San Bernardino County assessor arrested on drug charges
After months of investigation, San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus was arrested this morning on charges that include possession of methamphetamine, the district attorney’s office said.
More than 50 investigators searched numerous locations in the Inland Empire and Orange County to collect evidence against the embattled assessor, who recently said he had battled and overcome drug addiction. Authorities found illegal drugs inside Postmus’ Rancho Cucamonga home, according to a press release put out by the district attorney's office. He was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine, a felony, and possession of paraphernalia for unlawful use, a misdemeanor.
Postmus, 37, has been under a cloud since April, when investigators raided his office and seized computers and files. They later charged Assistant Assessor Adam Aleman with six felonies that included falsifying documents and destroying public records.
A month later, a grand jury report criticized the assessor for hiring inexperienced employees, using staff to do political work during office hours and misusing a tuition reimbursement plan.
There were also persistent rumors that Postmus was addicted to drugs. He appeared before the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors recently and admitted he had a prior drug problem; he said he had beaten it and apologized for past "mistakes." He also vowed not to seek reelection when his term expired in 2011.
The D.A.’s investigation is continuing, said district attorney spokeswoman Susan Mickey.
-- David Kelly
Photo: Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times
EDITOR'S PICKS:
Jesus Christ! Is every politician a common criminal?
Posted by: David Theiss | January 15, 2009 at 12:42 PM
This guy has a bright future!! Nobama is looking for talented young people to change the country.
Move him on up to Washington right away!!! We need gifted people to manage the bailouts!!
Posted by: adoptivefather | January 15, 2009 at 12:46 PM
He jacked up my property tax for his drug.
Posted by: Bob | January 15, 2009 at 01:24 PM
Possession and use of methamphetamine are not federal felonies. Failure to have the appropriate paperwork is. Please note that US government employees are often given meth to keep them alert while killing people.
Posted by: Richard Pietrasz | January 15, 2009 at 01:27 PM
Been following this for years, we all know there's corruption, I pray they unearth all these corrupt politicians (and developers) connected to this guy, the current sitting county supervisor Mitzenfelt (sp?) was admonished and recommend by Postmus, another story at the san beranrdino sun says they found an email that mentions names (Mitzenfelt included_ and inland empire checks, gotta hate corruption people, let them know we all hate it! Corruption is what's made our country the mess it is today! Clean em out now!
Posted by: Aaron | January 15, 2009 at 02:06 PM
It appears Mr. Postmus is not Obama material. He appears to be a big loser, like Bush.
Posted by: Steve Wimer | January 15, 2009 at 02:59 PM
Riverside and San Bernardino are bastions of corruption and people are moving out in droves. Foreclosures are rampant...how are they going to keep their cushy jobs with no taxpayer $$$?
Posted by: P. Nuttz | January 15, 2009 at 03:22 PM
So, I'm confused. Did he come out recently and say that he was over-coming addiction, but then continued to use and police had evidence that he was continuing to use, so a warant to search his house was issued and meth was found?
It sounds kind of odd to me. I mean, was he selling drugs?
It's not often that police just show up on a person's door with a warrant to search the house for drugs. They usually don't do that unless they have a good and big reason.
Posted by: Jon K. | January 15, 2009 at 05:01 PM