Supervisors vote to start process for removing Assessor Bill Postmus from office

By Lauren McSherry on December 16, 2008 12:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously this afternoon to start proceedings to remove embattled San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus from office.

The board directed county counsel to look into hiring an independent attorney and investigative staff to gather evidence of misconduct in office. The evidence would be used for a trial over which the board would preside.

A hearing could be held as early as May, said Ruth Stringer, county counsel.

"It could be a little earlier, it could be a little later," Stringer said. "It all depends on what the investigatory process produces."

During the hearing, the supervisors would have the power to subpoena witnesses and to require the assessor to appear before them. The witnesses would also give sworn testimony.

The overall process of removal could take up to two years and cost anywhere from $500,000 to $1 million.

San Bernardino County is the only county in California whose charter gives the board of supervisors the power to remove an elected official.