Twelve weeks after taking a 10-week medical leave of absence, Postmus issued a news release expressing his excitement about working again. Postmus worked his first day Friday, said his spokesman, Ted Lehrer.
"After conferring with my physician at the culmination of my medical leave of absence, I will be resuming my duties and responsibilities as assessor for San Bernardino County," said Postmus, who declined to be interviewed. "I will return to work immediately, and I look forward to leading the department to which I was elected."
His seven-paragraph statement made no mention about a district attorney's investigation into his office.
It also did not reveal anything about the illness that forced him to to leave his job that continued to pay him $71.16 an hour - or $148,500 a year.
In the release, Postmus included a statement from his doctor, James Evans, that Postmus' leave was not due to substance abuse.
According to the statement attributed to Evans, "Assessor Postmus has requested that any further details regarding his medical leave of absence should remain confidential."
Several sources close to Postmus have offered a different story. They said Postmus had been battling an addiction to narcotics, both the illegal use of methamphetamines and the legal use of painkillers.
Paul Biane, chairman of the Board of Supervisors, reiterated his call for Postmus to come before the board to answer claims of drug abuse and because of the district attorney's raid shortly before Postmus took his leave. Out of the raid, Adam Aleman, Postmus' longtime friend and former assistant assessor, has been charged with six felonies for allegedly destroying or tampering with evidence sought by a county grand jury. His case is working itself through the court system. "I still believe that Bill owes the public to come in front of the Board of Supervisors and address the concerns of the grand jury and also the allegations of illegal drug use," Biane said. "I believe ultimately it's in Bill Postmus', the assessor's best interest, to try and regain the confidence of the public. Coming before the board would be that first step." Biane declined to speculate what would happen if Postmus did not come before the board. Neil Derry, the supervisor-elect who takes office later this year, was clearer on his feelings about that issue. "If the assessor thinks that he can go out on medical leave for 12 weeks without providing an explanation to the public or addressing the issues regarding the grand jury report, then he is mistaken," Derry said. "And if he does not by the time I take office provide an honest and true account of the misconduct that had occurred in his office, then I will work to ensure that he either resigns or is removed from office." Derry said he was particularly concerned because "to my knowledge, (Postmus) did not pursue any treatment of any kind for either the addictions that have been reported in the newspaper or anything else. The county cannot afford to have rumors and speculation around public officials that are this damaging to the morale and well-being of the county and to the public we serve." george.watson@inlandnewspapers.com (909) 386-3884 http://www.insidesocal.com/news247/2008/10/san-bernardino-county-assessor.html
San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus has announced he is coming back to work
george.watson@inlandnewspapers.com
Posts
Welcome back, Bill.
We are aware of the little political battle you got stuck into. Don't worry, we're on your side. You know that Ramos is a shill for the dirty military and prison industrial complexes which have so insidiously infected and controlled this county for so long. Let's break them.
And don't worry about the meth charges. We know all about meth, just like the military, that knows that meth wins the war. It raises the IQ from 10 to 20 percent, amongst other features. The last thing we need in government is a mentally unstable abstaining spirit whoooper ;)
Best,
Jim