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Mr. Toad, not having as much fun as usual. (Delta Partners IS Dave Ellis.)
As Fairgrounds activists campaign to have the reprehensible Dave Ellis removed from the Orange County Fair Board, and as Ellis relishes the dirty work of smearing our friend Tony Bushala in order to scare Fullerton residents out of voting to recall their useless “Three Blind Mice” councilmen, a most enjoyable early Christmas present has come our way from the smoggy Inland Empire: Dave Ellis has been subpoenaed for communications – e-mails, phone records, letters – in relation to the ever-metastasizing “Colonies” scandal up there. And next week or sooner, you lucky Orange Juice readers will have the first public glance at these gems of sleaze.
Most sweetly, this subpoena was served right when he was in the middle of partying with his friends at his favorite bar (where he can evidently be found most nights) – Newport Beach’s Gulfstream.
The “Colonies” scandal? Yes, it’s been the talk of the town for a year up in San Bernardino County and is bringing down a lot of powerful people, but I realize down here in the OC most of us haven’t heard of it, so I’ll give a quick rundown below.
But first: yes, my main source is Jim Erwin, who is one of the defendants in the case. And anonymous commenters are going to call Erwin a scumbag here, and me a scumbag for listening to him. I know he’s been accused of major corruption in the Inland Empire and for all I know he’s guilty. But I do know three things:
- Jim Erwin is not in my county.
- Jim Erwin never tried to steal my Fairgrounds.
- Jim Erwin is not busy at this very moment creating sleazy glossy mailers lying about my friend Tony Bushala to protect the enablers of Kelly Thomas’ murder.
Enough?
The Colonies Partners Scandal
“Golden State Liberty” has a more detailed summary of the slimy 2005-7 events if you want to get into the weeds. Basically, a real estate company, “Colonies Partners,” wishing to overturn a previous decision against them by the San Bernardino Board of Supervisors and having only one Supe on their side, managed to allegedly bribe (and also allegedly blackmail) two other Supes for a majority to award them a whopping $102 million. Now facing bribery charges are Colonies owner Jeff Burum and Colonies consultant / assistant county assessor Jim Erwin; and facing charges of receiving bribes are former Supervisor Paul Biane and former Supe Chief of Staff Mark Kirk.
San Bernardino DA Mike Ramos plots his next move.
Nothing much happened in San Bernardino County politics this decade, however, without our own Dave Ellis being involved. Political adviser, consultant, and campaign manager to hinky District Attorney Mike Ramos and Sheriff Rod Hoops, his activities during the interim between the alleged bribery and this year’s proceedings apparently fall somewhere between damage control and cover-up.
After eventually throwing his former close associates Erwin and Burum “under the bus,” as they see it, Ellis has now been forced to hand over all his communications of that period, communications with Erwin, Burum, AG Ramos, and his ever-present sidekick Brett Granlund – e-mails, phone records, and letters. And from what I understand, these records appear to show a pattern of misconduct and collusion, and should also be very rude, spicy and ribald.
This post is only a teaser. In a week or so we will sort through these documents and share the best of them – the most entertaining, outrageous, and incriminating ones – with you Orange Juice readers. Till then, Happy Holidays!
That Ellis photo: mug shot? Ha-ha.
Mr. Toad is about get a Wild Ride.
Because you don’t like Ellis, you’re going to listen to an indicted, lying public employee union goon. Erwin tried to sic the D.A. on his political enemies, and got swept up in the net himself.
Whatever credibility you had, Vern, is now circling the toilet bowl.
Well, there you go, there’s a point of view, and look, I’m approving your comment.
But not everything a liar says is a lie.
Well, actually, Erwin-hater, aside from the invective this post is TOTALLY FACTUAL – EXCEPT for the second and third paragraphs from the end, where I am temporarily taking Erwin’s word on what the subpoenaed records are going to show.
In a week or so we’ll know if he lied or exaggerated to me about those records. And if he did, then – as Tom Regan said in Millers Crossing – I’ll sit in the corner wearing a funny hat.
wonder who is defending ellis
Can I guess, perhaps, Phil Greer?
Friday afternoon is usually the time when many higher up OC Republicans can be spotted at the Gulf.
Allan, I think you meant to say higher up OC repuglicans.
Some more back story on Colonies and Jim Erwin,……….http://www.goldenstateliberty.com/2011/07/politics-at-their-worst-san-bernardino.html
I would venture to guess that Jim Erwin knows exactly what and who, is involved, and if he wants to ask Ellis some specific questions he knows exactly what to ask and where to get the corroborating evidence….and then there is that horrific “suicide”, that no one believes was a “suicide”….
No, don’t poo-poo the words of a less than ethical person-that’s the one who has real inside scoop. it’s not the church lady who only knows what she reads in her local newspaper and has lived in the community 75 years.
Cant wait to read just what will be on those “communications” with regards to the Colonies (gee, I wonder)
Maybe the writer can help me to understand the players better since Im new to this event but intrigued:
In this statement, “After eventually throwing his former close associates Erwin and Burum under the bus,”
what exactly do you mean by “close associates” ?
Do you know how long was it, time wise.betweent Erwin and Burum being thrown under the bus and the Ellis communications being subpeonaed for review?
would you happen to know what office is doing the requesting of communications? I want to say FBI but not sure if that’s correct
thank you
Erwin tells me he’s known Ellis since 94, Burum much less.
Ellis routinely called Burum and Erwin regarding Ramos and his probe that led to the charges.
Erwin also used Ellis at Erwin’s police union job for paid political work.
The defense subpoenaed the records earlier this month. The indictment occurred in May.
Thank you Vern,
7 months later- I’m just wondering, Ellis still has intact “communications” ?
Are you able to completely delete files and other records from a computer or are there ways to retrieve things no matter what?
so, did Erwin consider Ellis to be a friend?
Well I know they did get lots of stuff.
Yes, Erwin did think of Ellis as a friend – for a long time. Another thing that reflects badly on Erwin, LOL
Hi Vern
Ellis sounds he is either really arrogant or really stupid (maybe both)
Nope, aquaintance is one thing, but friends for years with this guy doesnt look good for him
I remember hearing this saying, if you lay down with dogs you’re going to get fleas.
There are fleas EVERYWHERE right now.