Two Former San Bernardino Officials Charged With Corruption

SAN BERNARDINO -Corruption charges have been filed against a former San Bernardino County tax assessor and another ex-official.

Court records show that prosecutors on Tuesday charged former Assessor Bill Postmuswith conspiracy, bribery and embezzlement. Also charged is Jim Erwin, a former assistant assessor of operations.

Authorities say the men took $100,000 each in 2005 from a developer called Colonies Partners that was suing the county for $102 million. The Board of Supervisors approved the settlement even though staff opposed it.

Erwin was chief of staff to a supervisor and Postmus was chairman at the time.

Postmus was arrested in Victorville around 6Wednesday morning. During the booking process, investigators say they found methamphetamine in Postmus’s possession.Postmus was taken into custody for investigation of possessing a controlled substance, conflict of interest, bribing a public official, conspiracy to commit a crime and embezzlement.

Postmus was booked into the Victor Valley Jail with bail set at $250,000.

Investigators also arrested Jim Irwin around 7:10am in San Bernardino. He is charged with conspiracy to commit a crime, giving a bribe to a legislator, bribing a public official extortion and forgery. Jim Erwin was booked into the Central Detention Center in San Bernardino and is being held on $340,000 bail.

Postmus faces 12 years in prison if convicted and Erwin could get eight.

A call to Postmus’ attorney wasn’t immediately returned.

Postmus already was facing criminal charges of grand theft, drug possession and misappropriation of public funds and was under state investigation.

He resigned last year after authorities say they found methamphetamine while raiding his home.