Probe continues on Assessor's Office, Postmus successor not named

As two independent probes into alleged misconduct at the San Bernardino County Assessor's Office remain under investigtion, the Board of Supervisors has yet to initiate a process for replacing disgraced former Assessor Bill Postmus.

Postmus resigned from office Feb. 13 following an arrest for suspected methamphetamine possession and a spate of allegations that the office he oversaw was used for political purposes. He has not been charged with a crime.

The District Attorney's Office continues its investigation into alleged political malfeasance at the Assessor's Office. John Hueston, the trailblazing attorney who successfully prosecuted key figures in the Enron scandal and was commissioned by the county to do his own investigation into the Assessor's Office, has yet to report his findings to the Board of Supervisors.

"It's going to happen. How it happens and when it happens is still up in air," said Mark Kirk, chief of staff for Supervisor Gary Ovitt, the board chairman.

As for naming Postmus's successfor, Kirk said Ovitt's office is currently working on a proposal for replacing Postmus that should go before the Board of Supervisors sometime in April.

Assistant Assessor Dennis Draeger, who is currently acting as the interim Assessor, former Assessor Donald Williamson and state Sen. Bob Dutton (R- Rancho Cucamonga) have all expressed an interest in taking over the Assessor's Office, said Second District Supervisor Paul Biane.

He said he sent a memo to Ovitt about two weeks ago suggesting it was time to get the ball rolling.

"I think it's time to start moving forward on the process," Biane said.

Whomever Postmus' successor is, preference will likely go to someone with local real estate experience and management skills who is also a credentialed real estate appraiser, Biane said.

Biane said Sen. Dutton's interest in the position is keen.

"He said if he doesn't get it he will be running for the office in 2010," Biane said.

As for Hueston's investigation, Kirk said county officials are in the process of compiling information and "tying up some loose ends." They also want to be sensitive to the separate and pending criminal investigation by the District Attorney's Public Integrity Unit.

But the public can remain hopeful that the findings from Hueston's investigation will eventually be made public, it's just uncertain when that will be.

"I think it's pretty clear to everyone that the public has an expectaton of results for the money that's been spent on this investigation," said Kirk, adding that the couhty has thus fr spent about $90,000 for Hueston's services. "And it's this office's desire to give them that."