$102 Million Bribery Scandal Rocks San Bernardino: Former County Supervisor Paul Biane Said to be a Fugitive
Updated after the jump with reaction from the San Bernardino League of Women Voters president, who says locals are sick of the years of corruption allegations there.
What is this, New Jersey?
Four people, including three San Bernardino County public officials, have been indicted in a $102 million bribery scheme, according to state Attorney General Kamala Harris.
One of the illustrious indictees, former county Supervisor Paul Biane, can not be located and is considered a fugitive in the case.
The others caught up in the case include Mark Kirk, a former chief of staff for county Supervisor Gary Ovitt, James Erwin, the county's former assistant assessor, and developer Jeffrey Burum, whose Colonies Parnters, prosecutors allege, was the recipient of a $102 million settlement from the county received, in part, through $100,000 bribes.
San Berdoo.
The defendants face charges ranging from bribery to misappropriation of public funds.
The three men above were arrested and booked and all faced bail amounts above $1 million.
More to come ...
Added: The 29-count indictment was handed down yesterday by a grand jury, according to Harris' office.
The three in custody turned themselves in this morning, her office stated.
Biane was "charged with misappropriation of public funds, filing a fraudulent tax return, perjury, filing a false instrument, and two counts of bribery," according to the A.G.'s statement.
Kirk faced charges of "bribery, improper influence, forgery, filing a fraudulent tax return, willful failure to file a tax return, four counts of perjury, three counts of filing a false instrument, and four counts involving bribery."
Burum got hit with four counts of bribery related charges.
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