Sources say that they have confirmed Davis and Marnati but the Department denies this because of their rank and the fact that Marnati had worked in Internal Affairs. If Stodell was involved in this scam then it really dates back a long time as he retired three to four years ago. Now if they have been doing this for that period of time then Captain Gray would owe a lot more money than he paid back that’s for sure.

Please keep the tips coming.  I think we all know there is more to this scandal that what the Sheriff is admitting to publicly.

iePolitics: Need More Sheriff’s Information

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iePolitics has received a few tips regarding the case of Deputy Richard Heverly.  He is the deputy who while off-duty pulled a gun on a tow truck driver in Riverside County.  A Riverside County jury recently deadlocked and the judge declared a mistrial last month on whether Heverly was guilty of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, assault by a public officer, making criminal threats and false imprisonment. Continue reading →

iePolitics: Thank You Sheriff Rod Hoops

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Sheriff Hoops,

Thank you for backing out of the debate sponsored by Barb.  I don’t care if it was for the reason stated in Paul’s press release or if you, too, were as offended as so many of the rest of us by her bigotry and hatred.  It would have been a travesty to have a debate sponsored by Barb where the candidates and attendees alike would have been subjected to being called pedophiles and worst.  Barb, ET Snell, Al Vogler and Paul Bosacki have tried to make a mockery of this election cycle.  It is harassment of the worst kind and no voter should be subjected to it in a public forum.  As I have been talking to friends about attending events, many are fearful because of the accosting that has been perpetrated by Barb and her group. Continue reading →

iePolitics: A Legacy of Malfeasance – Part 5

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It had been my plan to write about the Sheriff’s gang known as the “Sharks” in Part 5 of this series.  But as I was researching the Sharks, another Sheriff’s gang was brought to my attention and that gang is a bit more interesting.  The Sharks are not off the hook; we are just going to bait them a little more and they will show up later in the series.  Today, we are going to discuss the Sheriff’s gang known as the “Mexican Mafia.”

The Fontana station of the Sheriff’s Department, or as many people call it, Fontucky, is much like the Victorville station was some years ago.  It is lawless and troublesome.  But not everyone knows just how lawless it is.  It has such a serious problem that Internal Affairs had to set up a satellite office at the station.  Now that’s bad! Continue reading →

iePolitics: Why Vote for Paul Schrader

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Many might be wondering why they should vote for Paul Schrader.  Well lets look at some of what I believe to be common sense issues. NO masters degree needed.

This is nothing personal against Mark Averbeck. I admire his fortitude and no-nonsense approach to the Captain Gray scandal in the last week.  Some think that Averbeck’s approach is nothing more than political grandstanding.  Maybe.   Or maybe Mark is just tired of what he has seen in his career. I will give him the benefit of the doubt. Continue reading →

iePolitics: Contact the John and Ken Show

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I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m tired of the scandal and cover up of scandal in this county.  I’m really disgusted that the county’s top law enforcement officer has apparently lied to the Board of Supervisors about the seriousness and outcome of the P.O.S.T. scandal.  This scandal is a big deal and Sheriff’s Department official should be criminally prosecuted for it but because of Hoop’s friendship and affiliation with District Attorney Mike Ramos, it will likely never happen.  Any of us who perjured ourselves and stole this much money would be sitting in jail awaiting trial.

So, here is something you can do.  Email the John and Ken show at:  johnandkenshow@kfi640.com or call the show at:  1(800) 520-1534 and ask them to cover this story.  Continue reading →

iePolitics: A Legacy of Malfeasance – Part 3

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As the scandal regarding the falsified training documents committed by members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department grows, the significance of it becomes more concerning.  The theft of public funds by those who are hired to serve and protect and uphold the law is serious enough.  But the fact that deputies and above do not have the certification to be officers is even more serious.

In other words, when a deputy does not take the classes he is required to take and is given an unearned certificate, he is NOT entitled to be an officer.  He is NOT entitled to carry a badge or gun or make arrests or testify as an officer of the court any more so than an average citizen.  This scandal undermines our county’s entire justice system. Continue reading →