Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
4 indicted in Colonies development corruption case
Listen
• 1:54
San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael Ramos announces bribery and corruption charges on Tuesday, May 10, 2011 against former county officials and a local developer.
(
Steven Cuevas/KPCC
)
This is the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s “wanted” poster for fugitive former County Supervisor Paul Biane.
(
Steven Cuevas/KPCC
)
A former San Bernardino County supervisor is facing multiple felonies as part of ongoing corruption investigation. Two other former county employees and a local developer are also facing charges.
The case involves a multi-million dollar land settlement between the county and a Rancho Cucamonga developer.
An attorney for Paul Biane says the former supervisor is out of state, but will turn himself into authorities as soon as he returns to San Bernardino.
Five years ago, San Bernardino County agreed to pay $102 million to settle a flood control dispute over land owned by developer Colonies Partners. Former county supervisor Bill Postmus brokered the deal. He’s already pleaded guilty to taking bribes from Colonies and allegedly pressuring other supervisors to sign off on the settlement. County DA Mike Ramos says the mastermind was Colonies chief Jeff Burum.
Support for LAist comes from
“He concocted a scheme to corrupt officials, board members, chiefs of board through threats, extortion, inducements and bribery," Ramos said.
Authorities say developer Burum rewarded Postmus, Biane, onetime assessor Jim Erwin and others for their help with the land dispute. They got lavish gifts, hefty political contributions and other bribes; in exchange, they helped settle the dispute on terms that were favorable to Burum. Burum’s attorney denies the allegations. The alleged scheme began about five years ago, around the time DA Mike Ramos launched San Bernardino County’s public integrity unit.
“We represent the 98.5 percent of county employees, elected county people that do the job right, ethically," Ramos said. "And we’re gonna clean up that other percentage I would say that’s been part of the history of San Bernardino County. Once we complete this investigation, this county is going to be a wonderful place as it is for the majority of people to conduct business without worrying about corruption.”
Ramos hinted that his investigators are looking at other county officials. Developer Jeff Burum and former county employees Jim Erwin and Mark Kirk surrendered to authorities a few hours before Ramos announced the charges. If convicted on all charges, the suspects could be sentenced to a maximum of six to eight years in prison.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings. -
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning. -
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority. -
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding. -
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/45c201e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3894+0+0/resize/786x486!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist